Osteoarthritis: What is it and how to treat the affected joints?

Osteoarthritis is a dystrophic change in articular cartilage is not inflammatory.This process occurs in most cases following the natural aging of the body.

According to statistical data, osteoarthritis is considered a fairly common disease, as they are suffered according to various estimates from 10% to 15% of residents in different countries.

This disease is characteristic of the age category 45 years or more.Although there are exceptions when osteoarthritis is observed in a group of older people, due to injuries, serious illnesses, fractures inherent in a greater measure of athletes.

As a rule, patients experience arthrotic pain in a state of loads, but they must sit or lie in a practical position for the affected limb, as pain manifestations are calm.As the disease increases, the crisis characteristic of the joints increases, the amplitude of the usual articular movements decreases and the deformation of the joint components is observed.

Osteoarthritis - What is it?

Why does osteoarthritis occur and what is it?The disease develops due to metabolic disorders in the joint, which leads in turn to the fact that cartilage begins to lose elasticity.This can be facilitated by a complete or partial loss of the composition of the proteoglycan cartilage, this is generally occurred due to fairly deep cracks in the cartilage itself.

1. Osteoarthritis is primary - begins without significant cause and simultaneously affects the articular cartilage unchanged in many joints;It is more often observed in people over 40 years of age.Primary osteoarthritis is also a consequence of a violation of the report of the synthesis and degeneration processes in the cartilaginous tissue and is accompanied by a chondrocyte disorder.In cartilage with osteoarthritis changes, destruction processes prevail.
2. The main causes of secondary osteoarthritis are important changes in metabolic processes: blood supply, salt exchange and the flow of lymph, hormonal disorders in the assimilation of the necessary joints.Hormonal changes leading to osteoarthritis are often found in senior women and advanced when natural changes in the hormonal context occur.

The risk group includes people:

• with excess body weight;
• with hereditary disorders;
• age;
• with specific professions;
• with metabolic disorders in the body;
• with a deficiency in trace elements;
• traumatic injuries on the spine;
• involved in certain sports.

The nonsense of osteoarthritis lies in the fact that pathological changes in the tissue of the cartilage of the affected joint for a long time are not manifested by symptoms - the movements of pain and difficulty only become perceptible at the time when the destruction reaches the periosteum located under the cartilage.

Osteoarthritis 1, 2 and 3 degrees

There are three degrees of arthritis of the joints:

1. 1 degree of disease takes place almost without tangible symptoms.Only sometimes painful sensations are possible in motion or other types of physical activity.Already at the first stage of osteoarthritis, pathological changes in the synovial liquid of the joint occur, while the muscle apparatus weakens, but does not undergo modifications.
2. 2 degree of osteoarthritis is marked by the beginning of the destruction of the joint, the first osteophytes appear.The pain becomes tolerant, but pronounced.A crisis in the affected joints is clearly understood.There is a violation of muscle functions for a violation of reflex neurotrophic regulation.
3. 3 degree of osteoarthritis - The articular cartilage is slim, there are large foci of destruction.A significant deformation of the joint platform with a change in the axis of the member is noted.Due to the violation of the normal relationship between the anatomical structures of the joint and the pathological changes extended in the connective tissue, the ligaments become insolvent and shorten, as a result of what pathological mobility of the joint develops in combination with the limitation of the natural volume of movements.Contracts and subluxations arise.The peri-human muscles are stretched or shortened, the ability to reduce it is weakened.The power of the surrounding joint and tissue is broken.

The course of the disease is characterized by the stages of exacerbation and the stages of the remission.This considerably complicates the independent diagnosis of osteoarthritis, based only on its own sensations.Therefore, it is necessary to request a clarification of the diagnosis from the doctor.

Signs

Arthritis has certain first signs according to its classification, but there is a generalized list:

1. Pain syndrome, which intensifies in raw and frost in raw weather;
2. The joint increases in volume due to deformations and osteophytes;
3. The skin temperature around the sick joint increases.A general increase in temperature can be observed.
4. The seal begins to swell, swelling and seals are observed;
5. At the stress and functioning of the joint, a crunch or a cry of the friction of bone formations is heard and creak.

At the later stage, pain can occur in a calm state due to the stagnation of blood and increased intraosseous pressure.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis belongs to the category of chronic diseases.Sometimes the disease can be imperceptibly flee for years, sometimes not recalling pain in the joint of the joint or an awkward movement.

But it also happens that the disease develops quickly at a serious stage in just a few months.In any case, it is important to remember, if you do not treat osteoarthritis, its symptoms will develop over time, worsening quality of life and in serious cases - leading to disability and immobilization.

Thus, with osteoarthritis, the main symptoms are as follows:

1. Painful pain in the joint.It manifests itself particularly to all kinds of loads on the painful articulation, while walking on the stairs.
2. Lomota and crunchy in the joint.Lomota manifests itself during hypothermia.At first, the crunch is not strong, but in the absence of treatment, over time, he will be heard by others.
3. The appearance of swelling.This symptom is characterized by another joint disease - arthritis.But with osteoarthritis, swelling only occurs with exacerbations and is accompanied by acute, but painful pain.It is very visible and causes considerable drawbacks.

Sometimes the pain in the evening can intensify.Sometimes the pain in the joint is very active, its manifestation depends on the loads.In young people, osteoarthritis can be developed from great physical activity or after an injury.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis

The diagnosis is based, first of all, to determine such a predisposing factor that the appearance of pain and discomfort in the movements of the joints.In the event of signs above the disease, an X-ray, radionuclide and morphological examination is possible.

All studies are carried out only in clinical conditions and only qualified specialists should draw conclusions.On our site, you can always ask questions about the symptoms, treatment and the prevention of osteoarthritis in the comments below.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent osteoarthritis are accessible to everyone.They include moderate physical effort (this should not cause pain in the joints), balanced nutrition and daily diet all the main trace elements and vitamins.

Often getting rid of osteoarthritis is hampered by overweight, so you should be very attentive to your diet and, if necessary, observe a diet.

It is also necessary to remember that osteoarthritis belongs to the category of chronic diseases.In other words, the main criterion for the effectiveness of treatment is to reach prolonged remission and improve the patient's condition.

Osteoarthritis

With diagnosed osteoarthritis, treatment at the moment is a serious and urgent problem.And although the amount of drugs used for osteoarthritis constantly increases, they have only a symptomatic effect.And while none of the drugs has become a panacea in the treatment of joints.

The plan and treatment methods depend on the stage and the symptoms of osteoarthritis, often relieve pain, because in the second and third stage of the disease, they can be very painful.Anti-inflammatory therapy is also possible with concomitant inflammation.

The main drug treatment scheme of osteoarthritis implies the use of:

1. Ainsa to reduce pain and eliminate the inflammatory process.
2. Medicines from the chondroprotective group, which include active components like glucose and chondroitin.
3. In a severe evolution of the disease, an intra-articular administration of corticosteroid preparations may be necessary. These drugs quickly eliminate the inflammatory process and normalize the mobility of the affected joint.
4. After eliminating the inflammatory process, intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid may be necessary, which acts as lubricants and prevents the articular friction process, eliminates pain syndrome, improves mobility and stimulates the production of its own hyaluronate.

To return the joint, affected by osteoarthritis to a large extent, is only possible as the help of a surgical operation to replace the joint, it is always impossible to do it without surgery.

Surgery

At the advanced stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joints, treatment with drugs may no longer be effective, then a decision on operational healing methods should be made.

There are several types of surgery:

1. Artroplasty.Replacement of articular cartilage by artificial installation.After surgery, pain is considerably reduced and mobility increases.
2. Arthroscopy.It does not require a long recovery period, well suited to patients of all ages.It is necessary to prevent the destruction of the joint.During the operation, the inflamed areas are deleted - this happens using a thin probe and auxiliary tools.
3. Prostheses.Replacement of all joint components with artificial analogues.By the way, modern prostheses are made of special metal, which is not rejected by the body.Such transplants last an average of about ten years.After such an intervention, patients can carry out a full lifestyle.

At home, as prescribed by a doctor, the patient can use distracting agents in the form of ointments, friction, gels, herbs infusions.Good results are given by physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (fighting treatment), as well as spa treatment in remission (attenuation of the disease) using natural mud and mineral baths.

Exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis

An essential condition in the treatment of osteoarthritis is the use of different types of exercises in order to prevent muscle atrophy and ligament weakening.

Exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis are individually selected for each patient with the doctor and specialist in physiotherapy exercises.The exercises are only launched after having withdrawn the exacerbation, but no later than 5-6 days after pain relief.

The task of the exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis is the restoration of joint mobility, aerobic training, increases the strength and flexibility of muscles and joints.

How to treat osteoarthritis with folk remedies?

With arthritis of drug treatment, it is not avoided, but generally the doctor prescribes complete treatment, advising to use folk remedies.But you should know that the treatment of osteoarthritis, including non -traditional medicine, is based on a healthy lifestyle and appropriate nutrition, folk recipes are added to all of this.

1. The birch leaves, the nettles and the inflorescence of the calendula are caught.As a result, you should get two tablespoons.We put the resulting chopped collection in a thermos, pour a liter of boiling water and leave it overnight.From morning in the morning, it is necessary to take half a glass of decoction four to five times a day.The course of taking this recipe is two to three months.
2. The egg solution is prepared from fresh egg yolk, which is mixed with turpentine and apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. The liquid must be carefully mixed and grate it with the assigned joint for the whole night.Then you have to wrap everything with a wool scarf.It is recommended to make friction for 1 month 2-3 times a week.
3. Celery.1-2 teaspoons of freshly pressed celery juice to drink up to 3 times a day.You can use a decoction.Brass 1 tablespoon.A spoonful of fresh roots with 2 glasses of boiling water and let it prepare under the lid for 4 hours.Drink 2 tablespoons.tablespoons up to 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
4. You will need a piece of soft wool fabric, without synthetic impurities and head of the cabbage.You must first grind your head, after which it is good to rush it with a mortar or with your hands, it is advisable to use non -oxidized dishes.After that, you can squeeze the juice in a grip press.Now we take the cooked tissue and humidify the cabbage juice, put this compress on the sore joint.I would also like to note that pressed juice can be stored for no more than three days from the moment of rotation.
5. The use of boiled oats also gives good results.Take three or four spoons of oat flour, pour boiling water and cook over low heat for five to seven minutes.The amount of water used must ensure the reception of the thick porridge, which must be cooled and used as a compress at night.Use only boiled flakes recently.The porridge of yesterday for the compress is not suitable.
6. The pharmacy is bought by the Eleasil root.As a rule, it faces 50 g packages.For the preparation of the dye, half a packet of vegetable roots and 150 ml of high quality vodka will be necessary.The ingredients are mixed, placed in a dark bottle and insisted for 12 days.The friction is done before bedtime, and if possible in the morning.

In general, the treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies is unable to completely replace standard therapy (drugs, physiotherapy, massage, treatment of exercise), but can considerably reduce the symptoms of the disease, improve the effect of other therapy methods and accelerate recovery.