First, let's define what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis or arthrosis is a joint disease in which the cartilage tissue on the inter-articular 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 in 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 joint);
- 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 above it changes (redness appears). In some cases, the temperature rises.
There are four degrees of the disease (according to some sources only 3)
- In the first degree, the presence of problems in the joint can be determined by the presence of crunch, numbness and accompanying pain. However, the body temperature does not rise, swelling does not appear. It is recommended to start the treatment already at 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. Reduced 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 atmospheric conditions. The joints can completely fail and the person becomes incapacitated.
- 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 different types of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
Symptoms of the disease are characterized by pain or a simple feeling of pulling 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 minor effort. The patient begins to limp, trying to reduce the load on the inflamed organ. Movements become increasingly limited. As the disease progresses, there is atrophy of the thigh muscles and shortening of the affected limb.
Depending on the degree of the disease, the treatment can be with or without surgical intervention (III-IV degree).
Naturally, the earlier the disease is diagnosed and appropriate treatment is started, the less likely the disease will progress and the patient will maintain a high quality of life.
So, in the initial stage (I and II stages), 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 with excess weight, of course). It is also important to eat vegetables and fruits to supply the body with vitamins and minerals. Saturation with proteins, which are the basis of any connective tissue, is a priority, so dairy and bean products, jelly, low-fat jelly should be included in the diet.
The patient may be prescribed a course of acupuncture and physiotherapy, which, in addition to the already mentioned gymnastics, may include underwater massage, thermal therapy, hydro- and balneotherapy, electrotherapy. Orthopedic structures can be used (use of a cane when walking, wedge pillows, lifting seats, orthoses).
Medicines prescribed to the patient in the treatment of this disease (I-II degree):
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are designed to relieve pain in the groin and thigh, not directly to treat joints;
- chondroprotectors. Medicines contribute to the restoration of the structure of the damaged cartilage 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 the body often protects the joint from further destruction.
- ointments and creams. Intended to alleviate the patient's condition, but not for treatment.
- drugs for injection into a diseased organ. They are rarely used to relieve 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 grown. If everything is done correctly, the movement of the diseased organ is partially restored and the spasm decreases. However, the technique is quite long (up to 15 procedures per year) and must be comprehensive, i. e. accompanied by drugs and other types of treatment.
The doctor performs manipulation using a sharp single movement, which brings immediate relief to the patient, but this technique is effective in the initial stages of the disease in combination with other methods of treatment.
Surgical intervention is performed in the last stages of the disease. Different types of operations can be used, which depend on the specifics of the disease. This is how joint-preserving surgeries are performed with corrective osteotomies of the proximal femur and pelvis. Hip closure operations and joint replacement operations (or arthroplasty).
Arthrosis of the feet
It is possible to define 2 types of deforming arthrosis of the legs: primary and secondary. Primary is characterized by the absence of visible causes for the development of the disease and is considered genetic. Secondary arthrosis of the feet develops against the background of some disease (for example, flat feet) or injuries.
Arthrosis of the joints of the feet is a general definition for diseases of the ankle (arthrosis of the foot) and gonarthrosis. Symptoms and treatment of joint diseases of the legs (foot and knee) are discussed below.
Osteoarthritis of the foot: what are the symptoms and how to treat it
Symptoms are characterized by crunching in the ankle, pain when walking that disappears at rest, limited joint mobility, swelling of the legs and redness of the skin in the joints, as well as atrophy of the adjacent muscles. The joints of the toes are most often affected. Osteoarthritis of the foot is diagnosed with an X-ray.
The treatment of arthrosis of the foot, as well as of the hip joint, can be operative and non-surgical. Non-surgical methods include (in the initial stages of the disease):
- orthopedic shoes or the use of orthopedic insoles in comfortable shoes,
- shoes with a low heel (3-4 cm),
- physical therapy,
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- special therapeutic gymnastics.
If the arthrosis of the foot has reached II-III degree, analgesics can be prescribed and surgical intervention can 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 the affected joints.
Physiotherapy includes foot massage, healing baths, infrared laser therapy, UV rays, UHF therapy, magnetic and ultrasound therapy.
Surgical treatment methods can be:
- arthrodesis, in which there is a rigid fixation of the diseased area,
- arthroplasty, when the affected joint is repaired with surgery,
- endoprosthesis - completely replace the diseased joint with an artificial one.
Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis of the knee
As with other types of osteoarthritis, the symptoms of emerging knee cartilage disease are mild pain during exertion that disappears at rest. The knee may swell. It often occurs after fractures and dislocations of the legs.
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 medical procedures:
- ozone therapy as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent,
- kinesitherapy is the performance of special exercises to improve the elasticity of ligaments and blood circulation,
- taking homeopathic medicines.
Treatment of arthrosis by folk methods
Of course, folk remedies should not be taken as a panacea for such a serious disease as arthrosis. But in combination with the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies will speed up recovery.
- To relieve painful symptoms, it is possible to use cabbage juice, in which a natural piece of 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 fresh.
- Compresses are also made from a whole cabbage leaf smeared with honey. We apply the greased side to the joint, wrap it with cellophane film and wrap it warmly. We leave it all night.
- To relieve the symptoms of arthrosis of the feet, crushed white chalk or eggshells and kefir are mixed to obtain a homogeneous mass, which is applied to the foot at night in the form of a compress. The calcium contained in these products improves blood flow and accordingly relieves pain and swelling.
- Oatmeal compress also helps to reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the joints. For a compress, it is necessary to cook a thick paste, cool it, wrap it in a towel and apply it to the sore spot overnight. You can only use once, then brew fresh.
- To ease the pain, you can prepare a mouthwash. To do this, add 1 tablespoon to a cup of boiling water. l olive oil and half a teaspoon of grated garlic. It should be taken 2 times a day when pain occurs.
Once again, we note that the main thing is to treat arthrosis comprehensively and in a timely manner in order to avoid serious complications and surgical intervention.