Degenerative arthritis of the joints, with the progression of destruction of cartilage tissue, is often diagnosed in men and women at a young age. The characteristic symptoms of an early disease are severe pain, which occurs even at rest, when there is no load on the limbs. To alleviate unpleasant discomfort and prevent the destruction of cartilage structures, complex treatment is prescribed.
What is this disease?
Osteoarthritis is a terrible and common chronic disease that affects most of the entire population.
The pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the cartilage tissues of small and large joints. Due to degenerative changes in cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovial membrane, muscle and ligament structures, and bone tissue are affected. The root cause of the development of such a pathology is considered disturbed metabolism. A complete cure of the disease is impossible, it will only be possible to put the patient in remission, which is why osteoarthritis, which gradually destroys the articular system, is dangerous. Joint disease is often diagnosed in old age, but it also occurs in young people who are already in their twenties. It is important to diagnose the initial phase of its development. This will prevent further complications and help the body cope with the problem.
Reasons for development
The violation of metabolic processes in the articular joints provokes the onset of the development of the disease. The pathology is characteristic of one or more joints at the same time. Other common causes of osteoarthritis are:
- hormonal changes in women during menopause;
- violation of the blood supply to the joints;
- constant hypothermia;
- chronic damage;
- advanced age;
- overweight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- diseased thyroid gland;
- haemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and joint structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- strict diets or unbalanced meals;
- excessive physical activity;
- heredity;
- unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are seen in people who have to work under difficult physical conditions. These are specific specialties:
- minors;
- masons;
- metallurgists;
- blacksmiths;
- fishermen.
Characteristic stages and symptoms
The signs of osteoarthritis develop gradually and increase as the pathology progresses. There are 3 stages of osteoarthritis:
- At the first stage, no morphological changes are manifested, only the synovial composition of the fluid is disturbed, which causes the cartilage tissues to receive less nutrients, quickly lose their elasticity and endurance. There is inflammation in the joint cavity, the pain begins to bother.
- In stage II, the degenerative process develops more actively. Cartilages of the joints are gradually destroyed, uric acid is not fully excreted from the body, as a result of which the first bone growths appear in the joint. This restricts the movement of the joint joint, so that the inflammation progresses, persistent pain in the muscles of the limb bothers.
- Grade III is manifested by complete thinning of the cartilage tissue of the joint, and deformation of the joint itself is also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. In addition, degenerative disorders of the ligament apparatus begin, as a result of which the limb is no longer able to move normally, hypermobility is observed in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. Pain in stage 3 of osteoarthritis is constant, a person cannot quietly lie down, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to disrupt the functioning of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes in a person characteristic signs, which are conventionally divided into 4 groups:
- Pain. Severe pain in the joints, which does not go away for a long time, is the first symptom that characterizes the progression of the pathology. Pain is caused by any movement or physical activity, but at rest the person gets better, the discomfort goes away.
- Crunch. This symptom is expressed at the stage of exacerbation of osteoarthritis. Due to the fact that the cartilage tissues of the joints are deformed for a long time, the bone structures begin to touch and rub against each other. As the tightening increases, the pain syndrome will progress as well.
- Impaired joint mobility. Progressive osteoarthritis of the bone leads to increased growth of bone formations. As a result, the muscle tissue spasms and the space in the joint gradually decrease. The pressure in the joint increases, which also leads to immobilization of the limb.
- Joint deformity. The rapid growth of osteophytes can cause the compound to change, but this symptom already develops in later stages.
Varieties of osteoarthritis of the joints
Distinguish between idiopathic or primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The first type is an independent disease that occurs as a result of age-related physiological changes. But the secondary form occurs against the background of chronic injuries and can manifest itself at any age - at 20 or 30 years. Taking into account the affected joint, one distinguishes osteoarthritis:
- shoulder or elbow joint;
- hip or knee joint;
- spine.
In addition, the disease occurs:
- refined;
- unspecified.
Why is this dangerous?
Acute osteoarthritis is terrible, because as the pathology progresses, the spine is involved in degenerative processes, as a result of which hernias appear. Therefore, it is important to effectively treat osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, when it is possible to apply conservative methods. If the drug is administered out of time or if the patient has tried to recover on his own, the following disorders begin to appear:
- deformation and destruction of joint elements;
- limitation of limb mobility;
- disability;
- violation of the biomechanics of the spine due to the fact that the disc has sagged.
Diagnostic
Before prescribing effective treatment for osteoarthritis or removing affected areas, it is important to know the exact diagnosis. Therefore, after the initial examination, the patient is sent to undergo:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- puncture of synovial fluid, if there is a suspicion of synovitis of the knee joint;
- a sample for histological examination of a biopath.
An instrumental diagnosis is carried out - x-ray. If a patient has knee osteoarthritis (especially pronounced with varicose veins), x-rays of the knee joint should be taken. With dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilage structures, it is recommended to undergo ultrasound, MRI or computed tomography.
How to treat?
Medicinal and surgical
Early osteoarthritis is treated with conservative treatment. Medicines are selected by a doctor strictly according to an individual scheme. If a person has a stomach ulcer or other pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, oral administration is contraindicated. In this case, the injections will give the appropriate effect. The correct prescription of drugs will help improve the activity of metabolic processes in the affected areas. Groups of effective drugs, thanks to which remission will be prolonged:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods have not given results, surgical treatment is prescribed. To relieve the joint, palliative operations are indicated. When the joint is completely destroyed, surgical therapy is performed to replace it, this is called arthroplasty. Since new technologies have advanced in the field of prosthetics, people with a replaced joint can live different, but full, lives.
Exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage
Physiotherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a renowned doctor. This is a set of physical exercises that must be performed on special simulators. Regular exercise will help normalize the condition of the joint and improve its functionality. This means that the exercises are recommended to be performed in special hospitals specializing in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help normalize blood supply and nutrition to diseased areas, which will gradually improve the condition of the joint joints. If the causes of osteoarthritis are clarified precisely and there are no contraindications, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures is prescribed, for example:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- mud therapy;
- medical applications based on natural resins.
The need for a diet
If osteoarthritis is provoked by obesity, the patient is advised to follow a diet that will help normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the load on the joints and improve their functioning. In order for cartilage tissue to recover faster, doctors recommend that their patients eat jellies and boiled broths on bones more often. Thanks to the collagen in these dishes, connective tissues will begin to regenerate and repair themselves faster. It is also important to monitor the balance and completeness of the diet. Foods should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro and macro elements.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the progression of such a dangerous and serious disease, it is important to dose the load on the joints, especially the joints of the lower extremities. It is also worth avoiding injuries and fractures, after which the risk of osteoarthritis increases tenfold. It is important to lead an active lifestyle, do regular morning workouts, eat well, and watch your weight. Thanks to these rules, it will be possible to protect yourself from the occurrence of a destructive pathology or relapse.