Osteoarthritis, more correctly called osteoarthrosis, is a chronic disease of a dystrophic nature, caused by the destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint, therefore the treatment of osteoarthritis of the joints is extremely necessary.If such a disease occurs, irreversible inflammatory processes begin at the ends of the bones and in the tissues around the joints, leading to their degeneration.Furthermore, osteoarthritis refers to a number of additional degenerative joint diseases, which are characterized by numerous causes of onset and similar progression mechanisms.
Osteoarthritis, according to various statistical information, affects up to 80% of the inhabitants of our planet, making it the most diagnosed joint disease.And among all diseases it occupies 3rd place.
The older a person ages, the greater the chances of developing osteoarthritis.Both sexes are equally susceptible to it, except that osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints occurs more often in women.The active population over 30 years of age is the most affected.From year to year the proportion of patients only increases.
Causes of osteoarthritis of a diseased joint.
The development and causes of osteoarthritis are accompanied by a deterioration in the metabolism in the joint, due to which the cartilage tissue loses its elasticity.The reason for this may be complete or incomplete loss of proteoglycans in the cartilage, which most often occurs due to severe cracks in the cartilage.Loss of these complex proteins can also occur due to a disruption in their production by joint cells.
According to experts, cartilage destruction can occur due to: hormonal imbalances, impaired blood flow in the joint, impaired metabolism, for hereditary reasons, due to mature age, injuries and other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lichen planus.However, the most important cause of osteoarthritis is excessive stress on the joints at a time when they are most vulnerable.
Additional causes of joint osteoarthritis include the following:
- previous injuries;
- excessive body weight;
- inflammation due to the development of a severe form of purulent arthritis;
- poor daily diet;
- hypothermia;
- Libman-Sachs disease;
- intoxication of the whole body;
- frequent colds;
- syphilis, tuberculosis, purulent inflammation of the urinary tract, spring-summer tick-borne meningoencephalitis;
- thyroid diseases;
- chronic bleeding (hemophilia);
- osteochondropathy of the femoral head.
The causes of osteoarthritis are genetic:
- osteoarthritis of bones and fingers can be hereditary;
- dysplasia, as a result of abnormal processes during the development of joints and ligaments that occur in the womb, leads to joint wear and osteoarthritis;
- Pathogenic change in type 2 collagen: when the fibrillar protein of the connective tissue is damaged.
The people most susceptible to the disease are those who have the following professions or hobbies: bricklayer, fisherman, blacksmith, loader, athlete.
Osteoarthritis symptoms for various reasons.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis can be divided into four groups:
- Painful in nature.The appearance of pain first indicates the initial symptoms of osteoarthritis.Pain can be due to various reasons, but it is special in osteoarthritis.First of all, the pain is characterized by acute manifestations and the person may feel some discomfort when moving.The pain disappears with rest.At night, the pain can only be felt when turning from side to side.At rest, the pain becomes constant only in severe forms of the disease.In the initial stages of the disease, pain is felt only during intense exertion or upon palpation.As the condition worsens, the pain intensifies and more and more breaks are required to eliminate it.In severe forms, the pain becomes unbearable and osteophytes appear due to thinning of the cartilage and exposed bone.Bad weather and a full moon aggravate the pain.
- The appearance of a crunch.This type of symptom is also very important when diagnosing.It occurs due to friction between rotating bones, whose ends have lost their softness and elasticity.A creaking sound may indicate other diseases, or it may not be accompanied by them, but in osteoarthritis it has a special character, which is distinguished by its "dryness".This causes pain.
- Impairment of the motor functions of the joint.This symptom is typical in advanced stages of osteoarthritis, and is caused by the appearance of bone tumors in the joint, which cause spasms and almost completely fill the joint space.The result is partial immobilization of the joint.
- Joint deformity.A change in the shape of the joint occurs due to the growth of osteophytes in the bones and the entry of synovial fluid into the joint.This symptom is characteristic of the most advanced forms of the disease.
Osteoarthritis can alternately go from a state of exacerbation to a state of remission, which greatly interferes with independent diagnosis of the disease.For this reason, it is recommended to consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
Thanks to x-rays, the doctor will be able to determine signs that indicate one of the four stages of osteoarthritis:
- Stage 1. The joint lumen may be slightly reduced;no osteophytes are observed.
- Stage 2. The decrease in lumen may be more pronounced and osteophytes begin to form.
- Stage 3. A narrowing of the lumen is clearly observed and there are a large number of osteophytes.
- Stage 4. The joint lumen almost completely disappears and a pathological change in the shape of the joint begins due to many osteophytes.
Treatment methods for osteoarthritis.
It is better to start treatment of osteoarthritis at the initial stage of its development, and it should be comprehensive and pathogenic in nature.Treatment should aim to eliminate the causes that aggravate the disease.In addition, it will be necessary to eliminate pathogenic changes caused by inflammation and restore the functionality of the joint.
An integrated approach to the treatment of joint diseases consists of the use of medications and physiotherapeutic measures.It is possible to prescribe sanatorium-resort therapy, since in some cases the climate, mineral waters and mud have an effective effect.
The treatment of joint osteoarthritis consists of a series of basic principles:
- diseased joints should not experience excessive stress and during treatment should be practically absent;
- comply with the orthopedic order;
- participate in recreational physical education;
- performing physiotherapy, which consists of laser, shock wave, electro and magnetic therapy;
- undergo spa treatment at least once a year as prescribed by a doctor;
- oxygen therapy: feeding the inside of the joint with oxygen;
- pharmacological treatment;
- method of intraosseous drug administration and decompression of the metaepiphysis;
- establish proper nutrition.
Pharmacotherapy consists of the use of the following drugs:
- Anti-inflammatory medications.Thanks to an integrated approach, you will not only be able to stop the development of the disease, but also make your life easier to some extent.In part, drug treatment aims to eliminate pain and inflammation within the joint.For this, non-steroidal drugs are used.Experts advise against using the oral method to administer these medications, as they can cause quite intense stomach pain.In this sense, based on a specific drug, intravenous or intramuscular injections are used.Additional means, such as ointments, are practically not used, since their effectiveness is extremely low.
- Hormonal corticosteroids.Such drugs are prescribed in case of exacerbation of the disease.Medications are injected into the joint.For external use, use a patch, tincture or ointment.
- Chondroprotectors.Prescribed for the restoration of cartilage tissue and to improve the quality of the structure of the synovial membrane.Among these drugs, the most used are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.The duration of this course may be significant until improvement occurs.However, if within six months the required result is not observed, then such medications should no longer be taken.Also, along with chondroprotectors, it is recommended to inject drugs into the joint with the addition of hyaluronic acid.These medications help the formation of articular cartilage cells.
In especially severe cases, the prescription of narcotic analgesics is not excluded.But these drugs are prescribed very rarely, only in cases where other drugs have not had the desired effect.
Proper nutrition for osteoarthritis.
An important role in the worsening of the disease should be given to proper nutrition.It must be balanced.You can't eat too little, but you shouldn't eat too much either.Due to excess weight, the load on the joints will increase, and in case of malnutrition, the cartilage tissue will lack important microelements, therefore it will degrade.However, the main thing is to create a diet that helps you lose excess weight.You will need to abandon fast carbohydrates, which are found in sweets and flour products.In addition, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially beer, is prohibited.
Fish dishes are welcome, there are practically no restrictions.Only fatty varieties should be avoided;Due to its high calorie content, you may gain weight again.
Jellied meat is especially valued in the treatment of osteoarthritis.It may seem strange, but all doctors, without exception, recommend its use because it contains a large number of different microelements.The collagen found in jellied meat is useful because it is an integral part of connective tissue, so in this case it can replenish the amount that is missing in the body.As a result, the joints gain mobility and the cartilage tissue becomes more resistant and elastic.
Vitamins, especially group B, play an important role for the body as a whole in this disease.It is this group that allows you to normalize metabolic processes in the body.A properly functioning metabolism will keep your joints feeling good.Thiamine, after entering the body from beans or peas, will accelerate the synthesis of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
To increase hemoglobin, pyridoxine is needed, which can be obtained from bananas, nuts, potatoes and cabbage.It is advisable to pay attention to vegetables and beans, as they contain folic acid.The body also needs liver, mushrooms, eggs and fermented dairy products.This entire list of vitamins, of course, is contained in vitamin complexes, but it is no secret that natural elements are better absorbed, which means that the healing process will be much faster and more effective.
When eating, you must follow simple basic rules:
- Before going to bed, it is not advisable to eat foods that are difficult to digest, as they can cause an attack of osteoarthritis;
- food should be taken more often, but in small portions;
- Monitor your body weight all the time so that it does not increase, otherwise large loads on the joints will be ensured, buy a good product for losing weight and weight control;
- during periods of relief from illness after eating food, take walks;
- The daily diet must be balanced and prepared together with the doctor.
It is very important to seek help from a doctor in time.By following some of their instructions, you will not only be able to stop the development of osteoarthritis, but also reverse it, allowing you to enjoy your normal life again.