Arthrosis

arthrosis of the joints of the toes

Arthrosis and arthritis are pathological processes in the human body, in which various joints are affected. Because of the similarity of these terms, many people are not aware of the difference between the two. But in fact, arthritis and arthrosis are not the same disease. And they have significant differences. It is important to study their main symptoms so that, if they appear, visit the hospital immediately. You also need to know which doctor treats arthrosis in order to use honey on time. expert.

Do not self -medicate. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.

Arthrosis of the joints is a complex degenerative disease associated with the destruction of cartilage tissue in the joints. This pathological process is the most common joint disease in the world. According to the latest statistics, about 80% of the world’s population suffers from the disease. But most people have no right idea about the arthrosis. With this disease, for a long time, various changes and rearrangements take place at the ends of the articular bones, and the inflammatory process develops. As a result, the periarticular tissue deteriorates.

Many people ask the same question - how does arthritis differ from arthrosis? Arthrosis is a pathology that results in damage to large and small joints. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the entire human body. The changes that take place in the body don’t just affect the joints. The most common diseases of arthritis are the heart and kidneys. If proper treatment is not carried out, then complications and even death can occur.

The likelihood of developing arthrosis or arthritis increases significantly at the age of 40-50. The disease affects women and men equally. The disease occurs in people who are healthy and have recently become younger (people over the age of 30 suffer from arthrosis). Therefore, it is very important to know what arthrosis is and how to treat this pathology properly.

Cause

Like arthritis, arthrosis occurs in the body due to metabolic failure in certain joints. This causes a loss of elasticity of cartilage tissue.

The cartilage located in the end joint can be destroyed due to disruption in hormone production, decreased blood supply to the joint, and injury. Also, some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause arthrosis.

Main reason:

  • history of limb injuries;
  • old age;
  • severe hypothermia;
  • the presence of inflammatory processes in large and small joints (arthritis and arthrosis are two concomitant diseases);
  • weight gain. In this case, there will be a constant additional load on the joint;
  • general intoxication of the body;
  • Frequent SARS, acute respiratory infections and influenza;
  • pathological processes in the thyroid gland;
  • hemophilia;
  • Perthes disease.

Arthrosis of the joints can also develop in a person as a result of genetic disorders - collagen mutations, dysplasia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of arthrosis appear immediately. The first sign of the development of pathological processes is severe pain when loading certain joints. The pain will subside when the joint is at rest. In medical circles, the following groups of arthrosis symptoms are distinguished:

  • sick.Acute pain only occurs when certain movements are made. Its localization is at the location of the affected joint. At night, there is almost no discomfort, because the joints are at rest. Pain in a calm state can manifest itself only during the development of arthrosis;
  • decreased joint mobility.This applies to arthrosis and arthritis. In the early stages of the disease, these symptoms do not cause much concern to the patient. But soon the muscles will start to spasm. The gap between the joints is almost completely gone;
  • difficulty.The reason for its appearance lies in the fact that due to this disease, the softness of bone rotation in the joints decreases. It sounds "dry";
  • deformity of the affected joint.This is due to the proliferation of osteophytes. This symptom is the last to appear. Treatment of arthrosis at this stage is the most difficult.

The stage of the disease

All these signs of arthrosis occur at different stages of disease development. In medical practice, three degrees are distinguished:

  • degree 1 arthrosis.The symptoms of arthrosis are not noticeable. Often, minor joint pain occurs during exercise or long walks. Pathological changes begin to occur in the fluid and synovium. Treatment of arthrosis at this stage is most effective;
  • grade 2 arthrosis.The joints are destroyed. Osteophytes are formed. Pain during exercise and movement becomes stronger, a special feature being heard in the affected joint;
  • degree 3 arthrosis.This is the most difficult stage in the development of the disease. There are pathological changes at the site of the diseased joint. Inflammation occurs. The patient feels cramps while moving, because the muscle is unable to fully contract and perform its function.

Arthrosis of the joints in the third stage of its development is very difficult to cure. More chances of success are if you find a qualified specialist. Many people ask the question - which doctor treats arthrosis? In this case, you need to seek help from a rheumatologist. These are narrow specialists who deal with the treatment of dystrophic and inflammatory diseases of the connective tissues and joints, such as arthrosis and arthritis.

Complications

If you do not start treating arthrosis in the early stages of its development, then this can lead to the following consequences:

  • complete joint destruction;
  • it is almost impossible to perform various movements;
  • herniated vertebral disc;
  • a person's disability;
  • complete joint deformation;
  • the patient's standard of living will decline.

Treatment

The question of how to treat arthrosis is asked by every person who has shown the first signs of the disease. The easiest way to do this is at an early stage of development of the pathological process, so that the violation becomes irreversible. The essence of therapeutic measures is to eliminate the root cause of the development of arthrosis, and eliminate inflammation in the joints.

Treatment of arthrosis should only be thorough. It includes taking drugs (tablets, mixtures) with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Physiotherapy procedures are also required.

Principles of arthrosis treatment:

  • removes excess pressure on the joints;
  • therapy with anti-inflammatory pills and pain relief. Also, in complex therapy, chondroprotectors are actively used for arthrosis;
  • physiotherapy;
  • spa treatments;
  • magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy;
  • intra-articular oxygen therapy;
  • intraosseous obstruction;
  • it is important to choose the right diet for arthrosis.

Drug treatment

How to treat arthrosis with medication? This question is most common among patients. Treatment is carried out using three groups of drugs:

intra-articular injection into the joint for arthrosis
  • corticosteroid hormones.Effective for arthrosis in the acute stage. Introduction - intra -articular. Tablets are less effective in this case;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs.They are used to reduce inflammation in the joints, as well as relieve pain. Doctors do not recommend that patients take pills because they irritate the lining of the stomach to some extent. Therefore, they are most often injected into a vein or muscle;
  • chondroprotectors for arthrosis.They are used to restore cartilage structure. Chondroitin sulfate is most often prescribed, as this drug is very effective. The use of chondroprotectors for arthrosis gives positive results in the first stages of development of pathological processes.

Folk recipes

Most people today do not want to take pills or injections. So they ask the question - how to cure arthrosis with the help of folk remedies? For the most part, the funds are intended to improve body tone, improve blood circulation, relieve pain and increase the body’s endurance. Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies is most effective in the early stages of development of pathological processes. For the treatment of this disease, recipes are used based on the following plants:

  • halia;
  • Kalanchoe;
  • celery seeds;
  • castor oil seeds;
  • cinnamon;
  • turmeric;
  • Horse tail.

The colors of bay leaves, carrots, garlic and rye seeds are also considered effective. Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies will be most effective if combined with medication.

Nutrition for arthrosis

The diet for arthrosis has its own peculiarities. It is very important to monitor your diet as the disease progresses. Do not eat too much, as the weight and load on the affected joints will increase. But you also can't sit hungry. Cartilage must receive the required amount of micronutrients.

The diet for arthrosis aims to reduce excess weight. Therefore, carbohydrates should be excluded from the diet. Sweet drinks, flour, alcohol are not included entirely.

Fish dishes can be included in the daily diet. Preference should be given to low -fat varieties. The main role in the treatment of arthrosis is given to everyone's favorite dish - jelly meat. Many doctors recommend using it, as it is a real panacea for the joints. It contains all the necessary trace elements. But the most important component of the dish is natural collagen.

jelly meat in the treatment of arthrosis

Nutrition for arthrosis should be frequent. It is important to eat in portions. The daily menu should include foods rich in vitamin B. They are necessary to regulate metabolism.

If you follow a diet for arthrosis, then you can achieve a significant improvement in the general condition.

Basic nutritional principles:

  • the menu must be completely balanced;
  • heavy meals should not be eaten at night. You can trigger an attack of arthrosis;
  • if the disease is not in the stage of exacerbation, then it is better to walk a little after eating;
  • food should be fractions;
  • you need to constantly monitor your weight and prevent it from increasing;
  • if pills are prescribed, then it is necessary to clearly organize the intake and consumption of food (take before or after meals).

Diet for arthrosis helps not only eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, but also improve the condition of the joints.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of arthrosis begins with proper nutrition. Need to reduce salt intake, as well as foods that can interfere with metabolism. These include legumes, fatty meats, and alcohol. Meals include cabbage, herbs and fish.

For the prevention of arthrosis, it is necessary to follow physical education, do warm -ups. If possible, it is better to walk a few kilometers on foot. It is important to monitor your weight and prevent weight gain, as this will put extra stress on the joint pain. It is not recommended to take pills to lose weight, because it can interfere with metabolism in the body.