Osteoarthritis

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

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Depending on the cause, a distinction is made between primary and secondary arthrosis.

Primary osteoarthritis.The initial phase of a chronic disease, where gradual damage occurs to the cartilage tissue of the joint.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary osteoarthritis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected as the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, osteoarthritis is difficult to detect because the disease occurs in a hidden form.If the patient has crunch in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), you must contact an orthopedic doctor immediately.In the early stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue and prevent the further development of arthrosis.

Secondary osteoarthritis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph outflow are impaired.Hormonal imbalances often cause osteoarthritis in 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 abnormalities in the development of joint tissue, which increases the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• reduced metabolism.It induces cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if they were a foreign body;
• inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• tuberculosis of bone tissue;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example, diabetes;
• degenerative diseases.For example, Perthe's disease;
• diseases that cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissue;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• excess body weight.Creates additional stress on the joint and induces early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissue.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Signs of osteoarthritis progression:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pains
• enlarging joint tissue
• increased temperature in the affected area
• swelling of the joint tissue, the presence of compression and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• crunching when moving a joint, feeling of bone friction

Stages of development of osteoarthritis

• First.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Other.The joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes develop.Intense but tolerable pain develops.When moving the joint, a crunching sound is heard.The function of the muscle tissue is reduced.
• Third.The joint tissue becomes thinner and more foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors notice significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility suffers.The contracture progresses.The likelihood of subluxations increases.

Complications

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

• deformation of joint tissue
• complete immobility, disability

Handicap

The first disability group is assigned to patients with reduced motor activity.The second - with partial loss of motor function.The third group has less limitations 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, you must contact an arthrologist.He specializes in the treatment of joints.If your condition is serious, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnostics

First of all, the simplest method is used - X-ray examination of the joint.Next, 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.Symptoms will help the doctor to determine the diagnosis correctly, even if it is not possible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study in detail the structure of articular tissues and detect changes, cartilage growth and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is delivered 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 10-20 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 ultrasound waves.The scanner detects acoustic vibrations and the result is displayed on the screen.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

Once a diagnosis has been made, a further examination and treatment plan is drawn up.Further investigation is needed to address not the effect but the cause.It consists of taking 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, pain and inflammation are relieved.Physiotherapy procedures and massage are then used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment at a sanatorium resort and recommend a set of physical exercises.In the last stages of the development of the disease, they resort to operations.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of the joint tissue.

Medical treatment

For osteoarthritis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Necessary for acute 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.Used to relieve spasms in small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Pain-relieving medication.
• Antispasmodics.Used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesics.Helps to get rid of pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and relieve the patient's condition.

Injections into the joint

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective method of treating pain due to osteoarthritis.Their advantages:

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

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

Physiotherapy for osteoarthritis

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint arthrosis restores the permeability of endothelial cells, eliminates inflammation and joint swelling, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinesio taping.Elastic bands called tape are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, which reduces pain.Kinesio taping for rheumatoid arthritis also facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy for osteoarthritis is effective as part of complex treatment.It 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 anti-oedema effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of arthrosis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, increases the tissue's ability to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve sharp pains and fatigue after walking.Massage for osteoarthritis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase the inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and rotating movements in the spine, massages the lower back and sacral area, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs stroking and light squeezing.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject beneficial enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood is diluted, blood supply to the affected area improves, joint elasticity increases and pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for osteoarthritis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medication and physiotherapy, other treatment methods are often used for osteoarthritis.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for osteoarthritis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.They must be performed at a slow pace and smoothly - sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.External use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a dissolving and pain-relieving effect.Compresses with medical bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins from 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 assembly.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the function of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthotics.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.Relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting them into points from 9 to 18. In gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy against 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 with plasma are isolated from it 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 quite recently.Stem cells are removed from fat and mixed with plasma, as the cells themselves are somewhat dry and must be diluted.The injection is then injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which provides an effect for 4-5 years.

Prevention of osteoarthritis

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

• give up alcohol, smoking and drugs
• don't overcool your joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruit, grains and cartilage (jelly)
• 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 course of vitamins once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are performed for osteoarthritis?

It is necessary to pass the test of the articular minimum.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma and a complete blood count.If symptoms of infection are suspected, a puncture is taken from the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to heat joints with osteoarthritis?

If you have osteoarthritis, it is better not to heat your joints until you are 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 must be turned evenly so as not to damage the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for osteoarthritis

Correct nutrition for osteoarthritis of the joints helps to recover.Doctors recommend including foods with a high content of vitamins and microelements in your diet.Recommended fruit, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.