Arthrosis is a pathology that occurs in the joint as a result of the destruction of the cartilage tissue that covers the head of the bone that enters the joint. Osteoarthritis can develop in the joints of the limbs and spine, especially often the disease affects the knee joint (gonarthrosis) and the hip joint (coxarthrosis).
It is also important to understand what arthrosis is so as not to exacerbate the progression of the disease with measures not taken properly.
Causes of arthrosis
Basically, the cause of joint arthrosis is associated with the aging of cartilage cells, therefore arthrosis disease in most cases is diagnosed in the elderly. Excessive stress also leads to premature aging of the joints. Athletes and people who are constantly engaged in hard physical work are also at risk.
In addition, the causes leading to arthrosis are often associated with inadequate nutrition of the joints or slow metabolism in them. This can be due to joint injury or impaired blood supply to the periarticular tissues.
Destruction of cartilage tissue can also trigger diseases such as psoriasis, in this case, the doctor observes a certain form of psoriatic arthrosis: the skin of the diseased joint is covered with psoriatic plaques, the skin becomes gray.
Prolonged inflammation (arthritis of the joints) can cause arthrosis of the joints; a prolonged inflammatory process in the joints without proper treatment threatens a complicated form of deformed arthrosis.
Being overweight can also be a cause of the development of this disease, because the more weight, the greater the constant load on the joints.
Studies also show that genetic factors are sufficient for the occurrence of arthrosis. So, for example, the disease of arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands in women occurs 10 times more often.
symptoms
Frequent symptoms that indicate the occurrence of joint arthrosis are pain syndrome and stiffness of movement.
Pain syndrome with arthrosis in most cases occurs at the time of load on the joints, and during rest, the discomfort disappears. Also, pain can occur with sudden movements or rounds, while it is short-lived and reappears only with subsequent awkward movements. These signs of arthrosis are reason enough to see a doctor right away.
At a later stage, the pain syndrome can become permanent. In addition, over time, symptoms such as cramps in the joints and a feeling of muscle tension around the joints may appear. Skin rashes in the joint area characterize psoriatic arthrosis.
Types of arthrosis
Depending on which joint part of the body is affected, arthrosis is:
- hip joints;
- knee joints;
- hands;
- backbone;
- stop.
Psoriatic arthrosis mostly affects the knee joints and hand joints.
There are four stages of arthrosis, the fourth stage is also called deformed arthrosis, when pathological changes in the joint become irreversible, the joint itself is practically destroyed and ceases to perform its function.
If the pathology has affected several joints at the same time, polyarthrosis is diagnosed.
Psoriatic arthrosis is diagnosed when the symptoms of common arthrosis are complemented by a specific skin rash.
Diagnostics
It is almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis, and even more so to prescribe adequate treatment on your own. The most likely way is to see a doctor. Modern diagnostic methods allow specialists to use the most optimal direction of treatment.
The main types of diagnostics
- X-ray: picture shows the degree of deformation of the joint;
- laboratory tests: confirmation of the presence of pathological processes in the joints will be an increase in ESR in the blood;
- synovial fluid analysis and histological examination of the synovium: allows the doctor to determine the presence of pathological formation in the joint.
Also, the doctor should examine and feel the affected joint. So, visual examination will reveal signs of psoriatic arthrosis. Only an integrated approach to the study of test results can provide a true picture of the disease and confirm the diagnosis.
The onset and course of the disease
The onset of arthrosis, as a rule, is not noticed by the patient, the pain in the first stages of the disease is almost invisible and does not bring any significant concern. The first thing a patient usually feels is discomfort after a long rest, for example, short -term stiffness of the joints in the morning. Over time, a link between physical activity and pain in the joints begins to be detected. Mild pain with energy begins to increase. At a later stage, the pain can also bother during the rest period, at night. Pain sensations in arthrosis vary in their frequency, increasing during the period of deterioration, they may not appear at all during the period of remission.
For the most part, patients go to the doctor when there is already a very pronounced pain syndrome and limited movement, which makes it impossible to lead a normal life. Further stages of arthrosis are also indicated by symptoms such as lameness and subluxation of the joints, the occurrence of which is associated with the presence of large defects in the joints and deterioration of cartilage tissue.
Treatment
The earlier therapy is started, the more chance that the joint will begin to function fully again, although modern medicine does not talk about the complete disappearance of the disease. A key factor in the treatment of arthrosis is its complexity and consistency. Physicians need to take into account many different factors: the stage of the disease, the specifics of the clinical picture, the cause of its occurrence, and take into account how much the function of the musculoskeletal system is affected. If acute arthrosis is diagnosed, then treatment begins with the appointment of pain-relieving medications.
Treatment occurs in three stages:
- Relieves tension from the joints.
- Relieves synovitis.
- Remedial and preventive measures aimed at slowing the further progression of the disease.
In each case, an individual approach is required. Drugs affect each organism with varying levels of effectiveness, in addition, the tolerance and side effects of the drug must be taken into account. In many cases, the disease develops against the background of an infection already present in the body. So in case of psoriatic arthrosis, steps are taken to eliminate psoriasis.