Types and causes of osteoarthritis

A disease such as arthrosis occurs more often in older people.But taking into account the environment, lifestyle and human nutrition, this disease has become significantly younger.Now you can meet her even among young people in their 20s.To know how to prevent or prevent the development of such a pathology, you need to understand what it is.

Osteoarthritis: what is it?

If we resort to simple expressions to describe the disease, then it can be characterized as a disease of the articular cartilage.It leads to their destruction and disruption of functionality, as well as modification.Most often, during the above processes, inflammation occurs in the joint capsule itself.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but the joints most affected are those of the hip and knee.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis - all these are other names for arthrosis.The disease, as mentioned above, more often affects the elderly part of the population.This is due to old age, which leads to disruption of the body's systems.But if a person is still far from gray hair and arthrosis has fallen on him, the following factors may be the reasons for this:

• damage, trauma to the musculoskeletal system.These include bruises, dislocations, tendon ruptures, and other types of injuries;
• a congenital disease associated with underdevelopment of the joint.In other words it is called articular dysplasia;
• improper metabolism in the body;
• drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks, which wash important trace elements from the bones;
• improper functioning of the thyroid gland, high blood sugar and other disorders in the human endocrine system;
• hemorrhage in the joint capsule.

The causes of osteoarthritis are very broad.Therefore, to start timely treatment, it is better to consult a doctor who will fight not only the symptoms, but also the cause of the disease.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The knee joint is usually affected first.Then comes the hip, and then the disease spreads to the joints of the big toes of the lower limb.Osteoarthritis rarely affects other joints.To understand if this particular pathology exists, it is necessary to know its symptoms.The significant symptoms of osteoarthritis include four components:

• In the initial stage of the disease, joint pain appears during intense movements or stress.Most often they are expressed weakly, because of this arthrosis begins.The second stage is characterized by pain that occurs with minor loads on the damaged joint.At the third level the pain bothers you even when standing still.If a person has problems with the cardiovascular system, pain may occur during climate changes;
• In damaged joints, a dry, rough crunch is heard from time to time.The consequence is friction between the joint surfaces.In the second and third stages, such sounds become more distinct in sound.It is worth noting that the usual creaking of the joints, not accompanied by pain, does not indicate the presence of the disease and does not in any way affect its further occurrence;
• Muscle spasms, decreased joint space and the appearance of bony growths occur.For this reason, the range of motion of the affected joint decreases;
• gradual modification of the joint.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis and arthritis have many similarities.Therefore, some people confuse these two concepts or consider them the same.But thinking like this is a mistake.These are different diseases.The main difference is that in osteoarthritis the pain occurs when you move during the day.With arthritis, the pain does not depend on movement and appears at night.They are sharper and more intense.

Types of osteoarthritis

The species diversity of the disease is divided into two categories: by etymology and by nature of the disease.Each of them contains many other species, so there is a specific division, which includes a large number of varieties.

By etymology

Based on the causes of onset, two groups of joint arthrosis are distinguished:

1. Primary.It occurs mostly in patients under 40 years of age.In this case the disease begins to develop without previous injury or damage;
2. Secondary.Osteoarthritis occurs for certain reasons, including age-related changes in the body, disruption of the endocrine system, trauma, damage, and a number of others.

According to the nature of the disease

In total, there are three stages of osteoarthritis.In this case, a person may experience mild, intermittent pain, which will not interfere with his normal functioning.In this case, you may not seek medical care for several years.Other people may encounter a rapidly progressing disease: in just a month or two, one stage of osteoarthritis transitions to another.It is therefore not possible to establish the moment of transition from the first phase to the next one.

Stages of osteoarthritis:

• first stage.The pain is insignificant, weakly felt and appears only after intense stress on the joint.It occurs due to the fact that the synovial fluid and the membrane inside the joint capsule change.
• second phase.The intra-articular cartilage is destroyed and primary deformations begin.Bone growths also appear at this stage.All of the above is accompanied by pain even with minor loads on the affected area.
• third phase.The last phase, in which the irreversible process of modifying the joint already takes place.At the same time, the length of the tendons decreases and muscle contractions become more difficult.Eventually, the person loses the ability to work.

Since the consequences of advanced arthrosis do not promise anything pleasant, it is necessary to start treatment procedures on time.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

To receive a treatment program that delivers results, you need to contact a trusted specialist.He will study the tests, lifestyle, conduct appropriate diagnostics and prescribe the necessary medications, as well as further treatment methods.these may include the following:

• physical therapy:
• physiotherapy;
• spa treatments;
• proper nutrition, as well as a number of others.

Most often, the technology for the smooth development of the joint is used through short, feasible loads on the damaged area.During this therapy the joint feels a slight aching pain, which disappears the next day.If the pain becomes increasingly intense, it is necessary to reconsider the loading system used and adapt it.But don't stop development completely!

Osteoarthritis is a disease that has spread in modern society.Every year more and more people are affected by the disease.This is due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, poor nutrition and the increase in the number of accidents.But technologies are also being developed to help solve the problem of osteoarthritis.So the main thing is not to let the disease progress, carry out regular diagnosis, and if arthrosis is detected, immediately contact a doctor who specializes in this.