There are over 180 joints in the human body and they hurt almost everyone. The diagnoses look different, different treatment is recommended, but the pain does not go away, it only gets worse with age, relief is temporary.
There is still no consensus in the medical community on this condition, including methods of treatment.
What is osteoarthritis of the joints
This is a whole group of diseases of a polyetiological nature, in which all parts of the joint are destroyed.
Causes of osteoarthritis
There are many and they are not fully understood.
- Osteoarthritis develops after an injury. For example, if the knee joint is damaged, osteoarthritis of the knee joint or knee osteoarthritis occurs.
- Postponed arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint. It can be a complication even after ARVI or the result of a specific infection: gonorrhea, tuberculosis, brucelosis, with viral hepatitis, adenovirus infection, rubella, HIV infection.
- High physical activity is a professional problem for athletes. For the average person, any load can become stressful and "start" the process.
- Autoimmune diseases: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, drug-induced arthropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For example, dysplasia can be one of the causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
- Overweight.
- Adverse working conditions.
- Alcohol and bad habits.
The list is incomplete, but already quite impressive.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are many, but the main one is pain.
Pain in osteoarthritis first appears with physical exertion, decreases at rest. They occur due to microfractures, spasms of the periarticular muscles, irritation of surrounding tissues by osteophytes. When synovitis develops, the joint swells, pain arises from the first movements, then disappears and reappears with prolonged exertion.
A necrotic osteophyte (a piece of torn articular cartilage) "stuck" the joint and causes severe pain, crackles and external changes appear, usual movements are difficult.
Classification First stage: the movements of the joint are moderately limited, the pain is felt only during exertion, insignificant bone growths are visible in X-ray images, the narrowing of the joint space is weak. Second stage: the mobility of certain joints is considerably limited, a cracking appears. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the joints of the legs, lameness occurs due to the shortening of the limb, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and lower back. The pictures show that the joint space decreases three times, the bone growths are rough, the joint surfaces are damaged. Third stage: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis - movement is possible only on crutches.
Classification
- First stage: the movements of the joint are moderately limited, the pain is felt only during exertion, insignificant bone growths are visible on x-rays, the narrowing of the joint space is weak.
- Second stage: the mobility of certain joints is considerably limited, a cracking appears. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the joints of the legs, lameness occurs due to the shortening of the limb, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and lower back.
- Third stage: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis - movement is possible only on crutches.
Diagnostic
Osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) are the most common diagnoses.
Instrumental examination for osteoarthritis:
- X-ray - to assess the condition of bone tissue.
- Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography - the degree of destruction of the joint and its parts is determined.
- Arthroscopy.
Osteoarthritis Treatment
Conservative treatment (only in the early stages):
- NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-inflammatory and warming ointments, joint braces.
- Physiotherapy - to relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - one could say biologically active additives with a placebo effect.
- Chondroprotectors with NVPS - relief is felt immediately (anti-inflammatory action), treatment is longer.
- Hormonal drugs
- Hyaluronic acid preparations are a full-fledged "prosthesis" of the synovial fluid.
- Plasma treatment - PRP therapy, orthokine therapy.
Operative treatment
- Endoprostheses - replacement of joint surfaces.
- Arthroplasty is a method for the small joints of the hands that are not stressed.
- Arthroscopy.
Prophylaxis
Prevention of osteoarthritis, like many complex diseases, is the prompt treatment of any infection and taking care of your health.