Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, in which their nutrition is impaired and their structures are destroyed. This disease develops slowly and is associated with gradual wear and tear on 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 in one form or another in almost everyone. 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 movable bone joints. When this occurs, tissue nutrition is interrupted and destruction occurs. The body compensates for the destruction and the bone tissue becomes harder and begins to grow. It is clear that compensatory growth leads to deformation of the joints, disruption of their function and pain.
In different regions of our planet, 10-20% of people suffer from arthrosis. It often happens that a person is treated independently, without the help of a doctor. This leads to deterioration and disability. While well-chosen treatment alleviates suffering and slows 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
- overweight,
- bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking),
- disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine and reproductive systems (thyroid diseases, lack of sex hormones),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis),
- blood flow disorders (venous insufficiency),
- heredity.
These factors affect the nutrition of the cartilage covering the articular bone surfaces. There is less cartilaginous tissue, the cartilage becomes thinner and begins to crack, and the secretion of synovial fluid (lubricant) decreases. The surfaces of the bone begin to rub together where the cartilaginous 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 and secondary. Primary is a disease that develops in an intact joint in the absence of previous damage, for example due to too much physical activity. Secondarily, 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 be in the hip joint (coxarthrosis), and the most common is in the knee joint (gonarthrosis).
Development stages
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 clicking sound when bending the limbs. On x-ray: 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 moving. Radiography: 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 the pain increases. On the radiograph: moderate narrowing of the joint space, pronounced osteophytes, changes in the bone surfaces and compaction of the bone tissue under the cartilaginous tissue (subchondral sclerosis).
- Stage V: Dull and constant pain, intensified with movement, strong "crushing" when moving, joint deformation, muscle atrophy. On x-ray: the joint space is strongly narrowed, subchondral sclerosis, rough osteophytes, pronounced deformation of the surfaces.
Doctors will help alleviate discomfort, conduct a complete examination and select individual treatment, taking into account gender, age, metabolic level, concomitant diseases and other characteristics of each client.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis progresses gradually: discomfort may appear for the first time a few years after the destruction process begins 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. Aching and dull "initial pains" appear, that is, movements that appear at first after a break and decrease after some activity. Due to the fact that the symptoms are not very pronounced, people at this stage rarely seek specialists. Although now is the easiest time to stop the development of arthrosis.
Over time, the pain increases and stops decreasing, interferes with nighttime sleep, and intensifies with weather changes. 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 strong "crunch" occurs in the legs (the exposed bone surfaces rub against each other). Joints become deformed. Due to the restriction of movement, adjacent muscles become less tense, causing them to atrophy (decrease in volume). Weakened muscles lead to an increasingly unsteady gait.
Hands are most often affected by osteoarthritis following injuries or with chronic inflammation. The deformation of the hand becomes clearly visible. It becomes square and lumps form on the fingers (Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes).
Clear signs of the need for osteoarthritis therapy are joint deformities, persistent pain in the arms and legs, swelling, impaired motor function and gait instability.
If you experience the described symptoms, contact the clinic. Experienced doctors are always ready to provide assistance, conduct a complete examination and give 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 the 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 - joint changes are clearly visualized in photographs. Using them, the doctor determines the stage of osteoarthritis and the degree of its progression.
Arthroscopy (joint endoscopy with a flexible probe) may be prescribed as an additional diagnostic method. The doctor examines the surface of the joint from the inside, can remove material for synovial fluid analysis and perform a minimally invasive intervention (remove 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 an inflammatory process, metabolic disorders and exclude other joint diseases.
Treatment
To alleviate pain, slow down the process of destruction and, if possible, establish restoration processes in the tissues of the joint, conservative therapy is used. This 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 medicines is made individually, according to 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 different 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 therapy, phonophoresis (combination of medicines 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 set of exercises aimed at restoring joint function. Pool exercises have a beneficial effect.
Hirudotherapy: use of leeches. Your saliva contains substances that activate the dilation of blood vessels and this improves metabolism. Other substances in saliva can clean the joint cavity, 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 carries out effective operations 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 subside 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 specialist 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 advances 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.
- Fast 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 carried out, allowing 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 consultations between doctors of different specialties to obtain the best treatment 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.
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 heavy physical activity,
- regularly do physiotherapy exercises,
- avoid injuries: use special protective elements (knee pads, protective clothing, etc. ) and increase the load gradually,
- use corrective devices and treatment methods (tapes, orthoses) as recommended,
- carry out regular examinations, preventive courses and monitor the state of the disease.
Correct treatment and following 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 joint pain and crushing and select therapy to restore motor function. Timely initiation of therapy makes it possible to completely restore joints, and preventive courses of treatment procedures will help you lead a normal life without joint pain!
Common questions
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis?
In arthrosis, the cause of tissue destruction is insufficient nutrition (disruption 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, that is, arthritis with frequent exacerbations progresses to arthrosis 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 lower the chance of a complete recovery from it. 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/bathtub if you have osteoarthritis?
Warming up is useful and is part of the complex treatment of osteoarthritis. But you must first 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 to military service?
It depends on the severity of the disease. A contraindication may be impaired 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 with folk remedies?
There is a possibility, but without specialized examination and qualified recommendations there is a much greater chance of your condition worsening.
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 instrumental and laboratory diagnostic examination.