Osteoarthritis

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

There is still no consensus in the medical community on this disease, not even on treatment methods.

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 of them and they are not fully understood.

1. Osteoarthritis develops after an injury. For example, if the knee joint is damaged, osteoarthritis 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: gonorrhea, tuberculosis, brucellosis, 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. Musculoskeletal system diseases. For example, dysplasia can be one of the causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
6. Overweight.
7. Harmful working conditions.
8. Alcohol and bad habits.

The list is incomplete, but it is already impressive enough.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis.

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

Pain in osteoarthritis appears first with physical effort, 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 in the first movements, then disappears and reappears with prolonged effort.

A necrotic osteophyte (a torn piece of articular cartilage) "squeezes" the joint and causes severe pain, crunches and external changes appear, usual 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, joint space narrowing is small. Stage two: the mobility of certain joints is significantly limited, a crunch appears. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the leg joints, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limb, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and in the lower back. The images show that the joint space is reduced threefold, the bony growths are rough, and the joint surfaces are damaged. Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis; movement is only possible with 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. Pain occurs with the simplest movements. With osteoarthritis of the leg joints, lameness occurs due to shortening of the limb, there is a distortion of the pelvic area, pain in the legs and in the lower back.
• Stage three: the joint is destroyed, with bilateral osteoarthritis; movement is only possible with crutches.

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis) are the most common diagnoses.

Instrumental examination for osteoarthritis:

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

Treatment of osteoarthritis

Conservative treatment (only in the early stages):

• NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warming and anti-inflammatory ointments, joint braces.
• Physiotherapy: to relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• Chondroprotectors: it could be said that they are biologically active additives with Placebo effect.
• Chondroprotectors with NVPS: relief is felt immediately (anti-inflammatory action), treatment is longer.
• Hormonal drugs
• Hyaluronic acid preparations are a complete "prosthesis" of synovial fluid.
• Plasma treatment: PRP therapy, orthokine therapy.

Operative treatment

• Endoprosthesis: replacement of joint surfaces.
• Arthroplasty is a stress-free method for small hand joints.
• Arthroscopy.

Prophylaxis

The prevention of osteoarthritis, like many complex diseases, is the timely treatment of any infection and a careful attitude towards your health.