First, let's define what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a joint disease in which the cartilage tissue of the interarticular surfaces is damaged. At the same time, not only articular cartilages are involved in the pathological process, but also ligaments, synovial membrane, periarticular muscles.
Arthrosis can be of two forms: localized, in which one of the joints is affected (arthrosis of the foot, knee joint, etc. ), and generalized. The types of this disease depend on the affected joint and are:
- coxarthrosis (or hip);
- gonarthrosis (or knee);
- arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joints (Heberd's nodes);
- damage to the proximal interphalangeal joints;
- polyosteoarthritis of the joints of the hands (Kelgen's disease);
- shoulder arthrosis;
- spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- arthrosis of the ankle (arthrosis of the foot).
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- pain and deformity
- "dry" crunch in the joint,
- reduced mobility (due to reduced joint space and muscle spasm around the inflamed joint).
The joint may swell, the color of the skin on it changes (redness appears). In some cases, the temperature rises.
There are four degrees of the disease (according to some sources, only 3)
- At the first degree, the presence of joint problems can be determined by the presence of crunching, tingling, and accompanying pain. However, the body temperature does not rise, swelling does not occur. It is recommended to start treatment already from the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- In the second degree of development of the disease, there are visible changes. There is constant fatigue and a feeling of pressure on the affected area, which increases with physical exertion. Decreased joint mobility.
- The third degree is accompanied by symptoms of constant severe pain in the joints (even at rest). There is an increased sensitivity to weather conditions. The joints can fail completely and the person becomes incapable.
- The fourth degree of the disease is the presence of constant severe pain, in which powerful drugs are powerless.
Read more about the symptoms and treatment of various types of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Symptoms of the disease are characterized by pain or just a tearing sensation in the groin, especially in the evening, after physical activity during the day. Unpleasant sensations pass quickly. However, if not treated in time, the pain becomes longer and more intense even with less effort. The patient begins to limp, trying to reduce the load on the inflamed organ. The movement becomes more and more constrained. With the progression of the disease, atrophy of the thigh muscles and shortening of the diseased limb occur.
Depending on the degree of the disease, treatment can be with or without surgery (grade III-IV).
Of course, the earlier the disease is diagnosed and appropriate treatment is initiated, the less likely it is for the disease to progress and the patient to maintain a high quality of life.
So, in the initial stages (I and II), various drugs, special gymnastics, manual therapy and a mandatory diet in such cases will help. The diet is aimed at reducing the patient's weight in order to reduce the load on the joints (if there is a problem of overweight, of course). It is also important to eat fruits and vegetables to provide the body with vitamins and minerals. Protein saturation, which is the basis of any connective tissue, is a priority, so dairy and legume products, jelly, low-fat jelly should be included in the diet.
The patient can be prescribed a course of acupuncture and physiotherapy, which, in addition to the gymnastics already mentioned above, can include underwater massage, thermal therapy, hydro and balneotherapy, electrotherapy. Orthopedic structures can be used (use of a cane while walking, wedge cushions, lift seats, orthoses).
Medicines prescribed to the patient in the treatment of this disease (I-II degrees):
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. These medicines are designed to relieve pain in the groin and hip, not directly to heal the joints;
- chondroprotectors. Drugs contribute to the restoration of the damaged cartilage structure of the joint and nourish the cartilage, i. e. intended for the treatment of joints;
- Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasm. It should be used with caution, as often the body thus protects the joint from greater destruction.
- ointments and creams. Intended for relieving the patient's condition, but not for treatment.
- drugs for injection into a diseased organ. They are rarely used to eliminate pain.
Manual therapy is the application of one of two methods. During mobilization, the doctor performs a slight extension of the hip joint, in which the bones that articulate with each other are bred. If everything is done correctly, the movement of the diseased organ is partially restored and the spasm decreases. However, the technique is quite lengthy (up to 15 procedures per year) and must be complete, i. e. be accompanied by drugs and other types of treatment.
The doctor performs the manipulation with the help of a single sharp movement, which brings immediate relief to the patient, however, this technique is effective in the initial stages of the disease in combination with other methods of treatment.
Surgical intervention is performed in the late stages of the disease. Various types of operations can be used, which depend on the specifics of the disease. Therefore, joint rescue operations are performed with corrective osteotomies of the proximal femur and pelvis. Hip joint closure surgery and joint replacement surgery (or arthroplasty).
Arthrosis of the legs
It is possible to designate 2 types of deforming arthrosis of the legs: primary and secondary. The primary is characterized by the absence of visible causes of the development of the disease and is considered genetic. Secondary arthrosis of the legs develops against the background of any disease (for example, flat feet) or injuries.
Leg joint osteoarthritis is a general definition for ankle diseases (foot osteoarthritis) and gonarthrosis. Symptoms and treatment of leg joint disease (foot and knee) are discussed below.
Foot osteoarthritis: what are the symptoms and how to treat it
Symptoms are characterized by a crunch in the ankle, aching pain when walking, which disappears at rest, limited joint mobility, swelling of the feet and redness of the skin of the joints, as well as atrophy of the adjacent muscles. Most often, the joints of the toes are affected. Foot osteoarthritis is diagnosed by x-ray.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the foot, as well as of the hip joint, can be surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical methods include (in the early stages of the disease):
- orthopedic footwear or use of orthopedic insoles in comfortable footwear,
- low heel in shoes (3-4 cm),
- Physiotherapy,
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- special medical gymnastics.
If osteoarthritis of the foot has reached grade II-III, analgesics may be prescribed and surgery may be performed.
It is also important to follow a diet for overweight patients (to reduce the load on the joints of the legs). Shoes should be comfortable, with low heels and not restrict movement.
Medicines are needed to relieve pain and help regenerate cartilage in affected joints.
Physiotherapy includes foot massage, therapeutic baths, infrared laser therapy, UV radiation, UHF therapy, magnetic and ultrasound therapy.
Methods of surgical treatment can be:
- arthrodesis, in which there is rigid fixation of the diseased area,
- arthroplasty, when the affected joint is restored with surgery,
- endoprosthesis: completely replace the diseased joint with an artificial one.
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms and treatment
As with other types of osteoarthritis, symptoms of emerging knee cartilage disease are mild pain on exertion, which disappears at rest. The knee may swell. It often occurs after leg fractures and dislocations.
A characteristic crunch occurs at stage II of the disease and is accompanied by pain. There is also a limitation of joint mobility, fluid accumulation is possible.
Treatment includes medications and healing procedures:
- ozone therapy as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent,
- kinesitherapy is the performance of special exercises to improve the elasticity of the ligaments and blood circulation,
- taking homeopathic medicines.
Treatment of arthrosis in folk ways
Of course, folk remedies should not be taken as a panacea for such a serious disease as osteoarthritis. But in combination with the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies will accelerate recovery.
- To relieve painful symptoms, you can use cabbage juice, in which a piece of natural wool is soaked and then compresses are made every night. It is necessary to use cabbage juice within three days, after which it is necessary to make it fresh.
- The wraps are also made with a whole cabbage leaf, smeared with honey. We apply the stained side to the joint, wrap it with cellophane film and wrap it warmly. We leave it all night.
- To alleviate the symptoms in osteoarthritis of the legs, crushed white chalk or egg shells and kefir are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is applied to the foot at night in the form of a compress. The calcium contained in these products improves blood flow and, as a result, relieves pain and swelling.
- Oatmeal wrap also helps reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the joints. For a compress, you need to cook thick porridge, cool it, wrap it in a cloth and apply it to the sore spot overnight. You can only use it once, so prepare fresh.
- To relieve pain, you can make an oral drink. To do this, add 1 tablespoon to a glass of boiling water. L. olive oil and half a teaspoon of grated garlic. It should be taken 2 times a day when pain occurs.
Again, we note that the main thing is to treat osteoarthritis comprehensively and in a timely manner, in order to avoid serious complications and surgical interventions.