A large number of systemic pathologies can lead to a significant decrease in quality of life, complete loss of performance and even severe disability.Diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system occur not only in old age.Each case of 2 to 3 is observed in working age patients.Osteoarthritis is osteoarthritis.
This degenerative disease is accompanied by a slimming of the cartilage in large and small joints, which leads to a decrease in the amplitude of movements and pronounced pain when you try to perform them.It is possible to prevent the serious consequences only due to the appointment of adequate treatment in the early stages of the development of the disease.In this article, we will discover the causes of development, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.
The prevalence of osteoarthritis
Being careful with statistical indicators, we can see that osteoarthritis is a very relevant disease, and each 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 places it first in the detection frequency compared to other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the articulations of non -inflammatory etiology, leading to deformations in affected areas
Often, degeneration of cartilage is observed in young people, most often, it can be found in men.Among young girls, interfalanced osteoarthritis is often detected.After reaching the age of fifty, the frequency of lesions and the location of the accent become approximately the same for representatives of both sexes and are around 60%.
According to the data presented, it may be understood that it is extremely important to identify pathology in the early stages of the most effective drug therapy.Otherwise, the treatment of launched osteoarthritis will be inaccessible to most elderly patients as part of the financial component.
Causes and risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis
The frequency of occurrence of joint diseases presented has led to the fact that the problem is acute in the medical environments of highly developed countries.Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent for arthritis studies by head clinics each year.The gradual study of the problem made it possible to discover the pathogenesis of the process and factors that can increase the probability 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 which can lead to the development of a secondary joint disease include the following elements:
- Congenital changes associated with the blood supply of joint joints;
- cartilage injury, ligament apparatus or bone growth areas;
- violations associated with metabolism, in particular with a mineral link;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- infections that affect bone tissue;
- haemophilia.
Primary osteoarthritis is an independent disease, it can develop following the influence of these provocative factors:
- senile age;
- the presence of excess body weight;
- excessive physical activity;
- Surgical interventions in the joint;
- genetic predisposition;
- Insufficient food intake of calcium and other minerals;
- chronic poisoning;
- Long and frequent stay at low temperature;
- Frequent injury of bone joint.
The arthritis development mechanism
The normal bone joint consists of two or more heads of the joint, the ligament apparatus, cartilage and synovial fluid.All these structures provide mobility in a certain area of the painless musculoskeletal system, they also allow the load obtained by walking and jumping, dispersing it without damaging the body.
The arthritis 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 night, overweight, the elderly and malnutrition.Pathogenesis is that certain influences lead to a significant deterioration in blood supply and the lymphatic flow of the specified area.
In addition, chondrocytes lose the rapid regeneration capacity and the products of a normal amount of intra-articular liquid, which reduces the friction of surfaces during movement.Little by little, the cartilage becomes rough and begins to wash under the influence of the pressure during the movements of the active body.
Little by little, the compensatory capacities of the tissues are exhausted and gradually a layer of chondrocytes is erased.When degeneration reaches the bones, the pronounced pain develops and mobility decreases considerably.Without appropriate treatment, the patient can completely lose the capacity for active movements and even maintain their needs independently.
Osteoarthritis
The person does not discover what osteoarthritis is, the disease begins gradually and does not show himself in the early stages.Over time, the patient notes the appearance of a slight pain without a certain location, which is improved in the context of a significant physical effort.The growing degeneration leads to the fact that pain appears with minor movements and gain a clear location.
Less notable symptoms of osteoarthritis development include:
- "Painful" pains in case of time;
- Crunch while moving;
- stiffness in the morning;
- Muscle cramps.
With a deep lesion of 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 ask for help from a doctor, the symptoms progress and begin to appear not only in the context of physical exercises, but also at rest.
The slimming of a layer of chondrocytes leads to the deformation of the joints and to a violation of the normal functioning of the limb.By feeling the pathological focus, the patient will note the points of the greatest pain.In addition, the cartilage lip will be considerably thickened along its edge, which will indicate compensatory hypertrophy.
Pain
A large number of violations in the field of bone joints lead to certain difficulties in the differential diagnostic process.However, after having evaluated the nature of pain, we can distinguish osteoarthritis from arthritis from another etiology.In the state described, painful sensations occur, as a rule, when you try to make active movements.Its intensity will gradually increase when it tries to increase the load on the damaged joint.
The clinical image described corresponds to the first step in the process.In the second and third stage of the progression, the pains appear even in a complete state of rest, you can only stop them by giving a comfortable position for the member.The difference between arthritis is the constant presence of pain, which does not disappear when the position is modified and also intensifies at night.
Joint sowarity
The destruction of the natural structure of cartilage causes an active proliferation of chondroblasts, but each polypotent cell of our body has a certain limit of division.This phenomenon is called compensatory stamp.This means that after a certain amount of mitotic divisions, the cell dies and can no longer reproduce its own type.
After a while, this causes a change in the normal form of the joint gap, the appearance of "Christ" or the Sweed Stensles in its light and its corners.This phenomenon only causes the process, because the points formed during the destruction process cause additional damage during movement.
Due to the change in the softness of the articular surface, the appearance of tuberosity and irregularities, the amplitude of active and passive movements is considerably reduced.It is this symptom that most often makes the patient to ask for medical help.Unfortunately, at this stage, the effectiveness of the drug treatment becomes too low, only the joint surgical correction can correct the situation.
The features include:
- a high probability of developing a "contracture" or a complete disappearance of active and passive movements in the member;
- The stock is observed throughout the day, and not only in the morning, as in arthritis;
- In some cases, the member must be disappeared manually to give him a more practical position.
Sounds in the joint
Many have heard a characteristic "crisp" sound when they knead the joints.There is a theory according to which in a healthy person, this phenomenon is observed when the pressure in the bone joint capsule in the capsule changes, consequently, the density of the synovial fluid changes considerably and the gas bubbles, which extend it quickly and the burst, creating a similar crust.This phenomenon is not dangerous, but with osteoarthritis, a similar sound appears following other processes.
Cryta cartilage was formed during the destruction of the articulation and articular lip cartilage, leading to the formation of cracks and the renovation of the ligament apparatus.Even an inexperienced person can distinguish sound in the joint with osteoarthritis - it is more rough and "dry".The severity and volume of the symptom described are directly proportional to the stage of the disease.
The specifics of sounds in the joint with osteoarthritis are:
- Their presence only in the amazing articulation;
- Always accompanied by a deterioration of mobility;
- Expenditure progresses in the last stages of the disease.
Change the appearance of the joint
At the initial stages of osteoarthritis development, the process does not lead to a change in the form of bone joint.A notable change can only be observed with neglected disease, when part of the joint is completely erased, and the other always produces cartilage cells.Consequently, the pathological area increases considerably and loses its natural shape.The specified symptom is extremely unfavorable, as the presence of deformation in the region, for example, the knee or hip joint, will invariably lead to changes in the lower structures area due to the displacement of the axis of the applied load.
Types and steps of osteoarthritis
The modern classification of osteoarthritis is quite branched, due to the vast list of the possible location of the pathological objective.
For the convenience of communication between specialists in various medical centers and even countries in the issue of diagnosis and treatment of this disease, the main ones are distinguished:
- Hand osteoarthritis;
- cervical;
- ankle;
- knee;
- polyarthrosis;
- hip;
- spine.
When establishing a diagnosis, a very important step is exactly the exact determination of the destructive process stage.The stages of osteoarthritis development are distinguished:
Stage 1 - There is completely no visible change in the form of the joint, disturbances are observed in the biochemical composition of intra -articular liquid, insignificant pain syndrome appears, supplemented by inflammatory manifestations in the joint.
Step 2 - A degenerative process is observed in the cartilaginous tissue, "Christ" forms, stiffness and significant pain syndrome during movements are attached.The distribution of the surrounding articulation of the muscles develops.
Step 3 - The presence of extended foci of destruction of the cartilage is determined, the shape of the joint is modified, the amplitude of active and passive movements in the limbs is considerably reduced or completely absent.Often in patients at this stage, contractures develop which completely stop movements in the affected area.
Complications
An uncontrolled destruction process can lead to serious complications which can, in addition to reducing the quality of life, leading to a complete inability to take care of itself independently.
The most difficult includes:
- Complete destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint;
- contracture;
- the appearance of hernial protuberances in the intervertebral disc zone;
- severe handicap of the patient;
- Significant distortion of the limb.
Osteoarthritis
Unfortunately, many patients, unfortunately, learn what osteoarthritis is and how to treat it at these steps when a significant effect is no longer possible to obtain a significant effect.It is necessary to engage in the correction of the state of the musculoskeletal system after the appearance of the first symptoms and life.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 blood supply and the lymphatic flow of the joint require the constant use of vascular drugs.Given pathogenesis, therapy must be complex and complete.To start, after the appearance of unpleasant sensations during the trip, see a specialist in the rheumatological profile or the traumatologist.The doctor, based on laboratory and instrumental diagnosis, will establish a precise diagnosis and resolve the question of the adequate treatment prescription.
Treatment with drugs
In the early stages of osteoarthritis, you can correct the situation using medication.To this end, these drugs are used:
- Cortex hormones adrenal;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Preparations with chondroprotective effects.
A complex influence saves the patient from pain, level the inflammatory process and restore normal blood supply as soon as possible.
The last therapy
Advanced developments in the field of drug treatment have led to the creation of new drugs, which are essentially substitutes for natural synovial fluid.The developed molecules can considerably reduce the process of degeneration of cartilage, reduce pain and save the patient from inflammatory phenomena.The artificial synovial fluid is introduced directly into the joint bag each week.The duration of a treatment is 3 to 5 weeks.Usually, the result obtained is sufficient for a person's normal life for 6 to 12 months.Patients say comfort and quality of life are considerably improved.Unfortunately, this tactic is only applicable compared to people with 1-2 osteoarthritis stadium.
Surgical treatment
With serious damage to large joints, such as hip or knee, at a relatively young age up to 60 years old, patients are offered an operation for a complete replacement of the joint.Today, ceramic and titanium transplants are used which 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 mobility problems in the replaced joints.
Folk recipes
Non -traditional medicine is widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.This is due to the fact that after stopping an acute process, life therapy is necessary, aimed at restoring and maintaining the natural structure of cartilage.To achieve the objectives, the products used must be sure and the 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 osteoarthritis
In the treatment of the pathology presented, it is extremely important to provide the body with a constant supply of nutrients.This can only be achieved if respect for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and diet micro-elements in terms of protein, fat.To compile the most adequate power circuit, you should ask for the help of a nutritionist.Diet, it is necessary to eliminate rapid carbohydrates and alcohol.The base of the table should be dishes of fish, red meat and fresh fruit.
It is very important to comply with the following nutritional rules for osteoarthritis:
- balance;
- Eat 5 to 6 times a day in small portions;
- Do not eat after 7:00 p.m.;
- Get rid of excess body weight.
Prevention
Today there is no specific prevention of osteoarthritis, due to the polyetiological state.
You can warn the start of the disease by observing the general recommendations:
- Good nutrition;
- Moderate physical activity 2 to 3 times a week;
- normalization of body weight;
- Frequent fractional nutrition;
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- Refusal of bad habits.
Conclusion
The presented pathological state of the musculoskeletal system is often observed in older patients.It is necessary to increase the frequency of early diagnosis of the disease, because it is only in this case that it is possible to count on a successful result of conservative treatment.The prognosis for work capacity, subject to early identification and observation of all the doctor's prescriptions, is favorable.The presence of osteoarthritis of the third stage is accompanied by an unfavorable prognosis and can lead to the complete inability of the patient to use.
However, even the most serious form of the disease is adjusted using surgical treatment, the drawbacks of which are:
- trauma of the operation;
- high cost;
- long rehabilitation period;
- It cannot be applied to patients over 60 years of age.