Osteoarthritis is the progressive non-inflammatory destruction of joint cartilage.
As a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its functions, flexion-extension movements become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are movable joints of bones. The human body contains more than 200 such joints, which provide all kinds of movements of the bone skeleton. Free sliding in them is carried out by the smooth surfaces of the hyaline cartilage and synovial lubrication.
With arthrosis, hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually crumbles, becomes rough, and synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free limbs. As a result, friction occurs, which hinders movement in the joint and leads to its progressive destruction.
Arthrosis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people between 45 and 65 years of age, and more than 65% of people over 65 years of age. The incidence has a pronounced age dependence.
Most often, the disease affects large joints - the knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis) and shoulder. Of the small joints, the joints of the hand, foot and spine are most often affected.
In a late stage of the disease, ankylosis (complete immobilization) of the joint occurs. In this case, only surgical treatment is possible - removal and replacement with endoprosthesis.
In stages 1 - 3 of arthrosis, conservative treatment is possible, the purpose of which is to slow down and stop the destruction of the joint, gradual restoration of cartilage tissue, improvement of functions (mobility), increase of range of motion, relief ofPain symptoms and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of reflexology, herbs and physiotherapy methods of oriental medicine.
Causes of arthrosis
The cause of the disease is the predominance of wear of hyaline cartilage over the process of its regeneration. This means that the joint cartilage is worn down and destroyed under stress faster than it recovers.
This happens due to the action of two factors - increased loads and / or slow recovery.
For the regeneration of hyaline cartilage, collagen is required, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ is not only involved in the synthesis of collagen, necessary for joints, but is also responsible for the level of body heat.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold diseases, including arthrosis, is a decrease in the level of body heat. This can happen, especially due to insufficient liver function.
All arthrosis belongs to degenerative, dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, which means tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
In order to constantly regenerate, the articular cartilage needs collagen, a universal building material of connective tissue. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and goes to the joints with the blood.
If the blood supply is disrupted for some reason, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process in them slows down. In this case, the joints that carry the maximum load - knees, ankles, hips and shoulders - suffer the most. Articular cartilage gradually wears out and collapses.
When the cartilage is destroyed, its fragments tear and move freely in the joint cavity (the so-called "mice"), causing pinching, blocking, limiting further movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of the disease can be collagen deficiency due to insufficient synthesis of this substance in the body. This may for example be due to functional insufficiency of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Provocative factors for the development of the disease can be:
- overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- hard physical work, intense sports,
- trauma, multiple microtrauma,
- Exposure to cold
- Age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, weakness of connective tissue, etc. ).
Classification
Arthrosis, which develops against the background of metabolic disorders, is called primary.
Secondary arthrosis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (including arthritis, 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).
With the addition of inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as arthrosis-arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Arthrosis of the 1st stage is manifested by periodic pain and slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means a noticeable narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, the formation of bone growths (osteophytes) and joint deformation.
Stage 3 arthrosis means almost complete disappearance of the joint space, limitation of range of motion to a minimum, joint deformation, involvement of periarticular tissues and bones (osteoarthrosis, periarthrosis).
At the 4th stage, complete immobilization (ankylosis) occurs, the joint space completely disappears.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and properties of synovial lubrication have already begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthrosis are increased fatigue in the joint, minor pain that occurs after physical activity or at the beginning of movements after a long period of immobility (the so-called "starting" pain), after which the joint develops. The range of flexion-extension and rotation movements is not limited, and there are no difficulties during movements.
At the 2nd stage, pain in the joint becomes more intense and lasts longer, occurs even with small loads. When moving, you hear a cracking or crunching sound. Flexion, extension, rotation movements become difficult, their volume becomes more and more limited. Rigidity develops.
At the 3rd stage of arthrosis, the joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joint are made with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bone growth and increases in size. If the joints of the legs are affected, severe paralysis develops.
In stages 2-3 of the disease, inflammation usually occurs with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain and local fever.
Pain with arthrosis can be intensified with changes in the weather, moisture, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical activity, as well as when the joint is blocked with a mouse.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of arthrosis is made on the basis of a survey, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor studies the medical history, asks the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their appearance and the exacerbation.
At the first appointment in the clinic, the doctor, as a rule, asks the patient not only about the symptoms of arthrosis, but also about the nature of the diet and lifestyle, because in Eastern medicine thehuman body considered as a single system. In this unified system there are internal relations.
For example, the condition of the joints is closely dependent on the metabolism, immune system, hormonal systems and the movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold, which develops against the background of energy pollution of the body, a decrease in heat and the accumulation of cold. The key factors in this case are poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and moisture.
During an external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape of the joints, range of motion, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local temperature increase.
After the examination and interview of the patient, the doctor sends him for an additional examination - X-ray, CT or MRI.
On an X-ray, the doctor sees a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates the thinning of the cartilage. Based on the degree of narrowing, it determines the stage of arthrosis.
An X-ray clearly shows osteophytes - growths along the edges of bones that form during osteoarthritis.
X-ray visualizes bone tissue well, but poorly shows binding, soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides much more information.
With a tomogram, the doctor can examine the condition of the hyaline cartilage in detail, as well as detect the synovial bursa, joint capsule, and joint "mice", damage to the meniscus and ligaments.
To study the blood supply to the joint, angiography with a contrast medium is prescribed (radiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging).
Treatment of arthrosis
At the 4th stage of arthrosis, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced by an endoprosthesis. In stages 1 - 3 of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to relieve the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal (glucocorticoid) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. Typically, these drugs are given by injection into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of the joint cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.To reduce friction and improve the joints, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint skin, whose molecules have the ability to retain moisture. Injections of hyaluronic acid protect the 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. - Operation.Surgical treatment of arthrosis consists of replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such interventions are indicated at the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physiotherapy.To relieve the inflammation, physical therapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy and the administration of drugs with electricity (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used.
Mud applications, compresses and heating improve local blood circulation, promote healing and restoration of cartilage tissue and relieve pain. - Other treatments.To prevent arthrosis, as well as as an auxiliary method of treatment, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed. Regular performance of simple exercises improves blood supply to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Warm baths can be used to warm up a painful joint and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment for arthrosis includes such medicines as mud or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of arthrosis. Essentially, these are not therapeutic, but prophylactic agents. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which act to increase the amount of lubricant (synovial fluid) and ease the joints. Reducing friction slows the destruction of the cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the development of the disease, but also to reverse it, it is necessary to improve the blood supply, to activate the processes of metabolism and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an aid, but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Treatment of arthrosis in a specialized clinic
In the clinic, the treatment of stage 1 - 3 arthrosis is carried out with 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 various procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually enhance the effect according to the principle of synergy.
The treatment in the clinic aims to eliminate the cause of the arthrosis, this guarantees long-term and lasting results.
Joint diseases refer to disorders of the basis of Bad Kan - one of the three control systems of the body, the balance of which means health, and the imbalance of which 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 concomitant disorders, diseases, for example overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and / or immunodeficiency conditions, endocrine disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (in women), etc.
Modern treatment restores the balance of the Bad Kan basis as a whole and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, together with arthrosis, other concomitant diseases also appear.
In the treatment of arthrosis, the doctor works not only on the area of the affected joint, but also on the body as a whole, to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret of the high efficiency of arthrosis treatment in our clinic.
Tszyu or Moxo therapy.
This procedure consists of simultaneous or sequential heating of bioactive points with a wormwood cigar or melting cone (from wormwood or coal). Ju therapy is the main treatment for arthrosis in alternative medicine. It is used both locally, on the area of the affected joint, and on the meridians of the body to restore the balance of the Bad Kan base and the body as a whole.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the restoration and renewal of connective tissue, improves the properties and normalizes the volume of synovial lubrication, and has an anti-inflammatory and metaboliceffect.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect, and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
Impact on the bioactive points of the liver meridian helps to improve the functioning of this organ and activate collagen synthesis in the body.
Impact 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 circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, eliminates muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure on the meridians of the body (Ku-nye) increases the overall energy level of the body.
Phytotherapy.
For arthrosis, various herbal medicines are prescribed, which speed up the metabolism, increase the level of body heat, speed up the recovery processes in the body, have an anti-inflammatory effect and improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
aids.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy and 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 the healing and restoration of the joint.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves the painful joint, increases the range of motion and mobility.
Diet for arthrosis
For arthrosis, heating, hot food are indicated.
Warm 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 should definitely consume spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes that contain a lot of animal connective tissue, for example, rich bone and meat broths, are useful.
You should exclude cold foods, chilled drinks, reduce the consumption of cold foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, sweets, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and leafy salads, semolina, and legumes.
Prevention of arthrosis
To prevent arthrosis, you should avoid factors that provoke an imbalance in the base of Bad Kan - cold diet, a sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, humidity.
Warming diet, physical activity, especially walking, outdoor games and physical therapy exercises are useful.
Frequently asked questions about arthrosis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthrosis?
Vitamin complexes affect metabolic processes in general. But they have no specific, preventive or therapeutic effect for joint diseases. To maintain general health and body balance, the vitamins contained in the food are sufficient, provided that the right nutrition is provided.
Is there always inflammation with arthrosis?
No, not always. Osteoarthritis can be accompanied by arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for arthrosis does not always help and is often pointless.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up for arthrosis helps to improve blood circulation and is generally good. But only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. For arthritis, thermal procedures and heating are contraindicated.
How long does the treatment for arthrosis take?
Usually, a treatment course in a rehabilitation clinic consists of 10 - 15 complex sessions, which are carried out every other day and lasts 21 - 30 days. After that there is a break for 6 months. Six months later, an examination is carried out, based on which a decision is made to carry out a second course of treatment to improve and consolidate the results.