Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs in a joint due to the destruction of the cartilage tissue that covers the heads of the bones that enter the joint. Osteoarthritis can develop in the joints of the limbs and spine, especially the disease often affects the knee joint (gonarthrosis) and the hip joint (coxarthrosis).
It is also important to understand what arthrosis is in order not to aggravate the development of the disease with improperly taken measures.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Basically, the causes of osteoarthritis of the joints are associated with the aging of cartilage cells, so the disease of osteoarthritis in most cases is diagnosed in older people. Excessive stress also leads to premature aging of the joint. Athletes and people who are constantly involved in heavy physical labor are also at risk.
In addition, the causes that led to osteoarthritis are often associated with insufficient nutrition in the joint or a slowing of the metabolism in it. This can be the result of a joint injury or an impaired blood supply to the periarticular tissues.
The destruction of cartilage tissue can also provoke a disease such as psoriasis, in this case, doctors observe a specific form of psoriatic arthrosis: the skin of the diseased joint is covered with psoriatic plaques, the skin becomes grayish.
Prolonged inflammation (joint arthritis) can cause osteoarthritis of the joints; a prolonged inflammatory process in the joint without proper treatment threatens a complicated form of deforming arthrosis.
Excess weight can also be the culprit of the development of the disease, since the greater the body weight, the greater the constant load on the joints.
Studies have also shown that a genetic factor is sufficient for the onset of osteoarthritis. So, for example, the disease of arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands in women occurs 10 times more often.
Symptoms
Frequent symptoms that indicate the onset of arthrosis of the joints are pain syndrome and stiffness of movements.
Pain syndrome with osteoarthritis in most cases occurs at the time of load on the joint, and, at rest, the discomfort disappears. Also, the pain can manifest itself with sudden movements or turns, while it is short-lived and only reappears with the next awkward movement. These signs of osteoarthritis are reason enough to see a doctor right away.
In the advanced stages, the pain syndrome can become permanent. Also, over time, symptoms such as creaking in the joints and a feeling of muscle tension around the joint may appear. Rashes in the joint area characterize psoriatic osteoarthritis.
Types of osteoarthritis
Depending on which joint of which part of the body was affected, osteoarthritis is:
- hip joint;
- knee joints;
- hands;
- vertebral column;
- stop.
Psoriatic osteoarthritis primarily affects the knee joints and the joints of the hands.
There are four stages of arthrosis, the fourth stage is also called deforming arthrosis, when pathological changes in the joint become irreversible, the joint itself is practically destroyed and ceases to perform its functions.
If the pathology has affected several joints at the same time, polyarthrosis 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 the correct diagnosis, and even more so to prescribe adequate treatment yourself. The most likely way would be to see a doctor. Modern diagnostic methods allow the specialist to apply the optimal direction of treatment.
The main types of diagnostics
- X-rays - the picture shows the degree of joint deformation;
- laboratory tests - confirmation of the presence of a pathological process in the joint will be an increase in ESR in the blood;
- synovial fluid analysis and histological examination of the synovium - allows the doctor to determine the presence of pathological formations in the joint.
In addition, the doctor must examine and palpate the affected joint. Then, a visual examination will reveal signs of psoriatic osteoarthritis. Only an integrated approach to the study of test results can give a real picture of the disease and confirm the diagnosis.
Onset and course of the disease
The occurrence of arthrosis, as a rule, goes unnoticed for the patient, pain in the early stages of the disease is barely noticeable and does not carry any significant concern. The first thing patients usually experience is a feeling of discomfort after a long rest, for example, short-term stiffness in the joints in the morning. Over time, it begins to trace the connection between physical activity and joint pain. Mild pain with exertion begins to intensify. In later stages, pain can be uncomfortable even during rest periods at night. Pain sensations in osteoarthritis differ in their frequency, intensifying during periods of exacerbation, they may not appear at all during periods of remission.
For the most part, patients go to the doctor when there is already a very pronounced pain syndrome and limited movement, which makes it impossible to lead a normal life. The advanced stage of osteoarthritis is also indicated by symptoms such as lameness and subluxation of the joints, the appearance of which is associated with the presence of large deformities in the joint and deterioration of cartilage tissue.
Treatment
The sooner therapy is started, the greater the chances that the joint will fully function again, although modern medicine does not talk about the complete disappearance of the disease. 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 specifics of the clinical picture, the causes of its occurrence, and take into account how impaired the function of the musculoskeletal system is. If acute osteoarthritis is diagnosed, treatment begins with the appointment of pain relieving drugs.
The treatment takes place in three phases:
- Relief of tension from the joint.
- Relief of synovitis.
- Rehabilitation and preventive measures aimed at slowing down the further development of the disease.
In any case, an individual approach is required. The drugs affect each organism with varying degrees of effectiveness, in addition, it is necessary to take into account the tolerance and side effects of these drugs. In many cases, the disease develops against the background of an infection that is already present in the body. So, in the case of psoriatic arthrosis, measures are taken to eliminate psoriasis.