Osteoarthritis

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

Varieties

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

Primary osteoarthritis.Initial stage of a chronic disease, in which progressive damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the joint occurs.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary osteoarthritis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, because the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, osteoarthritis is difficult to detect, since the disease presents itself in a hidden form.If the patient has cracking in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), 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 osteoarthritis.

Secondary osteoarthritis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymphatic outflow are impaired.Hormonal imbalances often cause hip osteoarthritis 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 risk of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• altered metabolism.This causes deformation of the cartilage;
• 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, Perthes disease;
• diseases causing weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent hemorrhages in the joint area;
• excess body weight.Creates additional stress on the joint and causes premature wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, an inappropriate training program or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissues.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Signs of osteoarthritis progression:

• traffic restrictions
• painful pain
• enlargement of joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• swelling of joint tissue, presence of compaction and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• cracking when moving a joint, feeling of bone rubbing

Stages of development of osteoarthritis

• First of all.There are no pronounced symptoms, only slight pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Intense but tolerable pain develops.When you move the joint, a cracking sound is heard.The functioning of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Third.The joint tissue becomes thinner and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors noted a 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 completely collapse.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and hernias may occur.Osteoarthritis progresses into other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• deformation of joint tissue
• total immobility, disability

Disability

The first group of disability is assigned to patients with impaired motor activity.The second - with partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor restrictions on 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 - X-ray 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 to correctly determine the diagnosis, even if it is not possible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) allows you to study the structure of joint tissues in detail and detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or in photographic form.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Using radio waves and magnetic radiation, it allows you to see a clear image of the tissues.The procedure lasts 10 to 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 records the acoustic vibrations and the result appears on the monitor.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

When a diagnosis is made, a further examination and a treatment plan are developed.Additional examination is necessary to treat not the effect, but the cause.It involves taking tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, in cases of rheumatoid arthritis or gout, the amount of uric acid will be increased.

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

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

Drug treatment

For osteoarthritis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Needed for emergency relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve the anabolism of cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.Used to relieve spasms of small vessels and improve blood circulation.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.Used in cases of muscle spasms.
• 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 drug blockades are an effective method of treating osteoarthritis pain.Their advantages:

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

For drug blockages, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and hyaluronic acid injections are given to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate the restoration of cartilage.It is recommended to make 3-5 injections with an interval of 5-7 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 in the joints, improves blood circulation in the affected area and stimulates restorative processes.
• Kinesio recording.Elastic bands called tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, thereby reducing pain.In addition, kinesio taping for osteoarthritis of the joints facilitates blood and lymphatic circulation.
• 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 in the initial and intermediate stages of osteoarthritis.
• Laser therapy for osteoarthritis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of osteoarthritis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces blood cholesterol levels, increases the ability of tissues to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve acute pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for osteoarthritis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and rotating movements in the spine area, massages the lumbar and sacral areas, 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 clears, blood supply to the affected area improves, joint elasticity increases, and pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for osteoarthritis is contraindicated for people suffering from anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medications and physiotherapy, other methods of treating osteoarthritis are often used.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with little or no pain.Physical exercises for osteoarthritis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of them.They should be performed at a slow, smooth pace – sudden movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.External use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a resolving and analgesic effect.Compresses containing 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 repair 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.
• 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 at points 9 to 18. For 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 own blood.Plasma-containing platelets 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 extracted from fat and mixed with plasma, because the cells themselves are somewhat dry and need to be diluted.After that, the injection is injected into the knee joint.A single injection is enough, which gives an effect for 4-5 years.

Osteoarthritis prevention

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

• quit alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• don't overcool your joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid excess weight
• avoid excessive stress
• carry out preventive exercises
• exercise daily
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a vitamin course 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 made at the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to heat joints suffering from osteoarthritis?

If you have osteoarthritis, it is best 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 should be turned smoothly so as not to injure 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 to recover.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Recommended fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, pastries, fatty meats and processed foods.