There are more than 180 keys in the human body and they hurt almost everyone. Diagnoses sound different, different treatment is recommended, but the pain does not go away, only intensifies with age, relief is temporary.
There is still no consensus in the medical community on this disease, including treatment methods.
What is arthrosis of the joints
This is a whole group of diseases of polyetiological nature, in which all parts of the joint are destroyed.
Causes of osteoarthritis
There are many of them and they are not fully understood.
- Osteoarthritis develops after injury. For example, if the knee joint is damaged, osteoarthritis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis occurs.
- Delayed arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint. It can be a complication even after ARVI or the result of a specific infection: gonorrhea, tuberculosis, brucellosis, viral hepatitis, adenovirus infection, rubella, HIV infection.
- High physical activity is a professional problem for athletes. For an ordinary person, any load can become stressful and "start" the process.
- Autoimmune diseases: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, drug-induced arthropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For example, dysplasia may be one of the causes of hip arthrosis.
- Excess weight.
- Harmful working conditions.
- Alcohol and bad habits.
The list is incomplete, but already quite impressive.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are numerous, but the main one is pain.
Pain in osteoarthritis first appears with physical exertion, decreases during rest. They arise due to microfractures, periarticular muscle spasms, irritation of surrounding tissues by osteophytes. When synovitis develops, the joint swells, the pain arises in the first movements, then disappears and reappears with a prolonged effort.
A necrotic osteophyte (a torn part of the articular cartilage) "wedges" the joint and causes severe pain, cracking and external changes appear, the usual movements are difficult.
Classification First stage: movements in the joints are moderately limited, the pain is only during exertion, insignificant bone growths are visible on X-ray images, narrowing of the joint space is small. Second stage: the mobility of certain joints is significantly limited, a crack appears. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the ankles, lameness appears due to shortening of the limbs, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and lower back. The photos show that the joint space is reduced three times, the bone growths are rough, the joint surfaces are damaged. Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis - movement is possible only with crutches.
Distribution
- First stage: movements in the joints are moderately limited, the pain is only during exercise, insignificant bone growths are visible on X-rays, narrowing of the joint space is small.
- Second stage: the mobility of certain joints is significantly limited, a crack appears. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the ankles, lameness appears due to shortening of the limbs, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and lower back.
- Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis - movement is possible only with crutches.
Diagnosing
Osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis) are the most common diagnoses.
Instrumental examination for osteoarthritis:
- Radiography - to assess the condition of bone tissue.
- Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography - determines the degree of destruction of the joint and its parts.
- Arthroscopy.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
Conservative treatment (only in the early stages):
- NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-inflammatory and warming ointments, orthotics for the joints.
- Physiotherapy - to relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - can be said biologically active additives with Placebo effect.
- Chondroprotectors with NVPS - relief is felt immediately (anti-inflammatory action), treatment is longer.
- Hormonal drugs
- Hyaluronic acid preparations are a complete "prosthesis" of synovial fluid.
- Plasma treatment - PRP therapy, orthokine therapy.
Surgical treatment
- Endoprosthetics - replacement of articular surfaces.
- Arthroplasty is a method for small and stress-free joints of the hands.
- Arthroscopy.
Prophylaxis
Osteoarthritis prevention, like many complex diseases, is the timely treatment of any infection and a careful attitude towards your health.