Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) is a non-inflammatory disease.
joints, characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage, marginal hypertrophy of bone tissue, and changes in the synovial membrane. Most often, this pathology occurs in older people.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis
Do not confuse osteoarthritis and arthritis. In some sources, you can see that osteoarthritis is supposedly different from arthritis in that the former is not inflammatory and the latter is caused by inflammation. In fact, arthritis is a collective term (umbrella term) that includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a fairly common disease. According to some reports, more than 75% of people over the age of 70 have certain signs of osteoarthritis. Although the incidence of osteoarthritis increases with age, the disease is not only due to the aging of the joint tissues. Joint injuries and other factors can accelerate the development of pathology. These include:
- osteoporosis;
- excess body weight;
- postmenopausal women;
- various metabolic disorders;
- endocrine diseases;
- micronutrient deficiency;
- hereditary predisposition;
- congenital pathologies of joint formation (dysplasia);
- joint injury;
- regular microtrauma;
- exposure to certain toxins;
- subjected to surgical interventions on the joints, etc.
The pathology can be primary and secondary. If the cause is not established, osteoarthritis is called primary (or idiopathic). If the disease occurs as a result of trauma, metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases, etc. , is considered secondary.
Stages of osteoarthritis
There are 3 stages of this disease:
- There are no pronounced morphological pathologies of the joint tissues. Changes are observed in the synovium and the composition of the synovial fluid.
- The cartilage and menisci begin to deteriorate. Osteophytes (marginal pathological growths) may appear on the bone.
- It is characterized by a significant deformation of the joint, pathological mobility or stiffness, as well as chronic pain (however, this last symptom is usually also characteristic of the previous stage).
Location and symptoms of the pathology.
Osteoarthritis often affects the joints of the hands, including the distal interphalangeal joints, the proximal interphalangeal joints, and the metacarpal-carpal joint of the thumb. Other joints that are often affected by the disease include the cervical spine, lumbosacral, hip, knee, and the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Osteoarthritis is less common in the ankle, wrist, elbow, and shoulder (in such cases, it usually has a secondary etiology). The clinical picture of the pathology usually includes the following symptoms:
- history of joint pain;
- deterioration of joint function;
- swelling.
The pain usually progresses gradually, usually over many years. Painful flare-ups can be accompanied by partial or complete remission. The pain usually appears when the joint is in motion and subsides during rest, at least until the disease progresses to a more severe stage. Joint stiffness is often felt for a short period of time after periods of rest. It usually subsides within a few seconds or minutes of movement. Most of the time, symptoms appear in the elderly, while in people under 40 years of age, osteoarthritis often develops asymptomatically.
Osteoarthritis treatment
Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis.
- rest, avoiding excessive physical exertion;
- weight loss (to reduce pressure on the joints);
- physical therapy, such as exercise therapy;
- aids such as canes, elastic knee pads;
- judicious use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Also, patients are often shown a spa treatment.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis.
Knee replacement
Replacement arthroplasty
Prophylaxis
To minimize the risk of developing osteoarthritis, it is necessary to maintain sufficient physical activity, treat injuries, congenital and acquired anomalies in the biomechanics of the joint in time (for example, flatfoot correction). Also, prevention methods include reducing excess weight (which puts stress on the joints).