Osteoarthritis refers to a disease that affects the joints.Due to the dystrophic-degenerative process, cartilage is gradually destroyed and replaced by growing bone tissue.The pathological process is accompanied by pain, limited joint mobility, functional destruction, and severe deformation.Approximately 10-25% of the population suffers from arthropathy.After 80 years, almost everyone will have degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Most commonly, the disease affects the most mobile joints (fingers, hips, knees, neck).But sometimes the ankle and shoulder joints undergo a degenerative process.
factors in disease development
Various causes can trigger destructive processes in the body.The most important are congenital anomalies of connective tissue.Periodic microtrauma to the joints and acute joint disease can lead to the appearance of joints.Over time, untreated disease enters a chronic phase and worsens regularly.
Predisposing factors that lead to joint disease include:
- being overweight;
- lack of physical activity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Venous insufficiency;
- Endocrine disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- Heavy loads are often placed on the joints (such as weightlifters or people with a career lifting and moving heavy objects).
Under the influence of one or more irritating factors, the cells of the cartilage tissue begin to break down.Gradually, the cartilage becomes thinner and less elastic, then becomes cracked and falls off.The bones in the joint begin to rub against each other.The body initiates compensatory mechanisms, causing bone tissue to grow over the worn surface.As a result, the joints become immobile and deformed.
Species
Arthropathy can be primary (occurring independently) and secondary (occurring as a result of joint disease, injury, and deformity).
Depending on the joint affected, the disease has its name:
- Knee joint disease affects the knee joint.
- Coxarthrosis is a disease of the hip joint.
- Spondyloarthropathy affects the intervertebral discs in the lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions.
- The pathological process of cruciate arthrosis involves the ankle joint.
If the degenerative process involves 3 or more joints, we are talking about the generalized form.If there are 1-2 joints, it is localized arthropathy.
symptom
Initially, the degradation process occurs unnoticed.There are no nerve fibers in the cartilage, so during the earliest stages of development, the patient is not even aware of what destructive processes are taking place in the body.The first signs appear only a few years after the onset of the dystrophic-degenerative process, when the periosteum under the cartilage is damaged or inflamed.
Initially, pain occurs in the limbs after severe exertion.Stiffness and less intense dull pain may occur in the morning or after a long rest.After a brief warm-up or exercise, all pain symptoms will disappear.Therefore, people do not go to the doctor thinking that this condition is common.At the same time, it is easier to prevent the progression of arthropathy in its initial stages.
All signs intensify over time.The pain becomes constant and constant, keeping you awake at night.Pain, stiffness, and inability to concentrate on work or household chores become increasingly disturbing.On rainy days, the soreness and twisting pain in joints and surrounding muscles will increase.
Most commonly, arthropathy affects the joints of the lower limbs, so a person soon gets tired of walking, and it is difficult for him to climb stairs or any height, due to the formation of stiff joints due to the destruction of cartilage tissue.Unstable gait due to limb instability.When you bend a joint, an unpleasant crunching sound can be heard as the cartilage-less joint surfaces rub against each other.Patients try to limit the movement of the affected joint, so the muscles atrophy over time.Their size decreases and their gait becomes more unstable.
If arthrosis occurs in the joints of the upper limbs, this most often occurs after an injury or as a result of chronic arthritis.In this condition, bone growth develops on the fingers and the hand becomes square.
Clinical symptoms depend on the stage of development of the arthrosis:
- zero.
In stage zero, a person sometimes suffers from mild discomfort.X-ray examination did not reveal any degenerative changes. - primary.
A slight dull pain may occur when walking for a long time.X-ray shows a small bone defect along the edge of the articular surface.When you bend the joint, you will hear a crunching sound. - Simple.
Feeling sore and stiff in the morning.X-rays show osteophytes (single bone growth) at the edges of the joint, causing the joint space to narrow. - Ease.
Moderate stages are considered degenerative.Bones and muscles are often injured, especially at night.The joints are a little swollen.X-ray examination shows that the joint space is narrower, bone growth is increased, and bone density is increased. - Heavy.
In the severe stage (deformation), there is persistent soreness that worsens with movement.You will hear a rough crunching sound when you try to bend the joint.X-rays showed a dramatic narrowing of the joint space; the osteophytes had grown too much, causing joint deformity and structural changes.
Diagnosis and treatment
Orthopedists, rheumatologists, and surgeons are involved in determining the type and stage of the joint degenerative dystrophic process.Diagnosis includes standard blood and urine tests.If necessary, immunological analysis can be performed and the intraarticular fluid examined for the presence of infection.Instrumental studies are performed (MRI, ultrasound to determine changes in periarticular and joint soft tissue, CT, X-ray to determine changes in bone tissue).
treat
The disease cannot be completely stopped.Prompt diagnosis and treatment can allow you to maintain their mobility and prevent the progression of damage.
Antispasmodics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid blockers injected into the joints, chondroprotectants, muscle relaxants, vitamin and mineral complexes, drugs that improve the trophic effect of the affected tissues, proteolytic inhibitors that slow down the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue are used as drugs for the treatment of arthropathy.
Patients with severe pain and joint instability are advised to wear tape and use tape, orthotics, elastic knee braces or elbow pads to hold the joint in its normal position.Crutches or canes should be used for support.
Physiotherapy procedures must be prescribed, including UHF, massage, ozone therapy, electrophoresis and sonic therapy (with analgesic solutions), magnet therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, darsonvalization, paraffin baths (in the absence of inflammation)
In the later stages of arthrosis, when the tissues have been destroyed and the joints are severely deformed, the only solution is surgical intervention:
- Arthroscopy removes bone growths, spines and partially replaces damaged cartilage.
- Endoscopy.This is the replacement of a joint (all or only part of it) with an artificial joint.
- Atodez.The joints are closed and held in a comfortable position.Over time, the joint surfaces grow together.
prevention
Since it is impossible for your own joints to return to their normal physiological state, it is necessary to take steps in advance to prevent this disease.This is especially important if there is a family history of the disease or if you are over 40 years old.
Prevention includes maintaining a normal body mass index and exercising regularly.Infectious lesions and other joint diseases should be treated promptly to avoid hypothermia and prolonged and sudden physical exertion.People from high-risk groups (by age, traumatic occupations, poor genetics) need regular X-rays of their joints.
Only timely and adequate treatment can help maintain joint health.