Osteoarthritis refers to degenerative changes in the joints that begin with a breakdown of cartilage tissue and, over time, lead to limited or complete loss of mobility.The disease is more susceptible to older people, but it also develops in people under 40 years old.The prevalence of the diagnosis is high - about 20% of the world's population, of which up to 80% in patients over 70 years old.
How does the disease develop?
To understand what osteoarthritis is (an alternative name is osteoarthritis), you need to understand how a joint works.A joint made up 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 and thus prevents friction and premature wear of the joint surfaces.Cartilage tissue, in turn, acts as a shock absorber.In individual joints, its functions are supplemented by menisci or intervertebral discs.
The main cause of degenerative changes in osteoarthritis is the discrepancy between external influences and the resistance of the joint.The role of a provoking factor can play:
- age, injury, obesity;
- lack of nutrients;
- excessive physical activity;
- inflammatory processes;
- genetic diseases;
- autoimmune reactions etc.
Osteoarthritis in older adults is usually the result of the natural aging process and wear and tear of bone structures.This is why it is diagnosed in every third person after 50 years and in every second person after 70 years.Also, accelerated destruction of certain joints is typical for representatives of a number of professions: mechanics, loaders, weavers, ballerinas, etc.
Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the cartilage tissue becomes damaged and becomes thinner.This causes the bones to shift and begin to rub against each other, causing noticeable discomfort.The process is accompanied by inflammation and swelling.The articular surfaces are deformed, the lost cartilage tissue is replaced by bone spines and growths that impede movement and lead to disability.In such cases, only a strong painkiller can permanently relieve the pain.
Types of osteoarthritis
Destructive processes within joints are called primary when the cause of their occurrence is unknown, and secondary when they develop against the background of certain diseases and conditions.Acute osteoarthritis is associated with infection and stress factors and is characterized by a rapid progression.The chronic form develops gradually and threatens to limit physical activity if therapy is refused.In addition, the type of disease is determined by the place of its development.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
They are accompanied by pain in the groin area that spreads to the surface of the thigh and occasionally affects the lower leg area.In the early stages there are difficulties in walking, climbing stairs and long walks - lameness.As a result, it becomes difficult for a person to do basic things related to the load on the painful joint: putting on shoes, getting on a bike, tying shoelaces, walking without crutches.The muscles atrophy, the leg shortens and pain occurs in the lower back and knee.Without treatment, the likelihood of disability is high.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis)
The disease, which is often diagnosed in women, is severe and is associated with obesity and varicose veins.In bad weather, when climbing stairs or during physical activity, knee problems increase.As the disease progresses, flexion-extension movements become impaired, limb deformations, signs of inflammation and swelling occur.Knee osteoarthritis is often confused with meniscus damage, which is characterized by a more rapid development.
Osteoarthritis of the spine
A common form of degenerative joint processes that can be triggered by high loads or mineral deficiencies as well as by a number of diseases of the vertebrae.The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that the symptoms are masked as clinical manifestations of other pathologies.Osteoarthritis of the spine can develop in different areas: in the thoracic, lumbar, cervical and sacral areas.Accordingly, the symptoms and names will be different.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint
It is often a result of domestic or professional injuries, obesity or ligament problems.It begins with pain and swelling in the ankle area, which increases after physical exertion and long walking.Grinding and limited mobility may be present and progress as degenerative processes progress.Diagnosis is complicated by edema, which is associated with other diseases: diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (oarthrosis)
Most often caused by a dislocation, a strong blow or a fracture.There is an aching pain that radiates to the lower part of the extremity and is particularly troubling at night.As the cartilage deteriorates, difficulty occurs with abduction, rotation, and other movements of the arm.The disease must be differentiated from heart problems and spinal diseases, which have similar manifestations.
Osteoarthritis of the ankles
Both large and small joints of the foot are affected.It is not uncommon for a destructive process to develop in the thumb area, which is why it is confused with gout.The trigger is usually not foot damage, but rather the wrong choice of shoes in combination with flat feet.When space is limited, the joint area becomes injured, thickens, becomes inflamed and loses mobility.
Osteoarthritis of the joints and fingers
Damage to small joints is usually diverse and develops on both hands.The process is usually associated with changes in hormone levels and is therefore often seen in menopausal women.In the acute stage, the joints swell, are red and nodules can form.Gradually the pain subsides, but the deformities of the fingers increase and mobility is lost.
Injuries and pinched nerves in the hand area can lead to degenerative processes in the wrist.A prerequisite is often tunnel syndrome, which causes blood circulation to suffer.Rhizarthrosis, which is caused by stress on the base of the thumb, also often occurs.The pain is moderate with this form of osteoarthritis, but there can be limited mobility and grinding when exerted.
Osteoarthritis of the jaw joint
Often occurs against the background of dental problems, autoimmune and endocrine diseases.The trigger is often chronic stress, which leads to muscle tension and spasmodic clenching of the teeth and impairs the nutrition of the joint capsule.The disease is accompanied by discomfort in the jaw area and can lead to dizziness, hearing problems, sleep disorders and facial symmetry.
Among the large lesions, the most common are gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Of the small joints, the joints of the hands and spine are most commonly affected.Degenerative processes in the area of the patellar, clavicle, talonavicular and elbow joints are observed much less frequently.They are usually caused by injuries or specific stresses, especially in professional sports or when working with monotonous movements.
Other types of osteoarthritis
Another classification of the disease is associated with the nature of the destructive processes and the reasons that provoke them.If degenerative changes are accompanied by consequences of injury, this is referred to as post-traumatic osteoarthritis.When autoimmune diseases become the factor that triggers the breakdown of cartilage tissue, rheumatoid and psoriatic forms are distinguished.
If the disease affects a joint, it is called localized osteoarthritis.If several joints are affected, it is called polyarthrosis (or generalized osteoarthritis).The progressive form of the disease refers to the rapid destruction of cartilage, which develops within a few years.If the process is accompanied by bone growth and affects ligaments and surrounding tissues, deforming osteoarthritis is diagnosed.
Stages of osteoarthritis
Degenerative processes in the joint develop gradually and over time lead to complete thinning and destruction of the cartilage.Initial changes are only noticeable at the cellular level, but as the degree of osteoarthritis increases, the clinical symptoms become more noticeable.Their type, as well as X-ray indicators, form the basis for classifying the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 1
Accompanied by minor changes in bone and cartilage tissue.They are still poorly visible on ultrasound and X-ray examinations, but are visible on CT.With significant stress, short-term pain, swelling and movement in the affected area are somewhat limited.There is a certain narrowing of the joint space and a sharpening of the bone edges.At this stage, the disease responds well to drug therapy.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 2
Destructive processes are progressing.The photos show a significant narrowing of the joint space, the cartilage damage reaches 50%.The pain is still moderate but becomes permanent.Symptoms characteristic of each type of osteoarthritis occur, such as lameness, limited mobility, grinding, fluid accumulation in the joint cavity, etc.Treatment of joint arthrosis at this stage of the disease makes it possible to slow down destructive changes.
Osteoarthritis of the joint stage 3
The disease leads to the complete destruction of the cartilage.As the bones grow, the joint surfaces expand significantly and the gap practically disappears.Cavities, cystic formations and deformities may occur.Bone loss begins and the muscle fibers next to the joint become thinner.Flexion and rotation movements are restricted.The pain is intense.Without treatment, the processes of fusion and ossification of the joint structures begin, which are accompanied by a complete loss of mobility.The patient loses the ability to care for themselves and requires constant care.
Early degrees of osteoarthritis respond well to drug therapy, which allows you to maintain as much mobility as possible and stop degenerative processes.In advanced cases, relief of the disease is possible only with the help of physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers.In some cases, the only treatment option is surgery.