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Osteoarthritis

arthrosis of the finger joint

Osteoarthritis and arthritis are pathological processes in the human body in which various joints are affected. Because of the similarity of these terms, many people are unaware of the difference between the two terms. But in fact, arthritis and osteoarthritis are not the same disease. And they have significant differences. It is important to study their main symptoms so that, if they appear, they visit the hospital immediately. You also need to know which doctor is treating osteoarthritis in order to contact a qualified honey in time. specialist.

Do not self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, see a doctor.

Osteoarthritis of the joints is a complex degenerative disease that is associated with the destruction of cartilage tissue within the joints. This pathological process is the most common joint disease in the world. According to the latest statistics, about 80% of the world's population suffers from it. But most people do not have an accurate idea of what osteoarthritis is. With this disease, over a long period of time, various changes and rearrangements occur in the articular ends of the bones and inflammatory processes develop. As a result, periarticular tissues degenerate.

Many people ask the same question - how is arthritis different from osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a pathology that results in damage to large and small joints. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the entire human body. The changes that take place in the body do not only affect the joints. The most common diseases in arthritis are the heart and kidneys. If not treated properly, complications and even death can occur.

The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis or arthritis increases significantly at the age of 40-50 years. The disease affects both women and men equally. The disease occurs in able-bodied people, and it has recently become significantly younger (people older than 30 suffer from arthrosis). Therefore, it is very important to know what osteoarthritis is and how to properly treat this pathology.

Causes

Like arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs in the body due to a metabolic disorder in certain joints. This leads to a loss of elasticity of the cartilage tissue.

The cartilage found in the joints of the extremities can be destroyed due to disturbances in hormone production, reduced blood supply to the joints and injuries. Also, some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause osteoarthritis.

Main reasons:

  • history of limb injuries;
  • advanced age;
  • severe hypothermia;
  • the presence of inflammatory processes in large and small joints (arthritis and osteoarthritis are two concomitant diseases);
  • increased body weight. In this case, there will be a constant additional load on the joints;
  • general intoxication of the body;
  • frequent SARS, acute respiratory infections and influenza;
  • pathological processes in the thyroid gland;
  • hemophilia;
  • Perthes' disease.

Osteoarthritis of the joints can also develop in a person due to genetic disorders - collagen mutations, dysplasia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteoarthritis appear almost immediately. The first sign of the development of a pathological process is strong pain when loading a certain joint. The pain will go away when the joint is at rest. In medical circles, the following groups of osteoarthritis symptoms are distinguished:

  • bol.Sharp pain occurs only when certain movements are made. Its localization is at the site of the affected joint. There is practically no discomfort at night, because the wrist is at rest. Pain at rest can manifest only during the progression of osteoarthritis;
  • joint mobility is reduced.This is true for both osteoarthritis and arthritis. In the initial phase of the disease, this symptom does not cause much concern to the patient. But soon the muscles will start to spasm. The distance between the joints will almost completely disappear;
  • crunch.The reason for its appearance lies in the fact that due to the disease, the softness of the rotation of the bone in the joint decreases. His sound is "dry";
  • deformation of the affected joint.This is due to osteophyte proliferation. This symptom is the last to appear. Treating osteoarthritis at this stage is the most difficult.

Stages of the disease

All these signs of arthrosis appear at different stages of the disease. There are three degrees of medical practice:

  • first-degree arthrosis.The symptoms of osteoarthritis are not pronounced. Most commonly, minor joint pain occurs during exertion or long walks. Pathological changes begin to occur in the fluid and synovium. Treatment of osteoarthritis at this stage is most effective;
  • second-degree arthrosis.The wrist was destroyed. Osteophytes form. The pain during exertion and movement becomes stronger, a characteristic crunch is heard in the affected joints;
  • grade III arthrosis.This is the most difficult phase in the development of this disease. There is a pathological change at the sites of diseased joints. Inflammation occurs. The patient feels stiffness when moving because the muscles cannot fully contract and perform their functions.

Osteoarthritis of the joints in the third stage of its development is extremely difficult to cure. You will have a better chance of success if you find a qualified professional. Many people ask the question - which doctor treats osteoarthritis? In that case, you must seek help from a rheumatologist. He is a narrow specialist who deals with the treatment of dystrophic and inflammatory diseases of the connective tissue and joints, such as arthrosis and arthritis.

Complications

If you do not start treating osteoarthritis in the early stages of its development, it can lead to the following consequences:

  • complete destruction of the joint;
  • it will become almost impossible to perform various movements;
  • vertebral disc herniation;
  • disability of a person;
  • complete joint deformity;
  • the patient's standard of living will decline.

Treatment

The question of how to treat osteoarthritis is asked by every person who has shown the first signs of the disease. The easiest way to do that is in the early stages of the development of the pathological process, until the violations become irreversible. The essence of therapeutic measures is the removal of the basic causes of the development of arthrosis and the removal of inflammation in the joints.

Treatment of osteoarthritis should only be comprehensive. It involves taking medications (tablets, mixtures) with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also required.

Principles of arthrosis treatment:

  • remove excessive stress on the joints;
  • therapy with anti-inflammatory tablets and painkillers. Also, in complex therapy, chondroprotectors are actively used for osteoarthritis;
  • physiotherapy;
  • spa treatment;
  • magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy;
  • intra-articular oxygen therapy;
  • intraosseous blockade;
  • it is important to choose the right diet for osteoarthritis.

Drug treatment

How to treat osteoarthritis with medication? This question is most common among patients. Treatment is carried out using three groups of drugs:

intra-articular injection into the joint due to arthrosis
  • hormonal corticosteroids.Effective in arthrosis in the acute phase. Introduction - intraarticular. Tablets are less effective in this case;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs.They are used to reduce inflammation in the joints, as well as to relieve pain. Doctors do not recommend patients to take the pills because they irritate the gastric mucosa to a certain extent. Therefore, they are most often injected into a vein or muscle;
  • chondroprotectors for osteoarthritis.They are used to restore the structure of cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is most commonly prescribed because this drug is very effective. The use of chondroprotectors for arthrosis gives positive results in the first stages of the development of the pathological process.

Folk recipes

Most people these days do not want to take pills or injections. Therefore, they ask the question - how to cure osteoarthritis with the help of folk remedies? Mostly such funds are aimed at increasing body tone, improving blood circulation, relieving pain and increasing immunity. Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies is most effective in the early stages of the development of the pathological process. Recipes based on the following herbs are used to treat this disease:

  • ginger;
  • Kalanchoe;
  • celery seeds;
  • castor oil seeds;
  • cinnamon;
  • turmeric;
  • horsetail.

Tinctures of bay leaf, horseradish, garlic and rye are also considered effective. Treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies will be most effective in combination with drugs.

Diet for osteoarthritis

The diet for osteoarthritis has its own specifics. It is especially important to monitor diet during the exacerbation of the disease. Do not overeat too much as it will increase the body weight and load of the affected joint. But you also can’t sit hungry. Cartilage must receive the required amount of micronutrients.

The diet for osteoarthritis aims to reduce excess weight. Therefore, carbohydrates should be removed from the diet. Sweets, flour, alcoholic beverages are completely excluded.

Fish dishes can be included in the daily diet. Preference should be given to low-fat varieties. Every favorite dish - meat jelly - plays a leading role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Many doctors recommend its use because it is a real remedy for joints. It contains all the necessary trace elements. But the most important component of food is natural collagen.

they want meat in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Diet for osteoarthritis should be regular. It is important to eat in portions. The daily menu should contain foods rich in B vitamins. They are necessary to regulate metabolism.

If you follow a diet for osteoarthritis, then you can achieve a significant improvement in general condition.

Basic principles of nutrition:

  • the menu must be completely balanced;
  • heavy food should not be eaten at night. You can cause an attack of osteoarthritis;
  • if the disease is not in the exacerbation phase, it is better to walk a little after meals;
  • food should be partial;
  • you must constantly monitor your weight and prevent it from increasing;
  • if tablets are prescribed, then it is necessary to clearly regulate their intake and consumption of food (take them before or after meals).

Osteoarthritis diet helps not only to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, but also to improve the condition of the joints.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of osteoarthritis begins with proper nutrition. It is necessary to try to reduce the intake of salt, as well as food that can disrupt the metabolism. These include legumes, fatty meats and alcohol. The diet includes cabbage, herbs and fish.

To prevent osteoarthritis, it is necessary to attend physical education and warm up. If possible, it is better to walk a few miles on foot. It is also important to monitor your weight and prevent weight gain as this will put extra strain on painful joints. It is not recommended to take pills for the purpose of weight loss because they can disrupt the metabolism in the body.