Osteoarthritis is not an inflammatory disease of the joints, where there are destructive-dystrophic processes, such as the defeat of the articular cartilage, ligaments, and bones, pathological changes in the sheath of synovial (membrane) and the joint capsule (a shell joint, tightly the brackets and the link for the bones in the joints). With osteoarthritis feels pain, maybe the limitation of mobility.
The causes of osteoarthritis
We still do not know exactly what is the root cause of osteoarthritis, but there are a number of factors exacerbating the state of the joint, altering its structure and operation. The thrust of the arthrosis can serve:
- trauma (sprains, retinal tears of ligaments, fractures, bruises, wounds, penetrating);
- the static and dynamic loads, related to the professional activities (athletes, dancers, miners and other employees in heavy physical workloads);
- the obesity is a constant load on the common);
- hypothermia;
- infectious diseases (tuberculosis, chlamydia, influenza);
- the violation of the circulation;
- hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, menopause);
- metabolism disorders (osteoporosis (reduced bone density), arthritis (inflammatory disease of the joints), gout (deposition of uric acid salts in the joints));
- autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus (a disease in which the immune system recognizes the cells as foreign and fights with them), rheumatoid arthritis (the immune system mistakenly affects healthy joint));
- haemophilia (due to hemophilia occur frequent bleeding in the joints);
- disorders of the endocrine system (thyroid);
- degenerative-degenerative changes (perthes disease: (aseptic, necrotizing process in the head of the hip), necrotizing the process by which a part of the cartilage detaches from the bone and moves into the joint cavity, causing necrosis of the cancellous bone, with the consequence that form small fractures;
- congenital diseases (dysplasia of connective tissue (the wrong the formation of tissues), hip dysplasia (not the correct development of the joint), the defects of malocclusion of the upper and lower limbs);
- a senior age;
- intoxication (overdose of drugs, excessive consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs);
- transferred the operation to the shoulder;
- sedentary life-style;
- the legacy;
- beri-beri.
The degree of osteoarthritis
For the process to defeat osteoarthritis were divided into 4 degrees:
-
Zero the degree of osteoarthritis – evident morphological changes is not there, but the tips on the disease that is already available. Occurs a change in the composition of the synovial fluid, then the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, hence, its load resistance is lowered. In the morning, after waking up or after a long period of holiday in fermo, stresses the difficulty of movement of the joints, but during the day the stiffness passes. This condition is called the "home page, the pain". When you guide the articulation emits a crunch, but the pain during the movement damaged. For the first degree is characterized by pain after a long, resistant to the load in common, but the pain disappears immediately after a holiday.
-
The first degree of osteoarthritis – the second degree is characterized by destruction of hyaline cartilage. Begin the morphological changes. The radiograph shows the presence of new osteophytes on the edges of the bone surface. The synovial capsule reduces. Observes joint space narrowing (reduction of the distance between the heads of the bones of the joint). The muscle functions also suffer a negative impact. For the second part of the arthritis family constant pain, the creaking of the joints, sometimes lameness. Typical appearance of a "mechanical pain", occur during running, walking, exercises to reduce the suspension of the capacity of cartilage.
-
According to the degree of osteoarthritis – the joint cartilage is completely worn are vast defeat. In this stage, the disease dramatically progresses. Characterized by a complete lack of synovial fluid, a sharp pain, muscular atrophy, reduction of the ligaments, destruction of the meniscus, the development of the jet synovitis (inflammation of synovial membrane, formation of pus or accumulation of liquids, increase of the joint). The axis of the limb deformed (X-shaped, and-a figurative curvature of the legs). Disappears completely the articular slit, deformed articular surfaces with a large proliferation of osteophytes. The amount of movement is limited or becomes impossible. It appears the sensitivity to weather changes (humidity, low temperature, high atmospheric pressure). The third degree of osteoarthritis, says of the disability.
-
The third degree of osteoarthritis – to the fourth degree of the disease of the joint function irretrievably lost. It appears this phenomenon as a sudden sharp pain at the joint, which do not stop medications. It can happen ankylosis (splicing of the bones) or non-unions, emerging not typical for him. The fourth degree of osteoarthritis testifies to the disability. The treatment involves a surgery to implant the prosthesis.
The types of arthritis
Osteoarthritis of the knee
Knee osteoarthritis is also called deformation and osteoarthritis of the knee. The progression of arthrosis gives you pain and then deforms the knee with possible increase in volume and the death.
Athletes result from regular loads on the knees can develop the so-called osteoarthritis that affects the knee joint, you feel pain in the front hit to the knee, the places of interest such as the patella at the edges). For the pain problem crunch and "clicking" of the joint.
Osteoarthritis of the hip
He also carries the name have been. This type of osteoarthritis is difficult to flows and progresses faster than other types of this disease, which leads to disability. The defeat of a hip prosthesis (unilateral arthrosis) can lead to the defeat of the second (duplex osteoarthritis). With great probability, is available launched osteoarthritis of the hip joints will cause the defeat of the knee and spine. It is observed lameness, shortening of the limb, crunching, atrophy, muscle femoral.
uncovertebral arthrosis
When uncovertebra suffers of cervical arthrosis the town.
In addition to the above factors favorable to the emergence of joint disease, causes uncovertebra osteoarthritis can become the load on the cervical spine, low back pain (degenerative changes of the vertebrae, the cartilage of the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues), disc herniation (protrusion of disc, protrusion of the disc of the spine).
Cervical osteoarthritis joint accompanied by a decrease of cartilage tissue, the seal and the deformation processes of the cervical spine, a reduction of the space, the bone growth on the sides either from the restricted space of the cervical spine, compression of nerve roots and narrowing of the spinal canal.
For uncovertebral arthrosis is characterized by manifestations of headaches, neck pain, dizziness, vomiting, low sensitivity in the neck or tingling sensations in this field, increase of blood pressure.
Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (ATM)
ATM – articulation temporo-mandibular joint. The articulation is more close to the ear, between the jaw and the temple, on both sides of the skull. The cartilage of the temporomandibular joint is not as strong as in other connections, then his defeat causes extreme pain. The disease is common among people over the age of 50 years, you get sick predominantly women. The result of arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint, is the difficulty in addition to chew with a force with the syndrome of pain, worsening of hearing, pain during the conversation. In this case, the causes of osteoarthritis are: change of malocclusion, congenital abnormalities of the jaw, injuries of the jaw, the stress, the failure treatment of the teeth, teeth destroyed, and old age. Making a moving jaw, the published click and crunch when you try to open the mouth the lower jaw can be moved to the side.
Osteoarthritis of the elbow
This type of arthritis and, more rarely, other types of diseases, as well as the load on the elbow joint is almost negligible. In the presence of inflammation in the place of location of the arthritis swells and reddens, there is a clicking, cracking, crunching when you move your hand, pale syndrome, it slightly increases the temperature of the body.
Osteoarthritis of the foot
This type of arthritis also bears the name of coxarthrosis. The disease of the ankle is characterized by fatigue when walking, swelling (when you connect the inflammation in the process), the syndrome of pain (especially at night). Take a walk man, you hear the ticking at the ankle. When coxarthrosis joint damage, muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. The weakening of the tendons causes subluxation (the joint surfaces in the part you touch). In joint dislocation the tips completely disagree.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis
In the early stages of arthritis symptoms may not bother, but then the disease you are doing, and are manifested in the first and subsequent indications. The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain depending on the place of defeat (in the jaw and neck, shoulders, back, elbows, wrists, fingers of the hands and feet, elbow, hip, and ankle). The pains are stupid character, but with an intense progress of the disease are magnified and become unbearable. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- starting pain (stiffness of the joint after sleep or rest, passing throughout the day);
- mechanical pain (occurs after the work, work load, run, exercise, walk);
- night pain (venous stasis causes pain during the night);
- depending on the weather (weather changes aggravate the state);
- squeaking, creaking, rattling or unusual-click inside of the joint;
- limited mobility;
- the deformation of the affected joints;
- cramps, unpleasant muscle spasms;
- lameness;
- redness and swelling in the point of the affected joint (with the addition of inflammation).
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis
Just the diagnosis of “arthritis,” do not put. Disturbing aches and pains, creaking in the joint is necessary to consult first to the doctor. He will examine the patient and give directions to locate the doctor, orthopaedic technician, dental traumatology, the rheumatologist, the surgeon or a neurologist.
Osteoarthritis diagnosis medical and orthopedic. Before the examination, a doctor collects the medical history on the patient, on the genetic or chronic diseases), and makes the inspection. Then the patient is sent a survey.
Laboratory evaluation
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis may require such analysis:
- in the common blood analysis (blood withdrawal from the finger);
- the biochemical analysis of blood (rheumatology tests, blood collection from a vein);
- the analysis of the urine;
- the analysis of synovial fluid or the bite of a diseased joint (enclosure by introduction of a needle into the joint).
Diagnostic to top
X-rays are the research will show the phase of osteoarthritis, the minimum change in the structure of the joint and deform with the help of x-rays. Before the examination the patient should remove the decoration, so as to not distort the result in the picture. You need to remove the clothes with that part of the body, which will be reviewed and (if you need an x-ray of the knee, it is necessary to remove the trousers; chalk is not removable). Then the doctor said that position needs to take pictures of a sick phase. At the time of diagnosis the patient awaits an apron of lead to the groin and the area of the thyroid, the apron will prevent your passage in these places, of x-rays. Then the photo is taken.
X-rays pass through soft tissues, but is absorbed hard (bones, teeth). Then soft tissue x-ray is obtained is dark in colour and solid, lightweight fabric. X – rays- the best method of diagnosis of the bone tissue, as well as in the photos well displayed the bones and joints.
CT (computerized tomography) – a method of x-ray, showing an organ, bone or tissue in a layered cut. The CT scan is performed step-by-step if the x-ray is not enough informative and exactly the arthrosis has not been possible to determine. The procedure is performed step by step in a few minutes. The patient lies down on the table, after you have removed the clothes and metal jewelry. Then the ring of detectors (ct) rotates around the patient, and the images have been taken. Be present during the CT need to your property.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – a method of x-ray. Different from CT that best discriminates between the soft tissues, but does not distinguish the presence of calcium in the bones, unlike the TAC, which examines in detail the bone tissue. Magnetic RESONANCE imaging with osteoarthritis is assigned, for more information on the state of the surrounding tissues or to investigate the fundamental cause of the disease. Diagnostics with magnetic RESONANCE imaging expensive, but informative.
ULTRASOUND (ultrasound) – safe, non-invasive, without radiation and harmful substances. The doctor leads the sensor for each zone and is displayed on the screen, the internal structure of the joint. This method of diagnosis of osteoarthritis, low-cost, safe, and informative.
Forecast
Osteoarthritis is a good prognosis, if this is true for the life of the patient, the disease is not fatal, but complications can lead to visual impairment. However completely heal from osteoarthritis impossible, as well as with age destruction occur faster than the repair of damaged areas. Of itself the disease progresses slowly and can evolve over the course of decades. Discover the first signs of arthrosis, it is possible to further slow the deformation and rupture of the functions of the joint with the help of treatment is still in an initial phase.
Prevention
Often as a result of irregular, unnecessary loads with the knees and the hip joints, then it is necessary to calculate the power load and get rid of excess weight, if any, for the joints worked fully and without solution of continuity.