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What is arthrosis: its types, symptoms and methods of treatment

Arthrosis is a degenerative disease of a dystrophic nature, resulting in damage to cartilage tissue and joints.About a third of the elderly are diagnosed with this condition.That is why it is worth knowing which specialist to contact and how to treat this disease.

Types of arthrosis

The parameter by which arthrosis is divided into types is the location.Based on this, experts have compiled the following classification of the disease:

  • Spondyloarthrosis.Osteoarthritis of the spine affects one or more vertebrae of the spine.The cause of spondyloarthrosis is the excessive load on a certain part of the spine.Scoliosis is a common cause of this type of disease, as well as other postural disorders.
  • Uncovertebral arthrosis.Cervical arthrosis is directly related to the natural aging process of the human body, so it is most often diagnosed in the elderly.
    • knee pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee
  • Arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is quite common in the population, especially in men.Two-thirds of people diagnosed with shoulder arthrosis experience deformity of the arm joints.
  • Osteoarthritis of the hands.Another type of arthrosis is arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joints.The disease is also called Heberden's nodes.More common in women during menopause.
  • Coxarthrosis.Osteoarthritis of the hip joints usually affects middle-aged and elderly people.However, if there is joint dysplasia (congenital disorders of the bone structure), then the disease can also be detected in young people.
  • Gonarthrosis.Osteoarthritis of the knee joints is one of the most common types.People over 45 are most susceptible to it.The disease is more common among women than among men.
  • Ankle arthrosis.Leg injuries, subluxations, leg bruises and similar problems are harbingers of this group of diseases.It occurs among all ages and categories of the population.
  • Primary polyosteoarthrosis.Kellgren's disease is characterized by general weakening of ligaments and muscular dystrophy.It occurs in women during menopause against the background of general arthrosis of the limbs.

The mechanism of development of arthrosis

In a normal state, cartilage has a smooth surface and is also quite flexible.Thanks to this, the articular surfaces can move relative to each other without difficulty.In other words, healthy cartilage provides the necessary level of shock absorption and reduces the load on bones, muscles and ligaments.

As a result of arthrosis, the surface of the cartilage becomes rougher over time and friction occurs when the joints move.Small particles begin to separate from the cartilage, eventually entering the joint cavity and fluid.

In addition, the cartilage becomes harder and harder until it ossifies.Cysts are formed in the central and deep zone, which come into direct contact with the joints.

This provides constant injury to the capsule and synovium of the joint, which leads to their thickening.Over time, the structure of the bones themselves is also damaged - they are deformed and special protrusions appear at the edges.

Increased load on ligaments and muscles contributes to the appearance of fibrotic lesions.The likelihood of damage to the ligamentous-muscular system increases (sprains, tears, tears).With significant destruction of cartilage, movements are sharply limited, and the formation of ankylosis is a common phenomenon.

healthy cartilage and arthrosis of the knee joint

Causes and risk factors

The causes of arthrosis are diverse and multifaceted.However, there are groups of factors that increase the chances of developing the disease:

  • age over 60 years;
  • obesity and high body weight, which creates an increased load on the joints;
  • non-observance of safety measures and work rules;
  • disruption of the endocrine system;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body;
  • poisoning with certain toxic substances;
  • poor environmental conditions in the place of residence and work;
  • frequent hypothermia of the body.

Primary arthrosis

Primary arthrosis is a consequence that occurs as a result of disruption of regenerative processes, increased degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the joint without accompanying abnormalities in the functioning of the body as a whole.

As a rule, primary arthrosis occurs as a result of hereditary factors:

  • Cartilage composition.A genetic disorder in the composition of cartilage-building tissue, which accelerates destruction, is a direct prerequisite for arthrosis.The faster the cartilage is affected, the greater the likelihood of the disease occurring.
  • Congenital defect of the musculoskeletal system.Over time, this leads to traumatization of a certain area of the cartilage joint tissue, which in turn eventually leads to disease.
  • Heredity.Osteoarthritis has a high chance of being inherited.If at least one of the parents has this disease, then it is worth paying close attention to the child's joints.

Secondary arthrosis

As already mentioned, secondary arthrosis does not occur by itself;always preceded by some factor:

  • Mechanical damage to the joint.Trauma, intra-articular bone fracture, constant overuse and many other factors have an extremely high chance of causing subsequent disease.An aggravating factor is insufficient or no treatment.
  • Surgical intervention.Not so much the operation itself, but the medical error can cause damage to the joint or cartilage.
  • Disease of the joints.Arthrosis often occurs as a result of an inflammatory process: arthritis, synovitis.Also, read how arthrosis differs from arthritis.
  • Vascular disease.Many diseases of the vascular system that disrupt the blood supply to the joint can lead to arthrosis.Their list includes varicose veins, atherosclerosis, obliterating endarteritis, etc.
  • Autoimmune disease.Diseases such as hemochromatosis, psoriasis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and others are prerequisites for the disease.

Secondary arthrosis occurs as a result of pathological processes or as a result of partial destruction of the joint surface due to damage from external influences.

pain due to arthrosis of the elbow joint

The difference between primary and secondary arthrosis is expressed in the dynamics and prerequisites of the disease: in the primary type, the disease proceeds slowly and naturally, while in the secondary type, a trigger factor is needed for development.

Symptoms

Arthrosis is accompanied by characteristic and recognizable symptoms:

  • Painful sensations.Joint pain is a hallmark of the disease.In arthrosis, the pain occurs when moving or when a heavy load is placed on the inflamed joint.The pain is palpable but tolerable.Over time, however, the symptoms become more intense, and eventually the pain will accompany the patient even at rest.
  • I'm crunching.Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by a crunching sensation in the inflamed joint.The symptom occurs as a result of the gradual destruction of the cartilage layer and the subsequent friction of the bones.If a person's joints are cracking, this is still not a cause for panic.In arthrosis, the crunch is quite specific - rough and dry.That's why you shouldn't make an appointment with a specialist just cracking your joints.Especially if there are no other symptoms.
  • Stiffness of movements.As arthrosis develops, it increasingly limits movement due to ossification and destruction of cartilage.
  • A change in the appearance of the joint.One of the accompanying symptoms is deformation of the inflamed joint.A person with arthrosis may notice that the appearance of one or more joints has changed: for example, knees that have been sharp throughout life have become more rounded.
  • Soft tissue inflammation.However, arthrosis can cause not only deformation of the joint, but also inflammation of the soft tissues, accompanied by an accumulation of fluid around the cartilage (effusion).

Stages of arthrosis

The process of developing arthrosis includes three stages:

  • Arthrosis in the first stage is characterized by mild pain during movement and light loads on the affected joint.However, from the very first stage, a change in the structure and composition of the cartilage tissue begins.
  • Starting from the second stage, the joint itself is deformed and destroyed.Manifestations of pain become more and more noticeable, a strong and distinct crunch appears.
  • The most severe stage of arthrosis, the third, leads to pathological deformation of the affected joint.Visually, the joints also begin to change.In the third stage, the patient fully feels all the symptoms of the disease: pain bothers the joints even at rest, the person can no longer make the usual movements, and visually the joints become less and less attractive.

The third stage of arthrosis leads to complete destruction of the joint, accompanied by neoarthrosis (partial unnatural mobility) or even complete loss of mobility.As a rule, at the end of the third stage of arthrosis, specialists decide on a radical intervention - endoprosthesis of the damaged joint.

Possible complications and consequences

Untimely, incorrect (or lack of) treatment of arthrosis can lead to very unpleasant consequences.This is not only the complete destruction of the affected joint, but also a change in the biomechanics of the spine, which can lead to the appearance of herniation in the intervertebral discs and the spread of the disease in healthy joints.

The main complications of the disease include the following pathologies:

  • deformity of the joint;
  • destruction of the joint;
  • violation of the biomechanics of the spine and other joints;
  • herniation of the intervertebral discs;
  • inability to perform movements;
  • reducing the patient's standard of living;
  • the patient becomes disabled.

Specialist and diagnostics

If you find symptoms inherent to arthrosis, the first specialist a person should visit is an orthopedist.In the future, the doctor will collect anamnesis, conduct a general examination and refer the patient for examination, including:

  • X-ray examination (usually in two projections) necessary to detect specific signs of arthrosis.
  • Computed tomography (CT) to examine the bone structure of the affected joint.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) needed to determine the condition of soft tissues.

Based on the results of the examination, the orthopedist can either prescribe treatment himself or, if aggravating circumstances are found, refer the patient to other specialists: rheumatologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist.

Treatment

Treatment of osteoarthritis rarely involves only one treatment method.As a rule, the patient is prescribed a whole range of measures, from proper nutrition to drug treatment and physiotherapy.Cases where surgical intervention is indicated are also not uncommon.

General recommendations

Treatment of arthrosis, in addition to specific measures, includes several basic recommendations:

  • reduce the load on the inflamed joint to the minimum possible;
  • literal compliance with the regimen established by the orthopedist;
  • a rational and properly formulated diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

medicines

Medicines for arthrosis are indicated quite often.As a rule, these are the following types of drugs:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs.In the initial stage of treatment, the first tasks to be solved are the elimination of pain and inflammation.The solution to the second problem involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including intravenous and intramuscular administration.
  • Hormonal corticosteroids.Hormonal corticosteroids are indicated at the stage of exacerbation of arthrosis.Most often, this group of drugs is prescribed in the form of injections, but sometimes there are patches, ointments and tinctures.
  • Chondroprotectors.The main goal of the group of drugs is to restore the cartilage tissue and normalize the composition of the synovial fluid.The patient must take the drug for a long time, as the recovery process takes a long time.In advanced cases of arthrosis, the drugs may not give the expected effect.
  • Pain relievers.In particularly severe cases of the disease, analgesics, including drugs, may be prescribed.
drugs for the treatment of arthrosis

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often prescribed to patients with osteoarthritis, especially in combination with drug treatment.The orthopedist selects a set of exercises that must be performed in accordance with the following principles:

  • No rush.The workload and volume of training should be increased gradually;there is no need to rush, however much you want to speed up the occurrence of a positive result.
  • No pain.Physiotherapy exercises should not cause pain.Exercises may cause discomfort, a feeling of tension and fatigue, but in no case pain.If the pain is still there, it means that the exercises are performed incorrectly.
  • No overvoltage.Exercises should be intense, but not force the patient to exert himself excessively.It is worth remembering that everything is good in moderation.
  • No breaks.Only regular exercise can really benefit the joints and help overcome the disease.Classes held once a month according to your mood will not bring any effect.
  • No exacerbations.Exercises should be performed only during periods of remission of arthrosis.
  • No discounts.Both problem and healthy joints should be equally loaded.

Physiotherapy

Early stage osteoarthritis is usually treated with medication.However, in combination with drugs, physiotherapy procedures are often prescribed to increase the effect of the drugs.In addition, with this prescription, the dosage and side effects of the drugs can be reduced.

The following procedures are indicated for arthrosis:

  • Electrophoresis.An absolutely painless procedure that allows the prescribed drug to act locally and in high concentrations, minimizing all side effects.It allows you to quickly relieve pain, inflammation, improves joint nutrition and promotes a number of other beneficial effects of drugs.
  • Exposure to ultrasound.Causes a list of beneficial effects (warming, micromassage, improves capillary blood flow and tissue metabolism).In other words, the physiotherapy procedure is aimed at improving the condition of the joint and cartilage tissue as a whole.
  • Exposure to a magnetic field.Physiotherapy reduces inflammation in the damaged joint and improves metabolic processes in it.The orthopedist can prescribe general and (or) local magnetic therapy depending on the type of arthrosis and the general health of the patient.
  • Radiation exposure.Physiotherapy is prescribed not only in cases where there are contraindications for other physiotherapy methods, but also in addition to others, as a means of speeding up recovery.

massage

Massage is an effective way to treat arthrosis due to the improvement of peripheral blood circulation in the joint.The better the blood circulation, the better the nutrition of the joint and cartilage with nutrients.

therapeutic massage for arthrosis of the joints

The following massage techniques are often prescribed for arthrosis:

  • Japanese.With the Japanese technique, point loading is practiced on certain areas of the joint - hard and painful.Loads must be strictly dosed, so you should contact a massage therapist who is a specialist in Japanese techniques.
  • Finnish.The technique is characterized by the fact that most of the movements are done with the thumbs, which also has a purposeful but soft effect.
  • Swedish.The Swedish technique includes stroking and rubbing movements, as well as direct kneading of the painful joint.

The purpose of the massage is to achieve the following goals:

  • stretch the muscles and ligaments around the inflamed joint;
  • releasing muscles from venous blood;
  • removing deposits from the joint;
  • stimulate the outflow of lymph and blood flow;
  • stress relief;
  • improving the motor function of the joint.

food

In the case of arthrosis, the characteristic dish that should be in the diet is jellied meat - its consumption leads to the intake of gelatin in the body, which is so necessary for the normal functioning of cartilage.However, other animal dishes containing cartilage are also recommended for consumption.

In addition, there is a list of dietary rules that patients with arthrosis must follow:

  • do not eat a lot at night, as this can lead not only to weight gain, but also to an attack of the disease;
  • try to eat partially - proteins separately, fats separately, carbohydrates separately;
  • if you are overweight, reduce the weight so as not to add stress to the already inflamed joint;
  • The daily diet should be balanced, rich in vitamins and trace elements.

Balneotherapy

Depending on the stage of arthrosis, the patient may be indicated for sanatorium-resort procedures using special mud:

  • Local mud applications.It is smearing the affected joints with healing hot (about 40 degrees) mud for 15-20 minutes.The course is held every other day and consists of 10-15 procedures.
  • General applications with mud.General application of hot mud to the human body.About 10 treatments are needed every other day.
  • Mud baths with mineral water.Immersion of a person in a special bath consisting of healing mud mixed with mineral water at an elevated temperature (36-37 degrees).The course is conducted by analogy with the applications.
  • Compresses.Mud compresses with different compositions are applied to the affected joints (no more than two) for a long period of time (from half an hour).The course varies from 10 to 20 procedures.

You should not make a decision about balneotherapy alone.Before visiting the establishment, do not forget to consult your treating specialist.

In addition, other procedures are shown:

  • hydrokinesitherapy;
  • underwater limb traction with hanging weights;
  • vibration massage;
  • reflexology;
  • medicinal baths.

surgery

The operation is performed to improve the mobility of the joint, as well as to remove part of the cartilage or damaged menisci.

Surgery for arthrosis is a last resort, which should be resorted to only if conservative treatment methods have not led to a positive result and the patient suffers from pain, partial or complete immobility of the joint.

During the operation, a fragment of cartilage affected by arthrosis is removed, it is polished to obtain a smooth surface, cartilage growths are removed and part of the damaged ligaments are cut.

The most common operation is:

  • hip joint - partial removal of cartilage and bone tissue of the femur and pelvis;
  • knee joint - replacement of the articular surface of the joint with metal or combined prostheses.
metal knee prosthesis for arthrosis

People's funds

Folk remedies are not able to defeat arthrosis by themselves, but they can be an excellent adjuvant.The main thing is to consult your orthopedist before use.

The most effective in folk medicine in the fight against the disease are ointments, compresses and baths.

Ointments

To have an effect, ointments should be applied with massaging movements and left on the skin for a long time, for example, all night.

Ointment #1:

  • 1 egg yolk;
  • 1 tspturpentine;
  • 1 tspapple cider vinegar.

Mix all the ingredients well.

Method of application.The sore joint should be smeared at night, wrapped well.Use three times a week.

Ointment No. 2:

  • 100 g of honey;
  • 3 g mummy.

Mix all the ingredients well.

Method of application.Apply daily at night for a week.

Compresses

With arthrosis, they should be warm and moist.The compress applied to the joint is covered with a film and a warm towel.

Compress #1:

  • water;
  • 1 tspvegetable oil;
  • 6 burdock leaves.

Arranged leaves should be held briefly over a pot of hot water to steam.

Method of application.The diseased joint is lubricated with vegetable oil, wrapped with leaves, wrapped in cling film and a warm scarf.You need to keep it for several hours.

Compress #2:

  • 2 egg shells;
  • 1 tbsp.l fat kefir.

The powdered shells are mixed with kefir until a thick paste is obtained.

Method of application.The product is distributed over the diseased joint, covered with a linen cloth and household foil, after which the joint needs warmth (for example, under a blanket).After two hours, the composition should be washed off.

Bathrooms

If a large joint suffers from arthrosis, warming is indicated, and a bath is an excellent means for this.

Salt and Pine Bath:

  • 1 kilogram of sea salt;
  • a few pine branches;
  • 3 chopped Jerusalem artichoke tubers;
  • 2 tbsp.l honey;
  • 1 tspturpentine.

All ingredients are mixed in a hot water bath.This bath lasts up to half an hour.

therapeutic bath for arthrosis

You should not take medicinal baths every day - the interval between procedures should be 1 day.

Herbal bath:

  • 4 tbsp.L. nettle;
  • 3 tbsp.l. St. John's wort;
  • 2 tbsp.l. calendula;
  • 3 tbsp.L. oregano;
  • 1 tbsp.l. hemlock;
  • 1 tbsp.l. burdock root;
  • 500 g of clay.

The mixed herbs are poured with boiling water and left to infuse for an hour.After some time, clay is added, the solution is mixed well and poured into a hot bath.Lying in the bath costs about 20 minutes.

Prevention measures

Despite the many causes that cause the disease, there are also effective measures designed to protect a person from the onset of arthrosis:

  • Physical activity.Healthy and moderate physical activity, especially with proper technique, will not only help in the fight against excess weight, but will also increase the microcirculation of blood around the articular cartilage, thus enriching the cartilage with nutrients necessary for normal functioning.
  • Warm.Hypothermia of the joints should be avoided.
  • Eating.A proper, balanced diet containing the daily requirement of nutrients as well as vitamins and trace elements will help your joints live a long and happy life.
  • Normal weight.Maintaining a normal weight throughout life reduces the likelihood of osteoarthritis to a minimum.

Arthritis is a disease that many people can get: from athletes (among whom it is the most common disease) to lovers of an absolutely unhealthy lifestyle.But taking preventive measures, timely contacting an orthopedist and following all instructions allows, if not to completely eliminate the chance of getting sick, then at least reduce the damage to a minimum.