Arthrosis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, which begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and over time lead to limitation or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more susceptible to older people, but it also develops in people under 40 years of age.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% are in patients over 70 years of age.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what arthrosis is (an alternative name is osteoarthritis), you need to understand how a joint works.An articulation of two or more bones is surrounded by an articular 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 articular surfaces.Cartilage tissue, in turn, works as a shock absorber.In individual joints, its functions are supplemented by menisci or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in arthrosis is the discrepancy between external influences and the ability of the joint to withstand 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, accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of a number of 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.The articular surfaces are deformed, the lost cartilage tissue is replaced by bone spines and growths, which hinder movement and lead to disability.In such cases, only a strong painkiller can relieve pain for a long time.
Types of arthrosis
Destructive processes inside 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 therapy is refused.Also, the type of disease is determined by the place of its development.
Arthrosis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
It is accompanied by pain in the groin area, which spreads to the surface of the thigh, occasionally affecting the lower leg area.In the initial stages, difficulties arise when walking, moving up stairs, and during long walks - lameness.Subsequently, it becomes difficult for a person to do basic things related to the load on the sore joint: putting on shoes, getting on a bicycle, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.The muscles atrophy, the leg shortens, and pain in the lower back and knee occurs.In the absence of therapy, the likelihood of disability is high.
Arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
Often diagnosed in women, it is severe with excess weight and varicose veins.Discomfort in the knee increases in bad weather, when moving up 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 damage, which is characterized by more rapid development.
Arthrosis of the spine
A common form of degenerative joint processes, which can be triggered by both high loads or mineral deficiency, and 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.
Arthrosis of the ankle
It is often a consequence of domestic or professional injuries, excess weight, or problems with ligaments.It begins with pain and swelling in the ankle area, which increases after physical exertion and long walking.Crunching 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.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint (oarthrosis)
Usually caused by a dislocation, a strong blow or a 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 must be distinguished from cardiac problems and diseases of the spine, which have similar manifestations.
Arthrosis of the foot joints
Affects both large and small joints of the foot.Quite often, a destructive process develops in the thumb area, which is why it is mistaken for gout.The provoking factor is usually not foot damage, but incorrect selection of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a tight space, the joint area becomes injured, thickens, becomes inflamed, and loses mobility.
Arthrosis of the joints and fingers
Damage to small joints, as a rule, is multiple and develops on both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in hormonal levels, so it is often observed in women during menopause.In the acute stage, the joints become swollen, red, and nodules may appear on them.Gradually, the pain decreases, but finger deformities increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand area can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist joint.The prerequisite is often tunnel syndrome, due to which blood circulation suffers.Rhizarthrosis, which is provoked by loads on the base of the thumb, is also common.The pain with this type of arthrosis is moderate, but mobility may be impaired and crunching may occur during exertion.
Arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint
Often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.Often the provoking factor is 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, impaired hearing, sleep, and facial symmetry.
Among large lesions, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Of the small ones, the joints of the hands and spine are most often affected.Much less frequently, degenerative processes are observed in the area of the patella, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow joints.They are usually provoked by injuries or specific stress, in particular professional sports or work with monotonous movements.
Other types of arthrosis
Another classification of the disease is related to the nature of the destructive processes and the reasons that provoke them.If degenerative changes are associated with the consequences of injury, they speak of post-traumatic arthrosis.When autoimmune diseases become the factor that triggers the depletion of cartilage tissue, rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects one joint, they speak of localized arthrosis.If several joints are affected, the term polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis) is used.The progressive form of the disease refers to the rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops over just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growths and affects ligaments and nearby tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of arthrosis
Degenerative processes in the joint develop gradually, over time leading to complete thinning and destruction of the cartilage.Initial changes are noticeable only at the cellular level, but as we move to subsequent degrees of arthrosis, clinical signs become more and more pronounced.Their nature, as well as X-ray indicators, form the basis for the classification of the disease.
Arthrosis of the joint stage 1
Accompanied by minor changes in bone and cartilage tissue.They are still poorly visible during ultrasound and x-ray examination, but are already visible on CT.With significant loads, short-term pain, swelling, and movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.There is some narrowing of the joint space and sharpening of the bone edges.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug therapy.
Arthrosis of the joint stage 2
Destructive processes are progressing.The photographs show a significant narrowing of the joint space, cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain is still moderate, but becomes permanent.Symptoms characteristic of each type of arthrosis appear, such as lameness, decreased range of motion, crunching, accumulation of fluid in the synovial cavity, etc. Treatment of joint arthrosis at this stage of the disease makes it possible to slow down destructive changes.
Arthrosis of the joint stage 3
The disease leads to complete destruction of cartilage.The articular surfaces expand significantly due to bone growths, the gap practically disappears.Cavities, cystic formations, and deformities may appear.Bone destruction begins, thinning of the muscle fibers adjacent to the joint.Flexion and rotation movements are limited.The pain is severe.In the absence of treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of articular structures begin, which is accompanied by a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to self-care and needs constant care.
Early degrees of arthrosis respond well to drug therapy, which allows you to preserve mobility as much as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, it is only possible to alleviate the condition with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory and painkillers.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.