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Arthrosis

arthrosis of the joint on the toe

Arthrosis and arthritis are pathological processes in the human body, in which various joints are affected. Due to the similarity of these terms, many people are unaware of the difference between the two. But in fact, arthritis and arthrosis are not the same disease. And they have significant differences. It is important to study their main symptoms so that, if they appear, immediately visit a hospital. You also need to know which doctor treats arthrosis in order to turn to a qualified honey in time. specialist.

Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.

Arthrosis of the joints is a complex degenerative disease that is associated with the destruction of cartilage tissue inside the joints. This pathological process is the most common joint disease in the world. According to the latest statistics, about 80% of the world's population suffers from it. But most people do not have an exact idea of what arthrosis is. With this disease, for a long period of time, various changes and restructuring occur in the articular ends of the bones, and inflammatory processes develop. As a result, the periarticular tissues degenerate.

Many people ask the same question - how is arthritis different from arthrosis? Arthrosis is a pathology that results in damage to large and small joints. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the entire human body. The changes that occur in the body do not only affect the joints. The most common disease in arthritis is the heart and kidneys. If the correct treatment is not carried out, then complications and even death can occur.

The likelihood of developing arthrosis or arthritis increases significantly by the age of 40-50. The disease affects women and men equally. The disease occurs in able-bodied people and recently it has become much younger (people over 30 suffer from arthrosis). Therefore, it is very important to know what arthrosis is and how to properly treat this pathology.

Causes

Like arthritis, arthrosis occurs in the body due to metabolic failure in certain joints. This leads to a loss of elasticity in the cartilage tissue.

Cartilage located in the joints of the extremities can be destroyed due to disturbances in the production of hormones, decreased blood supply to the joints, and injuries. Also, some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause arthrosis.

Main reasons:

  • history of limb injuries;
  • advanced age;
  • severe hypothermia;
  • the presence of inflammatory processes in large and small joints (arthritis and arthrosis are two concomitant diseases);
  • increased body weight. In this case, there will be a constant additional load on the joints;
  • general intoxication of the body;
  • frequent SARS, acute respiratory infections and flu;
  • pathological processes in the thyroid gland;
  • hemophilia;
  • Perthes disease.

Arthrosis of the joints can also develop in a person due to genetic disorders - collagen mutations, dysplasia.

Symptoms

The symptoms of arthrosis appear almost immediately. The first sign of the development of a pathological process is severe pain when loading a certain joint. The pain will subside once the joint is at rest. In medical circles, the following groups of symptoms of arthrosis are distinguished:

  • pain.Sharp pain occurs only when certain movements are made. Its localization is at the site of the affected joint. At night, there is practically no discomfort, since the joint is at rest. Pain in a calm state can manifest itself only during the progression of arthrosis;
  • joint mobility decreases.This is true for both arthrosis and arthritis. At the initial stage of the disease, this symptom does not cause much concern to the patient. But soon the muscles will begin to spasm. The gap between the joints will almost completely disappear;
  • crunch.The reason for its appearance lies in the fact that due to the disease, the softness of the rotation of the bone in the joint decreases. Its sound is "dry";
  • deformation of the affected joint.This is due to the proliferation of osteophytes. This symptom is the last to appear. Treatment of arthrosis at this stage is the most difficult.

Stages of the disease

All these signs of arthrosis occur at different stages of the development of the disease. In medical practice, three degrees are distinguished:

  • arthrosis of the 1st degree.The symptoms of arthrosis are not pronounced. Most often, minor joint pain occurs during exertion or long walking. Pathological changes begin to occur in the fluid and synovium. Treatment of arthrosis at this stage is the most effective;
  • arthrosis of the 2nd degree.The joint is destroyed. Osteophytes are formed. Pain during exertion and movement becomes stronger, a characteristic crunch is heard in the affected joints;
  • arthrosis of the 3rd degree.This is the most difficult stage in the development of this disease. There is a pathological change in the sites of diseased joints. Inflammation occurs. The patient feels stiffness when moving, since the muscles cannot fully contract and perform their functions.

Arthrosis of the joints in the third stage of its development is extremely difficult to cure. More chances for success will be if you find a qualified specialist. Many people ask the question - which doctor treats arthrosis? In this case, you need to seek help from a rheumatologist. This is a narrow specialist who deals with the treatment of dystrophic and inflammatory diseases of the connective tissue and joints, such as arthrosis and arthritis.

Complications

If you do not start treating arthrosis in the early stages of its development, then this can lead to the following consequences:

  • complete destruction of the joint;
  • it will become almost impossible to carry out various movements;
  • herniated vertebral discs;
  • disability of a person;
  • complete deformation of the joint;
  • the patient's standard of living will decrease.

Treatment

The question of how to treat arthrosis is asked by every person who has shown the first signs of the disease. The easiest way to do this is in the early stages of the development of the pathological process, until the violations become irreversible. The essence of therapeutic measures is to remove the root causes of the development of arthrosis, and eliminate inflammation in the joints.

Treatment of arthrosis should only be comprehensive. It includes taking medications (tablets, mixtures) that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Physiotherapy procedures are also required.

Principles of arthrosis treatment:

  • eliminate excessive stress on the joints;
  • therapy with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving pills. Also, in complex therapy, chondroprotectors are actively used for arthrosis;
  • physiotherapy;
  • spa treatment;
  • magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy;
  • intra-articular oxygen therapy;
  • intraosseous blockade;
  • it is important to choose the right nutrition for arthrosis.

Drug treatment

How to treat arthrosis with medication? This question is most common among patients. Treatment is carried out using three groups of drugs:

intra-articular injection into the joint for arthrosis
  • hormonal corticosteroids.Effective for arthrosis in the acute stage. Introduction - intra-articular. The tablets are less effective in this case;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs.They are used to reduce inflammation in the joint, as well as relieve pain. Doctors do not recommend that patients take pills, as they irritate the stomach lining to some extent. Therefore, they are most often injected into a vein or muscle;
  • chondroprotectors for arthrosis.They are used to restore the structure of cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is most often prescribed, since this drug is highly effective. The use of chondroprotectors for arthrosis gives positive results in the first stages of the development of the pathological process.

Folk recipes

Most people these days do not want to take pills or injections. Therefore, they ask the question - how to cure arthrosis with the help of folk remedies? For the most part, such funds are aimed at increasing the tone of the body, improving blood circulation, relieving pain and increasing immunity. Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies is most effective in the early stages of the development of the pathological process. For the treatment of this disease, recipes are used based on the following plants:

  • ginger;
  • Kalanchoe;
  • celery seeds;
  • castor oil seeds;
  • cinnamon;
  • turmeric;
  • horsetail.

Tinctures of bay leaf, horseradish, garlic and rye grains are also considered effective. Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies will be most effective if combined with treatment with medications.

Nutrition for arthrosis

The diet for arthrosis has its own specifics. It is especially important to monitor your diet during an exacerbation of the disease. Do not overeat too much, as the body weight and load on the affected joint will increase. But you also can't sit hungry. Cartilage must receive the required amount of micronutrients.

The diet for arthrosis is aimed at reducing excess weight. Therefore, carbohydrates should be removed from the diet. Sweet, flour, alcoholic drinks are completely excluded.

Fish dishes can be included in the daily diet. Preference should be given to low-fat varieties. The leading role in the treatment of arthrosis is assigned to everyone's favorite dish - jellied meat. Many doctors recommend using it, as it is a real panacea for joints. It contains all the necessary trace elements. But the most important component of the dish is natural collagen.

jellied meat in the treatment of arthrosis

Nutrition for arthrosis should be regular. It is important to eat in portions. The daily menu should include foods rich in B vitamins. They are necessary for the regulation of metabolism.

If you stick to a diet for arthrosis, then you can achieve a significant improvement in the general condition.

Basic nutritional principles:

  • the menu must be completely balanced;
  • heavy food should not be eaten at night. You can provoke an attack of arthrosis;
  • if the disease is not in an exacerbation stage, then it is better to walk a little after eating;
  • food should be fractional;
  • you need to constantly monitor your weight and prevent it from increasing;
  • if pills are prescribed, then it is necessary to clearly regulate their intake and consumption of food (take them before or after meals).

A diet for arthrosis helps not only to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, but also to improve the condition of the joints.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of arthrosis begins with proper nutrition. It is necessary to try to reduce the intake of salt, as well as food that can disrupt metabolism. These include legumes, fatty meats, and alcohol. The diet includes cabbage, herbs and fish.

For the prevention of arthrosis, it is necessary to attend physical education classes, do warm-ups. If possible, it is better to walk a few kilometers on foot. It is also important to monitor your weight and prevent weight gain, as this will put additional stress on sore joints. It is not recommended to take pills for the purpose of losing weight, as they can disrupt the metabolism in the body.