Arthrosis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, which begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and over time lead to limitation or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more sensitive in the elderly, but it also develops in people under 40 years old.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% are in patients over 70 years old.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what arthrosis is (an alternative name is osteoarthritis), you need to understand how a joint works.A joint of two or more bones is surrounded by a joint capsule and remains mobile thanks to a cavity filled with synovial fluid.The elastic mass acts as a lubricant, preventing friction and premature wear of the articular surfaces.Cartilage tissue, on the other hand, functions as a shock absorber.In individual joints, its functions are fulfilled by the meniscus or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in arthrosis is the mismatch between external influences and the joint's ability to withstand them.The role of a provoking factor can be played by:
- age, injury, excess weight;
- lack of nutrients;
- excessive physical activity;
- inflammatory processes;
- genetic diseases;
- autoimmune reactions etc.
Osteoarthritis in the elderly is usually the result of natural aging and wear and tear of bone structures.Therefore, after 50 years, it is diagnosed in every third person, and after 70 years, in every second person.Also, the accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of a number of professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, ballerinas, etc.
Under the influence of adverse factors, cartilage tissue is damaged and becomes thinner.As a result, the bones are displaced and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.The articular surfaces are deformed, the lost cartilage tissue is replaced by bone pillars and growths, which hinder movement and lead to disability.In such cases, only a strong sedative can relieve the pain for a long time.
Types of arthrosis
Destructive processes within the joints are called primary if the cause of their occurrence is unknown, and secondary if they develop against the background of certain diseases and conditions.Acute osteoarthritis is associated with infectious factors and stress and is characterized by a rapid course.The chronic form develops gradually, threatening to limit physical activity if therapy is refused.Also, the type of disease is determined by the place of its development.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
It is accompanied by pain in the hip area, which spreads to the surface of the thigh, occasionally affecting the lower part of the leg.In the initial stages, difficulties arise when walking, climbing stairs and during long walks - limping.Then, it becomes difficult for a person to do basic things related to the load on the injured joint: putting on shoes, riding a bike, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.Muscles atrophy, the leg shortens, and pain occurs in the lower back and knee.In the absence of therapy, the likelihood of disability is high.
Arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
Often diagnosed in women, it is severe with overweight and varicose veins.Discomfort in the knee increases in bad weather, when climbing stairs or during physical activity.As the disease progresses, flexion-extension movements are impaired, limb deformities, signs of inflammation and swelling appear.Knee osteoarthritis is often confused with meniscus damage, which is characterized by faster development.
Osteoarthritis of the spine
A common form of degenerative joint processes, which can be caused by both high loads and a lack of minerals, as well as by a number of diseases that affect the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the symptoms are masked as clinical manifestations of other pathologies.Osteoarthritis of the spine can develop in different areas: thoracic, lumbar, cervical, sacrococcygeal.Therefore, the symptoms and names will be different.
Ankle arthrosis
It is often the result of domestic or occupational injuries, excess weight or ligament problems.It starts with pain and swelling in the ankle area, which increases after physical exertion and long walking.Cramping and limited mobility may be present and progress as the degenerative processes progress.The diagnosis is complicated by edema, which is associated with other diseases: diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (arthrosis)
It is usually caused by a dislocation, a blow or a fracture.There is an aching pain that radiates to the lower part of the limb, which bothers mainly at night.As the cartilage deteriorates, difficulty with abduction, rotation, and other arm movements occurs.The disease must be distinguished from cardiac problems and diseases of the spine, which have similar manifestations.
Arthrosis of the leg joints
It affects both the big and small joints of the foot.Very often, a destructive process develops in the area of the big toe, which is why it is confused with gout.The provoking factor is usually not foot damage, but the wrong selection of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a narrow space, the joint area hurts, thickens, becomes inflamed and loses mobility.
Arthrosis of joints and fingers
Damage to small joints, as a rule, is multiple and develops in both hands.The process is usually accompanied by changes in hormonal levels, so it is often observed in women during menopause.In the acute phase, the nodes swell, redden and nodules may appear on them.Gradually, the pain decreases, but the deformities of the fingers increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and compressed nerves in the hand area can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist joint.The prerequisite is often tunnel syndrome, due to which blood circulation suffers.Rizarthrosis, which is provoked by loads at the base of the big toe, is also common.Pain with this type of arthrosis is moderate, but mobility may be impaired and cracking may occur during exertion.
Arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint
It often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.Often the provoking factor is chronic stress, causing muscle tension and convulsive clenching of the teeth, which damages the nutrition of the joint capsule.The disease is accompanied by discomfort in the jaw and can lead to dizziness, hearing impairment, sleep and facial symmetry.
Among the large lesions, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Of the small ones, the joints of the hands and spine are more often affected.Much less often, degenerative processes are observed in the area of the patella, clavicle, talonavicula and elbow joints.They are usually provoked by injuries or specific stress, especially from professional sports or work with monotonous movements.
Other types of arthrosis
Another classification of the disease is related to the nature of the destructive processes and the reasons that provoke them.If degenerative changes are associated with the consequences of injury, they speak of post-traumatic arthrosis.When autoimmune diseases become the factor that causes the depletion of cartilage tissue, the rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects a joint, they speak of localized arthrosis.If several joints are affected, the term polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis) is used.The progressive form of the disease refers to the rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops over just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growth and affects ligaments and nearby tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of arthrosis
Degenerative processes in the joints develop gradually, over time leading to thinning and complete destruction of the cartilage.The initial changes are visible only at the cellular level, but as we move to the later stages of arthrosis, the clinical signs become more and more pronounced.Their nature, as well as X-ray indicators, form the basis for the classification of the disease.
Arthrosis of the joint in stage 1
It is accompanied by small changes in bone and cartilage tissue.They are still poorly visible during ultrasound and x-ray examination, but are already visible on CT.With significant loads, short-term pain, swelling and movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.There is some narrowing of the joint space and sharpening of the ends of the bones.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug therapy.
Arthrosis of the joint stage 2
Destructive processes are progressing.The photos show a significant narrowing of the joint space, cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain is still moderate, but it becomes permanent.Symptoms characteristic of any type of arthrosis appear, such as lameness, reduced range of motion, creaking, fluid accumulation in the synovial cavity, etc.Treatment of articular arthrosis at this stage of the disease makes it possible to slow down destructive changes.
Arthrosis of the joint stage 3
The disease leads to the complete destruction of the cartilage.Articular surfaces expand significantly due to bone growth, the gap practically disappears.Cavities, cystic formations and deformities may appear.The destruction of the bones begins, the thinning of the muscle fibers adjacent to the joint.Bending and twisting movements are limited.The pain is intense.In the absence of treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of articular structures begin, which is accompanied by a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to care for himself and needs constant care.
Early stages of arthrosis respond well to drug therapy, which allows you to preserve mobility as much as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, it is possible to relieve the condition only with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatories and sedatives.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.