First, let's define what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a joint disease in which the cartilage tissue of the interarticular surfaces is damaged. At the same time, not only articular cartilages are involved in the pathological process, but also ligaments, synovial membrane, periarticular muscles.
Osteoarthritis can be of two forms: localized, in which one of the joints is affected (osteoarthritis of the foot, knee joint, etc. ), and generalized. The types of this disease depend on the affected joint and are:
- coxarthrosis (or hip);
- gonarthrosis (or knee);
- osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joints (Heberd's nodes);
- damage to the proximal interphalangeal joints;
- polyarthrosis of the joints of the hands (Kelgen's disease);
- shoulder arthrosis;
- spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- osteoarthritis of the ankle (osteoarthritis of the foot).
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- pain and deformity
- "dry" crackle in the joint,
- reduced mobility (due to reduced joint space and muscle spasms around the inflamed joint).
The joint may swell, the color of the skin covering it changes (redness appears). In some cases, the temperature rises.
There are four degrees of the disease (according to some sources, only 3)
- In the first degree, the presence of problems in the joint can be determined by the presence of accompanying crackling, tingling and pain. However, body temperature does not rise, swelling does not occur. It is advisable to start treatment from the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- At the second degree of development of the disease, there are visible changes. There is constant fatigue and a feeling of pressure on the affected area, which increases with physical exertion. Decreased joint mobility.
- The third degree is accompanied by symptoms of intense and constant pain in the joints (even at rest). There is an increased sensitivity to weather conditions. The joints can completely fail and the person becomes disabled.
- 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 various types of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Symptoms of the disease are characterized by pain or simply a feeling of tightness in the groin, especially in the evening, after a day's physical activity. Unpleasant sensations quickly pass. However, if 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. Travel is becoming more and more constrained. With the progression of the disease, atrophy of the thigh muscles and shortening of the diseased limb occurs.
Depending on the degree of the disease, treatment can be with or without surgical intervention (III-IV degree).
Naturally, the earlier the disease is diagnosed and appropriate treatment is started, the less likely it is that the disease will progress and the patient will maintain a good quality of life.
So, at the beginning (stages I and II), various medications, special gymnastics, manual therapy and a mandatory diet in such cases will help. The diet is aimed at reducing the weight of the patient to reduce the load on the joints (if there is a problem with excess weight, of course). It is also important to eat vegetables and fruits to provide the body with vitamins and minerals. Protein saturation, which is the basis of all connective tissue, is a priority. Therefore, dairy and legumes, jelly, low-fat jelly should be included in the diet.
The patient may be prescribed a course of acupuncture and physiotherapy, which, in addition to the gymnastics already mentioned above, may include underwater massage, spa therapy, hydrotherapy and balneotherapy, electrotherapy. Orthopedic structures can be used (use of a cane when walking, wedge pillows, lifting seats, braces).
Drugs prescribed to the patient in the treatment of this disease (I-II degrees):
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These medications are designed to relieve groin and hip pain, not to directly treat the joints;
- chondroprotectors. Medicines contribute to the restoration of the structure of the damaged cartilage of the joint and nourish the cartilage, that is, intended for the treatment of joints;
- Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms. It should be used with caution, because often the body thus protects the joint from further destruction.
- ointments and creams. Intended to relieve the patient's condition, but not for treatment.
- drugs intended for injection into a diseased organ. They are rarely used to eliminate pain.
Manual therapy is the application of one of two methods. During mobilization, the doctor performs a gentle extension of the hip joint, in which the bones that articulate with each other are elevated. If everything is done correctly, the movement of the diseased organ is partially restored and the spasm subsides. However, the technique is quite long (up to 15 procedures per year) and must be comprehensive, that is, accompanied by medication and other types of treatment.
The doctor performs manipulation with the help of one sharp movement, which brings immediate relief to the patient, however, this technique is effective in the early stages of the disease in combination with other methods of treatment.
Surgical intervention is performed in the later stages of the disease. Different types of operations can be used, which depend on the specifics of the disease. Thus, joint-sparing operations are performed with corrective osteotomies of the proximal femur and pelvis. Hip joint closure operations and joint replacement operations (or arthroplasty).
Osteoarthritis of the legs
It is possible to designate 2 types of deforming arthrosis of the legs: primary and secondary. The primary is characterized by the absence of visible causes of the development of the disease and is considered genetic. Secondary arthrosis of the legs develops against the background of any disease (for example, flat feet) or injuries.
Osteoarthritis of the leg joints is a general definition of ankle diseases (foot osteoarthritis) and gonarthrosis. Symptoms and treatment of joint disease of the legs (foot and knee) are discussed below.
Arthrosis of the foot: what are the symptoms and how to treat
Symptoms are characterized by tightness of the ankle, aching pain when walking that subsides with rest, limited joint mobility, swelling of the feet and redness of the skin at the joints, and atrophy of adjacent muscles. Most often, the toe joints are affected. Osteoarthritis of the foot is diagnosed by x-ray.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the foot, as well as the hip joint, can be surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical methods include (in the early stages of the disease):
- orthopedic shoes or the use of orthopedic insoles in comfortable shoes,
- low heel in shoes (3-4 cm),
- physiotherapy,
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- special medical gymnastics.
If the arthrosis of the foot has reached the II-III degree, painkillers can be prescribed and surgery can be performed.
It is also important to follow a diet for overweight patients (to reduce the load on the joints of the legs). Shoes should be comfortable, with low heels and not restrict movement.
Medication is needed to relieve pain and help regenerate cartilage in affected joints.
Physiotherapy includes foot massage, therapeutic baths, infrared laser therapy, UV radiation, UHF therapy, magnetic and ultrasound therapy.
Methods of surgical treatment can be:
- arthrodesis, in which there is a rigid fixation of the diseased area,
- arthroplasty, when the affected joint is restored by surgery,
- stents - completely replace the diseased joint with an artificial joint.
Symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
As with other types of osteoarthritis, the symptoms of emerging knee cartilage disease are mild pain on exertion, which resolves with rest. The knee may swell. Often occurs after fractures and dislocations of the leg.
A characteristic crunch occurs in stage II of the disease and is accompanied by pain. There is also a limitation of joint mobility, fluid accumulation is possible.
Treatment includes medications and healing procedures:
- ozone therapy as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent,
- physiotherapy is the performance of special exercises to improve the elasticity of ligaments and blood circulation,
- take homeopathic medicines.
Treatment of osteoarthritis in the traditional way
Of course, folk remedies should not be considered a panacea for such a serious disease as arthrosis. But in combination with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies will speed up recovery.
- In order to relieve painful symptoms, it is possible to use cabbage juice, in which a piece of natural wool is soaked, and then compresses are made every evening. It is necessary to use cabbage juice within three days, after which it is necessary to make fresh.
- Compresses are also made from a whole leaf of cabbage, smeared with honey. We apply the coated side to the joint, wrap it in cellophane film and wrap it warmly. We leave it overnight.
- To relieve the symptoms of arthrosis of the legs, crushed white chalk or eggshells and kefir are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is applied to the foot at night in the form of acompress. The calcium contained in these products improves blood circulation and, therefore, relieves pain and swelling.
- Oatmeal compress also helps reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the joints. For a compress, it is necessary to cook a thick porridge, cool it, wrap it in a cloth and apply it to the sore spot overnight. You can only use once, then brew fresh.
- To relieve pain, you can prepare an oral drink. To do this, add 1 tbsp to a glass of boiling water. I. of olive oil and half a teaspoon of grated garlic. It should be taken twice a day in case of pain.
Again, we note that the main thing is to treat arthrosis comprehensively and quickly, in order to avoid serious complications and surgical intervention.