Osteoarthritis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, which begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and lead, over time, to a limitation or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more susceptible in older people, but it also develops in people under 40 years old.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% affects patients over 70 years old.
How does the disease progress?
To understand what osteoarthritis is (another name is osteoarthritis), you need to understand how a joint works.A joint of two or more bones is surrounded by a joint capsule and remains mobile thanks to a cavity filled with synovial fluid.The elastic mass acts as a lubricant, preventing friction and premature wear of the joint surfaces.Cartilage tissue, in turn, functions as a shock absorber.In individual joints, its functions are complemented by menisci or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in osteoarthritis is the mismatch between external influences and the ability of the joint to resist them.The role of a provoking factor can be played by:
- age, injury, excess weight;
- lack of nutrients;
- excessive physical activity;
- inflammatory processes;
- genetic diseases;
- autoimmune reactions, etc.
Osteoarthritis in older adults is usually the result of natural aging and wear and tear of bone structures.Therefore, after 50 years, it is diagnosed in every third person, and after 70 years, in every second person.Also, the accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of several professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, ballerinas, etc.
Under the influence of unfavorable factors, cartilage tissue is damaged and becomes thinner.As a result, the bones shift and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.Joint surfaces are deformed, lost cartilaginous tissue is replaced by thorns and bony growths that hinder movement and lead to disability.In such cases, only a strong pain reliever can relieve pain for a long time.
Types of osteoarthritis
Destructive processes inside the joints are called primary if the cause of their occurrence is unknown, and secondary if they develop against the background of certain diseases and conditions.Acute osteoarthritis is associated with infectious and stress factors and is characterized by a rapid course.The chronic form develops gradually, threatening to limit physical activity if treatment is refused.Also, the type of disease is determined by the place of its development.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
It is accompanied by pain in the groin, which extends to the surface of the thigh, sometimes affecting the lower leg.At first, difficulties arise when walking, climbing stairs and during long walks - lameness.Subsequently, it becomes difficult for a person to perform basic tasks related to the load on the painful joint: putting on shoes, riding a bike, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.The muscles atrophy, the leg shortens and pain in the lower back and knee appears.Without therapy, the risk of disability is high.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
Often diagnosed in women, it is severe with excess weight and varicose veins.Knee discomfort increases in bad weather, when climbing stairs or during physical activity.As the disease progresses, flexion-extension movements are impaired, limb deformities, signs of inflammation and swelling appear.Knee osteoarthritis is often confused with meniscus lesions, which are characterized by a more rapid progression.
Osteoarthritis of the spine
A common form of degenerative joint processes, which can be triggered by both high loads or mineral deficiency, as well as a number of diseases affecting the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the symptoms are masked as clinical manifestations of other pathologies.Osteoarthritis of the spine can develop in different areas: thoracic, lumbar, cervical, sacrococcygeal.Accordingly, the symptoms and names will be different.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle
It is often the consequence of domestic or professional injuries, excess weight or ligament problems.It begins with pain and swelling in the ankle, which increases after physical exertion and long walking.Cracking and limited mobility may be present and progress as degenerative processes progress.The diagnosis is complicated by edema, which is associated with other diseases: diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (oarthrosis)
Usually caused by a dislocation, violent blow or fracture.There is an aching pain radiating to the lower part of the limb, which worries mainly at night.As the cartilage deteriorates, difficulty with abduction, rotation, and other movements of the arm occurs.The disease should be distinguished from heart problems and spinal diseases, which have similar manifestations.
Osteoarthritis of the foot joints
Affects both the large and small joints of the foot.Quite often, a destructive process develops in the thumb area, which is why it is confused with gout.The provoking factor is usually not a foot injury, but a poor choice of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a restricted space, the joint area becomes injured, thickens, becomes inflamed and loses its mobility.
Osteoarthritis of joints and fingers
Typically, damage to small joints is multiple and develops on both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in hormonal levels, which is why it is often observed in women during menopause.In the acute stage, the joints become swollen, red and nodules may appear.Gradually, the pain subsides, but finger deformities increase and mobility disappears.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist joint.The prerequisite is often tunnel syndrome, due to which blood circulation suffers.Rhizarthrosis, caused by loading on the base of the thumb, is also common.The pain associated with this type of osteoarthritis is moderate, but mobility may be impaired and cracking sounds may occur during exercise.
Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint
Often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.The provoking factor is often chronic stress, causing tension in the muscles and convulsive clenching of the teeth, which impairs the nutrition of the joint capsule.The disease is accompanied by discomfort in the jaw and can lead to dizziness, problems with hearing, sleep and facial symmetry.
Among the bulky lesions, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.Among the smallest, the joints of the hands and spine are most often affected.Much less commonly, degenerative processes are observed in the patella, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow joints.They are usually caused by injuries or specific stresses, including professional sports or work with monotonous movements.
Other types of osteoarthritis
Another classification of the disease is related to the nature of destructive processes and the reasons that cause them.If degenerative changes are associated with the consequences of an injury, we speak of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.When autoimmune diseases become the triggering factor for the depletion of cartilage tissue, rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects a joint, it is called localized osteoarthritis.If several joints are affected, we speak of polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis).The progressive form of the disease refers to rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops over just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growths and affects neighboring ligaments and tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Osteoarthritis stages
Degenerative processes in the joint develop gradually, leading over time to complete thinning and destruction of cartilage.The first changes are only noticeable at the cellular level, but as we move to later degrees of osteoarthritis, the clinical signs become more and more pronounced.Their nature, together with radiological indicators, constitute the basis for the classification of the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 1
Accompanied by minor changes in bone and cartilage tissues.They are still barely visible during ultrasound and x-ray examination, but are already visible on CT scan.With significant loads, pain, swelling and short-term movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.There is some narrowing of the joint space and sharpening of the bony edges.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug treatment.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 2
Destructive processes are progressing.Photographs show significant narrowing of the joint space, cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain is still moderate, but becomes permanent.Symptoms characteristic of each type of osteoarthritis appear, such as lameness, decreased range of motion, crunching, accumulation of fluid in the synovial cavity, etc.Treatment of joint osteoarthritis at this stage of the disease helps to slow down destructive changes.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 3
The disease leads to complete destruction of cartilage.The joint surfaces expand significantly due to bone growth, the gap practically disappears.Caries, cystic formations and deformities may occur.Beginning of bone destruction, thinning of muscle fibers adjacent to the joint.Bending and rotation movements are limited.The pain is intense.In the absence of treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of joint structures begin, which are accompanied by a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to care for himself and needs constant care.
The first degrees of osteoarthritis respond well to drug treatment, which allows you to preserve mobility as much as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, it is possible to alleviate the disease only with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.