osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process of the articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if the synthesis of joint cells is impaired.

Varieties

Depending on the cause, primary and secondary osteoarthritis are distinguished.

Primary osteoarthritis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, in which gradual damage occurs to the cartilage tissue of the joint.Diagnosed at the age of 45.Primary osteoarthritis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, since the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, osteoarthritis is difficult to detect because the disease occurs latently.If the patient has cracks in the joints, pain when flexing and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), immediately contact an orthopedic doctor.In the early stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue and prevent the further development of osteoarthritis.

Secondary osteoarthritis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph flow are disturbed.Hormonal imbalances often cause osteoarthritis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

The disease develops at the age of 45, rarely in younger people.Its development is influenced by:

• Physical damage to bones and ligaments.They cause damage to large tissues, which can lead to osteoarthritis of the knee joint;
• congenital anomalies in the development of joint tissues, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• altered metabolism.Causes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if it were a foreign object;
• Inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• tuberculosis of bone tissue;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example, diabetes;
• degenerative diseases.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• excess body weight.It creates additional stress on the joint and causes premature wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, an inadequate training regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• inheritance;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissues.

Osteoarthritis symptoms

Signs of osteoarthritis progression:

• traffic restrictions
• painful pain
• enlargement of joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• Swelling of the joint tissue, presence of compaction and swelling.
• severe pain at night
• Cracking when moving a joint, sensation of bone friction.

Stages of development of osteoarthritis.

• First.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.The joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Severe but tolerable pain develops.When moving the joint, a crunching sound is heard.The functioning of muscle tissue is affected.
• Third.The joint tissue thins and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note a significant deformation of the joint.The ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility is affected.The contracture progresses.Increases the likelihood of subluxations.

Complications

If osteoarthritis is not treated in time, the joint will collapse completely.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and hernias may occur.Osteoarthritis progresses in other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

The first disability group is assigned to patients with impaired motor activity.The second, with partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor restrictions in motor activity.That is, they can move independently, but slowly and with frequent stops to rest.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of osteoarthritis, contact an arthrologist.He specializes in the treatment of joints.If your condition is serious, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnosis

First of all, the simplest method is used - radiological examination of the joint.Then they do an ultrasound.And the most reliable and informative diagnostic methods are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

An important diagnostic point is the collection of anamnesis and clinical examination of the patient.The symptoms will help the doctor correctly determine the diagnosis, even if an MRI is not possible.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study the structure of joint tissues in detail and detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure lasts between 2 and 3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or in the form of a photograph.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Thanks to radio waves and magnetic radiation, it allows you to see a clear image of the tissue.The procedure lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.After 30 minutes, the patient can receive the examination report.

Ultrasound of the joint is prescribed for rheumatological diseases and injuries.The procedure is based on the use of ultrasonic waves.The scanner records acoustic vibrations and the result appears on the monitor.

Osteoarthritis treatment

When a diagnosis is made, a further examination and treatment plan is made.Additional tests are needed to treat not the effect, but the cause.It consists of performing tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, with rheumatoid arthritis or gout there will be an increased amount of uric acid.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First of all, pain and inflammation are relieved.Next, physiotherapeutic procedures and massages are used.Medications help relieve pain, but do not prevent destruction of joint tissue.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium and recommend a series of physical exercises.In the final stages of the development of the disease, operations are resorted to.If there are no complications, this method allows you to restore the motor activity of the joint tissue.

Pharmacological treatment

For osteoarthritis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Necessary for emergency relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolism in cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.It is used to relieve spasms of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.It is used when muscle spasms occur.
• Painkillers.Helps get rid of pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and alleviate the patient's condition.

Injections into the joint.

Therapeutic pharmacological blocks are an effective method of treating pain due to osteoarthritis.Its advantages:

• reduction of muscle tension
• fast pain relief effect
• relieve inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoration of joint mobility.

For pharmacological blocks, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and injections of hyaluronic acid are given to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage restoration.It is recommended to perform 3 to 5 injections with an interval of 5 to 7 days.

Physiotherapy for joint osteoarthritis.

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint osteoarthritis restores the permeability of endothelial cells, eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinesio tape.Elastic bands called tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce tension in muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.In addition, kinesio bandage for osteoarthritis of the joints facilitates blood circulation and lymphatic flow.
• Manual therapy for osteoarthritis is effective as part of complex treatment.Improves the mobility of diseased joints and prevents atrophic processes.Manual therapy relieves pain, increases joint mobility and eliminates muscle spasms.It is prescribed for the initial and middle stages of osteoarthritis.
• Laser therapy for osteoarthritis relieves pain, has an antiedematous effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of osteoarthritis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces blood cholesterol levels, increases tissue regeneration capacity, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve acute pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for osteoarthritis should not focus solely on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The masseuse performs stroking and rotating movements in the spinal area, massages the lumbar and sacral areas, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs stroking and light pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject beneficial enzymes into the blood: the patient's blood becomes thinner, the blood supply to the affected area improves, the elasticity of the joints increases, and the pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for osteoarthritis is contraindicated in people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medications and physical therapy, other treatment methods for osteoarthritis are often used.

• Exercise therapy.You can perform therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for osteoarthritis include static and dynamic loads, and the former should be more numerous.They should be done at a slow and gentle pace;sudden movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.The external use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has an analgesic and analgesic effect.Compresses with medicinal bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins of groups A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.Necessary to fix the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthosis.These are bandages, orthopedic products designed to relieve stress on the knee joint.They stop the development of pathological processes.They are used to limit unwanted joint movement.
• Acupuncture.It relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting them into points 9 to 18. In gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for osteoarthritis.Helps quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets are isolated with plasma and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life it happens like this: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved in the knee joint by injecting these drugs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that began to be used recently.Stem cells are extracted from fat and mixed with plasma, as the cells themselves are somewhat dry and need to be diluted.After this, the injection is injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which gives an effect for 4-5 years.

Osteoarthritis prevention

To reduce the risk of complications and prevent destruction of joint tissue, it is recommended:

• quit alcohol, smoking and drugs
• don't cool your joints too much
• Reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products.
• eat more vegetables, fruits, cereals and cartilage (gelatin)
• avoid excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• perform preventive exercises
• do physical exercise daily
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a vitamin treatment once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are done for osteoarthritis?

It is necessary to pass joint minimum tests.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma, and a complete blood count.If infectious symptoms are suspected, a puncture is performed in the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to warm up joints with osteoarthritis?

If you have osteoarthritis, it is best not to warm your joints before being examined by a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with osteoarthritis?

For osteoarthritis, skiing and cycling are useful.The pedals should be turned gently so as not to damage the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for osteoarthritis

Proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the joints helps recovery.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in the diet.Fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meats are recommended.It is best to avoid smoked products, fast food, sweets, pastries, fatty meats and processed foods.