Osteoarthritis is a progressive non-inflammatory destruction of joint cartilage.
As a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its functions, flexion-extension movements in it become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are movable joints of bones. There are more than 200 such joints in the human body, which provide all kinds of movements of the bone skeleton. Free sliding in them is carried out thanks to the smooth surfaces of hyaline cartilage and synovial lubrication.
In arthrosis, hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually breaks down, becomes rough, and synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free sliding. As a result, friction occurs, which makes movement in the joint difficult and leads to its gradual destruction.
Arthrosis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people between the ages of 45 and 65 and more than 65% of people over 65. The frequency has a pronounced age dependence.
Most often, the disease affects large joints - knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis), shoulder joints. Of the small joints, the joints of the hands, feet and spine are most often affected.
In the late stage of the disease, joint ankylosis (complete immobilization) occurs. In this case, only surgical treatment is possible - removal and replacement with an endoprosthesis.
In the 1st - 3rd stages of arthrosis, conservative treatment is possible, the aim of which is to slow down and stop the destruction of the joint, gradually restore the cartilage tissue, improve functions (mobility), increase the range of motion, reduce pain. symptoms and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of oriental medicine reflexology, herbal and physiotherapy methods.
Causes of arthrosis
The cause of the disease is the predominance of wear of hyaline cartilage over its regeneration process. This means that the articular cartilage is worn down and destroyed faster than it can recover under stress.
This occurs as a result of two factors - increased workload and/or slow recovery.
The regeneration of hyaline cartilage requires collagen, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ not only participates in the synthesis of collagen necessary for the joints, but is also responsible for the body's heat level.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold diseases, including arthrosis, is a decrease in the body's heat level. This can especially happen due to insufficient liver function.
All arthrosis belong to degenerative, dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, that is, tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
Collagen, a universal connective tissue building material, is necessary for joint cartilage to constantly regenerate. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints together with the blood.
If the blood supply is interrupted for some reason, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process slows down in them. In this case, the joints that bear the maximum load - knees, ankles, hips and shoulders - suffer the most. Joint cartilage begins to gradually wear out and collapse.
When the cartilage is destroyed, its fragments break off and move freely in the joint cavity (the so-called "mice"), causing compression, blocking, further limiting movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of the disease can be a collagen deficiency, because the body does not synthesize this substance enough. This may be related, for example, to the functional failure of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Factors that cause the development of the disease can be:
- overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- hard physical work, intense sports,
- injuries, multiple microtraumas,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes in the body (dehydration),
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, connective tissue weakness, etc. ).
Classification
Arthrosis that develops on the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary arthrosis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (arthritis, also autoimmune), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own names - gonarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondyloarthrosis (spine).
When inflammation is added, the disease is diagnosed as arthrosis-arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Stage 1 arthrosis is manifested by periodic pain and a slight narrowing of the joint space.
The 2nd stage of the disease means noticeable narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bone growths (osteophytes) and deformation of the joint.
Stage 3 arthrosis means almost complete disappearance of the joint gap, limitation of range of motion to a minimum, joint deformation, involvement of periarticular tissues and bones (osteoarthrosis, periarthrosis).
In the 4th stage, complete immobilization (ankylosis) occurs, the joint gap disappears completely.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis also develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and synovial lubrication properties have already begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthrosis are increased fatigue in the joint, slight pain that occurs after physical exertion or at the beginning of movement after long periods of immobility (the so-called "starting" pain), after which the joint develops. The range of motion of flexion-extension and rotation is not limited, and there is no difficulty during the movements.
In the 2nd stage, pain in the joint becomes more intense and lasts longer, occurs even with small loads. A squeaking or cracking sound is heard during movement. Flexion, extension, rotation movements become difficult, their scope is increasingly limited. Stiffness develops.
In the 3rd stage of arthrosis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joint are performed with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bone growth and increase in size. When the joints of the legs are affected, severe lameness develops.
Diseases 2. -3. In the second stage, inflammation usually occurs with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain and local fever.
Pain with arthrosis can increase with changes in the weather, humidity, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical exertion, as well as when the joint is blocked with a mouse.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of arthrosis is carried out on the basis of a survey, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor examines the medical history, questions the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their appearance and aggravation.
At the initial appointment at the clinic, the doctor, as a rule, asks the patient not only about the symptoms of arthrosis, but also about the nature of diet and lifestyle, because in Eastern medicine, the human body is considered a single system. Within this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints is closely dependent on the metabolism, immune, hormonal system and movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold disease, which develops against the background of body energy depletion, decrease in heat level and accumulation of cold. The main factors in this case are improper diet, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and humidity.
During the external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape, range of motion of the joints, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local temperature increase.
After the patient's examination and interview, the doctor sends him for additional examination - X-ray, CT or MRI.
On an X-ray, the doctor sees a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. Based on the degree of narrowing, it determines the stage of arthrosis.
In the X-ray image, osteophytes are clearly visible - growths along the edges of bones that form during arthrosis.
X-rays visualize bone tissue well, but poorly show connective, soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides much more information.
Using a tomogram, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, the joint capsule, and detect damage to the joint "mouse", meniscus and ligaments.
To study the blood supply of the joint, angiography using a contrast agent (radiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed.
Treatment of arthrosis
In the 4th stage of arthrosis, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis. In the 1st - 3rd stages of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal (glucocorticoid) or nonsteroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. Usually, these drugs are administered by injection into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of joint cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.To reduce friction and improve gliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, the molecules of which have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect cartilage surfaces from drying out and slow down their destruction.
In the presence of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Action.Surgical treatment of arthrosis consists of replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such interventions are indicated in the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physiotherapy.Physical therapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy, and drug administration using current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used to reduce inflammation.
Mud applications, compresses and heating improve local blood circulation, promote healing and regeneration of cartilage tissue, and relieve pain. - Other treatment methods.Exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed for the prevention of arthrosis, as well as as an auxiliary method of treatment. Performing simple exercises regularly improves blood supply to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to warm a painful joint and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment of arthrosis includes such means as mud or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of arthrosis. Basically, they are not therapeutic, but preventive means. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which increase lubrication (synovial fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows the destruction of cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the development of the disease, but also to change it, it is necessary to improve blood supply, activate metabolic and tissue regeneration processes. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an aid, but not as a substitute for full-fledged treatment.
Treatment of arthrosis in a specialized clinic
In the clinic, the treatment of stage 1 - 3 arthrosis is carried out using phyto-, physio- and reflexology methods of oriental medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually enhance the effect according to the principle of synergy.
Treatment in the clinic is aimed at eliminating the cause of arthrosis, which ensures a long-lasting and lasting result.
Diseases of the joints refer to disorders of the Bad Kan base, one of the body's three control systems, in which balance means health and imbalance means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
An imbalance of Bad Kan usually causes not one, but several diseases at the same time. Therefore, arthrosis is almost always accompanied by side disorders, diseases such as excess weight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergy and/or immunodeficiency conditions, endocrine system disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (for women), etc. c.
Modern treatment restores the Bad Kan base balance as a whole and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, along with arthrosis, other co-morbidities also occur.
When treating arthrosis, the doctor works not only on the affected joint area, but also on the body as a whole to restore the Badk-an base balance. This is the secret of the high efficiency of arthrosis treatment in our clinic.
Tszyu or moxa therapy.
This procedure consists of simultaneous or sequential heating of bioactive points with a wormwood cigar or smoldering cones (from wormwood or charcoal). Ju therapy is the main treatment of arthrosis in alternative medicine. It is used both topically, in the area of the affected joint, and in the meridians of the body to restore the Bad Kan base and the balance of the whole body.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood circulation, activates and accelerates the regeneration and regeneration of connective tissue, improves synovial lubrication properties and normalizes volume, has an anti-inflammatory and metabolic effect.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect, as well as promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
The effect on the bioactive points of the liver meridian helps improve the functioning of this organ and activates collagen synthesis in the body.
The effect on the bioactive points of the kidneys helps to improve blood circulation in the lower body with gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthrosis of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local blood circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, prevents muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure on the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the body's overall energy level.
Phytotherapy.
Against arthrosis, various herbal remedies are prescribed, which speed up the metabolism, increase the level of body heat, speed up recovery processes in the body, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and improve liver and kidney function.
Aids.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy, shock wave therapy are used as aids.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body heat levels.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerates joint healing and regeneration.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves the painful joint, increases the range of motion and mobility.
Diet for the treatment of arthrosis
In case of arthrosis, warming up, hot foods are indicated.
Warming foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onions, ghee and sesame oil are recommended.
To increase the energy value of food, you must use spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot foods rich in animal connective tissue, such as rich bone and meat broths, are helpful.
You should eliminate cold foods, chilled drinks, reduce the consumption of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and milk products, pastries, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and leafy salads, semolina and legumes.
Prevention of arthrosis
In order to prevent arthrosis, factors that cause an imbalance in the basis of Bad Kan should be avoided - a cooling diet, a sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, humidity.
A warming diet, physical activity, especially walking, outdoor games, and physical therapy exercises are helpful.
Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthrosis?
Vitamin complexes affect metabolic processes in general. But they do not have any specific, preventive or curative effect on joint diseases. Vitamins in the diet are sufficient to maintain overall health and balance in the body, provided proper nutrition is provided.
Is there always inflammation with osteoarthritis?
No, not always. Osteoarthritis can be accompanied by arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in osteoarthritis does not always help and is often useless.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up in osteoarthritis helps to improve blood circulation and is generally beneficial. But only if there is no acute inflammatory process. In case of arthritis, thermal procedures and warm-up are contraindicated.
How long does arthrosis treatment last?
Usually, the treatment course at the rehabilitation clinic consists of 10-15 complex sessions, which are performed every other day and last 21-30 days. After that there is a break of 6 months. After six months, an examination is carried out, on the basis of which a decision is made to carry out a second course of treatment in order to improve and consolidate the results.