Osteoarthritis - Among joint diseases, arthropathy is well known and widespread. What is it and how to treat it? What are the symptoms of the disease and what are its main causes?
What is Arthropathy
Osteoarthritis is a disease that has a devastating effect on the joints, so cartilage degeneration occurs inside the joints.
The long course of the disease can lead to changes in the ends of the bones, and inflammatory processes can destroy nearby tissue.
There are not many types of joint diseases related to arthropathy, and it is a group of diseases with similar destructive effects but different etiologies and courses.
According to the statistics obtained, up to 80% of the population suffer from various types of joint diseases, making it the most common joint disease. The disease is very common and ranks third after cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The risk of disease increases significantly over time due to non-adherence to a healthy lifestyle.
Arthropathy is not such a disease of the septum, it can affect both men and women and is more loyal only to the interphalangeal joints. People over the age of 30 are susceptible to the disease, and their numbers increase unhindered over time.
Causes of Arthropathy
The cause of this arthropathy and treatment is a violation of metabolic processes in the joints. This results in a loss of cartilage strength and elasticity.
The reason for this is due to the large cracks in the cartilage from which proteoglycans are significantly reduced or completely disappeared.
Other reasons may also cause this, for example, the cell itself disrupts the normal production of proteoglycans.
Other causes of damaging effects on joints:
- Violation of systemic metabolic processes;
- a worsening hormonal background;
- slows blood circulation to the joints;
- genetic causes;
- old age;
- various injuries;
- Rheumatoid Arthritis;
- psoriasis.
But the main reason is the non-observance of the normal load of the joints in daily life.
Because of their lack of preparation, a person is reluctant to perform physical activity in time to warm up to strengthen the joints - the cartilage cannot perform its full function.
A range of causes that can lead to arthropathy:
- Previous injuries such as dislocations, fractures, bruises, torn ligaments, etc. ;
- Violation of metabolic processes that support viability;
- Excessive weight, which puts excessive stress on the joints;
- Acute septic arthritis that causes joint inflammation;
- elderly;
- malnutrition;
- Long-term excessive drop in body temperature;
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis;
- body poisoning;
- frequent colds;
- Special diseases: syphilis, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, tick-borne encephalitis;
- thyroid disease;
- hemophilia;
- Peters disease.
Other genetic causes of osteoarthritis include:
- Arthropathy of the hands and fingers can be inherited, as demonstrated by scientists who have studied Bouchard and Heberden's nodules;
- In the case of dysplasia, due to the violation of the formation of the joints during the prenatal period, excessive wear of the joints and the development of arthropathy may occur;
- Mutations in type 2 collagen can lead to disruption of the internal structure of connective tissue fibrin and cartilage degradation.
If you are a bricklayer, miner, fisherman, loader, or your activity is in some way related to excessive physical exertion, it is also possible to develop arthropathy without taking any precautions.
Symptoms of joint disease
To fully understand what arthropathy is and how to treat it, we will deal with external manifestations.
The most common symptoms of arthropathy are: the appearance of pain when the joint is compressed, which is relieved by rest; the deterioration of joint motor function; the appearance of crunch; muscle tension around the affected joint.
The main thing is that long-term tumors are not allowed, as they can lead to early deformity of the joint.
Four symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Pain presentation. They are considered to be the first message of joint arthropathy. While the culprit of pain can be of various causes, in the case of arthropathy, pain has certain characteristics. The main one is severe pain during movement of the damaged joint. Pain disappeared after minimal functional activity. At night, the pain hardly manifests itself in any way, only shaking from side to side, and possibly mild discomfort. In the resting state, pain can only manifest in advanced forms. At this point, the process of falling asleep may be difficult. Symptoms reappear early in the morning. As the disease progresses, a person needs more and more time to rest and recover. Later, even at rest, the pain doesn't stop, turning life into constant torture. The cartilage is almost completely worn away, so the bone is exposed and the osteophytes are removed.
- The advent of the crunch. A symptom not to be ignored. The crunch is caused by the bones rubbing against each other as the softness between them decreases - as a result, there is a distinct "dry" sound. Although, it can also occur with other conditions, sometimes even when the joints are healthy. In severe forms of the disease, the voice may become more pronounced and the pain worsens.
- Decreased range of motion. This is an additional symptom that does not accompany arthropathy in the initial stage, but, in a neglected state, it stimulates the overgrowth of the interosseous structures, which leads to spasticity and the almost complete overgrowth of the spaces between the joints. And this is the main reason for the loss of liquidity.
- joint deformity. This symptom signifies degenerative changes in the surface of the joint due to the growth of osteophytes and the flow of synovial fluid. This is one of the latest symptoms of joint disease.
Self-diagnosis of arthropathy is much more difficult due to alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. Therefore, it is not enough to rely on personal feelings - the help of a specialist is needed.
Diagnosis - Arthropathy
To detect possible signs that indicate the presence and complexity of the disease, radiographic studies are used:
- In the first stage, osteophytes are not yet present, and the space between the joints is minimized.
- The second stage is characterized by a decrease in joint space and the slight appearance of osteophytes.
- In the third stage, the joint space is significantly reduced, a large number of osteophytes are formed, and the deformation process begins.
- In the final fourth stage, the space between the joints has almost completely disappeared, the greatest number of osteophytes appear, and the deformation process is in full swing.
Negative consequences of joint disease
Neglecting timely treatment of arthropathy can cause not only completely irreversible damage to the joints, but also damage to the spine.
A herniated disc can form an intervertebral disc. Arthropathy can spread to other still healthy joints.
treatment method
As with any other dangerous disease, it is best not to start treatment, but to treat it as early as possible.
Treatment approaches should be comprehensive, aimed at removing the links that contribute to disease progression and strengthening those that contribute to cure.
What is special about the treatment of joint disease? Comprehensive treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
However, physical therapy courses are mandatory. In the case of opting for the hygienic resort method, climatic conditions should be chosen that have the most favorable effect on the joints.
The program should include mineral water and mud bath procedures.
The main points of the treatment of joint disease are as follows:
- Sick joints should be loaded as little as possible, and it is especially important to take this into account during handling;
- You can't ignore orthopaedic regimen;
- Mandatory physical exercise to improve health;
- Perform physiotherapy procedures such as: electrical procedures, shock wave procedures, laser therapy;
- Nursing Home Rehabilitation - Prescribed by a doctor, it is recommended to pass once a year at special resorts;
- Oxygen therapy - the introduction of oxygen into the joints;
- medical treatement;
- intraosseous block;
- Switch to a healthy diet.
type of medication
- Means of eliminating the inflammatory process. By carrying out complex treatments, there is an opportunity to significantly slow the progression of the disease, thereby saving yourself from future pain. Medicinal approaches to treatment include pain relief and elimination of inflammatory processes in the joints. For this purpose, drugs of non-steroidal origin are selected. They are usually administered intravenously or intramuscularly because their oral use can cause irritation of the stomach lining. Various ointments are used as an additional remedy, but due to their poor absorption by the body, they have little effect and are therefore rarely used.
- hormone corticosteroids. These drugs are prescribed when the disease is getting worse. They are inserted into joints. Apply an ointment, cast, or capsicum tincture externally to the damaged joint.
- Use chondroprotective agents. They will aid in the regeneration of cartilage and in addition, they will improve the properties of synovial fluid. Medications such as glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate are prescribed.
These drugs can be used for a long time and will not be stopped until the patient is significantly better.
If the drug does not provide the expected positive effect, its use is withdrawn.
Along with chondroprotective agents, you should take products with added hyaluronic acid, which helps to form cell membranes in articular cartilage.
In rare cases, narcotic pain relievers may be prescribed when no other medications are having a positive effect.
Healthy nutrition for patients with joint disease
When joint disease worsens, nutrition is probably the most important issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. All these efforts may be in vain, regardless of the patient's medication, improper nutrition.
First, eat in moderation. Losing weight is a priority for overweight people, but don't force yourself to starve because the body needs to constantly absorb all the micronutrients in adequate amounts.
You need to limit yourself to the fast carbohydrates found in sweets and flour products. Avoid alcohol, especially beer.
Fish dishes are welcome. It is worth choosing low-fat varieties, and fish should not be fried.
Arthropathy recommends the use of jelly. Since it contains a lot of trace elements, it is useful for diseased joints.
The collagen contained in it is of natural origin, which means it is easily absorbed by the body and will serve as the foundation for connective tissue. With prolonged use of the jelly, the joints become more flexible and the nearby tissues become elastic and durable.
An important factor in treatment is the timely use of adequate amounts of vitamins, especially the B group. They ensure the normalization of metabolic processes in the body. The thiamine contained in beans and peas will improve the metabolic processes of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Pyridoxine is required in order to produce hemoglobin in the blood. This substance is rich in potatoes, bananas, cabbage and nuts. Riboflavin is rich in eggs, liver, dairy products and mushrooms.
Beans and vegetables will provide the body with folic acid. The industry offers a wide range of vitamin preparations and dietary supplements.
But vitamins and trace elements obtained from food are more easily absorbed by the body, which is an important factor in the process of cartilage tissue repair.
The treatment of joint disease requires compliance with certain nutritional laws
- Eating should be frequent and small;
- Can't eat before going to bed, and refuse food that is heavy on the stomach;
- To reduce the burden of joint pain, it is necessary to control weight and prevent obesity;
- Walking after meals during remission can effectively prevent the deterioration of joint disease;
- Choosing or adjusting your diet with your doctor will ensure proper and balanced nutrition.
Therefore, it is possible to defeat joint disease. It is important to stick to your treatment regimen and follow the advice of your attending physician.