A disease such as arthrosis most often occurs in elderly people.But taking into account the environment, lifestyle and human nutrition, this disease has become significantly younger.Now you can meet her even among 20-year-olds.To know how to prevent or prevent the development of this pathology, you need to understand what it is.
Arthrosis - what is it?
If we use simple expressions to describe the disease, it can be characterized as a disease of the articular cartilage.This leads to its destruction and disruption of functionality, as well as modification.Often, during the above processes, inflammation occurs in the joint capsule itself.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but the hip and knee joints are most commonly affected.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis - these are all other names for arthrosis.The disease, as mentioned previously, most frequently affects the elderly population.This is due to old age, which leads to disruption of the body's systems.But if a person is still far from gray hair and arthrosis has overtaken him, the following factors may be the reasons for this:
- damage, trauma to the musculoskeletal system.These include bruises, dislocations, tendon ruptures and other types of injuries;
- a congenital disease associated with underdevelopment of the joint.In other words, it is called joint dysplasia;
- improper metabolism in the body;
- drinking large quantities of carbonated drinks, which eliminate important microelements from bones;
- improper functioning of the thyroid gland, high blood sugar levels and other disruptions in the human endocrine system;
- hemorrhage in the joint capsule.
The causes of osteoarthritis are very broad.Therefore, in order to start timely treatment, it is best to consult a doctor who will combat not only the symptoms, but also the cause of the disease.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
The knee joint is usually affected first.Next comes the hip, and then the disease spreads to the joints of the big toes of the lower limb.Osteoarthritis rarely affects other joints.To understand whether this particular pathology exists, you need to know its symptoms.The significant symptoms of osteoarthritis include four components:
- At the initial stage of the disease, joint pain appears during intense movements or stress.They are often weakly expressed, because of this arthrosis begins.The second stage is characterized by pain that occurs with small loads on the damaged joint.In the third, the pain bothers you even when you are standing still.If a person has problems with the cardiovascular system, pain may occur during weather changes;
- In damaged joints, a dry, harsh grinding sound occasionally occurs.The consequence is friction between the articular surfaces.In the second and third stages, these sounds become more distinct.It is worth noting that the usual crunching in the joints, not accompanied by pain, does not indicate the presence of the disease and does not in any way affect its subsequent occurrence;
- muscle spasms occur, joint space decreases and bone growths appear.Because of this, the range of motion of the affected joint decreases;
- gradual modification of the joint.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis and arthritis have many similarities.Therefore, some people confuse these two concepts, or consider them to be the same.But thinking like that is a mistake.These are different diseases.The main difference is that in osteoarthritis the pain occurs when moving during the day.In arthritis, the pain does not depend on movement and appears at night.They are sharper and more intense.
Types of osteoarthritis
The species diversity of the disease is divided into two categories: by etymology and by the nature of the disease.Each of them contains a few more species, and then there is a specific division, which includes a large number of varieties.
By etymology
Based on the causes of occurrence, two groups of joint arthrosis are distinguished:
- Primary.It mainly occurs in patients under 40 years of age.In this case, the disease begins to develop without previous injuries or damage;
- Secondary.Osteoarthritis occurs for certain reasons, which include age-related changes in the body, disruption of the endocrine system, trauma, damage and a number of others.
According to the nature of the disease
In total, there are three stages of arthrosis.In this case, the person may experience mild, intermittent pain, which will not interfere with normal functioning.In this case, he may not seek medical help for several years.Other people may face a rapidly progressing disease: in just a month or two, one stage of osteoarthritis passes into another.Therefore, it is not possible to establish the transition time from the first phase to the next.
Stages of osteoarthritis:
- first stage.The pain is insignificant, weakly felt and appears only after intense stress on the joint.This is due to the fact that the synovial fluid and membrane inside the joint capsule change.
- second stage.The intra-articular cartilage is destroyed and primary deformations begin.Bone growths also appear at this stage.All of the above are accompanied by pain, even with small loads on the affected area.
- third stage.The last stage, in which the irreversible process of modifying the joint already takes place.At the same time, the length of the tendons decreases and muscle contractions become more difficult.Ultimately, the person loses the ability to work.
Since the consequences of advanced arthrosis do not promise anything pleasant, it is necessary to start treatment procedures on time.
Osteoarthritis treatment
To receive a treatment program that brings results, you need to contact a trusted specialist.He will study examinations, lifestyle, carry out appropriate diagnostics and prescribe the necessary medications, as well as additional treatment methods.these may include the following:
- physiotherapy:
- physiotherapy;
- spa treatment;
- adequate nutrition, among many others.
Often, soft joint development technology is used by means of short, viable loads on the damaged area.During this therapy, the joint experiences slight pain, which disappears the next day.If the pain becomes increasingly intense, you should reconsider the loading system used and adjust it.But don't stop development completely!
Osteoarthritis is a disease that has become widespread in modern society.Every year there are more and more people affected by the disease.This is due to the deteriorating environmental situation, poor nutrition and an increase in the number of injured people.But technologies are also being developed to help solve the problem of osteoarthritis.Therefore, the main thing is not to let the disease progress, carry out regular diagnoses and, if osteoarthritis is detected, immediately seek out a doctor who specializes in the subject.