joint

Arthropathy is a chronic degenerative disease that affects all parts of the joint: cartilage, joint membrane, ligaments, joint capsule, periarticular bone, and periarticular muscles and ligaments.According to European doctors, joint diseases account for almost 70% of all rheumatic diseases. People aged 40-60 are most likely to develop joint arthritis. This condition can be exacerbated by a lack of exercise, chronic overload, poor nutrition and, of course, injury.

What is union?

Typically, human joints are made up of 2 or more connecting bones. All working surfaces of the joint have a protective coating and are constantly lubricated with synovial fluid for optimal sliding. The joint cavity itself is sealed by the joint capsule.In our bodies, there are many joints "responsible" for certain types of movement, which can withstand various loads and have different margins of safety.The amount of movement in a joint depends on the structure of the joint, the ligamentous apparatus that restricts and strengthens the joint, and the various muscles that attach to the bones through tendons.

Causes of joint arthritis

Through the constant self-renewal of cartilage tissue, normal function of the joint is possible. In youth, the death rate of outdated joint cells is equal to the birth rate of new cells. Over time, the process of cell renewal slows down and the cartilage tissue begins to thin. Synovial fluid production is also reduced. As a result, the joint cartilage begins to thin and break down, leading to arthrosis.In addition, there are other causes of joint arthritis:

• Increase physical activity. Arthropathy is a common symptom of being overweight. Due to overload, micro-damages develop in the joints. Athletes can develop joint injuries due to increased loading on "unheated" joints;
• joint damage;
• Congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system (rickets, kyphosis, scoliosis, improper fusion of bones after injury with deformities of the limbs: O- and X-shaped deformities of the legs).

Stages of Arthropathy

Different stages or degrees of arthropathy can be distinguished based on the extent of cartilage tissue destruction.

Degree and symptoms of joint disease

• Primary arthropathy is characterized by cyclic pain in the joints, especially with increased physical activity. The pain usually goes away after rest. The range of motion of the joint is not restricted and the muscle strength of the injured limb is not altered. X-rays can show minimal signs of joint damage.
• Arthropathy of the second degree manifests itself as painful sensations accompanied not only by strong physical pressure, but also by slight loads. Joint pain may not subside even when you rest. This degree is characterized by stiffness of movement and limited joint mobility. This ultimately leads to muscle atrophy. X-rays may show deformity of the joint, narrowing of the joint space, and bone growth near the space.
• Third Degree Arthropathy - Any movement causes severe pain in a person. The joints can be painful even at rest. Therefore, a person will try to move as little as possible to minimize pain. In some cases, mobility requires the use of crutches or a gurney. Sometimes bone fusion—ankylosis (as in ankylosing spondylitis)—occurs.

As the joint deforms, the articular cartilage tissue undergoes irreversible changes, and its function and structure are completely destroyed. Arthrodeformed joints are the occurrence of dysfunction based on the formation of hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid.

Diagnosis of joint disease

The main method of diagnosing joints is X-ray. With arthrosis, changes in the joints, uneven joint surfaces, and narrowing of the joint spaces can be observed.

Which joints are more susceptible to arthrosis?

The limb joints most susceptible to joint disease are the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and hands.With respect to the hip joint, a person may first feel slight discomfort in the leg after running or walking. Over time, the pain worsens, and restriction of movement and stiffness develop. With stage III disease, patients protect their leg and avoid stepping on it as much as possible.Knee osteoarthritis presents with knee pain after bending and straightening the leg. The most common cause of knee pain is an injury sustained in the past. As a result of these injuries, the sliding of the joint surfaces is disturbed and rapid wear occurs. In some cases, the joint may gradually lose mobility.Arthritis of the ankle joint manifests as swelling and pain in the ankle joint of the leg. Ankle arthritis can be caused by: deformations of the ankle joint and talus, fractures, dislocations, flat feet, chronic injuries to the ankle joints of athletes and ballet dancers. By the way, they often suffer from podiatry.Arthropathy of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints most commonly occurs as a result of injuries, bruises, dislocations, and intra-articular fractures. Arthropathy of the shoulder joint is characterized by compression, soreness, and dull pain that radiates to the forearm and hand. The pain occurs most often at night. For hand joints, pain accompanies hand dysfunction.

Treatment of Arthropathy

The main means of treating joint disease are drug therapy, physical therapy and surgical treatment.

medical treatement

The use of the drug helps improve blood circulation in damaged joints, restores the properties of cartilage, and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

NSAIDs

When you have arthrosis, your joints may swell, start to hurt, and have a reduced range of motion. When anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are taken, pain is reduced, the inflammatory chain reaction is stopped, and the cartilage repair process is accelerated.The drug is available in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories, and powder. But remember, self-medication is not acceptable; the choice and dosage of arthropathy medications is made by a rheumatologist.

centrally acting analgesics

Opioids lower a patient's pain threshold. Such medications should only be taken strictly as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor!

chondroprotective drugs

Chondroprotective drugs are structural elements of the cartilage itself, so they actively restore this tissue and prevent its further destruction. Treatment is effective in the initial stages of the disease. When a joint has been completely destroyed, it is impossible to restore the original shape of the deformed bone or to grow new cartilage.However, in stages 1-2 of arthrosis, chondroprotectants can provide patients with significant relief. Combination formulations containing both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate provide better results than single-component formulations.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate

These medications help slow down the inflammatory response in tissues, helping to reduce cartilage damage and reduce pain. In most cases, these two drugs are used together for treatment, as they have a cumulative effect, but must be taken for 3-6 months.

hyaluronic acid

Provides viscosity and elasticity of synovial fluid. Helps in good gliding of joints. Therefore, doctors often inject hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy may include:

• UHF therapy;
• magnet therapy;
• low-intensity laser irradiation;
• drug electrophoresis;
• Phonophoresis (the use of ultrasound waves to introduce medications to the site of inflammation).

Surgery

Surgical treatment is used to restore and improve joint mobility and to remove part of the cartilage or damaged meniscus.In extreme cases, when medical treatments are ineffective, severe pain occurs, and partial or complete immobility of the joint occurs, surgery is used to treat arthropathy.During arthroscopic surgery, part of the cartilage affected by the joint may be removed, polished to smooth its surface, cartilage fragments and growths removed, and part of the damaged ligament removed.

knee replacement surgery

With this surgery, the articular surface of the knee joint is replaced with a metal or composite prosthesis. The prepared plate replicates the surface of articular cartilage. This type of prosthesis is made of a special alloy that will not cause rejection by the patient, will not oxidize, and will not damage surrounding tissue.

hip surgery

In this surgery, part of the cartilage and bone tissue from the pelvis and femur is removed. Typically, the articular surfaces of the femoral head and pelvis are removed and replaced with a metal or cermet prosthesis.

arthritis diet

Excess weight is the enemy of your joints. Most patients with hip and knee arthropathy are overweight.Therefore, for joint diseases, it is recommended to choose a suitable diet. Aspic cooked in cartilage broth is believed to be good for the joints. It contains large amounts of collagen, the structural component of cartilage, which helps restore cartilage tissue.Dairy products, protein and calcium are all beneficial. Animal protein is found in lean meat and fish, while vegetable protein is found in buckwheat porridge, beans and lentils. Boiled, stewed, and steamed dishes are all healthy.The best diet for your joints is one based on carbohydrates (preferably complex carbohydrates), fruits and vegetables, and adequate amounts of protein and calcium.

Prevent joint disease

The key to preventing joint disease, no matter how trivial, is a healthy lifestyle. If possible, try to get some fresh air, move around, and walk barefoot on sand, green grass, and ground. This type of walking improves muscle function and increases blood circulation in your feet.Physical therapy through various swings, turns, and bends of the arms and legs will provide viable support for your joints.Patients often ask if there are alternative treatments for their joints? Yes, folk remedies can help in the early stages of the disease, reduce pain and improve the patient's overall condition. But it does not replace following your doctor's instructions.