Arthrosis refers to degenerative changes in the joints that begin with the depletion of cartilage tissue and eventually lead to a limitation or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more susceptible to the elderly, but it also develops in people under 40 years of age.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% occurs in patients over 70 years of age.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what arthrosis (an alternative name is osteoarthritis) is, you need to understand how the joint works.A joint consisting of two or more bones is surrounded by a joint capsule and remains mobile thanks to a cavity filled with synovial fluid.The elastic mass acts as a lubricant, preventing friction and premature wear of the joint surfaces.Cartilage, on the other hand, acts as a shock absorber.Its functions in individual joints are supplemented by menisci or discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in arthrosis is the difference between external influences and the resistance of the joint.The role of a provoking factor can be played by:
- age, injury, overweight;
- lack of nutrients;
- excessive physical activity;
- inflammatory processes;
- genetic diseases;
- autoimmune reactions etc.
In older adults, osteoarthritis is usually the result of natural aging and wear and tear on bone structures.Therefore, it is diagnosed in every third person after 50 years and in every second person after 70 years.In addition, accelerated destruction of certain joints is characteristic of representatives of many professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, ballerinas, etc.
As a result of unfavorable factors, the cartilage tissue is damaged and thinned.As a result, the bones move and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.The joint surfaces are deformed, bone spurs and growths appear in place of the lost cartilage tissue, which hinder movement and lead to disability.In such cases, only strong painkillers can relieve the pain for a long time.
Types of arthrosis
Destructive processes within the joints are called primary if the cause of their occurrence is unknown, and secondary if they develop against the background of certain diseases and conditions.Acute osteoarthritis is associated with infectious and stressful factors and has a rapid course.The chronic form develops gradually and limits physical activity if therapy is refused.In addition, the type of disease is determined by the place of development.
Hip joint arthrosis (coxarthrosis)
It is accompanied by pain in the groin area, which spreads to the surface of the thigh, sometimes affecting the leg area.In the initial stage, there are difficulties when walking, moving on stairs and long walks - lameness.After that, it is difficult for a person to do basic things related to the load on the painful joint: putting on shoes, riding a bicycle, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.Muscles atrophy, legs are shortened, and pain occurs in the lower back and knees.In the absence of therapy, the probability of disability is high.
Arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
It is often diagnosed in women with severe excess weight and varicose veins.In bad weather, going up stairs or during physical activity, the discomfort in the knee increases.As the disease progresses, flexion-extension movements are impaired, and signs of limb deformities, inflammation, and swelling appear.Osteoarthritis of the knee is often confused with damage to the meniscus, which is characterized by faster development.
Arthrosis of the spine
It is a common form of degenerative joint processes, which can be triggered by both high load and mineral deficiency, as well as many diseases affecting the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis is due to the fact that the symptoms are masked as clinical manifestations of other pathologies.Osteoarthritis of the spine can develop in different areas: thoracic, lumbar, cervical, sacrococcygeal.Accordingly, the symptoms and names will be different.
Ankle arthrosis
This is often the result of domestic or occupational injuries, excess weight or ligament problems.It starts with pain and swelling in the area of the ankle, which increases after physical exertion and long walks.As the degenerative processes progress, cracking and limited movement may occur and may progress.The diagnosis is complicated by edema, which is associated with other diseases: diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint (oarthrosis)
It is usually caused by displacement, a strong impact or a break.An aching pain radiating to the lower part of the limb appears, which worries me especially at night.As the cartilage deteriorates, there is difficulty with abduction, rotation, and other movements of the arm.The disease must be distinguished from heart problems and spinal diseases, which have similar manifestations.
Arthrosis of the joints of the foot
It affects both the large and small joints of the foot.Quite often, a destructive process develops in the area of the thumb, which is why it is mistakenly considered to be gout.The provoking factor is usually not an injury to the foot, but the wrong choice of shoes in combination with flat feet.In a narrow space, the joint area is damaged, thickened, inflamed, and loses mobility.
Arthrosis of joints and fingers
Damage to the small joints is usually multiple and develops on both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in hormone levels, so it is often observed in women during menopause.In the acute stage, the joints swell, turn red, and lumps may appear on them.Gradually, the pain decreases, but the deformations of the fingers increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand area can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist joint.A prerequisite for this is often tunnel syndrome, due to which blood circulation suffers.Rhizarthrosis, which is caused by stress on the base of the thumb, is also common.With this arthrosis, the pain is moderate, but the exertion may worsen and crackle during movement.
Arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint
It often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine pathologies.The provoking factor is often chronic stress, which causes muscle tension and spasmodic clenching of the teeth, which impairs the nutrition of the joint capsule.The disease is accompanied by discomfort in the jaw and can lead to dizziness, hearing loss, sleep disorders and facial symmetry.
Among the major changes, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Among the little ones, the joints of the hand and spine are most often affected.Much less often, degenerative processes can be observed in the area of the patella, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow joints.They are usually triggered by injuries or specific stress, especially professional sports or work with monotonous movements.
Other types of arthrosis
Another classification of the disease is related to the nature of the destructive processes and the causes that trigger them.If the degenerative changes are related to the consequences of the injury, then they speak of post-traumatic arthrosis.When autoimmune diseases become the trigger for cartilage tissue depletion, rheumatoid and psoriatic types are distinguished.
If the disease affects one joint, it is called localized arthrosis.If several joints are affected, the term polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis) is used.The progressive form of the disease refers to the rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops in just a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growth and affects ligaments and nearby tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of arthrosis
Degenerative processes develop gradually in the joint, eventually leading to complete thinning and destruction of the cartilage.The initial changes can only be detected at the cellular level, but as we move towards the next stages of arthrosis, the clinical symptoms become more and more pronounced.Their nature, as well as the X-ray indicators, form the basis of the classification of the disease.
Joint arthrosis stage 1
It is accompanied by minor changes in the bone and cartilage tissue.They are still poorly visible during ultrasound and X-ray examinations, but are already visible on CT.With significant strain, short-term pain, swelling and movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.The joint space narrows somewhat and the bone edges become sharper.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug therapy.
Joint arthrosis stage 2
Destructive processes are moving forward.The photographs show a significant narrowing of the joint space, the cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain remains moderate but becomes persistent.Symptoms characteristic of certain types of arthrosis appear, such as lameness, reduced range of motion, cracking, fluid accumulation in the joint cavity, etc.Treatment of joint arthrosis at this stage of the disease makes it possible to slow down the destructive changes.
Arthritis of the joints is the 3rd stage
The disease leads to the complete destruction of cartilage.The joint surfaces expand significantly as a result of the bone growths, and the gap practically disappears.Cavities, cystic formations and deformities may appear.Bone destruction begins, muscle fibers next to the joint become thinner.Bending and rotation movements are limited.The pain is intense.In the absence of treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of the joint structures begin, which leads to a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to care for himself and needs constant care.
The early stages of arthrosis respond well to drug therapy, which allows for maximum preservation of mobility and stopping of degenerative processes.In advanced cases, the condition can only be alleviated with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory and painkillers.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.