Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease whose symptoms everyone should know.This dangerous and very common condition can be almost invisible in the early stages, but as it progresses, it can cause unbearable pain and even lead to disability.We will see how to avoid this in our article.

Why does osteoarthritis appear and when should you start treating it?

Painful sensations in the joints, “clicks” during movements and decreased mobility of the limbs often go unnoticed: most people do not attach importance to such signals from the body.Meanwhile, these symptoms may indicate a serious illness - osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis deformans is a disease that causes the destruction and thinning of joint cartilage tissue.In this case, the joint tissue loosens and overgrows, ultimately leading to the appearance of bone spurs and inflammation inside the joint.

At an early stage, patients experience slight discomfort during movements, which they may not pay attention to.In the second stage of the disease, severe pain occurs, leading to limited joint mobility.The third stage, in addition to pain, is accompanied by complete or almost complete destruction of joint cartilage tissue.

You can significantly slow down the development of osteoarthritis, help maintain limb mobility and avoid serious surgery with timely treatment - this is why it is so important to consult a rheumatologist at the first symptoms.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

From the point of view of European medicine, the treatment of such a serious disease as osteoarthritis requires an integrated approach that takes into account symptoms at different stages of the disease.The set of therapeutic measures, in addition to taking medications, includes weight loss measures, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and, if necessary, surgical intervention is prescribed.The treatment program is developed by a rheumatologist, taking into account the localization of the disease, the characteristics of the patient's body, but necessarily includes a whole range of actions aimed at combating the manifestations of the disease.

Drug treatment

The first task that arises in the treatment of osteoarthritis is to relieve pain and inflammation in the joint.For this purpose, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed, such as ibuprofen, ketorolac, piroxicam, diclofenac and their derivatives - in the form of tablets, injections, gels, ointments or rectal suppositories.Remember that the use of this group of drugs only relieves the main symptoms of the disease.In addition, long-term use of NSAIDs can accelerate the process of cartilage destruction, so they should be used with great caution and only as prescribed by a doctor.

Using painkillers is another way to relieve the patient's pain.Unlike NSAIDs, analgesics relieve inflammatory processes to a lesser extent, but are more effective in combating pain.In case of muscle spasms, antispasmodics, such as Mydocalm, are prescribed.Both groups of drugs are most often used in the form of injections to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but they are ineffective in combating the disease itself.

Chondroprotectors are one of the most important components of drug treatment of osteoarthritis: they saturate the cartilage tissue with nutrients, thereby stimulating cell growth.The group of chondroprotectors includes, for example, glucosamine, produced in the form of tablets or capsules.You should not expect a quick effect from the use of chondroprotectors: an improvement in the condition of the cartilage can be noted only after long-term use of the drugs.In addition, they will not help if the disease has reached the third, most serious stage.

Vasodilators are used to improve blood circulation and also relieve spasms of small vessels.Taking such drugs in combination with chondroprotectors enhances the effect of the latter: nutrients penetrate a larger volume into the cartilage tissue.

Physiotherapy

1. Shock wave therapy.The use of shock wave therapy (SWT) for osteoarthritis allows us to eliminate one of the main causes of pain: spiny bone processes - osteophytes.Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the “tips” soften and dissolve over time, thereby improving the efficiency of blood circulation and metabolic processes.Despite all its advantages, shock wave therapy is effective only in the early stages of osteoarthritis and has many contraindications, therefore it is prescribed with caution.
2. Automated electromyostimulation with verticalization.The use of electrical impulses to contract muscles is advised primarily for bedridden patients, as well as in the presence of serious injuries, when the necessary physical exercises are contraindicated.Although electromyostimulation is not the most common goal for osteoarthritis, its use helps to increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation, which has a positive effect on recovery dynamics.
3. Ultraphonophoresis.This procedure combines two types of effects: ultrasound waves and medications.As a result, phonophoresis makes it possible to significantly increase the effect of drugs: thanks to ultrasound, their substances are delivered to the “target” cells and are absorbed by them much more actively.
4. Ozone therapy.The introduction of a gas mixture into the joint capsule reduces pain and inflammation, helps restore joint mobility and improves blood circulation.As a rule, ozone therapy is prescribed in several injections, depending on the severity of the disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine methods

In Chinese medicine, restoring joint health begins with a diagnosis, during which the general condition of the body is assessed and the root cause of osteoarthritis is identified.Then the doctor draws up a program for influencing biologically active points.Complex treatment of osteoarthritis includes the following TCM methods:

• acupuncture (acupuncture) - placement of the finest needles on points in a certain combination;
• phytocompresses – “presses” of medicinal herbs;
• moxotherapy - warming with absinthe cigars;
• Acupressure Tuina.

In this case, the main attention is paid to acupuncture as the most effective treatment method in traditional Chinese medicine.The results of treatment largely depend on the qualifications of the specialist.Being in the hands of a qualified doctor, the patient will soon be able to notice an improvement in well-being, accompanied by relief of pain, restoration of joint mobility, strengthening of the immune system, normalization of blood circulation and metabolism[2].

Other non-surgical treatment methods for osteoarthritis:

• Therapeutic exercise.Exercise therapy for osteoarthritis is considered an excellent way to improve blood circulation in the affected joint area, as well as strengthen the muscles.Typically, the doctor recommends starting with simple exercises and gradually increasing the number of repetitions.
• Mechanotherapy.Physiotherapy can be supplemented with mechanotherapy - exercises using special simulators.The devices allow you to increase the load during gymnastics (due to different weights), while protecting the sore joint from damage.Just like exercise therapy, mechanotherapy helps improve blood circulation and increase muscle tone.
• Joint traction.The essence of the procedure is mechanical “stretching” of the joint using a special device for 15-20 minutes.This allows you to reduce the load on the joint, slow down the development of osteoarthritis and significantly reduce pain in the patient.A course consisting of 10 to 12 sessions is carried out approximately once every six months to improve and consolidate the result.
• Lymphatic drainage and heated massage.These procedures help warm the diseased area, relieve spasms and pain, and improve blood circulation in the joints.Lymphatic drainage and heated massage can also be used if the patient has reduced mobility.
• Dietetic nutrition prescription.Weight correction is one of the ways to significantly reduce the load on the joint and slow down the development of osteoarthritis.Of course, maintaining a diet in itself does not contribute to recovery, but in combination with other procedures it can give a certain effect.
• Lifestyle correction.To combat osteoarthritis, the patient will have to significantly reconsider their usual lifestyle and start wearing only comfortable shoes, using only comfortable furniture, and women will have to give up high heels.It is also advisable to get rid of bad habits and eliminate excessive physical activity.In some cases, wearing an orthosis and regular visits to the swimming pool and sauna will be beneficial.A complete list of recommendations can be obtained from the attending physician, which he will establish depending on the patient's condition.

Surgical treatment

1. Puncture (minimally invasive intervention).It is also used to diagnose disease.A needle is inserted into the joint capsule, draining some of the fluid.This allows you to obtain material for analysis, reduce the load on the capsule, and, if necessary, also inject corticosteroids directly into the site of inflammation.
2. Diagnostic arthroscopy.Arthroscopy involves the introduction of a special arthroscope device through micro-incisions in the skin.This allows you to carefully examine the joint and remove separated fragments of cartilage, thereby eliminating the causes of the inflammatory process and pain.
3. Corrective osteotomy.The essence of this surgical procedure is to file the patient's bones and then fix them at a different angle.The operation helps to reduce the load on the joint and eliminate pain for a long time.Such a radical effect is rarely prescribed - the load on the patient's body is too great, and the rehabilitation period is too long.
4. Endoprostheses.In cases where other types of treatment have not helped and the disease has completely or almost completely destroyed the joints, they are replaced with plastic, metal or ceramic prostheses.Replacing a stent is a difficult and expensive operation that requires long-term rehabilitation.Many patients experience pain for several months after surgery.However, stents for the patient are often the only alternative to the prospect of being immobilized.The lifespan of modern prostheses reaches twenty years, and during all these years the patient will be able to live fully.

Symptoms and features of treatment of osteoarthritis of different types

Despite the common features of symptoms, osteoarthritis of different joints has its own signs and treatment features.For example, the use of ointments for osteoarthritis of the hip is ineffective due to muscle and fatty tissues, which prevent the drug from reaching the site of inflammation.But the same ointments work well when applied to the knee or elbow joint.Let's see what are the typical symptoms of osteoarthritis of the joints (ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, fingers and hip) and which treatment is suitable for each case.

• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the joints of the hand (fingers).At an early stage, the disease manifests itself only as a slight crunch and slight pain when moving the hands, but in the absence of treatment it becomes visually noticeable: noticeable thickenings appear on the phalanges at the joints.The pain intensifies and becomes constant, a burning sensation and throbbing appear in the fingers.NSAIDs and corticosteroids are used to relieve pain and inflammation;massage, chondroprotectors and finger traction are used to slow down the destruction of cartilage.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.Painful muscle spasms, decreased mobility of the arms, “lumbago” when lifting them and moving to the sides - these are all symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.Massage and physiotherapy are prescribed in combination with the use of antispasmodics and intra-articular injections of painkillers.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the elbow joint.Symptoms of elbow joint disease include a loud cracking sound when you bend your elbows and move your hands, shooting pain, and muscle weakness.To get rid of this type of osteoarthritis, physiotherapeutic procedures, compresses and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments are used.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint.Osteoarthritis of the hip is characterized by a “mild” cracking of the joints, painful or uncomfortable sensations in the lower back during movements or significant fatigue.When treating the disease, pain relievers are prescribed in the form of injections, capsules or tablets, compresses with anti-inflammatory solutions.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.With knee osteoarthritis, patients complain of crunching during movements, pain in the calves, especially during heavy loads, and an increase in the size of the joint.Complex therapy includes: shock wave therapy, joint traction, physiotherapy, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ointments) and the use of compresses.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint.A tingling sensation, redness, crunching, clicking in the foot, rapid fatigue when walking - these symptoms indicate the development of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint.Physiotherapy, massages and therapeutic baths are effective in treating this type of diseases.You also need to reduce the load on your ankle.

To avoid the appearance of osteoarthritis, especially if there is a predisposition, simple rules should be followed: wear comfortable shoes, maintain physical activity, while taking precautions when exercising, avoid injuries and hypothermia.To prevent the disease, it is especially important to maintain a normal weight, because each extra kilogram increases the load on the joints.