Osteoarthritis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, which begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and over time lead to a 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 population, of which up to 80% are patients over 70 years of age.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what osteoarthritis (an alternative name is osteoarthritis) is, 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 articular surfaces.Cartilage tissue, in turn, acts as a shock absorber.In individual joints, their functions are complemented by menisci or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in osteoarthritis is the discrepancy between external influences and the joint's ability 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 the age of 50, it is diagnosed in one in three people, and after the age of 70, in one in two.In addition, accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of various professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, dancers, etc.
Under the influence of unfavorable factors, cartilage tissue is damaged and becomes thinner.As a result, the bones move and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.The joint surfaces become deformed, the lost cartilage tissue is replaced by spines and bone growths that make movement difficult and cause disability.In such cases, only a strong analgesic can relieve the pain for a long time.
Types of osteoarthritis
Destructive processes within 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 and threatens to limit physical activity if therapy 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 area, which extends to the surface of the thigh, occasionally affecting the lower leg area.In the initial stages, difficulties arise when walking, climbing stairs, and during long walks - limping.Subsequently, a person finds it difficult to do basic things related to the load on the sore joint: putting on shoes, riding a bicycle, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.The muscles atrophy, the leg becomes shorter and pain occurs in the lower back and knee.In the absence of therapy, the probability of disability is high.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
It is often diagnosed in women and 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 and extension movements are disturbed, deformities of the extremities, signs of inflammation and swelling appear.Knee osteoarthritis is often confused with meniscus damage, which is characterized by more rapid development.
Osteoarthritis of the spine
A common form of degenerative joint processes, which can be triggered by high loads or mineral deficiency as well as by a series of diseases that affect the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the symptoms are disguised 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.
Ankle osteoarthritis
It is often the result of domestic or professional injuries, excess weight or ligament problems.It begins with pain and swelling in the ankle area, which increases after physical exertion and long walks.Cracking and limited mobility may occur and progress as the 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 (osarthrosis)
Usually caused by a dislocation, a strong blow or a fracture.There is an aching pain that radiates to the lower part of the limb and worries mainly at night.As the cartilage deteriorates, difficulties with abduction, rotation, and other arm movements occur.The disease must be distinguished from heart problems and spinal diseases, which have similar manifestations.
Osteoarthritis of the foot joints.
It affects both the large and small joints of the foot.Very often a destructive process develops in the thumb area, which is why it is confused with gout.The provoking factor is usually not damage to the feet, but the wrong selection of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a confined space, the joint area becomes injured, thickens, inflamed and loses mobility.
Osteoarthritis of the joints and fingers.
Damage to small joints is usually multiple and develops in both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in hormonal levels, which is why it is usually observed in women during menopause.In the acute stage, the joints become swollen, red, and nodules may appear on them.Little by little the pain decreases, but the deformities of the fingers increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand area can cause degenerative processes in the wrist joint.The prerequisite is usually tunnel syndrome, which affects blood circulation.Rhizarthrosis, caused by loads on the base of the thumb, is also common.The pain in this type of osteoarthritis is moderate, but mobility may be affected and cracking sounds may occur during effort.
Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint.
It often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.Often the provoking factor is chronic stress, which causes 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 cause dizziness, problems with hearing, sleep, and facial symmetry.
Among large injuries, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.Of the small children, the joints of the hands and spine are the most affected.Much less frequently, degenerative processes are observed in the area of the patella, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow.They are usually caused by injuries or specific stress, particularly professional sports or jobs with monotonous movements.
Other types of osteoarthritis
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 an injury, we speak of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.When autoimmune diseases become the factor that triggers the depletion of cartilage tissue, rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects a joint, it is called localized osteoarthritis.If multiple 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 in just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growths and affects nearby ligaments and tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of osteoarthritis
Degenerative processes in the joint develop gradually and over time lead to thinning and complete destruction of the cartilage.The initial changes are noticeable only at the cellular level, but as we progress to later degrees of osteoarthritis, the clinical signs become increasingly pronounced.Its nature, as well as radiological indicators, form the basis for the classification of the disease.
Arthritis 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.
Arthritis 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 remains moderate, but becomes permanent.Characteristic symptoms of each type of osteoarthritis appear, such as limping, decreased range of motion, cracking sounds, fluid accumulation in the synovial cavity, etc.Treatment of joint osteoarthritis at this stage of the disease makes it possible to stop destructive changes.
Arthritis of the joint stage 3.
The disease leads to complete destruction of cartilage.The articular surfaces expand significantly due to bone growth, 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 the joint 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 osteoarthritis respond well to drug therapy, which allows you to preserve mobility as much as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, relieving the condition is only possible with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatories and analgesics.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.