Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, in which their nutrition is altered and their structures are destroyed. This disease develops slowly and is associated with gradual wear and tear of the joints and slower recovery processes throughout life. Most often it develops in people over 40 years old, and by the age of 80 it manifests itself to one degree or another in almost any person. The resulting mobility limitations 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 occurs, tissue nutrition is altered and destruction occurs. The body compensates for the destruction and the bone tissue becomes harder and begins to grow. Of course, compensatory growth leads to deformation of the joint, impaired function and pain.
In different regions of our planet, between 10 and 20% of people suffer from osteoarthritis. It often turns out that a person receives treatment on his own, without the help of a doctor. This leads to deterioration and disability. While a well-chosen treatment relieves suffering and slows down the development of the disease.
Causes of the appearance and development of osteoarthritis.
- habit of moving a little,
- prolonged stationary standing position (found in some professions),
- increased physical activity (some sports, professional sports),
- age,
- unhealthy diet
- over weight,
- bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking),
- disturbances 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 affect the nutrition of the cartilage that covers the articular bone surfaces. There is less cartilage tissue, the cartilage becomes thinner and begins to crack, and the secretion of synovial fluid (lubricant) decreases. The bone surfaces begin to rub against each other where the cartilage tissue has broken down. In response, bone tissue grows and the joint becomes deformed and loses mobility.
Classification
Depending on the origin, osteoarthritis is divided intoPrimary school and high school. Primary is a disease that develops in an intact joint in the absence of previous damage, for example, due to too much physical activity. Second, the disease affects joint tissue after injury or as a result of 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, osteoarthritis of the spine is widespread. The most serious disease is considered to occur in the hip joint (coxarthrosis) and the most common in the knee joint (gonarthrosis).
Stages of development
Stages of disease development according to the Kellgren-Lawrence clinical and radiological classification:
- Stage I: There is discomfort and pain when walking. There are no radiological changes.
- Stage II: There is a slight dull pain when walking for a long time, an infrequent crunch when bending the limbs. On the x-ray: barely noticeable narrowing of the joint space, questionable small osteophytes (growths along the edges of the joint).
- Stage III: Pain and stiffness intensify in the morning. The pain worsens when moving. X-ray: slight narrowing of the joint space, rare osteophytes.
- Stage IV: Pain in muscles and bones occurs at any time of the day. Swelling may appear and pain may increase. On the x-ray: 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: Dull, aching pain constantly, intensifies with movement, loud "crunching" when moving, deformation of the joints, atrophy of the muscles. On the x-ray: the joint space is greatly 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 sex, age, metabolic level, concomitant diseases and other characteristics of each client.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis progresses gradually: discomfort may first appear several years after 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), slight stiffness is felt in the morning. Dull, painful "initial pains" appear, that is, movements that arise at first after a rest and decrease after some activity. Due to the fact that the symptoms are not very pronounced, people at this stage rarely go to specialists. Although right now is the easiest time to stop the development of osteoarthritis.
Over time, the pain increases and stops decreasing, interferes with night sleep, and intensifies with a change in 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 when walking, mobility decreases (stiffness).
People often lose the feeling of security in their arms and legs and their gait becomes unstable. During movement, a loud "crunch" occurs in the legs (exposed bone surfaces rub against each other). The joints are deformed. Due to the restriction of movement, the adjacent muscles become less tense, causing the latter to atrophy (the volume decreases). Weakened muscles cause an increasingly unstable gait.
The hands are most often affected by osteoarthritis after injuries or 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 osteoarthritis therapy are joint deformities, persistent pain in the arms and legs, swelling, impaired motor function, and instability when walking.
If you experience the symptoms described, contact the clinic. Experienced doctors are always ready to provide you with assistance, conduct a comprehensive examination and provide complete answers to all your questions. Thanks to the recommendations of competent doctors, you will be able to maintain your usual rhythm of life.
Diagnosis
Instrumental diagnostic methods are usually used to assess the condition of articular surfaces and cartilage. The most informative are: radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US).
A diagnostic examination for doctors does not present any difficulties: changes in the joints are clearly visualized in the photographs. Using them, the doctor determines the stage of osteoarthritis and the degree of progression.
Arthroscopy (endoscopy of the joint using a flexible probe) may be prescribed as an additional diagnostic method. The doctor examines the surface of the joint from the inside, may take material to analyze the synovial fluid and perform a minimally invasive intervention (removing small bone fragments).
For laboratory diagnosis, general, biochemical and immunological blood tests are performed. They determine the general condition of the patient, the presence of the inflammatory process, metabolic disorders and exclude other joint diseases.
Treatment
To relieve pain, slow down the destruction process and, if possible, establish restoration processes in the tissues of the joint, conservative therapy is used. Can be used:
Drug therapy: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain relievers are prescribed to reduce and relieve inflammation and pain. Muscle relaxants (to relieve muscle tension), vitamin complexes and chondroprotectors can be used. In each case, the choice of drug is made individually, depending 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 especially effective in relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and stimulating natural tissue renewal and repair.
Physiotherapy: magnetotherapy, ultrasound, phonophoresis (combination of medications with ultrasonic waves), thermal baths, massages, etc.
Applications: application of special gels, ointments and other medications 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, which improves metabolism. Other substances in saliva can clean the joint cavity by dissolving dead tissue.
Orthoses - use and use of special structures: orthoses (special shoes, orthopedic insoles, bandages, corsets).
Taping: fixing with adhesive tapes.
In some cases, surgery is necessary. The clinic successfully performs such effective operations in the area of the hip and knee joints as:
- arthroscopy
- endoprostheses
In most cases, after this operation the signs disappear, the pain disappears and freedom of movement is gradually recovered. Signs of the disease decrease and usually do not return in the absence of provoking factors.
The modern clinic has modern operating rooms in which complex operations are performed using first-class 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 developments in the treatment of joint diseases, regularly exchange experiences with colleagues and abroad and carry out 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: MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and other highly informative studies are performed that allow us to make a diagnosis and obtain detailed data on the condition of the joints, in particular . and the body in general.
- A complex approach. In a modern clinic, the practice of consultation between doctors of different specialties is widespread to achieve the best treatment result.
- Effective therapy. An integrated and comprehensive approach to treatment and prevention includes a host of cutting-edge methods.
- Individual approach. Prescribe therapy taking into account the client's sex and age, as well as other characteristics.
Osteoarthritis prevention
To minimize pain and maintain normal working conditions, you should:
- follow the doctor's recommendations,
- control body weight (each additional kilogram of weight increases the risk of deterioration),
- eliminate or minimize intense physical activity,
- do physiotherapy exercises regularly,
- avoid injuries: use special protective elements (knee pads, protective clothing, etc. ) and increase the load progressively,
- use corrective devices and treatment methods (tapes, orthoses) as recommended,
- undergo periodic examinations, preventive courses and monitor the state of the disease.
Correct treatment and following the recommendations of the treating specialist will help slow the progression of the disease and maintain mobility. If you have problems with your joints, go to the hospital. Our doctors will help you get rid of pain and creaking in the joints and select therapy to restore motor function. Timely start of therapy makes complete restoration of the joints possible, and preventive treatments will help you lead a normal life without joint pain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis?
In osteoarthritis, the cause of tissue destruction is insufficient nutrition (disturbance of metabolic processes) and, as a consequence, compensatory compaction and proliferation of articular 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 exacerbations progresses to osteoarthritis through a mixed intermediate stage, in which there are signs of both diseases.
Is osteoarthritis a curable disease?
The later the disease is detected, the less chance there is of a full recovery. But in any case and at any stage, it is possible to stop the disease and maximally relieve pain and other unpleasant sensations.
Is it worth warming up in a sauna/bathtub if you have osteoarthritis?
Warming up is useful and is part of the complex treatment of osteoarthritis. But first you should consult your doctor. If there is a local or general inflammatory process in the body, warming procedures are contraindicated: they will increase inflammation, and dilated blood vessels will spread inflammation throughout the body.
Is osteoarthritis a contraindication for 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 osteoarthritis at home with home remedies?
There is a chance, but without specialized examination and qualified recommendations, the likelihood that your condition will worsen is much higher.
What is the most dangerous thing about osteoarthritis?
The destruction of the tissue causes constant pain, decreased motor function and disability. Is it possible to independently determine if you have osteoarthritis?
Knowing the symptoms, one can assume the presence of a disease, but the diagnosis is made by a doctor after instrumental and laboratory diagnostic examination.