From ancient Greek "arthritis" it is a joint disease ("Arthr-"-joint, "-sos" -sdisease). It is sometimes called osteorania or deforming osteoarthria (from ancient Greek "osteon" - bones).It will be wrong to call arthritis of the disease - this is the name of an entire group of states, which includes many diagnoses.Any disease of any joint, regardless of the cause, can be called arthritis, but this will give nothing to the doctor or patient: the word "arthritis" is not associated with the cause of the disease or to treatment, but only to certain symptoms.The word "arthritis" is very similar to another term - "this is arthritis". Both describe joint damage, often both associated with joint pain, but have significant differences.Usually, arthritis is a disease associated with inflammation in the joint: infection, hereditary or autoimmune diseases lead to the beginning of arthritis. Its main manifestations include pain, color change, swelling in the area of the inflammatory joint.With article, the events are less remarkable and the causes are completely different.How the joint works (knee and others)
The musculoskeletal system needs a person for active movements in space. The bones are a rigid frame, the muscles - their driving force and the joints - the place of bone mobile connection. In the structure of the joint there are always two ends of the adjacent bones that can move in relation to each other with the help of the muscles and a small gap between them. This articular gap is filled with a special lubricant - synovial fluid. It is needed for cartilage nutrition: there are no containers in it, so it gets all the nutrients from Synovia.The articular end of each bone is covered with cartilage to protect bone tissues from friction. The cartilage also helps to "erase" the vibration and a sharp mechanical load: for example, the knee and the joints of the foot during walking take most of the energy from hitting the foot to the ground.Restoring these cartilage is a long and complex process that does not always end successfully.All joints are limited by a capsule - a film that holds the synovial fluid, does not allow it to spread. Almost all joints are supported by ligaments that do not allow adjacent bones to move too much and in the wrong direction. Why and how arthritis develops
There are many reasons for the start of the articulation, in some cases it is a combination of factors and sometimes it is impossible to determine the cause.There are three main causes and more than twelve extra. The most popular:Common injury;Congenital joint abnormalities (dysplasia).The consequence of inflammation (arthritis) of any reason.Age (usually more than 50 years).Violation of metabolism (trace elements), obesity.Excessive load on the joint.
The development of osteoarthritis is divided into three stages:Initial. There are no obvious signs, it's hard to find. The synthesis of the synovial fluid changes, its function is deteriorating.Pain. Complaints and structural changes occur in the form of bone growth - osteophytes.Severe arthritis. A significant decrease in joint function is added: the movements are reduced or completely disappeared. The joint is deformed and the appearance of limbs.
First, the structure of the cartilage is disturbed: it is thick due to the change in the synthesis of the articular or for another reason. The swelling of the cartilage fabric exacerbates its diet, so over time the cartilage begins to become thinner.Then, in the most loaded parts of the joint, the cartilage almost disappears or becomes very tight. In return, bone growth begins - the appearance of bone (bone spikes ").At the end of the disease, bone growth is so intense that it restricts movement to ankle - the complete stillness of the joint.Articulation
Initial events: Periodic pain after significant physical activity. Then, the morning stiffness is connected - after waking up for several minutes (up to 30), the joint appears to be linked to a rubber bandage: the movements are possible but difficult. Subsequent symptoms:Pain in palpation of the joint.thickening of the bone in the joint.motion restriction;Increased pain during less important physical activity.Deformation of the limb.
Most of the time, arthritis is a disease of large legs (knee, hip) and hands (shoulder). Foot joints are less common.Degenerative processes in the joint can still be manifested in the form of unusual sounds during movement: crunching, cracking, shock.Diagnosis
As in the case of any other disease, it begins with the collection of an analogous - the story of the disease.It is especially important for the doctor to find out if there was the presence of risk factors (injuries, arthritis, congenital defects, chronic diseases).After talking and inspecting the joint, additional methods will be needed: tests and organic examination.The main study in the diagnosis of articulation is radiography.The image will clearly see the main changes in the joint: Reduce the joint of the joints, the growing bones, the deformation. In the early stages, small osteophytics can be observed along the edge of the joint and in the late uneven bone developments along the entire joint gap will be significant.Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is an additional method that will help determine cartilage thickness in the early stages of the article. Arthroscopy is less common: a surgeon puts a small camera directly in the common gap and takes the image of the cartilage.Articulation
It is impossible to completely cure arthritis and to return the joint to the original state. The right combination of several methods will slow down only the development of osteoarthritis, but "to return the former youth" will not work.The main tasks of treating the deformation of the knee osteoarthroom or hip joint:Moderate physical activity (running, walking, sitting position).Special exercises, exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises).diet;drug treatment;Surgical treatment.
By articulation of the shoulder joint or other detection, the authorities do not change, except to correct the load in the particular joint.Physical activity and exercises are selected in each case with an orthopedic-traders by a doctor. The diet usually involves enriching the diet with unsaturated fatty acids, a variety of proteins, restricts moderate carbohydrates (especially simple, "fast").The rejection of bad habits (smoking, alcohol in any quantities) significantly slows down the development of articulation. The diet also depends on the cause of the disease, chronic diseases. You do not need to take nutritional supplements.Pharmaceutical Therapy - Player. Non -inflammatory anti -inflammatory drugs are most commonly used. The choice of appropriate depends on the presence of chronic diseases and the scheduled duration of administration. Less often used are corticosteroids (glucocorticoids, steroids).Very often, doctors prescribe chondroprosts - drugs containing some of the molecules that are important for cartilage. In the vast majority of cases, such medicines have no effect on the joint, especially the forms and ointments of the tablets.It is extremely rare that such medicines can really be necessary and give a real effect: When examining the intra -business fluid, you can check their amount and lacking injected directly to the joint (intraarchic injection).Conclusions
Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints associated with mechanical damage to cartilage and bone tissue development. It usually develops in people over 50 years of age, after common injuries or long -term excessive load.It is manifested by pain after load, morning stiffness and crisis.
