Osteoarthritis is a non inflammatory joint disease in the observed destructive-degenerative processes, such as the defeat of the articular cartilage, the use of ligaments and bone, pathological changes of the synovium (the membrane) and of the joint capsule (in the case of the joint, it is hermetically closed, and a connection to the bone to use in the joint). In the case of osteoarthritis pain in the joints, limited mobility.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Still don't know what is the cause of osteoarthritis, but there are a number of factors, the location of the joint, the way to change its structure and function. The can result in the impetus for osteoarthritis:
- Trauma (sprains, ligament ruptures, fractures, contusions, penetrating wounds);
- static and dynamic loads in connection with the professional activity (in athletes, dancers, miners, and other people, the heavy physical burdens);
- Obesity (there is a constant stress on the joints);
- Under cooling;
- Infectious Diseases (Tuberculosis, Chlamydia, Influenza);
- Circulatory disorders;
- hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, menopause);
- Metabolic disorders (osteoporosis (decreased bone density), Arthritis (inflammatory disease of the joints), gout (deposition of uric acid in the joints));
- Autoimmune systemic Lupus erythematosus (disease (a disease in which the immune system recognizes our own body cells as foreign and fights with them), rheumatoid Arthritis (immune system attacks mistakenly healthy joints));
- Haemophilia (due to hemophilia occur frequent bleeding in the joints);
- Disorders of the endocrine system (disorders of the thyroid gland);
- degenerative-dystrophic changes (Perthes disease (aseptic necrotic process in the head of the hip joint), necrotizing process, in which a part of the cartilage detaches from the bone, use, and moves in the cavity of the joint, resulting in the death of the cancellous bone, which arise as a result of small fractures;
- congenital disorders (dysplasia of the connective tissue (improper formation of the tissue), hip dysplasia (the incorrect development of the joint), congenital pathology of the upper and lower extremities);
- Age;
- Intoxication (overdose of drugs, excessive alcohol, drugs);
- Operations at the joint;
- A lack of exercise;
- Inheritance;
- Avitaminosis.
The degree of osteoarthritis
For the process of the defeat of osteoarthritis are divided into 4 grades:
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The zero-degree of arthrosis obvious morphological changes are not observed, but the references to the disease are already present. A change in the composition of the synovial fluid occurs, so that the nutrition of the cartilage deterioration in his stability falls to the load. In the morning, after waking up or after a long stay in a stationary state, red is the difficulty highlighted in the movement of the joints, but in the course of the day, the stiffness goes. This condition is called "Start-up pain". During the movement the joint is to adopt crunch, but the pain is missing during the movement. For the first degree of the pain after a long, hard load on the joint, but the pain will disappear immediately after the holiday.
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The first degree of osteoarthritis – the second stage is characterized damage by the destruction of the cartilage. Morphological changes begin. The x-rays show the presence of newly formed osteophytes on the edges of the bone to use interface. Synovial fluid becomes thinner at capsule. Is celebrated joint space narrowing (reduction in the distance between the heads of the bone use of the joint). Muscle functions to a caries risk. For the second degree of osteoarthritis, the usual, constant pain, grinding of the joints, and sometimes lameness. A typical representation of the "mechanical pain", which when running, walking, exercises, due to the lower impairment of the ability of the cartilage.
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The second stage of osteoarthritis – the joint cartilage is completely worn out, there are extensive lesions. In this stage, the disease progresses dramatically Fort. Characteristic is the complete absence of synovial fluid, sharp pain, atrophy of muscles, shortening of the ligaments, destruction of the menisci, the development of reactive Synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane, the formation of pus or accumulation of fluid, increase of the joint) is. The axis of the limbs deformed (X-shaped and O-shaped curvature of the legs). Almost completely sustavnaya disappears into the gap, deformed articular surfaces with the massive growth of osteophytes. The range of motion is limited or impossible. Sensitivity appears to changes in the weather (humidity, low temperatures, high atmospheric pressure). The third degree of osteoarthritis, talks about disability insurance.
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The third degree of osteoarthritis – on the fourth stage of the disease the function of the joint is permanently lost. Such a phenomenon, such as a sudden severe pain in the affected joint, not to appease drug appears. Can ankylosis happen (the blurring of the bone axes to use), or pseudarthrosis, which is located in a characteristic place for him. The fourth degree of osteoarthritis of the disability. The treatment includes surgery with Implantation of a prosthesis.
Types of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the knee
King meadow-osteoarthritis is also known as deforming arthrosis and knee-joint. The progression of the osteoarthritis progresses, pain and later the king's meadow is deformed with the possible increase in volumes of flammable and result.
In athletes as a result of the regular burdens on the king's meadow to develop, the so-called osteoarthritis affects the knee joint, pain in the anterior area of the affected knee Patella sharp edges) has can. Because of the pain, you should crunch, and a ratchet joint.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The term osteoarthritis carries. This type of osteoarthritis is difficult and progresses faster than other types of this disease, which leads to a disability. The defeat of a hip (unilateral osteoarthritis) can result in the defeat of the second (two-way osteoarthritis). With a large probability of existing, launched in osteoarthritis in the hip joints to cause the defeat of the knee joint and the spine. The lameness, shortening of the diseased limb, pohrustyvanie, atrophy of the thigh muscles occurs.
uncovertebral osteoarthritis
In uncovertebra osteoarthritis of the neck-joint is suffering.
In addition to the above factors, a tendency to the emergence of joint disease, causes uncovertebra osteoarthritis a strain on the neck part, osteochondrosis (degenerative changes in the vertebrae, cartilage, intervertebral discs and the surrounding tissue), foramina hernia (protrusion, herniation of the spine) can.
Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine joint is associated with a decrease in the cartilage substance, seal, and deformity of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, reducing the space, the growth of bone tissue in the hips, in consequence of the narrow space in the neck area, feeling of pressure to nerve roots and narrowing of the spinal canal.
For uncovertebral osteoarthritis is characterized by symptoms of headache, pain in the neck, dizziness, vomiting, low sensitivity neck sensations or tingling in this area, the increase of arterial pressure.
Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
TMJ – the temporomandibular joint. The joint is located closer to your ear, between the jaw and temples on both sides of the skull. The cartilage of the temporomandibular joint is not as strong as in other joints, so that his defeat is causing the strongest pain. The disease are diagnosed frequently in people over the age of 50 years and predominantly women. The result of arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint is the difficulty in chewing food with pain syndrome, deafness, pain when speaking. In this case, the causes of osteoarthritis are: change of malpositions, congenital malformations of the jaw, injuries of the jaw, Stress, poor treatment of the teeth, broken teeth, age. By the movement of the jaw, a clicking and crunching when you try to open the mouth, the jaw can move in the direction of.
Osteoarthritis of the elbow joint
This type of osteoarthritis is rare, other types of diseases, since the load on the elbow joint is practically negligible. In the presence of inflammation, the site of localization of the osteoarthritis swells and reddens, present, click, squeaking, creaking with the movement of the Hand, morbid syndrome, slightly elevated body temperature.
Osteoarthritis of the foot
This type of arthritis also carries the title of coxarthrosis. The disease of the ankle joint is characterized by increased fatigability when walking, swelling (inflammation in the process), pain syndrome (especially at night). Man, strolling snap feels joint in the ankle. In the case of coxarthrosis damage to the joint concern, muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. The weakening of the tendons caused by a Subluxation (joint surfaces, partially in contact). In the case of the dislocation-joint apart completely.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
In the early stages of arthritis symptoms may not bother you, but the disease is gaining momentum, and the first and subsequent characters. The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain depending on the location of the lesion (in the jaw and neck, shoulders, spine, elbows, wrists, fingers, and toes, knees, hip, and ankle). Pain is stupid, but with an intense course of the disease is amplified and unbearable. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Start pain (stiffness of the joint after sleep or rest, in the course of the day);
- mechanical pain (occurs after the purchase of life, loads, running, Training, Hiking);
- nocturnal pain (venous stasis pain provoked glove in the night);
- Sensitivity to weather (change of weather aggravate the condition);
- Crunching, creaking, crackling, or atypical popping sounds in the joint;
- limited mobility;
- the Deformation of the affected joints;
- Seizures, unpleasant muscle cramps;
- Lameness;
- Redness and swelling at the site of the affected joint (inflammation).
Diagnosis Of Osteoarthritis
The diagnosis of "osteoarthritis" not to implement. With a disturbing pain, the should with a crunch in the joint, you first see a therapist. He sees the patient and give the direction to the right doctor, orthopedic surgeon, the traumatologist, rheumatologists, surgeons, or neurologists.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed, the doctor-orthopedist. Before the examination the doctor the medical history (information about the patient charges, on the hereditary or chronic diseases), and makes the inspection. Then the patient was sent for investigation.
Laboratory investigation
In the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, such analyses may be required:
- The blood picture (blood from Finger);
- biochemical analysis of blood (test, rheumatology, blood collection from a vein);
- the analysis of the urine;
- the analysis of the synovial fluid, or puncture of the affected joint (fence means after the introduction of the needle into the joint).
Instrumental Diagnostics
X-ray – this study shows the stage of the osteoarthritis, the slightest change in the structure and deformation of the joint with help of x-rays. Before the examination the Patient does not have to remove the jewelry, so as not to distort the result in the image. You have to take off and with that part of the body that will be examined (if you are an x-ray of the knee, the pants off of; plaster not removed). Then the doctor will tell you which Position it must occupy, to images of the patient Phase. During diagnosis prevents the patient a lead apron in the groin area and the Zone of the thyroid gland, the apron is, that the passage in these places the x-ray radiation. Then the picture is taken.
The x-ray beam passes through the soft tissue, absorbs solid (bone use teeth). Therefore, the soft tissue on the x-ray image of the dark color, and solid fabric brighter. X – ray is the best method for the diagnosis of bony tissues, as in the pictures good bone, you can see and joints.
CT (computed tomography) is a method of x-ray diagnostics, shows an Organ, bone, use, or tissue in the section, layer by layer. CT performed when the x-rays is not identified sufficiently informative and accurate osteoarthritis. The procedure is done within a few minutes. The Patient is fond of you on the table, if you the clothes and jewelry of metal. Then the Ring of detectors (scanners) revolves around the patient is lying, and pictures of made. During the CT immobile.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a method of x-ray diagnostics. Not different from CT, what is better, the soft tissue is different, is different, but the presence of calcium in the bone, in contrast to KT, the studied in Detail of bone tissue. MRI in osteoarthritis assigned to study for more information about the state of the surrounding tissue or the cause of the disease. Diagnostics with the use of MRI is expensive, but informative.
Sonography (ultrasound) – safe, non-invasive method, without radiation and pollutants. The doctor Sensor leads to the problematic Zone, and on the screen shows the internal structure of the joint. This method of diagnosis is osteoarthritis, expensive, safe, and informative.
Prediction
Arthritis has a good prognosis, when it comes to the life of the patient, the disease is not fatal, but complications can lead to disability. However, to fully recover from the osteoarthritis is not possible, because with the age of the destruction to come faster than the restoration of the damaged places. The disease progresses slowly and can. over the decades Discover the first signs of osteoarthritis of the further deformation and dysfunction of the joint with the help of the treatment is still in the early stages can slow down.
Prevention
Often as a result of the uneven, unnecessary burdens, king's meadow and hip joints suffer, so you need to ensure that motor loads, calculate, and get rid of excess weight, if any, are the joints working in harmony and.