Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, in which their nutrition is disrupted and their structures are destroyed. This disease develops slowly and is associated with gradual wear and tear on the joints and slower recovery processes throughout life. Most often it develops in people over the age of 40, and by the age of 80 it manifests itself in one way or another in almost all people. The resulting limitations in mobility lead to disability over time.
Timely contact with specialists will help maintain freedom of movement for many years.
About the disease
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of mobile bone joints. When this happens, tissue nutrition is disrupted and destruction occurs. The body compensates for the destruction and the bone tissue becomes harder and begins to grow. Naturally, compensatory growth leads to joint deformation, disruption of its function and pain.
In different regions of our planet, 10-20% of people suffer from osteoarthritis. Often it turns out that a person is treated independently, without the help of a doctor. This leads to deterioration and disability. While well-chosen treatment relieves suffering and slows the development of the disease.
Causes of the appearance and development of arthrosis
- the habit of moving a little,
- prolonged stationary standing position (present in some professions),
- increased physical activity (some sports, professional sports),
- age,
- unhealthy diet
- overweight,
- bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking),
- disorders in the functioning of the endocrine and reproductive systems (thyroid disease, lack of sex hormones),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis),
- blood flow disorders (venous insufficiency),
- inheritance.
These factors influence the nutrition of the cartilage covering the joint bone surfaces. There is less cartilage tissue, the cartilage becomes thinner and begins to break down, and the secretion of synovial fluid (lubricant) decreases. The surfaces of the bone begin to rub against each other where the cartilaginous tissue has broken down. In response, bone tissue grows and the joint deforms and loses mobility.
Classification
Depending on the origin, arthrosis is divided intoprimary and secondary. Primary is a disease that develops on an intact joint in the absence of previous damage, for example due to excessive physical activity. Secondarily, the disease affects joint tissue after an injury or following changes associated with other joint diseases.
Most often, this disease affects the legs (knee, first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot, hip) and fingers. In addition to them, arthrosis of the spine is widespread. The most serious disease is considered to be that of the hip joint (coxarthrosis), while the most common is that of the knee (gonarthrosis).
Development phases
Stages of development of the disease according to the clinical and radiological Kellgren-Lawrence classification:
- Stage I: You feel discomfort and pain when walking. There are no radiological alterations.
- Stage II: a slight dull pain is felt when walking for a long time, a rare crunch when bending the limbs. On x-ray: a barely noticeable narrowing of the joint space, small questionable osteophytes (growths along the edges of the joint).
- Stage III: Pain and stiffness intensify in the morning. The pain gets worse when you move. Radiograph: slight narrowing of the joint space, rare osteophytes.
- Stage IV: Muscle and bone pain occurs at any time of the day. Swelling may appear and pain increases. On radiography: there is moderate narrowing of the joint space, pronounced osteophytes, changes in bone surfaces and compaction of bone tissue under the cartilaginous tissue (subchondral sclerosis).
- Stage V: constant dull aching pain, which intensifies with movement, strong "crunching" during movement, deformation of joints, muscle atrophy. On radiography: the joint space is sharply narrowed, subchondral sclerosis, rough osteophytes, pronounced deformation of the surfaces.
Doctors will help relieve discomfort, conduct a comprehensive examination and select individual treatment, taking into account the gender, age, metabolic level, concomitant diseases and other characteristics of each client.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis progresses gradually: the first disorders can appear within several years from the beginning of the destruction process or when inflammation occurs.
Early signs include pain in the arms and legs during physical activity. After prolonged relaxation (at night), a slight stiffness is felt in the morning. Aching and dull "initial pains" appear, e. g. movements that appear initially after a break and fade after some activity. Due to the fact that the symptoms are not very pronounced, people at this stage rarely turn to specialists. Although right now is the easiest time to stop the development of arthrosis.
Over time, the pain waxes and wanes, interferes with nighttime sleep, and intensifies with changes in the weather. There is a feeling of pain in the bones, muscles and joints begin to ache. This disease most often affects the knee and hip joints. Fatigue appears quickly while walking, mobility decreases (stiffness).
Often people lose the feeling of security in their arms and legs and their gait becomes unstable. During the movement, a strong "crunching" of the legs occurs (the exposed bone surfaces rub against each other). The joints become deformed. Due to the limitation of movement, the adjacent muscles become less tense, causing them to atrophy (decrease in volume). Weakened muscles lead to an increasingly unstable gait.
The hands are often affected by arthrosis after injuries or with chronic inflammation. The deformation of the hand becomes clearly visible. It becomes square and growths form on the fingers (Heberden and Bouchard nodules).
Clear signs of the need for therapy for osteoarthritis are joint deformities, persistent pain in the arms and legs, swelling, impaired motor function and unstable gait.
If you experience the described symptoms, contact the clinic. Experienced doctors are always ready to provide assistance, conduct a comprehensive examination and give comprehensive answers to all your questions. Thanks to the recommendations of competent doctors, you will be able to maintain your usual rhythm of life.
Diagnostics
Instrumental diagnostic methods are usually used to evaluate the condition of the articular surfaces and cartilage. The most informative are: x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US).
Diagnostic examination for doctors does not present any difficulties: joint changes are clearly visible in photographs. Using them, the doctor determines the stage of arthrosis and the degree of its progression.
As an additional diagnostic method, arthroscopy (endoscopy of the joint using a flexible probe) may be prescribed. The doctor examines the surface of the joint from the inside, can take material for analysis of synovial fluid and perform minimally invasive surgery (remove small bone fragments).
For laboratory diagnostics, general, biochemical and immunological blood tests are performed. They determine the general condition of the patient, the presence of an inflammatory process, metabolic disorders and exclude other joint diseases.
Treatment
To relieve pain, slow down the process of destruction and, if possible, establish restoration processes in the tissues of the joint, conservative therapy is used. It can be used:
Drug therapy: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other painkillers are prescribed to reduce and relieve inflammation and pain. Muscle relaxants (to relieve muscle tension), vitamin complexes and chondroprotectors can be used. In any case, the choice of drugs is made individually, based on the characteristics of the person and the disease.
Nutritional correction: it is necessary to organize nutritious and regular meals. With the help of the doctor, the client creates a list of products and a detailed diet. All that remains is to follow the chosen path.
Injection therapy: injection of hyaluronic acid into the joint space, PRP therapy (injection of human plasma into the joints to accelerate recovery processes), etc.
Ozone therapy in various forms and routes of administration to stimulate metabolic processes in cells and improve oxygen absorption. It is particularly effective for relieving pain, reducing inflammation and stimulating natural tissue renewal and repair.
Physiotherapy: magnetotherapy, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis (a combination of drugs with ultrasonic waves), thermal baths, massage, etc.
Applications: application of special gels, ointments and other drugs to reduce pain and increase the effectiveness of basic therapy.
Therapeutic exercise: the doctor offers the client a series of exercises aimed at restoring joint function. Exercises in the pool have a beneficial effect.
Hirudotherapy: the use of leeches. Their saliva contains substances that activate the dilation of blood vessels and this improves metabolism. Other substances in saliva can clean the joint cavity by dissolving dead tissue.
Orthotics: wear and use special structures - orthoses (special shoes, orthopedic insoles, bandages, corsets).
Taping: fixing with adhesive tapes.
In some cases, surgery is necessary. The clinic successfully performs effective interventions in the area of the hip and knee joints such as:
- arthroscopy
- endoprosthesis
In most cases, after this operation, the signs disappear, the pain disappears and freedom of movement gradually returns. Signs of the disease diminish and usually do not recur in the absence of provoking factors.
The modern clinic has modern operating rooms where complex operations are performed using professional-grade endoscopes. Our doctors have the opportunity to help even in difficult cases.
Advantages of visiting a professional clinic
- Qualification of specialists. Experienced and competent doctors are specialists of the highest category, candidates of medical sciences. They follow the latest advances in the treatment of joint diseases, regularly exchange experiences with colleagues and abroad, and conduct scientific activities.
- Excellent clinical and laboratory facilities. Modern clinics have the most modern, effective and safe equipment installed to successfully diagnose, treat and carry out preventive measures. The clinical diagnostic laboratory allows you to quickly perform laboratory tests.
- Quick and effective diagnosis. The excellent equipment of the clinics allows us to carry out a wide range of diagnostic methods: MRI, CT, x-ray and other highly informative studies are performed, which allow us to make a diagnosis and obtain detailed data on the state of the joints, especially and the body in general.
- A complex approach. In a modern clinic, the practice of consultation between doctors of different specialties to obtain the best therapeutic result is widespread.
- Effective therapy. An integrated and comprehensive approach to treatment and prevention includes a large number of cutting-edge methods.
- Individual approach. Prescribe therapy taking into account the client's gender and age, as well as other characteristics.
Prevention of osteoarthritis
To minimize pain and maintain normal working conditions, you should:
- follow your doctor's recommendations,
- control body weight (every extra kilogram of weight increases the risk of worsening),
- eliminate or minimize heavy physical activity,
- do physiotherapy exercises regularly,
- avoid injuries: use appropriate protective elements (knees, protective clothing, etc. ) and gradually increase the load,
- use corrective devices and treatment methods (plasters, orthoses) as recommended,
- undergo regular examinations, preventive courses and monitor the state of the disease.
Correct treatment and compliance with the recommendations of the treating specialist will help stop the progression of the disease and maintain mobility. If you have joint problems, go to the hospital. Our doctors will help you get rid of pain and creaking in the joints and will select therapy to restore motor function. Timely start of therapy makes it possible to completely restore the joints, and preventive courses of treatment procedures will help you lead a normal life without joint pain!
FAQ
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis?
In arthrosis, the cause of tissue destruction is insufficient nutrition (disturbance of metabolic processes) and, as a result, compensatory compaction and proliferation of joint bone surfaces. Arthritis is characterized by inflammation, which is the main cause of tissue damage.
The chronic inflammatory process gradually turns into nutritional and metabolic disorders, i. e. arthritis with frequent flare-ups progresses to arthrosis through a mixed intermediate stage, in which signs of both diseases are present.
Is osteoarthritis a treatable disease?
The later the disease is detected, the lower the chances of recovering completely. But in any case and at any stage, you can stop the disease and relieve pain and other unpleasant sensations as much as possible.
Is it worth warming up in the sauna/tub if you suffer from osteoarthritis?
Warming is useful and is part of the complex treatment of arthrosis. But you need to consult your doctor first. If there is a local or general inflammatory process in the body, heating procedures are contraindicated: they will increase inflammation, and dilated blood vessels will spread inflammation throughout the body.
Is osteoarthritis a contraindication to military service?
It depends on the severity of the disease. A contraindication may be reduced mobility and joint function.
Can children suffer from osteoarthritis?
Yes, this is possible after injuries and other joint diseases.
Is it possible to cure arthrosis at home using folk remedies?
There is a possibility, but without specialist examinations and qualified recommendations there is a much greater chance of worsening your condition.
What is the most dangerous thing about osteoarthritis?
Tissue destruction leads to constant pain, decreased motor function, and disability. Is it possible to independently determine whether you have arthrosis?
Knowing the symptoms one can assume the presence of a disease, but the diagnosis is made by the doctor after an instrumental and laboratory diagnostic test.