Arthrosis is a chronic disease of the joints, in which their nutrition is disrupted and their structures are destroyed. This disease develops slowly and is associated with gradual wear and tear of joints and slower recovery processes throughout life. Most often it develops in people over 40, and by the age of 80 it manifests itself to one degree or another in almost any person. 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
Arthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of movable bone joints. When it occurs, tissue nutrition is disrupted and destruction occurs. The body compensates for the destruction and the bone tissue becomes harder and begins to grow. Of course, compensatory growth leads to joint deformation, disruption of its function and pain.
In different regions of our planet, 10-20% of people suffer from arthrosis. It often turns out that a person is treated independently, without the help of a doctor. This leads to deterioration and disability. While well-chosen treatment relieves suffering and slows down the development of the disease.
Causes of the appearance and development of arthrosis
- 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 disease, lack of sex hormones),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis),
- blood flow disorders (venous insufficiency),
- heredity.
These factors affect the nutrition of the cartilage that covers the articular bone surfaces. There is less cartilage tissue, the cartilage becomes thinner and begins to crack, and the secretion of synovial (lubricating) fluid decreases. The surfaces of the bone begin to rub against each other where the cartilage tissue has broken down. In response, the bone tissue grows, and the joint becomes deformed and loses mobility.
Classification
Depending on the origin, arthrosis is divided intoprimary and secondary. Primary is a disease that develops on 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, arthrosis of the spine is widespread. The most severe disease is considered to be in the hip joint (coxarthrosis), and the most common is in the knee joint (gonarthrosis).
Stages of development
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 crunch when bending the limbs. On X-ray: a barely noticeable narrowing of the joint space, questionable small osteophytes (growths along the edges of the joint).
- Stage III: Pain and stiffness intensify in the morning. The pain gets worse when moving. X-ray: 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 pain increases. On X-ray: moderate narrowing of the joint space, pronounced osteophytes, bone surfaces change, and compaction of the bone tissue under the cartilaginous tissue occurs (subchondral sclerosis).
- Stage V: Aching, dull pain on a constant basis, intensifies with movement, strong "crunching" when moving, deformation of joints, muscles atrophy. On X-ray: the joint space is sharply narrowed, subchondral sclerosis, rough osteophytes, pronounced deformation of the surfaces.
Doctors will help alleviate discomfort, conduct a full examination and select individual treatment, taking into account the gender, age, metabolic level, concomitant diseases and other characteristics of each client.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis progresses gradually: discomfort may first appear within several years from the beginning of the destruction process or when inflammation occurs.
The first signs include pain in the arms and legs during physical activity. After prolonged relaxation (at night), a slight stiffness is felt in the morning. Aching, dull "starting pains" appear, i. e. movements that arise at the beginning after a break and subside after some activity. Due to the fact that the symptoms are not very pronounced, people at this stage rarely come to specialists. Although right now is the easiest time to stop the development of arthrosis.
Over time, the pain increases and ceases to subside, interferes with sleep at night, and intensifies with changing weather. There is a feeling of aching in the bones, muscles and joints begin to ache. This disease most often affects the knee and hip joints. Fatigue appears quickly while walking, mobility decreases (stiffness).
Often people lose the feeling of security in their arms and legs, and their gait becomes unsteady. During movement, a strong "crunching" occurs in the legs (exposed bone surfaces rub against each other). The joints become deformed. Due to the restriction of movements, the adjacent muscles tense less, causing the latter to atrophy (volume decreases). Weakened muscles lead to an increasingly unsteady gait.
Hands are most often affected by arthrosis after injuries or with chronic inflammation. The deformation of the hand becomes clearly visible. It becomes square, and growths form on the fingers (Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes).
Clear signals of the need for therapy for arthrosis are joint deformities, persistent pain in the arms and legs, swelling, impaired motor function, and unsteadiness in gait.
If you experience the symptoms described, contact the clinic. Experienced doctors are always ready to provide assistance, conduct a full examination and give comprehensive answers to all your questions. Thanks to the recommendations of competent doctors, you will be able to maintain your usual rhythm of life.
Diagnostics
Instrumental diagnostic methods are usually used to assess the condition of 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 difficulty - joint changes are clearly visualized in the photographs. Using them, the doctor determines the stage of arthrosis and the degree of its progression.
Arthroscopy (endoscopy of the joint using a flexible probe) may be prescribed as an additional diagnostic method. The doctor examines the surface of the joint from the inside, can take material for analysis of synovial fluid, and perform a minimally invasive intervention (remove small bone fragments).
For laboratory diagnostics, 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 relieve pain, slow down the process of destruction and, if possible, establish restoration processes in the tissues of the joint, conservative therapy is used. It can be used:
Drug therapy: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other painkillers 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 drugs is made individually, based on the characteristics of the person and the disease.
Nutrition 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 joints to accelerate recovery processes), etc.
Ozone therapy in various forms and routes of administration to stimulate metabolic processes in cells and improve oxygen absorption. It is especially effective for relieving pain, reducing inflammation and stimulating natural tissue renewal and repair.
Physiotherapy: magnetotherapy, ultrasound therapy, phonophoresis (a combination of medications with ultrasonic waves), thermal baths, massage, 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. Exercises in the pool have a beneficial effect.
Hirudotherapy: the use of leeches. Their saliva contains substances that activate the dilation of blood vessels, and this improves metabolism. Other substances in saliva can cleanse the joint cavity by dissolving dead tissue.
Orthotics: wearing and using special structures - orthoses (special shoes, orthopedic insoles, bandages, corsets).
Taping: fixation with adhesive tapes.
In some cases, surgery is necessary. The clinic successfully performs such effective operations in the area of the hip and knee joints as:
- arthroscopy
- endoprosthetics
In most cases, after this operation, the signs disappear, the pain goes away, and freedom of movement gradually returns. Signs of the disease decrease 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 expert-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 conduct scientific activities.
- Excellent clinical and laboratory facilities. Modern clinics have the most modern, effective and safe equipment installed in order to successfully diagnose, treat and carry out preventive measures. The clinical diagnostic laboratory allows you to quickly perform laboratory examinations.
- Fast and effective diagnosis. The excellent equipment of the clinics allows us to perform a wide range of diagnostic methods: MRI, CT, radiography 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 consultation between doctors of different specialties is widespread to achieve the best treatment result.
- Effective therapy. An integrated, comprehensive approach to treatment and prevention includes a large number of cutting-edge methods.
- Individual approach. Prescribing therapy taking into account the client’s gender and age, as well as other characteristics.
Prevention of arthrosis
To minimize pain and maintain normal working condition, you should:
- follow the doctor's recommendations,
- control body weight (every additional kilogram of weight increases the risk of deterioration),
- eliminate or minimize heavy physical activity,
- regularly do physical therapy exercises,
- avoid injuries: use special elements for protection (knee pads, protective clothing, etc. ) and increase the load gradually,
- use corrective devices and treatment methods (tapes, orthoses) as recommended,
- undergo regular examinations, preventive courses and monitor the condition 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 problems with your joints, go to the hospital. Our doctors will help you get rid of pain and crunching in the joints, and select therapy to restore motor function. Timely initiation of therapy makes complete restoration of joints possible, and preventive courses of treatment procedures will help you lead a normal life without joint pain!
FAQ
What is the difference between arthrosis and arthritis?
In arthrosis, the cause of tissue destruction is insufficient nutrition (disturbance 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, i. e. arthritis with frequent exacerbations progresses to arthrosis through a mixed intermediate stage, in which there are signs of both diseases.
Is arthrosis a curable disease?
The later the disease is detected, the less chance there is to recover from it completely. 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 a sauna/bathtub if you have arthrosis?
Warming up is useful and is part of the complex treatment of arthrosis. But you must first consult your doctor. If there is a local or general inflammatory process in the body, then warming procedures are contraindicated - they will increase inflammation, and dilated blood vessels will spread inflammation throughout the body.
Is arthrosis a contraindication to military service?
Depends on the severity of the disease. A contraindication may be impaired mobility and joint function.
Can children suffer from arthrosis?
Yes, this is possible after injuries and other joint diseases.
Is it possible to cure arthrosis at home using folk remedies?
There is a possibility, but without specialized examination and qualified recommendations there is a much higher chance of worsening your condition.
What is the most dangerous thing about arthrosis?
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 a doctor after an instrumental and laboratory diagnostic examination.