Arthrosis: stages of development, treatment and consequences

Arthrosis of the joints is a chronic disease associated with their deformation, limiting mobility. The disease is characterized by a slow progression of destruction of the internal cartilage of the joint. The possibility of developing the disease increases significantly with age: there is a degeneration of articular tissues, inflammatory processes occur, and bones change. Arthrosis is considered one of the most common joint diseases in the world and more and more often affects people of working age.

What is deforming arthrosis?

Deforming arthrosis is a degenerative, dystrophic disease that has a different etiology. It is associated with the destruction of the surface of joints and cartilage tissue, which is constantly progressing. In this case, there are continuous intraarticular growths, joint deformations that violate their functionality and cause pain. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, one stage of deforming arthrosis will necessarily go into another, more complex and difficult one. According to statistics, the number of patients suffering from arthrosis up to forty years is 2%, and it develops in 80% of older people. It should be noted that deforming arthrosis affects various joints of a person, but most often suffers from this disease:

• brachial;
• ankle;
• knee;
• brushes;
• cervical;
• hip;
• lumbar.

Deforming arthrosis of the knee, ankle, hip and shoulder joint is the most severe violation of the musculoskeletal system. Rapid identification of signs and timely treatment of the disease in the early stages of arthrosis of the joints retain the capacity of patients.

Causes

There are several main causes of the destruction of cartilage joints. These include:

• metabolic disorders;
• hereditary predisposition;
• decrease in blood flow in the joint;
• hormonal disruptions;
• injuries
• some joint inflammatory diseases;
• age;
• an excessive load that cartilages cannot overcome.

In addition to these reasons, the development of arthrosis is affected by:

• unbalanced nutrition;
• hypothermia;
• intoxication of the body;
• overweight;
• frequent colds;
• bleeding disorders;
• Perthes disease causing circulatory disorders in the hip;
• malfunctioning of the thyroid gland;
• diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, tuberculosis, tick-borne encephalitis;
• adverse environmental conditions;
• surgical interventions in the joint and periarticular zone;
• joint changes in the prenatal period;
• a malfunction in the structure of the fibrillar protein contained in the connective tissue of the joint.

Symptoms of Arthrosis

With arthrosis, the patient has the following symptoms:

• Pain. Its presence is the first sign of articular arthrosis. Sharp pain occurs when the joint moves and disappear at rest. At night, unpleasant sensations do not bother a person, sometimes they can occur with an uncomfortable position of a diseased joint. The pain is often similar to toothache when painful backache occurs in the morning. This happens only in the first stages of arthrosis. Over time, the pain intensifies and the joint more and more needs to be at rest. With the thinning of hyaline cartilage , a bone is exposed, osteophytes grow and acute pain begins to torment incessantly, increasing with changing weather and in the full moon.
• Crunch is no less significant symptom of the disease. In connection with the erasure of the cartilage, the bones rub against each other, which causes a specific sound. Crunch can occur with healthy joints, but with arthrosis it is particularly dry. All the time, it intensifies with the progression of the disease.
• Reduced mobility. At the initial stage of arthrosis, the patient does not notice any changes. With the progression of the disease, muscle spasm occurs due to sprouting of bone tumors, reduction and almost complete disappearance of the gap between the joints. At the lesion site, mobility is severely impaired.
• Joint deformity is one of the late signs of arthrosis, when the disease significantly affected the joint and its appearance changed.

The manifestation of each symptom depends on the location of the disease, the degree of its development, individual characteristics of a person. It should be noted that the disease proceeds with exacerbations that replace remissions.

Degrees

What stages of arthrosis exist?

Doctors according to the severity and course of the disease divide it into four stages:

• the first is accompanied by a violation of metabolic processes in the body. No visible changes have been observed;
• in the second, osteophytes begin to form and a slight narrowing of the joint gap occurs, more often appears as a result of injuries and nonspecific infectious diseases;
• in the third, a significant narrowing of the gap is formed and multiple osteophytes appear, joint deformation begins;
• the fourth is characterized by significant changes and disorders: the articular gap is almost completely absent, there are multiple osteophytes and there is a large deformation.

First stage

At the 1st stage of arthrosis, the human joint is still moving normally and even with the help of an X-ray it is impossible to notice changes in it. During this period, the composition of the synovial fluid changes, which acts as a lubricant. The development of the disease is not accompanied by any signs. The patient does not have a fever, there is no swelling and redness. He only feels a little discomfort, but does not attach any significance to this. However, you need to be more careful about your health and consult a doctor in time. At the initial stage of arthrosis, it is possible to use special ointments, various lotions. It is recommended to limit long walking and physical activity on the joint, but do the best daily exercise. It is very important to balance nutrition. A sparing diet will help to reduce body weight, which means to reduce the load on the sore joint. More natural foods containing vitamins and minerals should be included in the diet.

Second stage

Untreated arthrosis of the first stage passes into the second. Disturbances begin to manifest more clearly. The patient feels constant fatigue, after physical exertion, acute pain appears, accompanied by a crunch. It becomes difficult to bend and unbend a limb. The disease proceeds with periodic exacerbations. A slight impairment of muscle function occurs. In the treatment of stage 2 arthrosis, certain difficulties arise. Folk remedies often do not give a positive effect. Doctors prescribe chondroprotectors for vasodilation, anti-inflammatory and pain medication. In addition, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises are prescribed. The patient is not recommended to move a lot, stand in one place, perform physical activity and lift heavy things.

Third stage

With arthrosis of stage 3, irreversible changes occur. The cartilage is completely erased, the bones rub against each other during joint movement, forming cracks and chips. Fragmented parts when hit in the joint cavity cause unbearable pain. Periarticular muscles lose their ability to function normally. Complex therapy is prescribed. In addition to taking medications, the patient is prescribed the following procedures: resonant microwave and laser therapy, UHF, magnetotherapy, and electrosleep.

Fourth stage

The condition with complete destruction of the joint, when it completely ceases to act, is often isolated in a separate, fourth stage of arthrosis. The pains become so intense that they cannot be removed by potent painkillers and intense physiotherapy. It is recommended that the patient replace the affected joint with an endoprosthesis. This method is considered effective and is becoming increasingly popular. The patient's quality of life becomes much better, constant pain disappears, and he returns to normal life. In case of endoprosthetics, an identical metal or plastic joint is placed instead of the damaged one. This operation is done mainly by the elderly, because young people quickly wear out the prosthesis. In order to avoid prosthetics, it is necessary to begin treatment at the first stage of arthrosis disease.

Hip Osteoarthrosis

In medicine, this pathology is called coxarthrosis. It often develops in the elderly. It is treated for a long time and is difficult, first conservatively, and then with the help of surgical intervention. The disease is not inherited, but the genetic structural features of the skeleton, weak cartilage, metabolic disorders that provoke the development of arthrosis, may well pass from parents to children. In addition to this, arthrosis of the hip joint contributes to:

• violation of blood supply and nutrition of the femoral head;
• congenital dislocation of the hip;
• inflammatory infectious processes;
• spinal diseases;
• hormonal disorders in the body;
• fracture of the femoral neck and pelvis;
• passive lifestyle;
• increased physical activity.

The development of the disease occurs slowly, and in medical practice, the following stages of arthrosis of the hip joint are noted:

• The first - there are minor painful sensations during physical activity and after it. With prolonged walking or running, pain is felt in the joint itself, which rarely extends to the knee or thigh. Muscles are in normal condition, normal gait, no lameness. The image obtained during the examination shows small bone growths located near the inner and outer edges of the acetabulum. With stage 1 arthrosis, abnormal changes in the neck and head of the hip bone do not appear.
• The second is marked by significant pain symptoms that appear constantly and even in a calm state. Pain is given to the groin and thigh. The range of motion of the joint is reduced, it is impossible to completely take it aside. With physical exertion, a person begins to limp. On x-rays, there is a significant narrowing of the joint space. Bony growths increase, they appear on the outer and inner edges of the femoral head. In the second stage of arthrosis, bone deformation occurs, their edges become uneven.
• Third, pains become painful and permanent. The range of motion of the joint is greatly limited, it becomes difficult to move, the patient begins to use a crutch or cane. The muscle tissue of the lower leg, buttocks and thighs begin to atrophy. The limb is shortened, and when walking, the human body leans toward the affected joint. The center of gravity shifts and the load on the damaged joint increases. X-ray photographs show that bone growths appeared, the femoral head increased, and the gap became barely noticeable.

Osteoarthritis of the knee 2 stages

Arthrosis of the knee joint affects people in adulthood. Although medical statistics indicate that the disease is getting younger and often occurs after forty years of age. In medicine, there are three stages of knee joint disease:

• The first - there is slight discomfort and mild pain, which appears only after physical exertion and in the morning, after waking up. This period lasts from several months to several years. People do not pay attention to slight inconveniences, and the joint is gradually destroyed.
• The second - there is a strong crunch in the knee, which is accompanied by intense pain. At this stage of arthrosis of the knee joint, it occurs not only during physical exertion, but also when walking, and even at rest. The knee gradually stops bending, lameness sets in.
• Third, joint deformity becomes severe. The knees do not bend, and the legs take an X-shaped position or in the form of a wheel. The pain does not stop, intensifies when the weather changes.

Many people with pain in the knee go to the doctor when it becomes difficult to move. On examination, he is diagnosed with a "second stage of arthrosis of the knee joint." The initial stage of malaise has already been skipped, and now that the pain accompanies each movement, it is urgent to take measures to treat the joint. To do this, use:

• Medicines With the help of drugs relieve pain and replenish cartilage nutrition. For this, analgesics and chondroprotectors are used. To improve joint lubrication, ointments with glucosamine and chondroitin and injection solutions containing hyaluronic acid are used.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures. With the help of reflexology, mud therapy, hydrogen sulfide and radon baths, magnetotherapy and a laser, the blood supply to the joint is improved, and hence its mobility. In addition, the effect of medications is enhanced.
• Physiotherapy. Moderate exercise helps to improve the nutrition of the knee joint and its mobility.
• Diet. Proper nutrition saves the patient from extra pounds, easing the load on the knee joint. In addition, the use of B vitamins and pectin improves joint lubrication.

It is impossible to completely get rid of the disease, but it is quite possible to alleviate the condition and slow down the process of its development with timely treatment.

Arthrosis of the joints of the fingers

Painful sensations in the hands may indicate the occurrence of arthrosis. Usually, the disease manifests itself with age, as the production of synovial fluid, necessary for lubricating the joints, decreases, and cartilage becomes less elastic. Deformation leads to curvature of the fingers, which is accompanied by severe pain and a decrease in motor activity of the hands. The occurrence of the disease contribute to injuries, chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, arthritis), great physical exertion, hormonal disruptions, systematic hypothermia.

The ailment is characterized by painful sensations during the work with hands and at rest, the formation of thickenings on the fingers, the appearance of curvature and shortening of the phalanx, the appearance of crunching and swelling. The severity of the disease depends on the stages of brush arthrosis, of which there are three:

• The first - there is a gradual loss of joint elasticity, but there is no difficulty in moving fingers. Muscle tension appears, discomfort, aching pain, which intensifies after physical work.
• The second - pain pain is increasingly tormented, even in a state of complete rest. In the second stage of arthrosis, a crunch occurs, movements become difficult. The fingers look swollen, their deformation begins.
• Third - the curvature and thickening of the joints increases, cartilage and bone tissue are destroyed. Severe swelling, redness, and pain are observed.

Methods of treating hands at the onset of the disease

At the initial stage of the disease after sleep, the patient has stiff joints, unpleasant sensations that disappear when active activity begins. Pain appears only after significant physical exertion. When the joints move, a specific crunch occurs. On x-rays, no changes are detected.

In the treatment of the initial stage of arthrosis of the hands, the main task is to suspend the process of joint deformation and restore their functionality. To do this, use:

• Drug therapy. The patient is prescribed chondroprotectors: “Alflutop”, “Chondroxide”, which contribute to the restoration of joint functioning and modify cartilage tissue, as well as vitamin complexes.
• Physiotherapeutic methods. Electrophoresis, phototherapy, magnetotherapy, laser therapy are used. All of these procedures speed up the metabolism of cartilage.
• Physiotherapy. To prevent the spread of the disease process, it is recommended to perform several daily exercises, the complex of which the doctor will recommend.
• Massage. To treat the initial stage of arthrosis, the procedure should be gentle so as not to injure damaged joints. Usually use stroking and rubbing the brush. At the same time, muscle spasm decreases, blood circulation increases.
• Diet. When choosing it, it is advisable to consult with your doctor. In the patient's diet, the presence of products containing alkali is necessary: ​​bone broth, goat milk, cabbage and birch sap, vegetables, herbs, jellied meat. Food should be moderately high-calorie and contain vitamins and minerals.

At the initial stage of the disease of the hands, it is recommended not to supercool, move more, observe the daily regimen, monitor nutrition and, if necessary, consult with your doctor.

Prevention

The appearance of discomfort, crunching and joint pain signals the development of deforming arthrosis. At the onset of the disease, the symptoms are minor, and patients do not pay attention to them. And if you immediately visit a doctor and follow all his recommendations, then you can reduce the likelihood of arthrosis. For prevention, it is necessary:

• reduce excess weight, which puts additional strain on the joints;
• constantly be in motion, walk at least seven kilometers a day;
• avoid joint injuries;
• observe the correct regimen of the day;
• adhere to the main rule for joints - never to supercool them;
• balance nutrition. The diet should contain enough protein, calcium and healthy fats found in low-fat meats, fish, dairy products, and jellied meat.

For preventive purposes, you should wear comfortable shoes, use special insoles and arch supports, do water aerobics. No need to sit with one foot on the other, it impairs blood circulation. After a hard day, it’s useful to complete the exercise “bicycle”, which relieves tension in the joints and tone the muscles. And if signs of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is important to remember that arthrosis of the third stage leads to disability.