Now this is a fairly urgent question.Arthrosis is a disease of the joints characterized by damage to cartilage tissue on the surface of the joints.Not only joint cartilage is affected, but also anatomical formations that are nearby, such as capsule, ligaments, synovial shell.
The term "arthrosis" means a whole group of articular diseases of degenerative-dystrophic nature.
The cause of arthrosis lies in a violation of metabolic processes.The role in the development of the disease is played by injuries, inflammatory joint processes, obesity, excessive load.Symptoms, as a rule, are increasing in nature.The probability of developing the disease increases with age.
The etiology of the disease
As mentioned above, a violation of metabolic processes in the joint and the loss of elasticity of cartilage is the main cause of arthrosis.The disease is provoked by various factors: heredity, infectious diseases or injuries.
Arthrosis affects all the articular tissues of a person.The disease can be primary and secondary.If the cause of development is not established, then this is primary arthrosis.The secondary has a clear cause of development, for example, trauma or endocrine diseases.
Arthrosis is one of the most popular diseases in the world, it affects up to 80% of people.This ailment is in third place after oncology and heart disease.
The main reasons and risk factors
Trauma, dysplasia and inflammation are a triad of causes, due to which the development of the disease occurs.The injury is the most popular cause, then - these are congenital pathological processes that occur in the human body.
But inflammation most often leads to secondary arthrosis.Also, the most common reasons for this disease include:
- metabolic disorders;
- autoimmune diseases;
- hemophilia.
In addition, there is a list of certain risk factors that contribute to the development of arthrosis.These include:
- age;
- obesity;
- excessive physical activity on the joints (can occur due to certain working conditions or incorrectly built training);
- operations with the removal of large areas of fabrics, due to which the articular load increases;
- heredity - in the presence of arthrosis in close relatives, the probability of developing the disease is quite high;
- menopause in women - the disease can begin its development due to hormonal restructuring;
- poisoning with toxic, chemicals, as well as an unfavorable environmental situation;
- hypothermia.
It is worth noting that the disease manifests itself quite late when the process is already launched.Symptoms begins when the pathological process affects the periosteum.
The mechanism of action
What is arthrosis and how does it manifest itself?In normal condition, the joint cartilage is smooth and elastic.Due to these properties, the articular surfaces move relative to each other unhindered, providing the body with depreciation.
With arthrosis, the cartilage, due to pathological changes, becomes rough.Due to this, the articular surfaces begin to cling to each other.The cartilage has a tendency to soften, small particles that fall into the articular fluid and injure the synovial shell can depart from it.In the deep layers, ossification can form, and in the central zone there are cysts.
Due to the constant load and trauma, the capsule and the synovial shell are thickened.Focuses of fibrous nature begin to appear in the capsule, and the synovial shell is covered with villi.Next, there is a deformation of the bone adjacent to the cartilage, this happens due to the fact that the cartilage cannot function normally.In some cases, the cartilage may be in a state of “subluxation”.With a strong violation, a sharp restriction in the motor function may be observed.
Stages of arthrosis
Regardless of the type and causes, arthrosis is divided into three stages.The first is characterized only by a violation of the composition of the synovial fluid, while there are no morphological signs.The stability of the cartilage to the loads is reduced due to the fact that the liquid supplies it worse with nutrients.Due to the overload of the cartilage, an inflammatory process occurs and the pain syndrome manifests itself.
In the second stage, the destruction of the cartilage is already taking place, bone growths begin to appear.The inflammatory process either manifests itself strongly, then subsides.The pains are quite severe and constant.Disorders of the functioning of the periarticular muscles may appear.Usually the second stage goes to the third.
The third stage of arthrosis is diagnosed when the articular cartilage is completely thinned.The joint platform is deformed, the axis of the limbs can also change.The ligaments of the joint are significantly shortened, which leads to limiting natural movements with the subsequent formation of contractures.
Clinical picture
Knight and hip joints are usually subject to disease.In the beginning, arthrosis manifests itself quite imperceptibly, the pain occurs rarely and quickly passes.There may be a crunch in the area of the affected joint.
Basically, pain syndrome manifests itself in the initial stage of the disease, with a long or enhanced physical exertion.Pain passes at rest.
Further, as the disease develops, the pain syndrome is enhanced, does not go on its own.It also especially makes itself felt at night, can respond to weather conditions.Periods of pain can alternate with periods of remission.Due to the pain syndrome, the muscles are spasmodic, which can lead to contractures.The crunch in the joint becomes the whole expression, manifests itself more often.
During a medical examination of the patient at the first stage of the disease, there are no special changes.The joint has a normal shape, there can only be a slight edema at the site of inflammation.If you break the place of edema, the patient may note a slight pain.
In the other two stages, the deformation becomes pronounced.On palpation, a sufficiently severe pain in the joint is already noticeable.The joint gap is narrowing.Movements become limited, deformation of the limb is observed.
How to conduct treatment
Treatment of the disease is carried out in the complex and takes a lot of time.The goal is to restore joint performance, slowing down the progression of the disease, and prevention of contractures.
Prescribed: drug therapy, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapeutic measures.In the acute stage of the disease, peace is recommended.
Drug therapy is used to facilitate the patient's condition, that is, removing pain.Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs and analgesics are mainly prescribed.Injections of corticosteroids to relieve pain and inflammation, as well as local products in the form of creams and ointments, can be introduced into the exacerbation phase.
Another treatment method is laser therapy.It is considered one of the main methods in the fight against arthrosis.It gives an anti -inflammatory, analgesic and stimulating effect.
Diet therapy is used.The diet includes foods rich in collagen, for example, jelly, jelly.Enough in large amounts of berries, fruits and fish oil are used.Simple carbohydrates and alcoholic drinks are not recommended.
Conclusion
In this article, we revealed the concept of arthrosis, told what complications it leads to.The disease can result in deformation of the limbs and limiting the motor function, but with timely seeking a doctor and complex treatment, recovery can be achieved.