Osteoarthritis refers to diseases that affect the joints.As a result of dystrophic degeneration, cartilage is gradually destroyed and replaced by growing bone tissue.The pathological process is accompanied by pain, limited joint mobility, dysfunction and severe deformity.About 10-25% of the population has arthritis.After 80 years, most people suffer from degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system.Most often, the disease affects the most mobile joints (fingers, hips, knees, neck).But sometimes degenerative processes develop in the ankle and shoulder joints.
Disease development factors
Various reasons activate destructive processes in the body.Most important are congenital abnormalities of connective tissue.Frequent microtrauma to the joints and acute joint diseases contribute to the occurrence of arthritis.Over time, if left untreated, the disease will progress to a chronic stage with frequent exacerbations.
Stimulating factors leading to the development of joint disease are:
- overweight;
- physical inactivity;
- hormonal disorders;
- atherosclerosis;
- venous insufficiency;
- endocrine disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- Heavy and frequent loads on the joints (for example, in weightlifters or people whose occupations involve lifting and moving heavy objects).
Under the influence of one or more irritating factors at the same time, the cells of the cartilage tissue begin to collapse.Gradually, the cartilage becomes thinner, less elastic, then covered with cracks and falls off.The bones in the joint begin to rub against each other.The body initiates a compensatory mechanism, thanks to which bone tissue grows on the crumbling surface.As a result, the joint becomes inactive and deformed.
Species
Arthritis can be primary, appearing independently, and secondary, developing as a result of disease, injury and joint deformity.
Depending on the affected joint, the disease has the following names:
- Gonorrhea affects the knee joint.
- Coxarthrosis is a disease of the hip joint.
- Spondyloarthrosis affects the discs in the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic regions.
- Crusarthrosis involves the ankle in the pathological process.
If 3 or more joints are involved in the degenerative process, then we are talking about the generalized form.If there are 1-2 joints, it is localized arthritis.
Symptom
At first, the degenerative process occurs unnoticed.There are no nerve fibers in cartilage, so at the initial stages of development, the patient does not even know what destructive processes are taking place in his body.The first signs appear only a few years after the onset of dystrophic degeneration, when the subchondral periosteum is damaged or inflammation develops.
At first, the limbs hurt after much exertion.In the morning or after a long period of rest, a feeling of stiffness and dull pain appears with not too great intensity.After a short period of warm-up or exercise, all painful symptoms disappear.Therefore, people do not go to the doctor, considering this a normal thing.Meanwhile, in the early stages, it is much easier to stop the progression of joint disease.
Over time, all signs strengthen.The pain becomes haunting and constant, making it impossible to sleep at night.Pain, feeling stiff, and the inability to work or complete household chores become increasingly worrisome.The pain and twisting in the joints and surrounding muscles increases when it rains.
Usually, arthritis affects the joints of the lower limbs, so the patient quickly feels tired when walking, has difficulty climbing stairs or any height, due to the destruction of cartilage tissue, forming joint stiffness.An unsteady gait develops due to limb instability.When flexing a joint, an unpleasant crunching sound is heard due to the noncartilaginous joint surfaces rubbing against each other.The patient tries to limit the mobility of the diseased joint, as a result of which muscle atrophy develops over time.They decrease in volume and the gait becomes even more unstable.
If arthritis develops in the joints of the upper limbs, this occurs most often after injury or due to chronic arthritis.In this case, bone growths appear on the fingers, and the hand becomes square.
Clinical symptoms depend on the stage of development of joint disease:
- Are not.
In stage 0, a person sometimes feels a little uncomfortable.X-ray examination did not reveal any degenerative changes. - Elementary.
When walking for a long time, there will be a slight dull pain.X-rays show the appearance of small areas of bone defects along the edges of the joint surfaces.When bending the joint, you will hear a cracking sound. - Easy.
In the morning I feel pain and stiffness in my joints.X-rays show bone spurs (single bone growths) along the edge of the joint, causing the joint space to narrow. - Reasonable.
Moderate stages are considered degenerative.Bones and muscles hurt constantly, especially at night.The joint swells a little.X-ray examination shows even more joint space narrowing, faster bone growth, and increased bone density. - Heavy.
In the severe stage (deformation), pain continuously appears, gradually increasing with movement.When you try to bend the joint, you will hear a rough crunching sound.X-rays show marked joint space narrowing;The bone spurs have grown so much that they have led to joint deformation and changes in its structure.
Diagnosis and treatment
Orthopedists, rheumatologists and surgeons are involved in determining the type and stage of the degenerative-dystrophic process in the joints.Diagnosis includes standard blood and urine tests.If necessary, immunological analysis and examination of intra-articular fluid for the presence of infection are performed.Specific studies are performed (MRI, ultrasound to determine changes in soft and periarticular tissues, CT, X-ray to determine changes in bone tissue).
therapy
The disease cannot be stopped completely.Timely diagnosis and treatment allows you to maintain its mobility and stop the progression of destruction.
Antispasmodics, NSAIDs, steroid inhibitors injected into the joint, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin and mineral complexes, drugs to improve nutrition in affected tissues, proteolysis inhibitors to slow down the process of destruction of cartilage and bone tissue are used as drugs in the treatment of joint diseases.
Patients with severe pain and joint instability should wear a bandage that immobilizes the joint in its normal position with adhesive tape, orthotics, elastic knee pads, or elbow pads.Crutches or canes should be used for support.
Physiotherapeutic procedures must be prescribed, including UHF, massage, ozone therapy, electrophoresis and phonophoresis with analgesic solutions, magnetic therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, darsonvalization therapy, paraffin baths (in the absence of inflammation)
In the later stages of joint disease, when tissues have been destroyed and joints are severely deformed, the only way is surgical intervention:
- Arthroscopy with removal of bone growths, spurs and partial replacement of damaged cartilage.
- Endoscopy.This is the replacement of a joint (full or partial) with an artificial joint.
- Artodez.The joint is closed and fixed in a comfortable position.Over time, the joint surfaces grow together.
prevent
Because it is impossible to restore one's joints to a normal physiological state, it is necessary to take advance measures to prevent this disease.It is especially important to do this if there is a family history of the condition or if you are over 40 years old.
Prevention includes maintaining a normal body mass index and exercising regularly.Infectious diseases and other joint diseases need to be treated promptly to avoid hypothermia and sudden, prolonged exertion.People in the risk group (according to age, injured occupation, poor genetics) need to regularly check their joints with X-rays.
Only timely and complete treatment can keep joints healthy.