A disease such as arthrosis appears more often in older people.But taking into account the environment, lifestyle and food of man, this disease has become significantly younger.Now you can meet him even among 20-year-olds.To know how to prevent or prevent the development of such a pathology, you need to understand what it is.
Arthrosis - what is it?
If we turn to simple expressions in the description of the disease, then it can be characterized as a disease of articular cartilage.It leads to their destruction and disruption of functionality, as well as modification.Very often, during the above processes, inflammation occurs in the joint capsule itself.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but the hip and knee joints are most commonly affected.
Causes of arthrosis
Osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis - all these are other names for arthrosis.The disease, as mentioned earlier, most often affects the elderly part of the population.This is due to old age, which leads to breakdown of body systems.But if a person is still far from gray hair, and arthrosis has fallen, then the following factors may be the reasons for this:
- injury, trauma to the musculoskeletal system.These include bruises, dislocations, tendon ruptures and other types of injuries;
- a congenital disease associated with underdevelopment of the joint.In other words, it is called articular dysplasia;
- improper metabolism in the body;
- drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks, which wash important microelements from the bones;
- improper functioning of the thyroid gland, high blood sugar and other disorders in the human endocrine system;
- hemorrhage in the joint capsule.
The causes of osteoarthritis are very wide.Therefore, to start treatment in time, it is better to consult a doctor who will fight not only the symptoms, but also the cause of the disease.
Symptoms of arthrosis
The knee joint is usually affected first.Next comes the groin, and then the disease spreads to the big toe joints of the lower limbs.Osteoarthritis rarely affects other joints.To understand if this particular pathology exists, you need to know its symptoms.Important symptoms of arthrosis include four components:
- In the initial stage of the disease, pain appears in the joints during intense movements or stress.More often they are weakly expressed, because of this, arthrosis begins.The second stage is characterized by pain that occurs with small loads on the damaged joint.In the third, the pain bothers you even when you stand still.If a person has problems with the cardiovascular system, then pain may appear during weather changes;
- In damaged joints, a dry and harsh noise occurs from time to time.The result is friction between the articular surfaces.In the second and third stages, such sounds become more distinct in sound.It is worth noting that the usual crackling in the joint, not accompanied by pain, does not indicate the presence of the disease and does not affect its further manifestation in any way;
- muscle spasms occur, joint space decreases and bone growth occurs.Because of this, the range of motion of the affected joint is reduced;
- gradual joint modification.
The symptoms of arthrosis and arthritis have many similarities.Therefore, some people confuse these two concepts, or consider them the same.But to think so is a mistake.These are different diseases.The main difference is that with osteoarthritis, the pain occurs when moving during the day.With arthritis, the pain does not depend on movement and occurs at night.They are sharper and more intense.
Types of arthrosis
The diversity of disease species is divided into two categories: by etymology and by the nature of the disease.Each of them contains several other types, and then there is a specific division, which includes a large number of varieties.
According to etymology
Based on the causes of the occurrence, two groups of articular arthrosis are distinguished:
- elementary.It mostly occurs in patients under 40 years of age.In this case, the disease begins to develop without previous injuries or damage;
- Medium.Arthrosis appears for certain reasons, which include age-related changes in the body, disruption of the endocrine system, trauma, injuries and a number of others.
According to the nature of the disease
In total, there are three stages of arthrosis.In this case, a person may experience small and permanent pain, which will not interfere with his normal functioning.In this case, he may not seek medical help for several years.Other people may encounter a rapidly progressing disease: in just one or two months, one stage of arthrosis passes into another.Thus, it is not possible to determine the time of transition from the first stage to the next.
Stages of osteoarthritis:
- the first stage.The pain is insignificant, feels weak and appears only after intense stress on the joint.It happens due to the fact that the synovial fluid and the membrane inside the joint capsule changes.
- the second phase.The intra-articular cartilage is destroyed and primary deformities begin.Bone growth also appears in this phase.All of the above are accompanied by pain even with small loads on the affected area.
- the third stage.The last stage, in which the irreversible process of joint modification already occurs.At the same time, the length of the tendons decreases and muscle contractions become more difficult.Ultimately, the person loses his ability to work.
Since the consequences of advanced arthrosis do not promise anything pleasant, it is necessary to start treatment procedures in time.
Treatment of arthrosis
To get a treatment program that brings results, you should contact a trusted specialist.He will study the tests, lifestyle, perform the appropriate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medications, as well as additional treatment methods.these may include the following:
- physical therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- spa treatment;
- proper nutrition, as well as a number of others.
Very often, the technology of smooth development of the joint is used through short and feasible loads in the damaged area.During this therapy, the joint is brought to a slight aching pain, which calms down the next day.If the pain becomes more and more intense, then you need to review the load system used and adjust it.But don't stop development completely!
Arthritis is a widespread disease in modern society.Every year there are more and more people affected by this disease.This is due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, poor nutrition and the increase in the number of injuries.But technologies are also being developed to help solve the problem of osteoarthritis.So, the main thing is not to allow the disease to progress, do regular diagnostics and if arthrosis is detected, immediately contact a doctor specializing in this.