Arthrosis: What is it and how to treat affected joints?

Arthrosis is a dystrophic change in articular cartilage is not inflammatory.This process occurs in most cases as a result of the natural aging of the body.

According to statistics, arthrosis is considered to be a very common disease as they suffer according to various estimates of 10% to 15% of residents of different countries.

What is arthrosis

This disease is characteristic of the age category of 45 years or more.Although there are exceptions when arthrosis is observed in a lower age group of people, as a result of injuries, serious illnesses, fractures inherent in a higher degree of athletes.

As a rule, patients experience pain in arthrosis at a stress, but they should sit or lie in a comfortable position for the affected limb as the manifestations of pain disappear.As the disease progresses, the characteristic crisis of the joints increases, the amplitude of the usual movements of the joints decreases and the deformity of the joints is observed.

Arthrosis - What is it?

Why does arthrosis occur and what is it?The disease develops due to metabolic disorders in the joint, which in turn leads to the fact that cartilage begins to lose elasticity.This can be facilitated by complete or partial loss on the cartilage of the proteoglycans, this happens as a rule due to quite deep cracks in the cartilage itself.

  1. Arthrosis is primary - it starts without a noticeable cause and affects unchanged joint cartilage at the same time in many joints;It is more common in people over 40 years of age.Primary arthrosis is also a consequence of a violation of the ratio of the processes of synthesis and degeneration in cartilage tissue and is accompanied by a disorder of chondrocytes.In cartilage with changes in arthrosis, the processes of destruction prevail.
  2. The main causes of secondary arthrosis are significant changes in metabolic processes: blood supply, salt exchange and lymph leakage, hormonal disorders in assimilation of the necessary joints.Hormonal changes leading to arthrosis are often found in senior and elderly women when natural changes in hormonal origin occur.

The risk group includes people:

  • with excess body weight;
  • with hereditary disorders;
  • adults;
  • with specific professions;
  • with metabolic disorders in the body;
  • with trace elements deficiency;
  • traumatic spinal injuries;
  • Participates in some sports.

The insidiousness of arthrosis lies in the fact that the pathological changes in the cartilage tissue of the affected become for a long time do not manifest themselves by any symptoms - the pain and difficult movements become noticeable only the moment the destruction reaches the periosteum located under the cartilage.

Arthrosis 1, 2 and 3 degrees

There are three degrees of arthrosis of the joints:

  1. 1 degree of disease goes almost without tangible symptoms.Only painful sensations in movement or other types of physical activity are possible.Already at the first stage of arthrosis there are pathological changes in the synovial fluid of the joint while the muscle apparatus weakens but does not undergo modifications.
  2. Degree of arthrosis has been marked since the onset of joint destruction, the first osteophytes appear.The pain becomes tolerant, but it is expressed.Apparently a crunch is heard in the affected joints.There is impaired muscle function in order to impair reflex neurotrophic regulation.
  3. 3 degree of arthrosis - the articular cartilage is thin, there are extensive foci of destruction.Significant deformation of the joint platform with a change in the axis of the limb is noted.Due to the disruption of the normal ratio between the anatomical structures of the joint and the extensive pathological changes in the connective tissue, the connections become insolvent and shortened, resulting in the pathological mobility of the joint develops in combination with the limitation of the natural volume of movements.Contracts and subluxations arise.The muscles of the perihumans are stretched or shortened, the ability to reduce it is weakened.The strength of the joint and surrounding tissues is broken.

The course of the disease is characterized by the stages of exacerbation and the stages of remission.This significantly complicates the independent diagnosis of arthrosis, relying only on your own feelings.Therefore, it is necessary to seek clarification of the doctor's diagnosis.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs

Arthrosis has certain first signs based on its classification, but has a summary list:

  1. Pain syndrome that is exacerbated in raw weather and by freezing;
  2. The joined rate is increased by volume due to deformities and osteophytes;
  3. The skin temperature around the patient becomes increased.A general fever may be observed.
  4. The joint begins to swell, swelling and seals are observed;
  5. In stress and work of the joint, there is also a creaking of bone rubbing and creaking.

In later stages, the pain can occur in a calm state due to blood stagnation and an increase in intrarogen pressure.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Arthrosis belongs to the category of chronic diseases.Sometimes the disease can unnoticeable for years, only occasionally recalling pain in the joint on the joint or uncomfortable movement.

But it also happens that the disease develops rapidly to a severe stage in just a few months.In any case, it is important to remember if you do not cure arthrosis, its symptoms will increase over time, worsening the quality of life and in severe cases - leading to damage and immobilization.

So, with arthrosis, the main symptoms are as follows:

  1. Pain pain in the joint.It manifests itself especially with any loads of the inflamed joint while walking up the stairs.
  2. Lomota and crunch in the joint.Lomota manifests itself during hypothermia.At first, crunching is not strong, but in the absence of treatment, it will be heard by others over time.
  3. The onset of swelling.This symptom is characterized by another joint disease - arthritis.But with arthrosis, swelling occurs only with exacerbations and is accompanied not by acute pain but in pain.It is very noticeable and causes significant inconvenience.

Sometimes the pain in the evening can be exacerbated.Sometimes the pain in the joint is very active, its manifestation depends on the load.In youth, arthrosis can develop from great physical activity or after injury.

Diagnosis of arthrosis

First, the diagnosis is based to determine such a predisposing factor as pain and discomfort in joint movements.In the case of the above signs of the disease, X -ray, radionuclide and morphological examination is possible.

All studies are conducted only in clinical conditions and only qualified specialists should draw conclusions on them.On our site you can always ask you questions about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of arthrosis in the comments below.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent arthrosis are accessible to all.These include moderate exercise (should not cause joint pain), balanced nutrition and daily eating of all major traces of elements and vitamins.

Often to get rid of arthrosis is impeded by overweight, so you have to be very careful about your diet and, if necessary, observe a diet.

It is also necessary to remember that arthrosis belongs to the category of chronic diseases.In other words, the main criterion for the effectiveness of treatment is to achieve prolonged remission and improve the patient's condition.

Arthrosis

Arthrosis

With diagnosed arthrosis, treatment is currently a serious and emergency problem.And although the amount of medicines used for arthrosis is constantly increasing, they have only a symptomatic effect.And while none of the drugs have become a panacea in the treatment of joints.

The plan and methods of treatment depend on the stage and symptoms of arthrosis, often initially relieving pain, since in the second and third stage of the disease they can be very painful.Anti -inflammatory therapy with concomitant joint inflammation is also possible.

The main regimen of the treatment of arthrosis drugs implies the use of:

  1. NSAIDs to reduce pain and eliminate the inflammatory process.
  2. Medicines from the chondroprotectors that include active components such as glucose and chondroitin.
  3. In a severe course of the disease, intracematic administration of corticosteroid preparations may be required. These drugs quickly eliminate the inflammatory process and normalize the mobility of the affected joint.
  4. After eliminating the inflammatory process, an intraiorticular administration of hyaluronic acid may be required, which acts as lubricants and prevents the friction of the joints, eliminates pain syndrome, improves mobility and stimulates the production of own hyaluronate.

In order to return the joint affected by arthrosis to a large extent, it is only possible with the help of surgery to replace the joint, it is still impossible to do this without surgery.

Surgery

At the advanced stages of arthrosis of the knee joints, medication treatment may no longer be effective and then a decision should be decided on surgical healing methods.

There are several types of surgery:

  1. Arthroplasty.Replacement of artificial artificial cartilage.After surgery, the pain is significantly reduced and mobility increases.
  2. Arthroscopy.It does not require a long recovery period, well suited for patients of all ages.It is necessary to prevent the joint from destroying.During the operation, the inflamed areas are removed - this happens with the help of a thin probe and ancillary tools.
  3. Prosthetics.Replacing all joint components with artificial analogues.By the way, modern dentures are made of special metal that is not rejected by the body.Such transplants last about ten years.After such an intervention, patients can lead a full lifestyle.

At home, as prescribed by a doctor, the patient may use scattering agents in the form of ointments, rubbing, gels, infusions of herbs.Good results are given by physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (healing treatment), as well as spa treatment for remission (damping of the disease), using natural mud and mineral baths.

Exercises to treat arthrosis

An indispensable condition in the treatment of arthrosis is the use of different types of exercises to prevent muscle atrophy and weakening of relationships.

Exercises for the treatment of arthrosis are selected individually for each patient with the attending physician and specialist in physiotherapy exercises.The exercises are started only after the exacerbation is eliminated, but not later than 5-6 days after pain relief.

The task of exercises for the treatment of arthrosis is the restoration of joint mobility, aerobic learning, the increase in the strength and flexibility of the muscles and joints.

How to treat arthrosis with folk remedies?

With arthrosis, medication treatment is not avoided, but usually the doctor prescribes complete treatment, advising to use folk remedies.But you should be aware that the treatment of arthrosis, including unconventional medicine, is based on a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, and all this is added folk recipes.

Folk methods
  1. The leaves of birch, nettle and inflorescence of the calendula are taken in equal parts.As a result, you should get two tablespoons.We put the resulting sliced collection in a thermos, pour a liter of boiling water and leave it overnight.Starting the next morning, it is necessary to take half a glass of decoction four to five times a day.The course of acceptance of this recipe is two to three months.
  2. The egg solution is made from fresh egg yolk, which is mixed with turpentine and apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. The liquid should be mixed thoroughly and grate it with the affected joint for the whole night.Then you have to wrap everything with a wool scarf.It is recommended that you do rubbing for 1 month 2-3 times a week.
  3. Celery.1-2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed celery juice to drink up to 3 times a day.You can use a decoction.Boil 1 tbsp.A spoonful of fresh roots with 2 cups of boiling water and let it cook under the lid for 4 hours.Drink 2 tbsp.tablespoons up to 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
  4. You will need a piece of soft woolen fabric, without synthetic impurities and cabbage head.First you need to grind your head, then it is good to rush it with mortar or hands, it is advisable to use non -oxidized dishes.You can then squeeze the juice into a juicer.We now take the boiled fabric and moisten in the green juice, put this compress on the inflamed joint.I would also like to point out that the squeezed juice can be stored for no more than three days from the moment of rotation.
  5. The use of boiled oatmeal also produces good results.Take three or four tablespoons of oatmeal, pour boiling water and cook over low heat for five to seven minutes.The amount of water used should guarantee the obtaining of a thick slurry, which must be cooled and used as a compress at night.Use only recently cooked flakes.Yesterday's compress porridge is not appropriate.
  6. The pharmacy is purchased from Elensil's root.As a rule, it faces packs of 50 g.Tincture will require half a pack of plant roots and 150 ml high quality vodka.The ingredients are mixed, placed in a dark bottle and insisted for 12 days.The arrows are made at bedtime and if possible in the morning.

In general, the treatment of arthrosis with folk drugs is not able to completely replace standard types of therapy (medicines, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy), but it can significantly alleviate the symptoms of the disease, enhance the effects of other methods of therapy and accelerate recovery.