Arthrosis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, which begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and eventually lead to a limitation or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more susceptible to older people, but it also develops in people younger than 40 years old.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% is in patients over 70 years old.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what arthrosis (alternatively called osteoarthritis) is, you need to understand how the joint works.An articulation of two or more bones is surrounded by a joint capsule and remains mobile thanks to a cavity filled with synovial fluid.The elastic mass acts as a lubricant, preventing friction and premature wear of joint surfaces.Cartilage tissue, in turn, works as a shock absorber.In certain joints, its functions are complemented by menisci or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in arthrosis is the discrepancy between external influences and the joint's ability to withstand them.The role of a provocative factor can be played by:
- age, injuries, excess weight;
- lack of nutrients;
- excessive physical activity;
- inflammatory processes;
- genetic diseases;
- autoimmune reactions etc.
Osteoarthritis in the elderly is usually the result of natural aging and wear and tear of bone structures.Thus, after 50 years it is diagnosed in every third person, and after 70 years in every second person.Also, accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of numerous professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, ballerinas, etc.
Under the influence of unfavorable factors, cartilage tissue is damaged and becomes thinner.As a result, the bones move and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.The joint surfaces are deformed, the lost cartilage tissue is replaced by bone spines and growths that make movement difficult and lead to disability.In such cases, only a strong painkiller can relieve the pain for a long time.
Types of arthrosis
Destructive processes within the joints are called primary if the cause of their occurrence is unknown, and secondary if they develop against the background of certain diseases and conditions.Acute osteoarthritis is associated with infectious and stressful factors and is characterized by a rapid course.The chronic form develops gradually, threatening to limit physical activity if therapy is refused.Also, the type of disease is determined by the place of its development.
Arthrosis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
It is accompanied by pain in the groin area, which spreads to the surface of the thigh, occasionally affecting the area of the lower leg.In the initial stages, difficulties arise when walking, moving up stairs, and during long walks - lameness.After that, it becomes difficult for a person to do basic things related to the load on the painful joint: putting on shoes, sitting on a bicycle, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.Muscles atrophy, the leg is shortened, pain occurs in the lower back and knee.In the absence of therapy, the probability of disability is high.
Arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
It is often diagnosed in women, it is heavy with excess weight and varicose veins.Discomfort in the knee increases in bad weather, when moving up stairs or during physical activity.As the disease progresses, flexion-extension movements are difficult, limb deformities, signs of inflammation and swelling appear.Osteoarthritis of the knee is often confused with meniscus damage, which is characterized by a faster development.
Arthrosis of the spinal column
A common form of degenerative processes in the joints, which can be triggered by a heavy load or a lack of minerals, and a number of diseases that affect the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the symptoms are masked as clinical manifestations of other pathologies.Osteoarthritis of the spine can develop in different areas: thoracic, lumbar, cervical, sacrococcygeal.Accordingly, the symptoms and names will be different.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint
It is often the result of domestic or professional injuries, excess weight or problems with ligaments.It starts with pain and swelling in the area of the ankle joint, which intensifies after physical exertion and long walking.Cramping and limited mobility may be present and progress as the degenerative process progresses.The diagnosis is complicated by edema associated with other diseases: diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (oarthrosis)
It is usually caused by a dislocation, a strong blow or a fracture.There is a painful pain that spreads to the lower part of the limb, which worries mainly at night.As the cartilage wears down, difficulties with abduction, rotation and other hand movements occur.The disease must be distinguished from heart problems and spinal diseases, which have similar manifestations.
Arthrosis of the foot joints
It affects the big and small joints of the foot.Often, a destructive process develops in the area of the thumb, which is why it is mistaken for gout.Most often, the provoking factor is not damage to the feet, but improper selection of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a narrow space, the joint area becomes injured, thickened, inflamed and loses mobility.
Arthrosis of joints and fingers
As a rule, damage to the small joints is multiple and develops on both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in the hormonal level, so it is often observed in women during menopause.In the acute phase, the joints become swollen, red, and nodules may appear on them.Gradually, the pain decreases, but the deformities of the fingers increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand area can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist joint.A prerequisite is often tunnel syndrome, which causes blood circulation to suffer.Rhizarthrosis, which is caused by stress on the base of the thumb, is also common.Pain in this type of arthrosis is moderate, but mobility may be impaired and crunching may occur during exertion.
Arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint
It often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.Often, the provoking factor is chronic stress, which causes tension in the muscles and spasmodic clenching of the teeth, which disrupts the nutrition of the joint capsule.The disease is accompanied by discomfort in the jaw and can lead to dizziness, impaired hearing, sleep and facial symmetry.
Among the large lesions, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, and arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Of the small ones, the joints of the hands and spine are most often affected.Degenerative processes in the area of the patella, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow joints are observed much less frequently.They are usually caused by injuries or specific stress, especially professional sports or work with monotonous movements.
Other types of arthrosis
Another classification of diseases is related to the nature of destructive processes and the reasons that cause them.If degenerative changes are associated with the consequences of an injury, they speak of post-traumatic arthrosis.When autoimmune diseases become a factor that causes the depletion of cartilage tissue, the rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects one joint, they speak of localized arthrosis.If more than one joint is affected, the term polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis) is used.The progressive form of the disease refers to the rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops in just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bony growths and affects ligaments and nearby tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of arthrosis
Degenerative processes in the joint develop gradually, eventually leading to complete thinning and destruction of the cartilage.Initial changes are noticeable only at the cellular level, but as we move to the next stages of arthrosis, clinical signs become more pronounced.Their nature, as well as X-ray indicators, form the basis for the classification of diseases.
Arthrosis of the joint 1st stage
It is accompanied by minor changes in bone and cartilage tissue.They are still poorly visible during ultrasound and X-ray examination, but are already visible on CT.With significant loads, short-term pain, swelling and movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.There is a certain narrowing of the joint space and sharpening of the edges of the bones.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug therapy.
Arthrosis of the joint 2nd stage
Destructive processes are progressing.Photos show a significant narrowing of the joint space, cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain is still moderate, but it is becoming permanent.Symptoms characteristic of each type of arthrosis appear, such as lameness, reduced range of motion, grinding, fluid accumulation in the synovial cavity, etc.Treatment of arthrosis of the joints at this stage of the disease allows the slowing down of destructive changes.
Arthrosis of the joint 3rd stage
The disease leads to the complete destruction of cartilage.The articular surfaces expand significantly due to bony growths, the gap practically disappears.Caries, cystic formations and deformities may appear.Destruction of bones begins, thinning of muscle fibers near the joint.Flexion and rotation movements are limited.The pain is intense.In the absence of treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of joint structures begin, which is accompanied by a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to take care of himself and needs constant care.
Early stages of arthrosis respond well to drug therapy, which allows you to preserve mobility as much as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, the condition can be alleviated only with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory and painkillers.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.