Arthrosis is called dystrophic changes in the joints, which are inherent in the destruction of cartilage. With such a disease, inflammatory processes slowly develop and suspension tissues are degeneration. According to statistics, arthrosis is the most common disease in people aged 30 years and older, it affects all segments of the population, regardless of sex, at the moment, 80% of the total population of our planet has the pathology under consideration.
The causes of arthrosis
The arthrosis of the joints begins due to a violation of metabolic processes directly in the joints. This may be due to the usual hormonal disorders, a hereditary factor, and older age.But doctors identify the most possible reasons for the development of the process in question:
- dislocations, bruises, ligaments in the joints and generally any anamnesis injuries;
- too much body weight - this increases the load on the joints by many times;
- previously adopted arthritis of an acute shape and purulent nature;
- diseases related to autoimmune classification - for example, scleroderma or red lupus;
- colds that occur often and difficult;
- Regular hypothermia - this may be due to the specifics of labor activity;
- inflammatory processes in the body, which are specific - for example, syphilis, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, tick -borne encephalitis;
- impaired blood supply to the femoral head - Pertes's disease;
- disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
- Hemophilia - impaired blood coagulation.
It is not worth excluding the fact of inferior nutrition - this can lead to disorders in the metabolism, which serves as the main cause of the development of arthrosis. A high probability of the occurrence of the pathological process under consideration is available to miners, blacksmiths, metallurgists and all people who regularly experience heavy physical activity. The doctor tells about the mechanism for the development of deforming arthrosis of the joints:
Symptoms of arthrosis and degree of arthrosis
The main sign of the disease under consideration is painful - it occurs with excessive physical exertion on specific joints, at rest can subside, and periodically, against the background of pain in the area of the joint affected by the inflammatory process, hyperemia (redness of the skin) and swelling can occur.In general, doctors identify 4 main groups of signs of developing arthrosis:
- Pain. Of course, this symptom is characteristic of many diseases, but with arthrosis there are some features of pain in the joint:
- Unpleasant sensations arise only when making a movement;
- As soon as a person introduces the joint into rest, the syndrome disappears. Please note: the pathological process under consideration develops very slowly, therefore, at the beginning of its course, arthrosis worries only periodically occurring pain in the joints exclusively with excessive loads. At night, the pain of patients does not bother, the dream is not disturbed. Then, with the progression of arthrosis, morning pain begins to appear - they are characterized by patients as "shots", differ in short -term and occur only in the early morning. If arthrosis is in a neglected state, then the pain syndrome acquires acute and constant in nature - even potent pain reliable drugs cannot reduce its intensity.
- Reducing the mobility of the joint. It is also considered one of the characteristic symptoms of arthrosis, but it appears already at the stage of active progression of the disease. During the development of arthrosis, the growth/germination of bone neoplasms occurs, which leads to spasms of muscle tissue, reducing the lumen in the joint bag - the restriction of movement in this place is guaranteed.
- Crunch.The joints scream even in absolutely healthy people, but for arthrosis there is a distinctive feature of the crunch - it is "dry", not clicking and is always accompanied by acute pain.
- Joint deformation. This phenomenon occurs with the growth of osteophytes and is considered one of the latest signs of arthrosis, which appears at the stage of decompensated development of the pathological process under consideration.
The radiological picture of arthrosis on each of the 4 degrees is depicted below:
A specialist tells more about the symptoms of arthrosis:
Please note: the course of the disease under consideration is very slow and at the first stage it may not be characterized by any symptoms at all, and inconsistent joint pain and increased fatigue can be inherent even to healthy people with large physical exertion. Therefore, independent diagnosis of arthrosis is almost impossible.
The processes occurring in the tissues of the joints at each of the stages of arthrosis are depicted in the diagram:
The principles of treatment of arthrosis
- Doctors argue that sore joints need to be treated at the early stage of the development of pathology - this is the guarantee not only to get rid of inflammatory processes, but also to the restoration of already lost functions. Doctors can use various methods of treating arthrosis-this is the prescription of medicines, and physiotherapy, and regular sanatorium-resort treatment. In any case, therapy for the pathology under consideration should be comprehensive and based on the following basic methods:
- It is necessary to eliminate the sore joint from the load. This does not mean that the patient should maintain strict bed rest, but it is necessary to maximize the load on the problematic part of the body - for example, change the work or refuse training.
- Clearly adhere to the schedule of medical physical education - the attending physician is made by such appointments, and the specialist should conduct classes.
- Mandatory treatment of arthrosis should include physiotherapy-magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, laser and shock wave therapy.
- Visiting specialized resorts - sanatorium treatment will help not only successfully conduct the recovery/rehabilitation period after the main course of treatment, but also prevent relapse of arthrosis.
- Clear execution of all prescriptions of the doctor in relation to drugs.
- Conducting intraarticular blockade.
- Correction of the diet.
Drug treatment
In the complex of drug therapy, the following drugs must be used:
- Anti -inflammatory. This group of drugs performs two functions at once: relieves pain and eliminates the inflammatory process. Doctors use non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs for arthrosis, and do not prescribe them orally (in tablets) - this category of drugs acts irritating to the gastric mucosa. Considering that the course of therapy for arthrosis is quite long, the patient can get rid of the underlying disease, but to "earn" gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa) and even peptic ulcer. Therefore, depending on the specifically selected drug, they are prescribed intravenously or intramuscularly. In pharmacy networks, you can purchase non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs and local purposes - such ointments can be used, but they do not give a powerful effect or long -term time.
- Hormonal corticosteroids. This group of drugs is most effective during the period of exacerbation of arthrosis. But a similar category of drugs in pharmacies is also represented in the form of plasters, ointments - they are used only externally, you can expect a fairly quick and powerful effect.
- Chondroprotector. These drugs contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue. Please note: the course of therapy with these drugs is very long, but if there are no positive results within 6 months, then Chondroproprotector either completely cancel or adjust their dosage.
Very often, in the process of treating arthrosis, specialists prescribe drugs that contribute to Degration of cartilage tissue. But doctors warn their patients that you should not wait for a quick effect - noticeable positive shifts will begin no earlier than two weeks after taking the drug.
Please note: if the patient was hospitalized with arthrosis at the most severe stage of development and pain syndrome, doctors cannot remove any painkillers, then narcotic analgesics can be prescribed, but this is extremely rare.
Diet
The significance of proper nutrition for arthrosis is difficult to evaluate - if the patient ignores the recommendations of nutritionists, then the treatment of the pathological process under consideration can be delayed for years, and the results will not be very high.
What needs to be remembered by those patients who are forced to undergo therapy against arthrosis:
- Be sure to correct your weight - it is strictly forbidden to starve (the nutrition of the cartilage tissue in the joints will be broken), but it is worth abandoning flour and sweet dishes;
- It is forbidden to drink alcohol, especially beer-firstly, they are not compatible with many drugs and can provoke an active allergic reaction, and secondly, it is alcohol and beer that serve as the causes of a set of extra pounds;
- In the diet, it is necessary to introduce a jelly - this product restores connective tissue and strengthens cartilage.
- Be sure to control the intake of sufficient vitamin B. vitamin B. You can, of course, use vitamin complexes, but it is quite possible to get the required amount of this substance and from products - fish, beans, legumes, cabbage and tomatoes should be present in the menu every day.
- The diet should have bananas, nuts, poultry liver, milk, eggs and mushrooms. Folic acid, riboflavin and pyridoxine will enter the body from these products - they help a lot in the treatment of the pathological process under consideration
Folk treatment of arthrosis
There are several dozens of folk methods of treating arthrosis, but all of them will only relieve unpleasant symptoms, but will not eliminate neither inflammation nor the main cause of the development of the disease. Of course, compresses and applications, ointments and gels with a horse chestnut, a leaf of cabbage and tincture of lilacs will have an analgesic effect and even allow the patient to return to the usual rhythm of life for a while.But the doctor’s consultation will be needed:
- Firstly, it is necessary to make sure that the joints are affected precisely by arthrosis;
- Secondly, taking specific drugs significantly reduces the recovery process;
- Thirdly, doctors will be able to establish the true reason for the development of the destructive process in the joints, direct the forces to eliminate them, which leads to a complete cure.