Osteoarthritis is a pathology that occurs in the joint due to the destruction of the cartilage tissue covering the heads of the bones that enter the joint. Osteoarthritis can develop in the joints of the extremities and spine, especially as the disease often affects the knee joint (gonarthrosis) and the hip joint (coxarthrosis).
It is also important to understand what osteoarthritis is so as not to aggravate the disease with improper measures.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The main causes of osteoarthritis of the joints are associated with the aging of cartilage cells, so osteoarthritis is most often diagnosed in the elderly. Excessive stress also causes premature aging of the joint. Athletes and people who are constantly engaged in heavy physical labor are also at risk.
In addition, the causes of osteoarthritis are often associated with malnutrition of the joint or slowed metabolism there. This may be the result of joint damage or disruption of the blood supply to the periarticular tissues.
Destruction of cartilage tissue can also lead to a disease such as psoriasis, in which case doctors observe a special form of psoriatic arthrosis: the skin of the diseased joint is covered with psoriatic plaques, the skin turns gray.
Prolonged inflammation (arthritis of the joints) can lead to osteoarthritis of the joints; Prolonged inflammatory process in the joint without proper treatment threatens a complex form of deforming arthrosis.
Being overweight can also be a culprit in the development of the disease, because the greater the body weight, the greater the constant load on the joints.
Studies have also shown that genetic factors are sufficient to cause osteoarthritis. Thus, for example, osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands is 10 times more common in women.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis of the joints are pain syndrome and stiffness of movements.
Pain syndrome with osteoarthritis often occurs during joint loading, and restlessness disappears. Also, the pain can occur with sudden movements or turns, although it is short-lived and only reappears with the next awkward movement. These symptoms of osteoarthritis are reason enough to see a doctor right away.
In the later stages, the pain syndrome may be permanent. Also, over time, symptoms such as tingling in the joints and a feeling of muscle tension around the joint may appear. Skin rashes in the joint area characterize psoriatic arthrosis.
Types of osteoarthritis
Depending on which part of the body is affected, osteoarthritis includes:
- hip joint;
- knee joints;
- hands;
- spine;
- stop.
Psoriatic osteoarthritis mainly affects the knee joints and joints of the hands.
There are four stages of osteoarthritis, the fourth stage is also called deforming arthrosis, when the pathological changes in the joint are irreversible, the joint itself is practically destroyed and ceases to perform its functions.
If the pathology affects several joints at the same time, polyarthritis is diagnosed.
Psoriatic osteoarthritis is diagnosed when the usual symptoms of osteoarthritis are complemented by specific skin rashes.
Diagnostics
It is almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis or even to prescribe adequate treatment on your own. The most likely way would be to see a doctor. Modern diagnostic methods allow the specialist to apply the most optimal direction of treatment.
Basic types of diagnostics
- X-ray: the picture shows the degree of joint deformation;
- laboratory tests: confirmation of the presence of a joint pathological process will be increased ESR in the blood;
- Analysis of synovial fluid and histological examination of the synovium: allows the doctor to determine the presence of joint pathological formations.
The doctor should also examine and palpate the affected joint. Thus, visual examination will reveal signs of psoriatic osteoarthritis. Only an integrated approach to the study of test results can give a realistic picture of the disease and confirm the diagnosis.
The onset and course of the disease
The onset of osteoarthritis is usually overlooked for the patient, pain is difficult to feel in the early stages of the disease and does not cause any significant discomfort. The first thing patients usually feel is discomfort after a long period of rest, such as short-term stiffness in the joints in the morning. Over time, the link between physical activity and joint pain begins to follow. Mild pain begins to intensify during tension. In the later stages, the pain may be disturbed during rest and at night. Pain in osteoarthritis varies in frequency, intensifies during periods of exacerbation, and may not appear at all during remission.
In most cases, patients see a doctor when they already have a very clear pain syndrome and limited mobility, which makes it impossible to lead a normal life. The advanced stage of osteoarthritis is also characterized by symptoms such as lameness and subluxation of the joints, the occurrence of which is associated with the presence of large deformities in the joint and deterioration of cartilage tissue.
Treatment
The earlier therapy is started, the more likely modern medicine is to work together again, even if modern medicine does not say that the disease is completely gone. The main factors in the treatment of osteoarthritis are its complexity and consistency. The doctor must take into account many different factors: the stage of the disease, the characteristics of the clinical picture, the causes of its occurrence and the degree of dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. If acute osteoarthritis is diagnosed, treatment begins with prescribing painkillers.
Treatment is carried out in three stages:
- Eliminate joint tension.
- Elimination of synovitis.
- Rehabilitation and preventive measures aimed at slowing the further development of the disease.
In each case, an individual approach is required. Drugs have different effects on each organism, in addition, the tolerance and side effects of such drugs should be taken into account. In many cases, the disease develops against the background of an infection that already exists in the body. Thus, in the case of psoriatic osteoarthritis, measures are taken to eliminate psoriasis.