Arthrosis is a chronic disease of the joints associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in their structures with predominant damage to cartilage tissue.The disease progresses slowly and is asymptomatic in the initial stage.Cartilage and bone tissue of the joint, its capsule and periarticular bursa are gradually destroyed, and later the surrounding muscles, ligaments and subcutaneous tissue are involved in the pathological process.
According to the WHO, every tenth person suffers from this disease, and the risk of development increases significantly in people over 50 years of age.The knee and hip joints are most often affected.The cause of arthrosis is the inability of the joint to cope with the load on it.In response to traumatic effects, inflammation develops, which leads to pathological processes in the tissues of the joint.
Patients with arthrosis of the joints require complex treatment, without which the disease leads to a decrease in work ability and quality of life, limitation of sports and professional activities and ultimately to disability.
Classification of arthrosis
Based on the cause of occurrence, the disease is divided into:
- primary arthrosis - occurs due to the fact that the cells of the cartilage tissue of the joint are destroyed faster than new ones are formed.Most often, this is related to age changes and is not a consequence of a specific pathological process in the body;
- secondary arthrosis - occurs against the background of a specific disease or as a result of injury to the joints.
According to the location, arthrosis is divided into localized (affecting less than 3 joints) and generalized (affecting more than 3 joints).The latter is also called polyarthrosis.
Causes of arthrosis
This disease is in first place in the world among the causes of pain and impairment of activity.Despite the fact that age-related changes are considered the main cause, it is often diagnosed in young patients.Women are more prone to arthrosis than men, but closer to the age of 70 this difference becomes almost imperceptible.
Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, ankle and shoulder joints has the greatest negative impact on the quality of life and work ability of patients.Arthrosis of the elbow and temporomandibular joints, as well as of the hands, feet and spine are less common.
Predisposing factors include:
- old age;
- genetic predisposition;
- intense physical activity related to sports or professional activity, or, conversely, a sedentary lifestyle that disrupts the normal nutrition of tissues, especially in large joints;
- joint injuries (fractures, cracks, dislocations);
- wearing inappropriate shoes;
- systemic diseases (metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases, neuropathies, gastrointestinal diseases, blood coagulation disorders);
- poor nutrition;
- overweight.
Women are more likely to suffer from this disease as they are more prone to hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms and degrees of arthrosis
The main clinical sign of arthrosis is pain.In the early stages, it may be absent, mild, or intermittent.As the disease progresses, the pain becomes more noticeable, it can appear during physical exertion, and in an advanced stage it can be unpleasant even at rest.
Secondary manifestations of the disease depend on the localization of the process.Most often, this is limited mobility in the affected area (especially after sleep or prolonged rest), deformation, swelling and redness in the joint area, crunching and crepitation in it during movement, sleep disturbance due to pain and inability to find a comfortable position of the body, changes in gait and coordination, muscle spasms.
It is worth noting that the pathological process in one joint can move to adjacent ones due to incorrect load distribution or limitations in movement.
According to the severity of the lesion, the following are distinguished:
- arthrosis of the 1st degree - it is asymptomatic or the signs are not expressed, the patient remains able to work and the diagnosis is difficult;
- Arthrosis 2nd degree - accompanied by severe symptoms, the patient's quality of life decreases, diagnostics reveal obvious disorders;
- 3rd degree arthrosis - characterized by an increase in clinical signs, external deformation of the joint is noticeable, and diagnostic methods reveal serious intra-articular disorders;
- 4th degree arthrosis - leads to partial or complete disability;disorders are found in all structures of the joint, surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Diagnosis of arthrosis
The orthopedist-traumatologist makes a primary diagnosis based on the patient's data on his lifestyle and work activity, the nature and duration of complaints, the dynamics of symptoms, the presence of arthrosis in relatives, and also conducts an examination and prescribes tests or consultations with the relevant specialists (endocrinologist, hematologist, nutritionist, gastroenterologist).
Laboratory tests include a complete blood count with leukocyte count, hemoglobin level, and ESR.These indicators show inflammation in the body, which is necessarily present in arthrosis.Biochemical parameters measure the level of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein.If certain pathologies are suspected, other blood laboratory indicators are checked.Also of diagnostic value is the analysis of synovial fluid, which reveals pathological cells and inclusions, allows you to confirm the diagnosis or differentiate another disease.
Instrumental and visual methods for diagnosing arthrosis help not only to detect pathology, but also to determine the stage of the disease and the degree of involvement of the surrounding tissues.The most effective of them are:
- radiography - it is mainly performed in two projections, it is used to detect the narrowing of the joint gap and the formation of bone growths (osteophytes) at the site of the damaged cartilage;
- magnetic resonance and computed tomography - prescribed in the early stages, when small changes are not yet noticeable on X-rays;
- Ultrasound - is used in addition to these methods and helps to identify the accumulation of excess fluid in the joint cavity (for example, Baker's cyst in gonarthrosis), assess the condition of the surrounding tissues and measure the thickness of the articular cartilage;
- scintigraphy - involves intravenous administration of a radioactive drug that accumulates in tissues with inflammatory processes and such areas of accumulation are shown on the images, thanks to which it is possible to identify arthrosis in the early stages and carry out a differential diagnosis;
- arthroscopy - makes it possible to examine the joint from the inside by introducing a microcamera into the joint cavity through a small incision, as a result of which you can collect detailed data on the ongoing pathological processes and injuries, as well as take a biopsy from the affected area;
- histological examination of the synovial membrane - reveals a changed ratio of healthy cells and the presence of pathological inclusions in the joint, which allows a differential diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis allows you to distinguish arthritis from other diseases with a similar clinical picture, which include:
- various arthritis (ankylosing, reactive, rheumatoid, psoriatic, infectious);
- gout and pseudogout;
- diseases of muscles and ligaments (fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica);
- arthropathy (diabetic, paraneoplastic);
- congenital diseases (hypoplasia of the femoral head).
Treatment of arthrosis
Despite the wide spread of the disease and well-studied methods, there is no cure for arthrosis.Therapeutic approaches are aimed at eliminating pain, relieving inflammation, restoring joint function and preventing complications.
The choice of therapy depends on the cause, location and degree of arthrosis:
- drug therapy in the form of taking tablets for arthrosis (pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, chondroprotectors), intra-articular or peri-articular injections of these groups of drugs, additionally using ointments and gels;
- physiotherapy during remission (medicinal electrophoresis, galvanization, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, shock wave therapy, massage, magnetic and laser therapy, cryotherapy);
- therapeutic exercises for arthrosis are prescribed individually, sessions are conducted under the supervision of a specialist;
- in advanced cases, surgical intervention is performed (partial or total joint replacement, suturing or removal of a torn meniscus, removal of bone growths and Baker's cysts).
Prevention of arthrosis
It is recommended to control the load on the joints, maintain a healthy lifestyle, engage in therapeutic gymnastics, monitor weight and observe proper nutrition.
An orthopedist-traumatologist will help in choosing a knee brace, orthosis or bandage for patients with arthrosis to fix the affected joint, reduce the load on it and prevent injury.
Preventive examinations and timely consultation with a doctor in case of joint discomfort allow you to identify the problem at an early stage and avoid severe complications and damage.