joint

Arthropathy (osteoarthrosis, deformed joint disease) is the process of slow degeneration and destruction of articular cartilage. The joint ends of the bones deform and grow, and the tissues surrounding the joints become inflamed. The general diagnosis of "arthrosis" refers to a group of disorders with similar symptoms but different origins. The joint (the affected area) consists of an articular surface covered by cartilage tissue, a cavity containing synovial fluid, the synovium, and the joint capsule. As the disease progresses, he loses mobility, and the patient experiences pain due to the inflammatory process.

reason

Arthritis develops in the joints due to the difference between the amount of stress and the body's capabilities. Lack of nutrition, excess weight, strenuous physical work, and even exercise can all contribute to this condition.Factors affecting disease development:

• Genetics, hereditary predisposition;
• Aged over 40 years old;
• Obesity, overweight;
• Sedentary work and passive lifestyle;
• Hard work, work involving sustained physical activity;
• inflammatory diseases;
• Congenital joint pathology (dysplasia);
• injury, wound;
• Body dysfunction (poor blood circulation, hormonal, trace element imbalance).

The disease can be primary or secondary. The cause of primary arthropathy is unknown. Doctors believe that it occurs in the presence of genetic factors (susceptibility) and external adverse conditions.Secondary arthropathy occurs in the context of inflammatory diseases, developmental dysplasia, and also results from injuries, including occupational injuries.Professional representatives and athletes are at increased risk of developing this disease. Artistic representatives are also at risk: dancers (especially ballet dancers), pianists. Joints in the wrist and fingers most commonly affect people who work with fine motor skills: machinists, machinists, and pianists. "Professional" joint disease in loaders is concentrated in the knees, collarbones and elbows. Drivers, painters and miners all suffer from elbow and shoulder joint problems. A ballet dancer's weak point is her ankles. Depending on the type of sporting activity, athletes are also more likely to suffer injuries to their ankles and other joints in their arms and legs. Tennis players, for example, are at high risk for shoulder and elbow joint disease.

onset

Structural changes in cartilage occur due to an imbalance between tissue breakdown and repair. Collagen and proteoglycans are gradually "washed away" from the body, and new nutrients cannot be replenished. Cartilage tissue loses elasticity, becomes soft, and cannot withstand pressure.Regardless of location and underlying cause, the disease develops in the same way. Gradually, the cartilage is completely destroyed and the ends of the bones "grind" against each other. The patient will experience pain, the intensity of which increases depending on the stage. The mobility of the joints gradually decreases, and the patient's activities are restricted.p>

Classification

Orthopedic surgeons use the classification developed by the professor in 1961:

• Stage I. The bones become denser and the joint spaces narrow slightly. Discomfort during physical activity that subsides after rest;
• second stage. The joint space narrows significantly, the bone edges grow, and the connective tissue becomes denser. Pain becomes constant, muscle hypertrophy, joint mobility is greatly reduced, and specific symptoms appear in specific areas;
• The third phase. Joint space is almost non-existent, bone growth is extensive, and subchondral bone is likely to be destroyed. The joint is completely deformed and immobile. Depending on the type and location of the disease, acute or persistent pain may occur;

Symptoms, rate of progression, and treatment vary depending on the location and form of the disease.

form

The disease is characterized by a chronic form but can also occur in an acute form.When the disease spreads to multiple joints, such as fingers, it is called systemic.Anatomical shape:

• Deformity (osteoarthrosis). Causes bone growth;
• Uncinate vertebrae. Destroy the discs and intervertebral tissues in the neck;
• Post-traumatic. Occurs due to trauma, injury;
• Rheumatoid. Autoimmune diseases, connective tissue inflammation. It may be the result of previous arthritis;
• Psoriasis. Develops in the context of psoriatic arthritis.

localization

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects joints throughout the body.spine. Causes may be autoimmune diseases, back problems, increased stress, injuries, micronutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances.Localization:

• coccyx;
• lumbar area;
• thoracic;
• neck area

leg. Knees and ankles are more susceptible to joint disease. Reasons are injury, overweight, incorrectness, overloading. Localization type:

• Styroarthrosis - Knee;
• Patellofemoral - femur and patella;
• ankle;
• Talonavicular joint;
• Feet and toes.

hand. Lesions of the hands and fingers are more common and in most cases they are related to occupational activities, injuries, age-related and hormonal changes. Additionally, the disease is localized to the shoulder, wrist, and elbow joints.trunk. Positioning of the trunk is less common than arthropathy of the extremities. These lesions are associated with occupational activities, sedentary lifestyle (stagnation).Localization type:

• clavicle. You may feel a "clicking" sound and pain when moving. Athletes and military personnel involved in weightlifting are at risk due to the potential for injury;
• Hip joint (coxarthrosis). The disease presents with pain in the groin area.

Head >. Sometimes dental problems, autonomic disorders, and even hearing loss are caused by TMJ injuries. Swelling can disrupt the symmetry of the face, affect the ears, and cause headaches.

symptom

The symptoms of the disease depend on its location. The common manifestations of all types are:

• Pain in the affected area. Early stage - during exercise, work, late stage - during rest;
• Inflammation, swelling. The tissues around the joints swell and the skin becomes red;
• "Crack", crunch. When moving, a characteristic sound will be heard;
• Difficulty moving. As the disease progresses, mobility in the affected area is compromised;
• Reaction to cold. Many types of joint disease are characterized by worsening in rainy and cold weather.

Exacerbations of the disease are associated with a general deterioration in health status. It takes on an acute form and develops many times faster due to viral illness and increased stress. During an exacerbation, symptoms, especially pain, become more pronounced. Patients have difficulty moving or even losing all mobility and performing daily tasks.

possible complications

The main danger is the loss of joint mobility and irreversible deformation. Due to the displacement of the axis, the pose is destroyed and the figure loses its symmetry. Internal organs may experience increased pressure, displacement, and compression. Accompanying illnesses and malfunctions of body systems can also occur. For example, coccygeal arthropathy in women may lead to gynecological complications, and temporomandibular joint or cervical spondylosis may lead to autonomic nervous system disorders: dizziness, sleep disorders. Patients with joint disease may become disabled.

diagnosis

In order to make a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is required:

• record medical records;
• Radiographs of several projections;
• MRI and CT exclude tumors and obtain three-dimensional images;
• Blood and urine tests to rule out concomitant diseases and assess overall health.

Depending on the cause of the disease, patients are referred to a rheumatologist, traumatologist, surgeon, or orthopedic surgeon.

treat

The first stage of the disease is best treated. Stage II patients can expect long-term relief from bone destruction. Stage III usually requires surgical intervention.Conservative (non-surgical) treatment:

• Physical therapy, use of orthotics, canes, crutches to reduce load. Eliminate concomitant and aggravating factors (e. g. , weight loss, stress, changes in activity);
• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are the most effective. Chondroprotectants and atypical antidepressants are used as adjuvants;
• Glucocorticoids are injected into the joint to reduce severe pain and inflammation.

Surgical methods:

• Arthroscopy - examination of the inside of a joint and removal of fragments of cartilage;
• Arthroplasty - implantation of artificial cartilage;
• Osteotomy - the removal or dissection of bone tissue;
• Chondroplasty – cartilage repair;
• Arthrodesis - Artificial immobilization of a joint (usually the ankle);
• Endoprosthesis - The damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint.

Basic treatment allows you to stop the disease even in its advanced stages. In individual cases mobility can be restored (after artificial replacement). However, this method can effectively relieve pain. After surgery, physical therapy and medication are required for rehabilitation.

prognosis and prevention

After starting treatment for stage 1 and stage 2 arthropathy, lasting improvements occur: pain and inflammation disappear. In this case, the disease can be completely remitted or preserved for a long time.When treating stage III arthropathy, improvement does not occur immediately. In some cases, the pain may not go away until surgery. Often the joint remains immobile or deformed. Patients with severe hip and knee arthritis receive disability group I or II.There is no proven effective way to prevent joint disease. Controlling your weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising moderately will help reduce your risk of developing this disease. Getting checked out at the first signs of joint disease (especially after injuries and infectious diseases) and paying close attention to your health will allow you to catch the disease early.