Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process of joint cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if joint cell synthesis is impaired.

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Depending on the cause, primary and secondary arthropathy are distinguished.

Primary arthritis.The initial stage of a chronic disease in which gradual damage to joint cartilage tissue occurs.Diagnosed at age 45. Primary arthritis is progressive and treatment cannot be ignored because of the high risk of disability.In the early stages, arthritis is difficult to detect because the disease occurs in a hidden form.If the patient has brittle joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), contact an orthopedist immediately.In the early stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue and prevent further development of arthritis.

Secondary arthritis.It develops based on changes in metabolism, such as when blood circulation and lymph flow are impaired.Hormonal imbalance often causes hip arthritis in women.

Reason

The disease develops at age 45 and is rare in young people.Its development is influenced by:

• physical damage to bones and ligaments.They cause damage to large tissues, which can lead to knee osteoarthritis;
• Congenital abnormalities in the development of joint tissues, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect positioning;
• Metabolism is impaired.It causes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if they were a foreign object;
• arthritis.For example, arthritis;
• bone tissue tuberculosis;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example, diabetes;
• degenerative diseases.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that weaken ligaments and increase the mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• excess body weight.Adds stress to joints and causes premature wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• hereditary;
• hormonal imbalance;
• vitamin deficiency;
• improper diet;
• Acts on joint tissues.

Symptoms of arthritis

Signs of progression of joint disease:

• Traffic restrictions
• pain
• Joint tissue expands
• increased temperature of the affected area
• swelling of joint tissue, the appearance of compression and swelling
• Severe pain in the evening
• crunching when moving joints, feeling of bone friction

Stages of development of joint disease

• Firstly.There are no obvious symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Monday.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Severe but tolerable pain develops.When you move the joint, you will hear a cracking sound.The function of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Tuesday.The joint tissue becomes thinner and is diagnosed as having some foci of destruction.Doctors noted significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and mobility of the affected joint.Contracture progresses.The possibility of subluxations increases.

complications

If osteoarthritis is not treated promptly, the joint will completely collapse.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and hernia may occur.Progressive arthritis in other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• joint tissue deformation
• Completely immobile, disabled

Disability

The first disability group is assigned to patients with impaired motor activity.Second - partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor limitations to motor activity.That is, they can move independently but slowly and often stop to rest.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of arthritis, contact a rheumatologist.He specializes in joint treatment.If your condition is severe, make an appointment to see a chiropractor.

Diagnose

First of all, the simplest method is used - examining the joint with X-rays. Next they do an ultrasound.And the most reliable and informative diagnostic methods are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

An important diagnostic point is to obtain the patient's history and physical examination.Symptoms will help your doctor determine the correct diagnosis, even if an MRI is not possible.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study in detail the structure of joint tissue and detect changes and growth of cartilage and bone spurs.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.Results are provided in digital format or as images.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Thanks to radio waves and magnetic radiation, it allows you to see clear images of tissue.The procedure lasts 10–20 minutes.After 30 minutes, the patient can receive an examination form.

Joint ultrasound is indicated for rheumatic diseases and injuries.This procedure is based on the use of ultrasound waves.The scanner records the sound vibrations and the results appear on the screen.

Treatment of arthritis

Once a diagnosis is made, a plan for further testing and treatment will be put in place.Further examination is required to treat not the effect but the cause.It involves performing tests to determine the cause of the disease.For example, with rheumatoid arthritis or gout there will be increased uric acid levels.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First, pain and inflammation are reduced.Next, physiotherapy and massage procedures are used.Medicines help relieve pain but do not prevent joint tissue destruction.

Your doctor may also prescribe treatment in a nursing home setting and recommend some physical exercises.In the final stages of the development of the disease, they have to resort to surgery.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of joint tissue.

Drug treatment

For arthritis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Essential for acute pain relief and urgent inflammation relief.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolic processes in cartilage tissue, reduce inflammation, prevent cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.Used to relieve spasms of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Analgesic.
• Antispasmodic drugs.Used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesic.Helps get rid of pain.
• Ointment.Designed to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and soothe the patient's condition.

Inject into the joint

Blockade therapy is an effective treatment for arthritis pain.Their advantages:

• reduce muscle tension
• Fast pain relief effect
• reduce inflammation
• long-term healing effects
• restore joint mobility.

For drug blockade, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and hyaluronic acid is injected to protect cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and speed up cartilage recovery.It is recommended to give 3-5 injections with an interval of 5-7 days.

Physical therapy for arthritis

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint diseases helps restore the permeability of endothelial cells, eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates the recovery process.
• Kinesio recording.Elastic bands called bandages are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.In addition, kinesio tape to treat arthritis also facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy for arthritis is effective as part of a complex treatment.It improves the mobility of diseased joints and prevents joint atrophy.Manual therapy helps relieve pain, increase joint mobility and eliminate muscle spasms.It is prescribed for early and middle stages of arthritis.
• Laser therapy for joint disease helps relieve pain, has anti-edema effects, reduces inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of arthritis helps restore muscle function, relieve muscle tension, reduce blood cholesterol levels, increase tissue regeneration, reduce blood viscosity, improve joint mobility and normalize metabolism.
• Massage.Helps reduce pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for arthritis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and rotation movements in the spinal area, massages the lumbar and sacral areas, then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs light stroking and pinching.
• Hirudo therapy.Leeches inject beneficial enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood thins, blood supply to the affected area improves, joint elasticity increases, and pain disappears.Treatment of joint diseases with leeches is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medication and physical therapy, other treatments are often used for arthritis.

• Exercise therapy.You can perform therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for arthritis include static and dynamic loading, and should include a variety of former exercises.They must be performed at a slow and rhythmic pace – vigorous movements are contraindicated.
• Medical secret.External use of bile reduces inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a resolving and analgesic effect.Can be applied with bile if the skin is not damaged externally.
• Vitamin.Take vitamins A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.The joint needs to be repaired.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthopedic tools.These are tapes - orthopedic products designed to reduce stress on the knee joint.They prevent the development of pathological processes.They are used to limit unwanted joint movement.
• Acupuncture.Reduces pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting them into points 9 to 18. For gonorrhea, the doctor will manipulate the lower vertebrae and popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthritis.Helps quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets containing plasma are separated from it and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life, it happens like this: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved in the knee joint by injections of these drugs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that began to be used quite recently.Stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with plasma, as the cells themselves are a bit dry and need to be diluted.Then, the injection is given into the knee joint.One injection is enough, the effect lasts 4-5 years.

Prevent arthritis

To reduce the risk of complications and prevent joint tissue destruction, you should:

• give up alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Don't overcool your joints
• Reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• Eat more vegetables, fruits, cereals and cartilage (jelly)
• Avoid excess body weight
• Avoid excessive stress
• Do preventive exercises
• exercise daily
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a dose of vitamins every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are done for arthritis?

It is necessary to pass tests for the minimum degree of joint stiffness.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma, and complete blood count.If there is suspicion of symptoms of infection, a puncture will be taken from the knee or hip joint.

Can you warm up joints when you have arthritis?

If you have joint disease, it's better not to warm up your joints before being examined by a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Can I play sports with arthritis?

For arthritis, skiing and cycling are very helpful.The pedals must be turned gently so as not to damage the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for arthritis

Proper nutrition for arthritis helps recovery.Doctors recommend adding foods rich in vitamins and trace elements to your diet.It is recommended to use fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.