Deformed arthrosis (osteoarthritis) refers to diseases of the osteoarticular apparatus, which affects almost 15% of the population, and the number of cases increases with age. Osteoarthrosis can occur in any joint, but most often those who are subject to a greater load suffer.
Arthritis and arthrosis are not the same thing
Osteoarthritis is called gradual articular age-related deformation (over the age of 45 years). Arthritis has an inflammatory nature, often develops at a young age.
In women and men, the risk of developing arthrosis is the same, but deformed arthrosis of small joints is more common in older women. In children and adolescents, the disease sometimes manifests itself on an injured joint.
Causes of osteoarthritis
A degenerative change in articular cartilage is affected by a whole range of different factors. Depending on the causes of development, deformed arthrosis can be primary and secondary.
Idiopathic (primary) osteoarthritis develops for no apparent reason. It is believed that here the main role belongs to the hereditary factor, in which the development of the cartilage components, its membrane and structure is disrupted.
Secondary osteoarthritis is characterized by a primary lesion of one, two or more joints.
The reasons contributing to its development are as follows:
- Mechanical damage, that is, injuries to joints or intraarticular bones, leading to a violation of their structure. Of great importance is prolonged microtraumatization and a constant load on the arms and legs, for example, in athletes. Sometimes anomalies of the skeleton lead to the fact that the load on the bones is unevenly distributed, as a result of which the articular surfaces are heavily loaded and gradually collapse.
- Inflammatory joint diseases (arthritis), hemarthrosis, aseptic necrosis of the bone.
- Impaired metabolism, in which deformed arthrosis occurs as a complication of diseases such as gout, hemochromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis.
- Violations of the endocrine system.
- Poor blood supply to joint tissues (varicose veins, atherosclerosis, obliterating endarteritis).
Symptoms of the disease
Initially, patients complain of a crunch in the joint, mild and aching pain.
Perhaps the appearance of "starting pain" when the pain is observed at the beginning of the movement, and then decreases or disappears. As arthrosis develops, painful sensations appear with a load on the joint, gradually becoming permanent. The patient complains of lameness, stiffness of movements, difficulty climbing up the stairs.
Deforming arthritis, the treatment of which is especially important today, is an inflammatory disease, therefore it is important to determine the root cause. The remedies depend on this. It can be analgesics, antibacterial or anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy, exercise therapy are also effective.
Deforming arthrosis, treatment
The scheme of therapeutic measures is determined by a doctor or a group of doctors, which should be consulted immediately if infrequent and mild pain in the joint occurs. Usually, the disease is approached comprehensively. Treatment consists of the use of chondroprotectors, therapeutic procedures and massages.