Joint pathology is often caused by arthrosis and arthritis. Their symptoms are manifested in constant pain, manifested in the limbs. These diseases have become very “younger”: if earlier they were typical mainly for elderly people, now they can easily be found in young people. Therefore, it is important to know the causes and symptoms of this ailment, and take care of your body.
The concept of arthritis
This disease manifests itself as an inflammatory disease of the joints. In this case, it can affect adjacent tissues, causing damage to them, resulting in an increase in temperature, which can cause fever.
Arthritis can occur due to age-related causes. After passing through 40 years of age, the cartilage in the body begins to exaggerate and wear out, as a result of which the joints become unprotected and contract. Injuries and bruises provoke severe pain. The result is painful seals that reduce joint flexibility and lead to less mobility.
Symptoms of arthritis caused by age-related changes are usually less pronounced, since in this case, deformation of the body, fever and inflammation are rarely observed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is dangerous. In this case, the process develops due to swelling inside the joint. Cartilage and bone are deformed and can be completely destroyed.
Arthritis Classification
Depending on the etiology, form and stage of the inflammatory process, several varieties of this ailment are distinguished. The most common of these are the following:
- arthrosis (osteoarthrosis) - deformation of the joints, accompanied by unpleasant sensations with lignification of the limbs; It is divided into primary (occurring in violation of the regeneration of cartilage tissue) and secondary (causes - bruises and injuries); found in 15% of humanity;
- Ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis) - a constant inflammation of the soft tissues of the ridge and cartilage; can be inherited; more often diagnosed in men; the first signs of arthritis appear in the form of tension and pain in the back after being in the same position; accompanied by aches in the body, back, chest, fever, can worsen heart function and give vision problems;
- rheumatoid arthritis - may occur as a result of infection in the body or allergic inflammation of the joints; limbs are most often affected, which makes movement difficult; in case of complications, internal organs may be affected;
- joint rheumatism - a chronic disease with a severe nature of the course, occurs after severe infectious ailments suffered by a person; causes complications in the form of lesions of internal organs, the activity of the immune system is disrupted.
Arthritis is also divided into acute and chronic. The first has rapid development with sharp pain and inflammation, lasting 2-3 days. In chronic arthritis, disease progresses gradually.
In addition, as a result of the development of pathology, one joint may be affected, in this case they speak of monoarthritis, or a group of joints. The last disease is called polyarthritis.
Also, the disease, depending on severity, is divided into 4 degrees. Arthritis in the first two of them is almost invisible: the joint tissue is not affected, the joints are not limited in mobility, however, when diagnosed, their damage is detected.
At 3 and 4 degrees, significant pain is observed. With the onset of stage 3, a person can be assigned a disability. Grade 4 is characterized by complete destruction of the joint; the tissues in its place connect the bones into an immovable whole.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Depending on the specific disease, they may be different. However, we can distinguish the main signs that are characteristic of most ailments of this group:
- the formation of seals under the skin and nodules;
- swelling and swelling in the joints;
- a feeling of crunching while moving;
- the manifestation of pain is more characteristic when in a state of rest, physical activity can lead to the abatement of unpleasant sensations;
- allergic rashes, skin irritations;
- insomnia and general weakness;
- pain syndromes can occur in different places of the body;
- trembling of limbs, aches, chills, cold sweat;
- joint tightening and itching;
- weight loss for no apparent reason;
- being in the same sitting position for a long time causes pain syndromes in the hip joint, knees and back;
- an increase in body temperature and skin inflammation in those areas that are affected by arthritis;
- tightness is felt in the limbs;
- stiffness in the joints that does not go away within a few hours after waking up;
- one of the first signs is a sharp ache and pain that occurs in the middle of the night;
- discomfort in the joints during rest and sleep.
With various types of diagnosis of arthritis, specific symptoms may appear, such as:
- strained straight back;
- sharp pain, manifested on the bones of the legs, ridge, knees, passing after a few days;
- violations in the digestive tract;
- discharge from the genitals that are not inherent in healthy people;
- rashes on the lower extremities;
- inflammatory processes in the internal organs.
The most characteristic manifestations of the pathology in the upper limbs. Symptoms of hand arthritis may include, in addition to the ones listed above:
- reaction to weather conditions (changes in air temperature, pressure, humidity);
- the appearance of redness in the area of the wrist joint or on the knuckles with a local increase in temperature in this area with sensations of tingling and burning;
- thickening of the joints of the wrist and fingers without the possibility of a return to the initial state (the process is suspended for the duration of treatment and remission);
- a creaky feeling when moving with your fingers.
Causes of the disease
Today, the etiology of pathology is not fully understood. The main ones include hereditary predisposition, as well as external factors:
- monotonous work, leading to a constant load on a certain group of joints;
- impaired metabolism due to malnutrition;
- large physical exertion;
- wearing tight shoes and clothes;
- malfunctions of the immune system;
- infectious diseases leading to joint inflammation;
- injuries, bruises;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of muscle corset;
- overweight;
- gender - back pain and inflammation of the spine are more often observed in men, although in general arthritis is more common in women;
- age.
Diagnosis of the disease
Arthritis in adults is detected by x-ray. In the first two stages, the disease can only be detected by it.
Diagnosis of arthritis of the 3rd degree is carried out by enlarged and swollen joints, to which an increased flow of synovial fluid occurs. The movements are constrained, the patient experiences acute pain when leaving a state of rest. In case of damage to the knee joint during movement, the patient feels severe pain, which leads to spasm of the leg muscles, which contribute to the displacement of bones relative to each other. Also, the joint can no longer support the bones in those places that they were originally identified. If arthritis is observed in the shoulder joint, then it becomes almost motionless. When you try to make a movement, a distinctive click is heard. Around the joint, the skin becomes inflamed. On palpation, there is a feeling of acute pain.
Diagnosis of arthritis of the 4th degree, carried out by x-ray, reveals almost complete destruction of the bones and cartilage tissues of the joints. The ankle joint becomes motionless, the patient cannot move independently. The joints of the fingers also lose the ability to move. Its tissues are replaced by motionless muscle-tendon joints. The same is observed with knee and shoulder arthritis.
Treatment of ailment
The disease is treated comprehensively. It is important to adhere to all the recommendations of a doctor.
Basic rules during treatment:
- it is necessary to do therapeutic exercises, visit physiotherapy rooms to undergo appropriate procedures, take medications prescribed by a doctor;
- rest and work should be combined rationally, not to allow physical overload and stress;
- reduce the load on those limbs that experience pain syndromes; if it is necessary to perform various movements with limbs affected by an ailment, it is better to choose another job;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- adhere to a special diet on the recommendation of a doctor;
- drink a large amount of liquid;
- Do not self-medicate.
Diet
Arthritis nutrition does not include the following foods:
- raspberries;
- canned food;
- sweets and chocolates, chips and other fast food;
- foods high in omega-6 fatty acids;
- broths and rich soup and soups;
- strong tea and coffee;
- alcohol
- spicy dishes;
- spices, seasonings, pickles;
- fat;
- mushrooms;
- legumes;
- meat offal;
- butter baking;
- high-fat dairy products;
- meat and, above all, fried and smoked.
Arthritis must necessarily mean weight loss in the presence of excess weight. This is due to the fact that a large mass presses on all joints of the body, which contributes to the progression of this ailment. The diet should be low in calories, but contain all the necessary macro- and microelements, as well as vitamins.
Arthritis nutrition should include the following foods:
- ginger in the form of juice consumed after a meal, for this it is 1 tsp. pour in two glasses of water and boil;
- bouillon prepared on bones, jelly, cold, containing collagen and gelatin, giving strength to cartilage and bone tissue;
- 1.5-2 liters of pure liquid, give preference to green tea (the risk of developing an ailment is reduced to 60%);
- diet meat: chicken, turkey, rabbit;
- fermented milk products (cottage cheese, cheese, kefir) - preferably low-fat, give preference to goods with the presence of bifidobacteria;
- cereals, bran, wholemeal bread; it is advisable to use lentil and sunflower seeds containing selenium, a deficiency of which can contribute to the occurrence of the disease in question;
- vegetable oils (best flaxseed);
- nuts
- fatty fish with a high content of omega-3 fatty acids - helps to restore and strengthen cartilage - in rational amounts, without abuse;
- fruits and vegetables of green, yellow and bright orange color, since they contain a large amount of natural antioxidants;
- pineapples, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, bell peppers;
- freshly squeezed vegetable juices: celery, cabbage, tomato, pumpkin, carrot.
Vitamin K and calcium are necessary for the formation of bone tissue.
Injections
Arthritis injections are most effective against inflammation in the shoulders, knees, feet and hip joint. Usually they are prescribed when another drug treatment did not bring relief to the patient. Sometimes they are used for osteoarthritis for administration to the joint or as intramuscular and intravenous injections.
After a course of injections, they continue to take the same drugs in a different form. This method does not lead to side effects, since an injection for arthritis has a local effect. For the shoulder joint, the length of the syringe needle may sometimes be missing.
Most often prescribed glucocorticoid injections, hyaluronic acid, chondoprotectors and gas injections.
The first of these drugs contribute to the removal of pain, and also prevent stagnation in the joint cavity of the fluid.
For the treatment of arthrosis of the legs, hyaluron-based agents are mainly used. They contribute to the relief of inflammation of the hip joint, foot and knee joint. Their use helps to restore synovial fluid, while friction between the bones does not occur. The substances of this group include the following:
- Ostenyl;
- "Sinocrom";
- Crespin gel.
They are used after removing the process of inflammation from a sore spot.
As chondroprotectors can be used injections "Don", "Alflutop."
Gas injections can stop painful symptoms, as well as normalize metabolic processes. For carbon dioxide injections, it is necessary to determine the exact location for the injection.
If necessary, quickly and effectively rid the patient of discomfort during arthritis of small joints, shoulder, knee joints, drugs are administered intramuscularly. For this, analgesics are used, for example, Tramadol or anti-inflammatory (Chondroitin Sulfate).
For innervation of the joints, injections of B vitamins can be used.
In case of rheumatoid arthritis, injections or Methotrexate tablets are prescribed, which inhibits inflammatory processes and prevents the development of malignant neoplasms.
Other drug treatment
In addition to injections, drugs in the form of tablets, powders and other forms prescribed for the respective drugs can be used.
The treatment of arthritis pain is carried out by the following groups of drugs:
- vitamin complexes;
- antibiotics;
- dilating vessels with strengthening their walls;
- restoring the structure of cartilage tissue;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory.
The doctor should monitor the patient's condition. If within one month there is no improvement from the prescribed drug, then the treatment should be changed. Corticosteroids or antimalarials are prescribed. They have many side effects and should be prescribed in extreme cases.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
It is prescribed in combination with other methods of treatment used. They stop the damaging effects of arthritis on the joints and improve metabolism.
Basically, the following are prescribed as physiotherapeutic procedures:
- acupuncture;
- quartzing;
- electrophoresis (exposure to a magnetic field of high-frequency current);
- ultrasound (helps relieve spasm and the return of mobility; used after relieving pain).
If the pain syndrome is minor and the disease is in the initial stages, manual therapy can be used, including massage to eliminate congestion, relieve soft tissue swelling and cramping.
Physiotherapy
Arthritis exercises should be performed in the most comfortable position. They should not cause pain, while their implementation is provided at a certain pace with the required amplitude.
For arthritis of the knee, exercises are performed at a slow pace. They begin to be performed with a small number of times, gradually increasing to 20. You can not make sudden movements, jumps and runs.
Lying on your back, perform the following exercises:
- inhalation - stretching the spine while sipping, exhaling - stretching the toes towards yourself, during the break - circular movements of the feet;
- we touch the heel of each leg in turn of the buttocks, without taking our feet off the floor;
- moving legs alternately to the side;
- easy lifting of the legs above the floor;
- a raised limb on inspiration stretches with fingers from itself, while exhaling - from itself;
- the knee is pulled to the chest;
- there is a touch of the abdomen, after which they straighten over themselves, bend and straighten on the floor;
- knees of bent legs are bent apart;
- “Bike” with each foot and both.
Being on a chair:
- swaying legs back and forth;
- straightening the limb forward with a delay of 5 seconds, alternately and with two legs at the same time.
On the stomach:
- the foot rises and rotates, then the shin joins;
- Slow flexion with pulling the foot with the heel to the buttock.
For the shoulder girdle, the following exercises are recommended.
On the back:
- lifting-lowering hands;
- palms on the shoulders: exhale - dilution on the sides, inhale - again on the shoulders;
- torsion, elbows on the shoulders;
- hands on the sides, a turn, one hand is placed on the other.
Sitting on a chair:
- torsion over the head;
- palms - below, movement up and down and torsion with shoulders;
- palms - on shoulders, elbows - to the body, turning them in front of you and lifting them higher.
Standing:
- cross your arms, putting your hands on your shoulders and raise your elbows with a delay at the top;
- palm - on the opposite shoulder, with the other hand - supply of the elbow to the body;
- hands grab the opposite elbow behind the back;
- hands - into the castle behind him, bring your elbows closer, straightening your hands.
For the upper limbs, you can carry out such a simple complex, as described below.
- clenching-unclenching fists with a certain amplitude;
- finger breeding;
- connecting the tips of the thumb with others;
- rubbing the palms;
- palms on a flat surface, lifting fingers;
- brush at the top, circular movements with it while bending the fingers into a fist;
- squeezing a soft expander.
Folk methods
With exacerbation of arthritis in the initial stages, folk remedies can be used:
- applying cream from mummy;
- beaten yolk with apple cider vinegar;
- warming with salt bags;
- wax and propolis applications;
- chalk with kefir as a compress for 30 minutes;
- burdock or nettle wraps for the night.
In addition, various decoctions can be used as a folk treatment for arthritis:
- bay leaf - 2 tbsp. the powder is poured with boiling water (1 l), taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 1 glass for about a week;
- tea from ginger (several times a week);
- nettle tea (a cup a day for three weeks).
Finally
Symptoms of arthritis for each form of the disease are different, although there are common signs. This ailment progresses and if the corresponding types of treatment are not carried out, it is able to completely immobilize the joints. It is necessary to carry out drug treatment with the predominant injection of severe pain, combined with physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and folk remedies.