A large number of systemic pathologies can lead to a significant decrease in the quality of life, the complete loss of performance and even severe disability.The diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system occur not only in old age.Each case of 2-3 is observed in working patients.The most dangerous and poorly susceptible to correction is osteoarthritis.
This degenerative disease is accompanied by slimming of cartilage in large and small joints, which leads to a decrease in the amplitude of movements and the pronounced pain when trying to perform them.It is possible to prevent serious consequences only as a result of the appointment of adequate treatment in the early stages of disease development.In this article we will discover the causes of development, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, modern diagnostic methods and the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The prevalence of osteoarthritis
Paying attention to statistical indicators, it can be found that osteoarthritis is a very relevant disease, and every year the frequency of its occurrence is only growing.According to the World Health Organization, the pathology is observed in seven percent of the planet's population.This puts it in the first place in the detection frequency compared to other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Arthrosis is a chronic disease of the articulations of non -inflammatory etiology, which leads to deformations in the affected areas
It is often observed the degeneration of the cartilage in young people, more often it can be found in men.In girls, interface osteoarthritis is often detected.After reaching the age of fifty, the frequency of the lesion and the location of the approach become approximately the same for representatives of both sexes and is approximately 60%.
From the data presented, it can be understood that it is extremely important to identify the pathology in the early stages for the most effective pharmacological therapy.Otherwise, the treatment of launched osteoarthritis will be inaccessible for most elderly patients in relation to the financial component.
Causes and risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis
The frequency of occurrence of the joint disease presented has led to the fact that the problem is acute in the medical circles of highly developed countries.Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in studies in osteoarthritis through leading clinics annually.The gradual study of the problem made it possible to discover the pathogenesis of the process and the factors that can increase the probability of the occurrence of the disease.
The modern and more complete classification of joint degeneration will be presented below, at this stage it is sufficient to understand that primary and secondary forms are distinguished.
The reasons that can lead to the development of a secondary joint disease include the following:
- Congenital changes associated with the blood supply to the joint joints;
- cartilage injury, ligament apparatus or bone growth areas;
- violations associated with metabolism, especially with a mineral link;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- infections that affect bone tissue;
- hemophilia.

Primary osteoarthritis is an independent disease, it can be developed as a result of the influence of such provocative factors:
- senile age;
- the presence of excess body weight;
- excessive physical activity;
- Surgical interventions in the joint;
- genetic predisposition;
- insufficient food intake and other minerals;
- chronic poisoning;
- Long and frequent stay at low temperatures;
- Frequent bone joint injury.
The mechanism of development of osteoarthritis
The normal bone joint consists of two or more heads of the joint, ligament, cartilage and synovial fluid.All these structures provide mobility in a certain area of the painless musculoskeletal system, also allow the load obtained by walking and jumping, dispersing it without causing harm to the body.
The osteoarthritis of the joints belongs to a group of diseases with poleetiological origin.This means that more frequently the cause of development is the influence of a whole complex of triggers, which include professional, overweight, elderly and malnutrition damage.Pathogenesis is that certain influences lead to significant deterioration in the blood supply and lymphatic flow from the specified area.
In addition, chondrocytes lose the ability of rapid regeneration and products of a normal amount of intra -articular fluid, which reduces the friction of surfaces during movement.Little by little, the cartilage becomes rough and begins to wash under the influence of pressure during the movements of the active body.

Gradually, the compensatory tissue capabilities are exhausted and gradually erased a layer of chondrocytes.When the degeneration reaches the bones, the pronounced pain develops and mobility decreases significantly.Without adequate treatment, the patient can completely lose the ability of active movements and even to keep their needs independently.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The person does not find out what osteoarthritis is, the disease begins gradually and is not shown in the initial stages.Over time, the patient points to the appearance of mild pain without a certain location, which is improved in the context of significant physical effort.The growing degeneration leads to the fact that the pains appear with minor movements and obtain a clear location.
Less notable symptoms of developing osteoarthritis include:
- "Pain" pains in case of weather;
- Crunch when moves;
- rigidity in the morning;
- muscle cramps.
With a deep cartilage lesion, there are signs that indicate local inflammation, such as swelling, skin redness and a local increase in temperature.If a person does not seek the help of a doctor, the symptoms progress and begin to appear not only in the context of physical exercises, but also at rest.
The thinning of a layer of chondrocytes leads to the deformation of the joints and a violation of the normal functioning of the limb.When feeling the pathological approach, the patient will notice the points of the greatest pain.In addition, the cartilage lip will be significantly thickened along its edge, which will indicate compensatory hypertrophy.

Pain
A lot of violations in the field of bone joints leads to certain difficulties in the differential diagnostic process.However, when evaluating the nature of pain, the arthrosis of arthritis of another etiology can be distinguished.In the described state, painful sensations are produced, as a rule, when trying to make active movements.Its intensity will gradually increase when trying to increase the load in the damaged joint.
The clinical image described corresponds to the first stage of the process.In the second and third stage of progression, the pains appear even in a complete rest state, it can stop them only giving a comfortable position for the limb.The difference between arthritis is the constant presence of pain, which does not disappear when the position is changed, and also intensifies at night.
Completeness of complete
The destruction of the natural structure of the cartilage causes the active proliferation of the condroblasts, but each polypotent cell in our body has a certain division limit.This phenomenon is called compensatory buffer.This means that after a certain amount of mitotic divisions, the cell dies and can no longer reproduce its own type.
After a while, this causes a change in the normal form of the joint gap, the appearance of the SO, called "Christ" or about growth in its light and recesses.This phenomenon only exacerbates the process, since the peaks formed during the destruction process cause additional damage during movement.
Due to the change in the softness of the articular surface, the appearance of tuberosity and irregularities, the amplitude of active and passive movements is significantly reduced.It is this symptom that makes the patient seek medical help.Unfortunately, at this stage, the effectiveness of drug treatment becomes too low, only the correction of surgical joints can correct the situation.

The characteristics include:
- high probability of developing "contracture" or complete disappearance of active and liabilities in the limb;
- The stock is observed throughout the day, and not only in the morning, as in arthritis;
- In some cases, the limb must fade manually to give it a more convenient position.
Sounds in the joint
Many have heard a "clear" characteristic sound when kneading the joints.There is a theory according to which this phenomenon is observed in a healthy person when the pressure in the bone joint capsule in the capsule changes, as a result, the density of the synovial fluid changes drastically and the gas bubbles, which are in it expand and explode quickly, creating a bark appearance.This phenomenon is not dangerous, but with osteoarthritis a similar sound appears as a result of other processes.
Crysta's cartilage was formed during the destruction of the articulation cartilage and the lip of the joint, which leads to the formation of cracks and the renewal of the ligament apparatus.Even an inexperienced person can distinguish the sound in the joint with osteoarthritis: it is more rough and "dry."The severity and volume of the described symptoms are directly proportional to the disease stage.
The details of the sounds in the articulation with osteoarthritis are:
- His presence only in the amazing articulation;
- Always accompanied by deterioration in mobility;
- Expense progresses in the posterior stages of the disease.

Change the appearance of the joint
In the initial stages of the development of osteoarthritis, the process does not lead to a change in the form of the bone joint.A remarkable change can only be observed with a careless illness, when a part of the joint is erased completely, and the other still produces cartilage cells.As a result, the pathological area increases significantly and loses its natural shape.The specified symptom is extremely unfavorable, since the presence of deformation in the region, for example, the knee joint or hip will invariably lead to changes in the area of the lower structures due to the displacement of the axis of the applied load.
Types and stages of osteoarthritis
The modern classification of osteoarthritis is quite branched, due to the vast list of the possible location of the pathological approach.
For the convenience of communication between specialists from several medical centers and even countries in the issue of diagnosis and treatment of this disease, the main ones are distinguished:
- Hand osteoarthritis;
- cervical;
- ankle;
- knee;
- polyartrosis;
- hip;
- backbone.

By establishing a diagnosis, a very important stage is exactly the exact determination of the stage of the destructive process.The stages of osteoarthritis development are distinguished:
Stage 1: There are no completely visible changes in the form of the joint, disturbances are observed in the biochemical composition of the intra -articular fluid, an insignificant pain syndrome appears, complemented by inflammatory manifestations in the joint.
Stage 2: A degenerative process in the cartilaginous fabric is observed, the "Christ" forms, the stiffness and the significant pain syndrome during the movements are joined.The distribution of the surrounding joint of the muscles is developed.
Stage 3: The presence of extensive foci of cartilage destruction is determined, the shape of the joint is changed, the amplitude of active and passive movements in the extremities is reduced significantly or completely absent.Often in patients at this stage, contractures are developed that completely stop movements in the affected area.
Complications
A process of uncontrolled destruction can lead to serious complications that, in addition to reducing the quality of life, leading to a complete disability to care independently.
The most difficult includes:
- Complete destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint;
- contracture;
- the appearance of hernial bumps in the intervertebral discs area;
- severe disability of the patient;
- Significant limb deformation.

Treatment of osteoarthritis
Unfortunately, many patients, unfortunately, learn what osteoarthritis is and how to treat it in those stages when a significant effect is no longer possible to achieve a significant effect.It is necessary to participate in the correction of the condition of the musculoskeletal system after the appearance of the first symptoms and a lifetime.This is due to the fact that the impact of the factors that contribute to the development of the disease is rarely possible to prevent.For example, age -related changes in blood supply and the lymphatic flow of the joint require the constant use of vascular drugs.Given pathogenesis, therapy must be complex and complete.To begin, after the appearance of unpleasant sensations when moving, consult a specialist of the rheumatological or traumatologist.The doctor, based on the diagnosis of laboratory and instrumental, will establish a precise diagnosis and solve the problem of prescribing proper treatment.
Drug treatment
In the early stages of osteoarthritis, you can correct the situation with the help of medicines.For this purpose, such medications are used:
- adrenal cortex hormones;
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- PREPARATIONS WITH CONDROPROTECTOR EFFECTS.
A complex influence allows the patient to save the pain, level the inflammatory process and restore the normal blood supply in the shortest possible time.

The last therapy
Advanced developments in the field of pharmacological treatment led to the creation of new medications, which are essentially substitutes for the natural synovial fluid.Developed molecules can significantly reduce the cartilage degeneration process, reduce pain and save the patient from inflammatory phenomena.The artificial synovial fluid is introduced directly into the joint bag every week.The duration of a treatment course is 3 to 5 weeks.In general, the result achieved is sufficient for the normal life of a person for 6-12 months.Patients claim that comfort and quality of life improve significantly.Unfortunately, this tactic is applicable only in relation to people with 1-2 arthrosis stage.
Surgical treatment
With severe damage to large joints, such as hip or knee, at a relatively early age up to 60 years, patients are offered an operation for a complete replacement of the joint.Today, ceramic and titanium transplants are used that can completely restore lost functions.These devices are strong enough and can provide the patient up to 20 years of life without any problem with replaced joint mobility.

Popular recipes
Non -traditional medicine is widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.This is due to the fact that after stopping an acute process, life therapy is required, aimed at restoring and maintaining the natural structure of the cartilage.To achieve the objectives, the products used must be safe and as natural as possible.
Compresses and lotions with a decoction of the following plants are very popular:
- ginger root;
- cinnamon;
- Kalachoe;
- turmeric;
- celery.
Diet with osteoarthritis
In the treatment of the pathology presented, it is extremely important to provide the body with a constant intake of nutrients.This can only be achieved if the fulfillment of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements of the diet in terms of protein content, fats.To compile the most appropriate energy circuit, you should seek help from a nutritionist.From the diet it is necessary to eliminate rapid carbohydrates and alcohol.The base of the table must be fish dishes, red meat and fresh fruits.
It is very important to comply with the following nutritional rules for osteoarthritis:
- balance;
- Eating 5-6 times a day in small portions;
- Do not eat after 19:00;
- Get rid of excess body weight.
Prevention
There is no specific prevention of osteoarthritis today, due to the poleetiological state.
You can notice the beginning of the disease by observing general recommendations:
- adequate nutrition;
- Moderate physical activity 2-3 times a week;
- standardization of body weight;
- frequent fractional nutrition;
- compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- Rejection of bad habits.
Conclusion
The pathological condition presented of the musculoskeletal system is often observed in older patients.It is necessary to increase the frequency of the early diagnosis of the disease, since only in this case it is possible to have a successful result of conservative treatment.The forecast for work capacity, subject to early identification and observance of all the doctor's recipes, is favorable.The presence of osteoarthritis of the third stage is accompanied by an unfavorable prognosis and can lead to the patient's complete inability to be served.
However, even the most serious form of the disease is adjusted with the help of surgical treatment, whose disadvantages are:
- trauma of the operation;
- high cost;
- long rehabilitation period;
- It cannot be applied to patients over 60 years.