A huge number of systemic pathologies can lead to a significant decrease in the quality of life, complete loss of performance and even severe disability.Diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system occur not only in old age.Every 2-3 case is observed in patients of working age.The most dangerous and poorly amenable to correction is arthrosis.
This degenerative disease is accompanied by thinning of cartilage in large and small joints, which leads to a decrease in the amplitude of movements and pronounced pain when trying to perform them.It is possible to prevent serious consequences only as a result of the appointment of adequate treatment at the very early stages of development of the disease.In this article we will find out the causes of development, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis.
The prevalence of arthrosis
Paying attention to statistical indicators, it can be found that arthrosis is a very relevant disease, and every year the frequency of its occurrence is only growing.According to the World Health Organization, pathology is observed in seven percent of the population of the planet.This puts it in the first place in the frequency of detection in comparison with other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Arthrosis is a chronic disease of the joints of non-inflammatory etiology, leading to deformations in the affected areas
Often the degeneration of cartilage is observed in young people, more often it can be found in men.In young girls, interfalanced arthrosis is often detected.After reaching the age of fifty, the lesion frequency and localization of the focus become approximately the same for representatives of both sexes and is approximately 60%.
From the data presented, it can be understood that it is extremely important to identify pathology in the early stages for the most effective drug therapy.Otherwise, the treatment of launched arthrosis will be inaccessible to most elderly patients in connection with the financial component.
Causes and risk factors for the development of arthrosis
The frequency of occurrence of the presented joint disease has led to the fact that the problem is acute in the medical circles of highly developed countries.Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on studies on arthrosis by leading clinics annually.The gradual study of the problem made it possible to find out the pathogenesis of the process and factors that can increase the likelihood of the occurrence of the disease.
The modern and more complete classification of joint degeneration will be presented below, at this stage it is enough to understand that the primary and secondary forms are distinguished.
The reasons that can lead to the development of a secondary joint disease include the following:
- congenital changes associated with the blood supply to articular joints;
- injury to the cartilage, ligamentous apparatus or bone growth zones;
- violations associated with metabolism, especially with a mineral link;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- infections that affect bone tissue;
- hemophilia.
Primary arthrosis is an independent disease, it can develop as a result of the influence of such provoking factors:
- senile age;
- the presence of excess body weight;
- excessive physical activity;
- Surgical interventions in the joint;
- genetic predisposition;
- insufficient alimentary intake of calcium and other minerals;
- chronic intoxication;
- long and frequent stay at low temperatures;
- Frequent injury of bone joint.
The mechanism of development of arthrosis
Normal bone joint consists of two or more heads of the joint, ligamentous apparatus, cartilage and synovial fluid.All these structures provide mobility in a certain area of the musculoskeletal system without pain, they also allow the load obtained by walking and jumping, scattering it without causing damage to the body.
Arthrosis of the joints belongs to a group of diseases with polyetiological origin.This means that most often the cause of development is the influence of a whole complex of triggers, including professional harmfulnesses, overweight, elderly and malnutrition.The pathogenesis is that certain influences lead to a significant deterioration in blood supply and lymph flow from the specified area.
Further, chondrocytes lose the ability to rapid regeneration and products of a normal amount of intraarticular fluid, which reduces friction of surfaces during movement.Gradually, the cartilage becomes rough and begins to wash under the influence of pressure during active body movements.
Gradually, the compensatory capabilities of the tissues are depleted and gradually a layer of chondrocytes is erased.When degeneration reaches bones, pronounced pain develops and mobility decreases significantly.Without proper treatment, the patient can completely lose the ability to active movements and even to independently maintain his needs.
Symptoms of arthrosis
The person does not find out about what arthrosis is, the disease begins gradually and does not show itself at the initial stages.Over time, the patient notes the appearance of slight pain without a certain localization, which is enhanced against the background of significant physical exertion.The growing degeneration leads to the fact that the pains appear with minor movements and gain a clear location.
Less noticeable symptoms of developing arthrosis include:
- "Aching" pains in case of weather;
- crunch when moving;
- stiffness in the morning;
- muscle cramps.
With a deep lesion of the cartilage, there are signs indicating local inflammation, such as swelling, redness of the skin and a local increase in temperature.If a person does not seek help from a doctor, the symptoms progress and begin to appear not only against the background of physical exercises, but also at rest.
The thinning of a layer of chondrocytes leads to deformation of the joints and a violation of the normal functioning of the limb.When feeling the pathological focus, the patient will note the points of the greatest pain.In addition, the cartilage lip will be significantly thickened along its edge, which will indicate compensatory hypertrophy.
Pain
A large number of violations in the field of bone joints leads to certain difficulties in the process of differential diagnosis.However, having evaluated the nature of the pain, one can distinguish arthrosis from arthritis of another etiology.In the described state, painful sensations occur, as a rule, when trying to perform active movements.Its intensity will gradually increase when trying to increase the load on the damaged joint.
The described clinical picture corresponds to the first stage of the process.At the second and third stage of progression, pains appear even in a state of complete rest, you can stop them only by giving a position comfortable for the limb.The difference between arthritis is the constant presence of pain, which does not disappear when the position is changed, and also intensifies at night.
Sowearity of the joint
The destruction of the natural structure of the cartilage causes active proliferation of chondroblasts, but each polypotent cell in our body has a certain division limit.This phenomenon is called a compensatory buffer.This means that after a certain amount of mitotic divisions, the cell dies and can no longer reproduce its own kind.
After some time, this causes a change in the normal shape of the joint gap, the appearance of the so -called "Christ" or outgrowths in its lumen and recesses.This phenomenon only exacerbates the process, since the spikes formed during the destruction process cause additional harm during movement.
Due to the change in the smoothness of the articular surface, the appearance of tuberosity and irregularities, the amplitude of active and passive movements is significantly reduced.It is this symptom that most often makes the patient seek medical help.Unfortunately, at this stage, the effectiveness of drug treatment becomes too low, only surgical joint correction can correct the situation.
The features include:
- high probability of developing "contracture" or complete disappearance of active and passive movements in the limb;
- Stock is observed throughout the day, and not only in the morning, as in arthritis;
- In some cases, the limb has to be faded manually to give it a more convenient position.
Sounds in the joint
Many have heard a characteristic “crisp” sound when kneading joints.There is a theory according to which in a healthy person this phenomenon is observed when the pressure in the capsule of bone joint in the capsule changes, as a result, the density of the synovial fluid changes dramatically and the gas bubbles, which are in it quickly expand and burst, creating a semblance of crust.This phenomenon is not dangerous, but with arthrosis a similar sound appears as a result of other processes.
Crysta's cartilage formed during the cartilage destruction of the joint and the joint lip, leading to the formation of cracks and the renovation of the ligamentous apparatus.Even an inexperienced person will be able to distinguish the sound in the joint with arthrosis - he is more rough and “dry”.The severity and volume of the described symptom is directly proportional to the stage of the disease.
The specifics of sounds in the joint with arthrosis are:
- Their presence only in the staggering joint;
- Always accompanied by a deterioration in mobility;
- Expensity progresses in the later stages of the disease.
Changing the appearance of the joint
At the initial stages of the development of arthrosis, the process does not lead to a change in the form of bone joint.A noticeable change can only be observed with a neglected disease, when one part of the joint is completely erased, and the other still produces cartilage cells.As a result, the pathological area increases significantly and loses its natural form.The specified symptom is extremely unfavorable, since the presence of deformation in the region, for example, the knee or hip joint, will invariably lead to changes in the area of the lower structures due to the displacement of the axis of the applied load.
Types and stages of arthrosis
The modern classification of arthrosis is quite branched, due to the vast list of the possible localization of the pathological focus.
For the convenience of communication between specialists of various medical centers and even countries in the issue of diagnosis and treatment of this disease, the main ones are distinguished:
- arthrosis of the hands;
- cervical;
- ankle;
- knee;
- polyarthrosis;
- hip;
- spine.
When establishing a diagnosis, a very important stage is exactly the exact determination of the stage of the destructive process.The stages of the development of arthrosis are distinguished:
Stage 1 - there are completely no visible changes in the shape of the joint, disturbances are observed in the biochemical composition of the intra -articular fluid, an insignificant pain syndrome appears, complemented by inflammatory manifestations in the joint.
Stage 2 - a degenerative process is observed in the cartilaginous fabric, the “Christ” forms, stiffness and significant pain syndrome during movements are joined.Distrophy of the surrounding joint of the muscles develops.
Stage 3 - the presence of extensive foci of cartilage destruction is determined, the shape of the joint is changed, the amplitude of active and passive movements in the limbs is significantly reduced, or completely absent.Often in patients at this stage, contractures develop that completely stop movements in the affected area.
Complications
An uncontrolled process of destruction can lead to severe complications that can, in addition to reducing the quality of life, lead to a complete inability to independently take care of itself.
The most difficult include:
- complete destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint;
- contracture;
- the appearance of hernial protrusions in the area of intervertebral discs;
- severe disability of the patient;
- Significant deformation of the limb.
Treatment of arthrosis
Unfortunately, many patients, unfortunately, learn about what arthrosis is and how to treat it at those stages when a significant effect is no longer possible to achieve a significant effect.It is necessary to engage in the correction of the condition of the musculoskeletal system after the appearance of the first symptoms and lifelong.This is due to the fact that the impact of factors contributing to the development of the disease is rarely possible to prevent.For example, age -related changes in the blood supply and lymph flow from the joint require the constant use of vascular drugs.Given the pathogenesis, therapy should be complex and comprehensive.To begin with, after the appearance of unpleasant sensations when moving, refer to a specialist of the rheumatological profile or traumatologist.The doctor, based on laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, will establish an accurate diagnosis and solve the issue of prescribing adequate treatment.
Treatment with medicines
In the early stages of arthrosis, you can correct the situation with the help of medicines.For this purpose, such medications are used:
- hormones of the adrenal cortex;
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- Preparations with chondroprotective effects.
A complex influence makes it possible to save the patient from pain, leveling the inflammatory process, and restore normal blood supply in the shortest possible time.
The latest therapy
Advanced developments in the field of drug treatment led to the creation of new drugs, which are essentially substitutes for natural synovial fluid.Developed molecules can significantly reduce the process of cartilage degeneration, reduce pain and save the patient from inflammatory phenomena.The artificial synovial fluid is introduced directly into the joint bag every week.The duration of one course of treatment is 3-5 weeks.Usually, the result achieved is enough for the normal life of a person for 6-12 months.Patients claim that comfort and quality of life are significantly improved.Unfortunately, this tactic is applicable only in relation to people with 1-2 stage of arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
With severe damage to large joints, such as hip or knee, at a relatively young age up to 60 years, patients are offered an operation for a complete replacement of the joint.Today, ceramic and titanium transplants are used that can completely restore lost functions.These devices are strong enough and are able to provide the patient up to 20 years of life without any problems with mobility in replaced joints.
Folk recipes
Non -traditional medicine is widely used in the treatment of arthrosis.This is due to the fact that after stopping an acute process, lifelong therapy is required, aimed at restoring and maintaining the natural structure of cartilage.To achieve the goals, the products used must be safe and most natural as possible.
Compresses and lotions with a decoction of the following plants are very popular:
- ginger root;
- cinnamon;
- Kalanchoe;
- turmeric;
- celery.
Diet with arthrosis
In the treatment of the presented pathology, it is extremely important to provide the body with a constant intake of nutrients.This can only be achieved if compliance with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements of the diet in terms of the content of proteins, fats.To compile the most adequate power circuit, you should seek help from a nutritionist.From the diet it is necessary to remove fast carbohydrates and alcohol.The basis of the table should be dishes of fish, red meat and fresh fruits.
It is very important to comply with the following nutritional rules for arthrosis:
- balance;
- Eating 5-6 times a day in small portions;
- Do not eat after 19:00;
- Getting rid of excess body weight.
Prevention
There is no specific prevention of arthrosis today, due to polyetiological state.
You can warn the onset of the disease by observing general recommendations:
- proper nutrition;
- moderate physical activity 2-3 times a week;
- normalization of body weight;
- frequent fractional nutrition;
- compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- Refusal of bad habits.
Conclusion
The presented pathological condition of the musculoskeletal system is often observed in older patients.It is necessary to increase the frequency of early diagnosis of the disease, since only in this case it is possible to count on a successful outcome from conservative treatment.The prognosis for working capacity, subject to the early identification and observance of all the prescriptions of the doctor, is favorable.The presence of arthrosis of the third stage is accompanied by an unfavorable prognosis and can lead to the complete inability of the patient to serve himself.
Nevertheless, even the most severe form of the disease is adjusted with the help of surgical treatment, the disadvantages of which are:
- trauma of the operation;
- high cost;
- long rehabilitation period;
- It cannot be applied to patients over 60 years old.