Causes, symptoms and treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease the symptoms of which everyone should know. This dangerous and very common disease is at an early stage can be almost imperceptible, however, progressively, is capable of causing the intolerable pain and even lead to disability. How to avoid the problem, we're going to talk about in our article.

Why occurs osteoarthritis and when you should start your treatment

The pain in the area of the joints, "clicks" in movement, and the reduction of the mobility of the extremities often go unnoticed by the majority of people does not give values similar to the body's signals. In the meantime, these symptoms may indicate a serious disease — osteoarthritis.

Deformation of the osteoarthritis, is a disease that involves the destruction and thinning of the joint cartilage tissue. When the tissue of the joint becomes more loose and expands, so that, eventually, the emergence of bone of appendices and inflammation in the inside of the joint.

In an early stage of the patients experience a little discomfort in the movements, which can be not paying attention. In the second phase of the disease will lead to strong pains, that lead to limitation of mobility, joint with guided. The third stage, in addition to pain, accompanied by complete or almost complete destruction of the joint in the cartilage tissue.

Slow down the development of osteoarthritis, to help maintain the mobility of the limb and avoid serious surgery with the appropriate therapy — this is why it is important that at the first symptoms of go to a rheumatologist.

The treatment of osteoarthritis

From the point of view of european medicine, the treatment of this severe disease, such as osteoarthritis requires a comprehensive approach taking into account the symptoms in the different stages of the disease. In the complex of the measures, medicinal, in addition to medicine, include activities for weight reduction, kinesiotherapy, physical therapy, and if necessary, prescribed the surgical treatment. The treatment program consists doctor-rheumatologist, taking into account the location of the disease, the characteristics of the patient, but always includes a series of actions aimed at the fight against the manifestations of the disease.

The pharmacological treatment

The first task that occurs during the treatment of osteoarthritis, it becomes the relief of pain and inflammation in the joint. To this end, we prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) such as ibuprofen, ketorolac, piroxicam, diclofenac and its derivatives — in the form of pills, injections, gels, ointments or candles. Remember that the use of this group of medications only relieves the main symptoms of the disease. In addition, the long-term use of nsaids is able to speed up the process of destruction of cartilage, therefore, apply carefully and only under medical prescription.

The use of analgesics is another way of ridding the patient of the sensations are painful. Unlike nsaid pain relievers, to a lesser extent, relieve the inflammation, but they are more effective in the fight against pain. When a muscle spasm is prescribed antispasmodics, for example, "Mydocalm". Both groups of drugs most often in the form of injections to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and to combat the disease are ineffective.

Chondroprotectors are one of the most important values of the pharmacological treatment of osteoarthritis: take out the cartilage, the tissue of nutrients, stimulating the growth of cells. A group of chondroprotectors refers to, for example, glucosamine, published in the form of tablets or capsules. Should not be ğsemántica a quick the effect of the application of chondroprotectors: improve the state of cartilages will be noticed after a period of reception of medicines. In addition, will not serve in case of the disease has reached the third, the heaviest, the of the stage.

Vasodilating medicines are used to improve the flow of blood, and to remove the spasm of the small vessels. The reception of these medicines in combination with protective cartilage reinforces the action of the last: the nutrients enter the cartilage, shaving the fabric in a larger volume.

Physiotherapy

1. Shock-wave therapy. The application of the technology of shock wave wave therapy (uht) to the arthritis allows you to address one of the main causes of pain: shipoopie bone of the kindred — the osteophytes. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves "spikes" are softened, and with the time to solve, the improvement of the efficiency of blood flow and metabolism. When all the good qualities of shock wave therapy is effective only in the early stages of osteoarthritis and has a mass of contraindications, so it is assigned with caution.
2. Automated electromyostimulation with by verticalization. The use of electrical impulses for the contraction and the muscle is advisable especially for patients in bed, and when there are injuries if the exercises are contraindicated. Although electromyostimulation is not the most common of appointment to osteoarthritis, its use contributes to improve the muscle tone and improve the circulation of the blood, which affects positively on the dynamics of the recovery.
3. Phonophoresis. This procedure combines two types of effects — ultrasonic waves and processes medications. As a result of the conduct of phonophoresis enable you to grow to increase the effect of medicines: through ultrasound of your substance delivered to the target cells and are assimilated by the much more.
4. Ozonetherapy. The introduction of the gas mixture in the capsule joint guidance, reduces pain and inflammation, contributes to the recovery of the mobility joint guidance, improves the circulation of the blood. As a general rule, therapies, ozone is prescribed as a course of several punctures in function of the severity of the disease.

The methods of the traditional chinese medicine

In chinese medicine, the recovery of the health of the joint begins with the diagnosis, during which evaluates the general state of the organism and reveals the cause of the osteoarthritis. Then, the doctor is a program of the exhibition at the acupressure points. The comprehensive treatment of osteoarthritis includes the following techniques of tcm:

• acupuncture acupuncture) — the approach of a very fine needles in points on a combination of both;
• fitocompleks — "marc" of medicinal plants;
• massoterapia warming wormwood cigar;
• massage thuine.

Focuses on acupuncture as the most effective method of treatment in traditional chinese medicine. The results of the treatment are largely dependent on the skill of the specialist. Be in the hands of a skilled doctor, the patient in a short time will be able to notice the improvement of well-being, accompanied by remove the pain, the recovery of the mobility of joints, strengthening of the immunity, the normalization of the circulation of the blood and metabolism[2].

Other methods of non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis:

• Therapeutic exercise. Physiotherapy osteoarthritis is considered an excellent way to improve circulation in the area of the affected joint, as well as to the strengthening of the muscles. As a general rule, the doctor recommended to start with simple exercises, gradually increasing the number of repetitions.
• The mecanoterapia. Curative physical education can complement the mechanotherapy — exercises with the use of special simulators. The devices allow you to increase the load at the time of the gym (by means of the different weighting), while it protects you against the injuries of the joint ill. Such as physiotherapy, massage treatments improve blood circulation, increase muscle tone.
• Apply traction on the joints. The essence of the procedure is a mechanical "pull" of the joint in the special device for 15-20 minutes. This allows to reduce the load on the joint, slowing the development of osteoarthritis and significantly reduce pain in the patient. The course, which consists of 10 to 12 sessions, to improve and consolidate the results happen about once a semester.
• Lymphatic drainage and rolling mill type induction massage. These procedures contribute to the warming sick of the plot, the lifting of the spasm and pain, improve circulation in the joints. Lymphatic drainage and rolling mill type induction massage can be applied and the mobility of the patient.
• The designation of dietetic foods. Correction of weight is one of the ways to significantly reduce the load on the joint and slow the development of osteoarthritis. Of course, the maintenance of the diet alone does not contribute to the recovery, however, in combination with other procedures can provide a certain effect.
• Correction of life style. To combat osteoarthritis), the patient will have to check the usual style of life and start using only the comfort in the shoes, has comfortable furnishing, women have to renounce to the high heels. It is also convenient to get rid of bad habits and exclude the excessive exercise. In some cases, will benefit from the use of an orthosis to regulate the use of the pool and the bathrooms. The exhaustive list of the recommendations can be obtained from the primary care physician, who will be on the basis of the state of the sick.

The surgical treatment

1. Lumbar puncture (minimally invasive intervention). Applies to the diagnosis of the disease. In the capsule joint with guided injected the needle, removing part of liquid, allows to obtain the material for the analysis, the reduction of the burden of the capsule, and the need for the introduction of corticosteroid medications directly in the focus of inflammation.
2. Diagnostic arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is an introduction of a special device the arthroscope through the incision in the skin. This allows you to examine carefully the articulation, as well as deleting those that had separated fragments of cartilage, eliminating the cause of the inflammatory process and the pain.
3. Osteotomy correction. The essence of this surgical procedure consists of the presentation of the bones of the patient with subsequent confirmation from another angle. The operation allows to reduce the load on the joint and eliminate the pain in the long term. This radical impact is assigned less often, too much load on the body of the patient, and too long period of rehabilitation.
4. The arthroplasty. In cases in which other treatments do not work, and the illness is completely or almost completely destroyed the joints, replace a prosthesis of plastic, metal or ceramic. The total knee replacement of heavy and expensive, requires a long rehabilitation. Many of the patients for several months after the surgical intervention, riddled with pain. However, vital for the patient, it is often the only alternative to the total perspective of being immobilized. The service life of the modern prosthesis reaches to twenty years, and during all these years, the patient will be able to live a full life.

The symptoms and characteristics of the treatment of the arthrosis of the different species of

Despite the common features of symptoms di i and arthrosis of different joints has its traits and characteristics of the treatment. For example, the use of ointments to osteoarthritis of the hip is ineffective due to the muscle mass and adipose tissue, which prevents the national liberation of medicine to the place of inflammation. But the same ointment good show when applied on the knee or the elbow. Let's look at what are the symptoms that are characteristic of osteoarthritis of the joints (ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, fingers, hands and hip) and what is the appropriate treatment to each one of the cases.

• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the joints of the hand (the fingers of the hands). In an early stage of the disease is done through only a small crack and a slight pain in the movements of the hands, but in the absence of treatment becomes visually perceptible: the phalanges in the area of the joints produced noticeable thickening. The pain intensifies and becomes constant, appears the sensation of burning, and the wiggle in the fingers. To relieve the pain and inflammation using nsaids and corticosteroids to slow the destruction of cartilage — massage, chondroprotectors, applying traction to the fingers.
• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. Painful muscle spasms, decreased mobility of the hands, "back pain" when you are up and lead, paraffin-your side — all these are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. Prescribed massage, therapy physical education in combination with the application of anti-spasmodic and guided intra-articular injections of pain medications.
• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the elbow. The symptoms of the disease of the joint of the elbow is sharp crack in bending of the hands at the elbows and the movement of the brushes, "shooting" pain and weakness in the muscles. To get rid of this type of osteoarthritis apply physiotherapy procedures, compresses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments.
• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. For oa TBS typical "soft" cracking of the joints, pain or feelings of discomfort in the lower back during the movement or a strong fatigue. In the treatment of diseases prescribed analgesics in the form of injection, capsules or tablets, compresses with anti-fluids.
• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. When knee osteoarthritis patients complain of crunching sounds when movements, painful sensations in the area of the thighs, especially in case of heavy loads, an increase in the size of the joint. In the complex therapy includes: shock wave therapy, applying traction in the joints, therapeutic exercise, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ointments), as well as the use of sanitary napkins.
• The treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. A tingling sensation, redness, cracking sound, the clicks in the area of the feet, fatigue when walking — these symptoms testify to the evolution of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. In the treatment of diseases of this type are effective physiotherapy treatments, massage and treatment of france. You should also reduce the load on the ankle.

To avoid the onset of osteoarthritis, especially when there is predisposition, you must follow the rules are simple: wear comfortable shoes, physical activity, respecting the extent of the workload, to avoid the risk of injury and cold. For the prevention of disease is particularly important to maintain the normal weight, since all the excess pounds increases the load on the joints.