Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) is a non-inflammatory disease
joints, characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage, marginal hypertrophy of the bone tissue and alterations of the synovial membrane. Most often, this pathology occurs in the elderly.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis
Don't confuse osteoarthritis and arthritis. In some sources, you can see that osteoarthritis is supposedly different from arthritis in that the former is non-inflammatory and the latter is caused by inflammation. In fact, arthritis is a collective term (generic term) that includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Causes of arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is a fairly common disease. According to some reports, over 75% of people over the age of 70 have some signs of osteoarthritis. While the incidence of osteoarthritis increases with age, the disease is not just caused by aging of the joint tissues. Joint injuries and other factors can accelerate the development of the pathology. These include:
- osteoporosis;
- excess body weight;
- postmenopausal women;
- various metabolic disorders;
- endocrine diseases;
- deficiency of micronutrients;
- hereditary predisposition;
- congenital pathologies of joint formation (dysplasia);
- joint injury;
- regular microtrauma;
- exposure to certain toxins;
- underwent surgery on the joints, etc.
Pathology can be primary and secondary. If the cause is not established, osteoarthritis is called primary (or idiopathic). If the disease occurs as a result of trauma, metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases, etc. , It is considered secondary.
Stages of arthrosis
There are 3 stages of this disease:
- There are no pronounced morphological pathologies of the joint tissues. Changes are observed in the synovial membrane and in the composition of the synovial fluid.
- Cartilage and menisci begin to deteriorate. Osteophytes (marginal pathological growths) can occur on the bone.
- It is characterized by significant deformation of the joint, mobility or pathological stiffness, as well as chronic pain (however, the latter symptom is usually also characteristic of the earlier stage).
Location and symptomatology of the pathology
Osteoarthritis often affects the joints of the hands, including the distal interphalangeal joints, the proximal interphalangeal joints, and the metacarpoparpal joint of the thumb. Other joints that are often affected by the disease include the cervical, lumbosacral, hip, knee, and first metatarsophalangeal joint. Osteoarthritis is less common in the ankle, wrist, elbow, and shoulder (in these cases, it usually has a secondary etiology). The clinical picture of the pathology usually includes the following symptoms:
- a history of joint pain;
- deterioration of joint function;
- swelling.
The pain usually progresses gradually, usually over the course of many years. Painful foci can be accompanied by partial or complete remission. The pain usually appears when the joint is in motion and subsides during rest, at least until the disease progresses to a more severe stage. Joint stiffness is often felt for a short time after periods of rest. It usually subsides within seconds or minutes of movement. Most often, symptoms appear in the elderly, while in people under the age of 40, osteoarthritis often proceeds asymptomatically.
Treatment of arthrosis
Conservative treatment of arthrosis
- rest, avoiding excessive physical exertion;
- weight loss (to reduce pressure on the joints);
- physiotherapy, such as physical therapy;
- aids such as walking sticks, elastic knee supports;
- judicious use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
In addition, patients are often shown a spa treatment.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis
Knee replacement
Replacement arthroplasty
Prophylaxis
To minimize the risk of developing osteoarthritis, it is necessary to maintain sufficient physical activity, to treat injuries, congenital and acquired anomalies in the biomechanics of the joint over time (for example, correction of flat feet). Additionally, prevention methods include reducing excess weight (which increases stress on the joints).