Osteoarthritisis a dystrophic disease of the joints that leads to the destruction of intra-articular cartilage.More than 10% of the world's population suffers from it.In 40-50% of cases, osteoarthritis occurs as the underlying disease.It can also occur as a result of secondary trauma, occurring in 50-60% of cases.
More often, osteoarthritis of the joints of the lower extremities and pelvis (hip, knee, base of the first big toe) is detected.Osteoarthritis of the finger joints predominates among the joints of the upper extremities.
Women suffer from osteoarthritis more often than men, but after 65 years of age this difference is hardly noticeable.
The causes of osteoarthritis include:
- Metabolic and hormonal disorders in the human body;
- Deterioration of blood supply to the joint;
- Hereditary predisposition to diseases of cartilage tissue;
- Age;
- obesity;
- Various injuries;
- Operations on joints.
Additionally, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis can lead to osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Even if seemingly trivial symptoms bother you, don't ignore them.
- Pain that decreases at rest (manifests itself when loading the joint and when climbing stairs);
- Limited mobility and crunching in the joint;
- muscle tension in the joint area;
- Periodic appearance of swelling in the joint area, gradual deformation of the joint (swelling occurs only during exacerbations and is accompanied by pain, not acute pain).
All of this can be an expression of a serious illness – osteoarthritis!Contact your doctor!He will make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Please note that without treatment, a joint prone to osteoarthritis can not only collapse itself, but can also lead to changes in the biomechanics of the spine and other joints.This leads to herniated discs or arthrosis of other joints.
diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis includes:
- examination by a doctor;
- radiography;
- CT;
- Blood test (with arthrosis the ESR is sharply increased);
- analysis of synovial fluid;
- Histological examination of the synovium.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes:
- taking painkillers (analgesics);
- taking anti-inflammatory medications;
- The stage of restoring cartilage tissue is taking medications containing chondroprotectors.To achieve results, you need to take medications according to an individually selected scheme for several months!;
- Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, acupuncture, relaxation massage, magnetic field therapy).It should be noted that physiotherapy is only carried out during the remission period;
- Courses of intra-articular injections.
Prevention of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is much easier to prevent than to cure.To prevent the occurrence of arthrosis of the joints, you need to: reduce the static load on the joints, give up high heels, do not sit cross-legged, get rid of excess weight, do not lift heavy objects, do gymnastics.