First, let's define what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a joint disease in which the cartilaginous tissue of the interarticular surfaces is damaged. At the same time, not only the articular cartilages are involved in the pathological process, but also the ligaments, the synovial membrane, and the periarticular muscles.
Osteoarthritis can take two forms: localized, in which one of the joints is affected (osteoarthritis of the foot, knee joint, etc. ), and generalized. The types of this disease depend on the affected joint and are:
- coxarthrosis (or hip);
- gonarthrosis (or knee);
- osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joints (Heberd's nodes);
- damage to the proximal interphalangeal joints;
- polyosteoarthritis of the joints of the hands (Kelgen's disease);
- shoulder osteoarthritis;
- spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- ankle osteoarthritis (foot osteoarthritis).
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- pain and deformity
- "dry" crunch in the joint,
- reduced mobility (due to narrowing of the joint space and muscle spasms around the inflamed joint).
The joint may swell, the color of the skin covering it changes (redness appears). In some cases, the temperature rises.
There are four degrees of the disease (according to some sources, only 3)
- In the first degree, the presence of problems in the joint can be determined by the presence of crackling, tingling and accompanying pain. However, the body temperature does not rise, swelling does not occur. It is advisable to start treatment already from the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- In the second degree of development of the disease, there are visible changes. There is constant tiredness and a feeling of pressure in the affected area, which increases with physical exertion. Decreased joint mobility.
- The third degree is accompanied by symptoms of constant severe pain in the joints (even at rest). There is a greater sensitivity to weather conditions. The joints can fail completely and the person is left incapacitated.
- The fourth degree of the disease is the presence of constant severe pain, in which powerful drugs are powerless.
Read more about the symptoms and treatment of various types of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
The symptoms of the disease are characterized by pain or simply a feeling of tightness in the groin, especially at night, after physical activity during the day. Unpleasant sensations pass quickly. However, if not treated in time, the pain becomes more prolonged and intense even with minor exertion. The patient begins to limp, trying to reduce the load on the inflamed organ. Movement becomes increasingly restricted. With the progression of the disease, atrophy of the thigh muscles and shortening of the diseased limb occur.
Depending on the degree of the disease, treatment can be with or without surgical intervention (grade III-IV).
Naturally, the earlier the disease is diagnosed and appropriate treatment initiated, the less likely it is that the disease will progress and the patient will maintain a high quality of life.
So, in the initial stages (stages I and II), various drugs, special gymnastics, manual therapy and an obligatory diet in such cases will help. The diet is aimed at reducing the patient's weight in order to reduce the load on the joints (if there is a problem of being overweight, of course). It is also important to eat vegetables and fruits to supply the body with vitamins and minerals. Saturation with protein, which is the basis of any connective tissue, is a priority, so dairy products and legumes, gelatin and low-fat gelatin should be included in the diet.
The patient may be prescribed a course of acupuncture and physiotherapy, which, in addition to gymnastics already mentioned above, may include underwater massage, thermal therapy, hydrotherapy and balneotherapy, electrotherapy. Orthopedic structures (use of a cane when walking, wedge-shaped pillows, booster seats, orthoses) can be used.
Drugs prescribed to the patient in the treatment of this disease (grades I-II):
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. These medications are designed to relieve pain in the groin and hip, not to directly treat the joints;
- chondroprotectors. The drugs contribute to the restoration of the damaged cartilage structure of the joint and nourish the cartilage, ie. intended for the treatment of joints;
- Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms. It should be used with caution, as the body often protects the joint from further destruction.
- ointments and creams. Intended to alleviate the patient's condition, but not for treatment.
- Drugs for injection into a diseased organ. They are rarely used to eliminate pain.
Manual therapy is the application of one of two methods. During mobilization, the doctor performs a gentle extension of the hip joint, in which the bones that articulate with each other are bred. If everything is done correctly, the movement of the diseased organ is partially restored, and the spasm subsides. However, the technique is quite long (up to 15 procedures per year) and must be comprehensive, that is, accompanied by medication and other types of treatment.
The doctor performs the manipulation with the help of a single sharp movement, which brings immediate relief to the patient; however, this technique is effective in the early stages of the disease in combination with other treatment methods.
Surgical intervention is performed in the later stages of the disease. Various types of operations can be used, depending on the specifics of the disease. Thus, joint salvage operations are performed with corrective osteotomies of the proximal femur and pelvis. Operations to close the hip joint and operations to replace the joint (or arthroplasty).
osteoarthritis of the legs
It is possible to designate 2 types of deforming arthrosis of the legs: primary and secondary. Primary is characterized by the absence of visible causes of the development of the disease and is considered genetic. Secondary arthrosis of the legs develops against the background of any diseases (for example, flat feet) or injuries.
Osteoarthritis of the leg joints is a general definition of ankle diseases (osteoarthritis of the foot) and gonarthrosis. Symptoms and treatment of joint disease of the legs (foot and knee) are discussed below.
Arthrosis of the foot: what are the symptoms and how to treat
The symptoms are characterized by a cracking sound in the ankle, painful pain when walking, which disappears at rest, limited joint mobility, swelling of the feet and reddening of the skin in the joints, as well as atrophy of the adjacent muscles. Most often, the joints of the toes are affected. Foot osteoarthritis is diagnosed by X-ray.
The treatment of osteoarthritis of the foot, as well as of the hip joint, can be surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical methods include (in the early stages of the disease):
- orthopedic shoes or the use of orthopedic inserts in comfortable shoes,
- low heel in shoes (3-4 cm),
- physiotherapy,
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- special medical gymnastics.
If foot arthrosis has reached II-III degree, painkillers may be prescribed and surgical intervention may be performed.
It is also important to follow a diet for overweight patients (to reduce the load on the leg joints). Shoes should be comfortable, with low heels and not restrict movement.
Medications are needed to relieve pain and help regenerate cartilage in affected joints.
Physiotherapy includes foot massage, therapeutic baths, infrared laser therapy, UV radiation, UHF therapy, magnetic and ultrasound therapy.
Surgical treatment methods can be:
- arthrodesis, in which there is a rigid fixation of the diseased area,
- arthroplasty, when the affected joint is restored with surgery,
- endoprosthesis - completely replace the diseased joint with an artificial one.
Symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
As with other types of osteoarthritis, the symptoms of emerging knee cartilage disease are mild pain on exertion that resolves with rest. The knee may swell. It often occurs after leg fractures and dislocations.
A characteristic crunch occurs in stage II of the disease and is accompanied by pain. There is also a limitation of joint mobility, fluid accumulation is possible.
Treatment includes medications and healing procedures:
- ozone therapy as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent,
- kinesitherapy is the performance of special exercises to improve the elasticity of the ligaments and blood circulation,
- taking homeopathic medicines.
Treatment of arthrosis in folk ways
Of course, folk remedies should not be taken as a panacea for a disease as serious as osteoarthritis. But in combination with the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies will speed up recovery.
- To relieve painful symptoms, it is possible to use cabbage juice, in which a piece of natural wool is soaked, and then compresses are made every night. It is necessary to use cabbage juice within three days, after which it is necessary to make fresh.
- Compresses are also made from a whole cabbage leaf, smeared with honey. We apply the stained side to the joint, wrap it with cellophane film and wrap it warmly. We left it overnight.
- To relieve symptoms in arthrosis of the legs, crushed white chalk or eggshells and kefir are mixed to a homogeneous mass, which is applied to the foot at night in the form of a compress. The calcium contained in these products improves blood flow and consequently relieves pain and swelling.
- The oatmeal compress also helps reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the joints. For a compress, it is necessary to cook a thick porridge, cool it, wrap it in a cloth and apply it to the sore spot for the night. You can use only once, then prepare fresh.
- To relieve pain, you can prepare an oral drink. To do this, add 1 tablespoon to a glass of boiling water. Iolive oil and half a teaspoon of grated garlic. It should be taken 2 times a day when pain occurs.
Once again, we note that the main thing is to treat arthrosis in a comprehensive and timely manner, in order to avoid serious complications and surgical intervention.