There are more than 180 joints in the human body and it hurts almost everyone. The diagnosis sounds different, different treatments are recommended, but the pain does not go away, it only increases with age, the relief is temporary.
There is still no consensus in the medical community about this disease including about the method of treatment.
Is arthrosis 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 arthrosis
There are many of them and they are not fully understood.
- Osteoarthritis develops after injury. For example, if the knee joint is damaged, arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis occurs.
- Arthritis is suspended. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can be a complication even after ARVI or as a result of certain infections: 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 be stressful and "start" the process.
- Autoimmune diseases: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, drug arthropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For example, dysplasia can be one of the causes of hip arthrosis.
- Overweight.
- Hazardous working conditions.
- Alcohol and bad habits.
The list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s already pretty impressive.
Symptoms of arthrosis
The symptoms of arthrosis are many, but the main one is pain.
Pain in arthrosis appears first with physical exertion, diminishing during rest. They arise due to micro fractures, periarticular muscle spasm, irritation of the surrounding tissue by osteophytes. When synovitis develops, the joints swell, pain arises on the first movement, then disappears and reappears with prolonged effort.
Necrotic osteophytes (a torn piece of articular cartilage) "slice" the joint and cause severe pain, throbbing and external changes appear, normal movement is difficult.
Classification Stage one: movement in the joints is moderately limited, pain only during exercise, insignificant bone growth can be seen on X-ray images, narrowing of the joint space is small. Stage two: the mobility of certain joints is very limited, dryness appears. Pain occurs with the simplest of movements. With arthrosis of the leg joints, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limbs, there is distortion of the pelvic zone, pain in the legs and in the lower back. The picture shows a tripled joint space, coarse bone growth, damaged joint surface. Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral arthrosis - movement is only possible on a cane.
Welding
- The first stage: movement in the joints is moderately limited, pain only during exercise, insignificant bone growth can be seen on X-rays, narrowing of the joint space is small.
- Stage two: the mobility of certain joints is very limited, dryness appears. Pain occurs with the simplest of movements. With arthrosis of the leg joints, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limbs, there is distortion of the pelvic zone, pain in the legs and in the lower back.
- Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral arthrosis - movement is only possible on a cane.
Diagnostics
Knee arthrosis and hip arthrosis (coxarthrosis) are the most common diagnoses.
Instrumental examination for arthrosis:
- Radiography - 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.
Treatment of arthrosis
Conservative treatment (only in the early stages):
- NSAIDs-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-inflammatory and warming ointments, joint orthotics.
- Physiotherapy - to relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - one might say biologically active additives with a Placebo effect.
- Chondroprotectors with NVPS-relief is felt immediately (anti-inflammatory action), longer treatment.
- Hormone drugs
- The hyaluronic acid preparation is a "prosthesis" filled with synovial fluid.
- Plasma treatment - PRP therapy, ortokine therapy.
Surgical treatment
- Endoprosthetics - replacement of the articular surface.
- Arthroplasty is a method for small and unstressed hand joints.
- Arthroscopy.
Prophylaxis
Prevention of arthrosis, like many complex diseases, is timely treatment for any infection and a careful attitude towards your health.