First, let's define what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis or arthrosis is a joint disease in which the cartilage tissue of the surfaces between the joints is damaged. At the same time, not only the articular cartilages are involved in the pathological process, but also the ligaments, the synovial membrane, and the periarticular muscles.
There are two forms of arthrosis: localized, in which one joint is affected (foot, knee joint, etc. arthrosis) and generalized. The types of the disease depend on the joint affected and include:
- coxarthrosis (or hip joint);
- gonarthrosis (or knee);
- arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joints (Heberd nodes);
- damage to the proximal interphalangeal joints;
- polyosteoarthritis of the joints of the hand (Kelgen's disease);
- shoulder arthrosis;
- spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- ankle arthrosis (foot arthrosis).
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- pain and deformity
- "dry" crackling in the joint,
- reduced mobility (due to reduced joint space and muscle spasms around the inflamed joint).
The joint may swell, and the color of the skin may change (redness appears). In some cases, the temperature rises.
The disease has four degrees (according to some sources only 3)
- In the first degree, the existence of joint problems can be determined on the basis of crunching, tingling and the accompanying pain. However, the body temperature does not rise, and swelling does not occur. It is advisable to start the treatment at the initial stage of the disease.
- There are visible changes in the second stage of the disease. There is constant fatigue and a feeling of pressure in 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). Increased sensitivity to weather conditions. The joints can fail completely and the person becomes incapacitated.
- The fourth degree of the disease is the presence of constant severe pain, in which strong drugs are powerless.
Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of different types of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
The symptoms of the disease are characterized by pain or a pulling sensation in the groin, especially in the evening, after physical activity during the day. Unpleasant feelings pass quickly. However, if it is not treated in time, the pain becomes longer and more intense even with minor exertion. The patient begins to limp, trying to reduce the load on the inflamed organ. Movement becomes more and more limited. As the disease progresses, atrophy of the thigh muscles and shortening of the affected limb occur.
Depending on the extent of the disease, the treatment can be performed with or without surgical intervention (grades III-IV).
Of course, the sooner the disease is diagnosed and the appropriate treatment is started, the less likely it is that the disease will progress and the patient's quality of life remains high.
So, the initial (stage I and II) various drugs, special gymnastics, manual therapy and mandatory diet help in such cases. The diet is aimed at reducing the patient's weight in order to reduce the load on the joints (of course, if there is an overweight problem). It is also important to eat vegetables and fruits to supply the body with vitamins and minerals. Saturation with protein, which is the basis of all connective tissue, has priority, so milk and leguminous products, jelly, and low-fat jelly should be included in the diet.
The patient can be prescribed an acupuncture and physiotherapy course, which, in addition to the above-mentioned gymnastics, may also include underwater massage, thermal therapy, hydro- and balneotherapy, and electrotherapy. Orthopedic structures can be used (use of a stick when walking, wedge-shaped pillows, booster seats, orthoses).
Medicines prescribed to the patient for the treatment of the disease (grade I-II):
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. These drugs are designed to relieve pain in the groin and hip, not to treat the joints directly;
- chondroprotectors. Medicines contribute to the restoration of the structure of damaged joint cartilage and nourish the cartilage, i. e. used to treat joints;
- Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms. It should be used with caution, as it is often the body's way of protecting the joint from further destruction.
- ointments and creams. Its purpose is to alleviate the patient's condition, but not to treat it.
- drugs that can be injected into a diseased organ. It is rarely used to relieve pain.
The use of one of two methods of manual therapy. During the mobilization, the doctor performs a gentle lengthening of the hip joint, during which the bones that articulate with each other are cultivated. If everything is done correctly, the movement of the diseased organ is partially restored and the spasm is reduced. However, the technique is quite lengthy (up to 15 procedures per year) and must be comprehensive, e. g. accompanied by medication and other treatment methods.
The doctor performs the manipulation with one sharp, single movement, which brings immediate relief to the patient, however, this technique is effective in the initial stages of the disease in combination with other treatment methods.
The surgical intervention is performed in the last stage of the disease. Various operations can be used, which depend on the specifics of the disease. Thus, joint-sparing surgeries are performed with corrective osteotomy of the proximal femur and pelvis. Surgery to close the hip joint and surgery to replace the joint (or arthroplasty).
Arthrosis of the legs
Two types of deforming arthrosis of the legs can be distinguished: primary and secondary. Its primary characteristic is the absence of visible causes for the development of the disease, and it is of genetic origin. Secondary arthrosis of the feet develops against the background of any disease (for example, flat feet) or injuries.
Arthrosis of the foot joints is a general definition of ankle diseases (foot arthrosis) and gonarthrosis. The symptoms and treatment of joint diseases of the legs (foot and knee) are discussed below.
Foot arthrosis: what are the symptoms and how to treat it
The symptoms are characterized by ankle cracking, aching pain while walking that goes away at rest, limited joint mobility, leg swelling and redness in the joints, as well as atrophy of the adjacent muscles. The joints of the toes are most often affected. Foot arthrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination.
Treatment of arthrosis of the foot and hip joint can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical methods include (in the initial stages of the disease):
- using orthopedic shoes or orthopedic insoles in comfortable shoes,
- in low-heeled shoes (3-4 cm),
- physiotherapy,
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- special medical gymnastics.
If the arthrosis of the foot has reached the II-III degree, painkillers can be prescribed and surgical intervention can be performed.
Adherence to the diet of overweight patients is also important (to reduce the load on the joints of the legs). Shoes should be comfortable, low-heeled and should not restrict movement.
Medicines are needed to relieve pain and regenerate cartilage in the affected joints.
Physiotherapy includes foot massage, spas, infrared laser therapy, UV radiation, 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 surgically repaired,
- endoprosthetics - completely replace the diseased joint with an artificial one.
Symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
As with other types of arthrosis, the symptoms of emerging knee cartilage disease are mild pain on exertion that disappears at rest. The knee may swell. It often occurs after leg fractures and dislocations.
The disease II. stage, a characteristic cracking occurs and is accompanied by pain. The mobility of the joints is also limited, fluid accumulation is possible.
Treatment includes medications and healing procedures:
- ozone therapy as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever,
- Kinesitherapy is the performance of special exercises that improve the flexibility of ligaments and blood circulation,
- taking homeopathic medicines.
Treatment of arthrosis with folk methods
Of course, folk remedies should not be taken as panaceas in the case of such a serious disease as arthrosis. But in combination with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies speed up recovery.
- Cabbage juice can be used to relieve painful symptoms, in which a piece of natural wool is soaked, and then a poultice is made every night. Cabbage juice must be used within three days, after which it must be made fresh.
- The poultice is also made from a whole cabbage leaf, smeared with honey. Apply the smeared side to the joint, wrap it with cellophane film and wrap it warm. Leave it all night.
- To relieve the symptoms of arthrosis of the legs, crushed white chalk or eggshell and kefir are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is applied to the legs at night in the form of a poultice. The calcium in these products improves blood flow and accordingly relieves pain and swelling.
- Oatmeal compresses also help reduce pain in arthrosis of the joints. To make a compress, you need to cook a thick porridge, cool it, wrap it in a cloth and apply it to the sore spot overnight. It can only be used once, and then you can cook it fresh.
- You can make an oral drink to relieve the pain. To do this, add 1 tablespoon to a glass of boiling water. l. olive oil and half a teaspoon of grated garlic. When pain occurs, it should be taken twice a day.
We note again that the most important thing is comprehensive and timely treatment of arthrosis in order to avoid serious complications and surgical intervention.