Arthrosis

There are more than 180 joints in the human body and they hurt almost everyone. Diagnoses sound different, different treatment is recommended, but the pain does not go away, it only intensifies with age, relief is temporary.

There is still no consensus in the medical community about this disease, including about the methods of treatment.

What 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 a lot of them and they are not fully understood.

1. Osteoarthritis develops after injury. For example, if the knee joint is damaged, arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis occurs.
2. Postponed arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint. It can be a complication even after ARVI or the result of a specific infection: gonorrheal, tuberculous, brucelosis, with viral hepatitis, adenovirus infection, rubella, HIV infection.
3. High physical activity is a professional problem for athletes. For an ordinary person, any load can become stressful and "start" the process.
4. Autoimmune diseases: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, drug arthropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome.
5. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For example, dysplasia can be one of the causes of arthrosis of the hip joint.
6. Excess weight.
7. Harmful working conditions.
8. Alcohol and bad habits.

The list is incomplete, but already quite impressive.

Symptoms of arthrosis

The symptoms of arthrosis are numerous, but the main one is pain.

Pain in arthrosis appears first with physical exertion, decreases during rest. They arise due to microfractures, spasms of the periarticular muscles, irritation of the surrounding tissues by osteophytes. When synovitis develops, the joint swells, pain arises at the very first movements, then disappears and reappears with prolonged exertion.

A necrotic osteophyte (a torn piece of articular cartilage) "wedges" the joint and causes severe pain, crunching and external changes appear, habitual movements are difficult.

Classification Stage one: movements in the joint are moderately limited, pain is only during exertion, insignificant bone growths are visible on X-ray images, narrowing of the joint space is small. Stage two: the mobility of certain joints is significantly limited, a crunch appears. The pain occurs with the simplest movements. With arthrosis of the joints of the legs, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limb, there is a distortion of the pelvic zone, pain in the legs and in the lower back. The pictures show the joint space decreases three times, the bone growths are rough, the joint surfaces are damaged. Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral arthrosis - movement is possible only on crutches.

Classification

• Stage one: movements in the joint are moderately limited, pain is only during exertion, insignificant bone growths are visible on X-rays, narrowing of the joint space is small.
• Stage two: the mobility of certain joints is significantly limited, a crunch appears. The pain occurs with the simplest movements. With arthrosis of the joints of the legs, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limb, there is a 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 possible only on crutches.

Diagnostics

Arthrosis of the knee and arthrosis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis) are the most common diagnoses.

Instrumental examination for arthrosis:

• Radiography - to assess the condition of the bone tissue.
• Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography - the degree of destruction of the joint and its parts is determined.
• Arthroscopy.

Arthrosis treatment

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 the 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 synovial fluid.
• Plasma treatment - PRP therapy, orthokine therapy.

Operative treatment

• Endoprosthetics - replacement of articular surfaces.
• Arthroplasty is a method for small and non-stressed hand joints.
• Arthroscopy.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of arthrosis, like many complex diseases, is the timely treatment of any infections and a careful attitude to your health.