Osteoarthritis is a pathology that occurs in a joint due to the destruction of the cartilaginous tissue that covers the heads of the bones that enter the joint. Osteoarthritis can develop in the joints of the extremities and the spine, especially often the disease affects the knee joint (gonarthrosis) and the hip joint (coxarthrosis).
It is also important to understand what osteoarthritis is so as not to aggravate the development of the disease with incorrect measures.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Basically, the causes of osteoarthritis of the joints are associated with the aging of cartilage cells, which is why osteoarthritis disease in most cases is diagnosed in older people. Excessive stress also leads to premature aging of the joint. Athletes and people who are constantly involved in strenuous physical work are also at risk.
In addition, the causes that led to osteoarthritis are often associated with insufficient nutrition of the joint or a slower metabolism in it. This can be the result of a joint injury or poor blood supply to the periarticular tissues.
Destruction of cartilage tissue can also lead to a disease such as psoriasis, in this case, doctors observe a specific form of psoriatic osteoarthritis: the skin of the diseased joint is covered with psoriatic plaques, the skin turns grayish.
Prolonged inflammation (arthritis of the joint) can cause osteoarthritis of the joints; a prolonged inflammatory process in the joint without proper treatment threatens a complicated form of deforming osteoarthritis.
Excess weight can also be the culprit for the development of the disease, since the more body weight, the greater the constant load on the joints.
Studies have also shown that a genetic factor is sufficient for the development of osteoarthritis. So, for example, the disease of arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands in women occurs 10 times more often.
Symptoms
Common symptoms that indicate the onset of osteoarthritis of the joints are pain syndrome and stiffness of movements.
Pain syndrome with arthrosis in most cases occurs at the moment of loading on the joint, and at rest the discomfort disappears. Also, the pain can occur with sudden movements or turns, while it is short-lived and reappears only with the next uncomfortable movement. These signs of osteoarthritis are reason enough to see a doctor immediately.
In advanced stages, the pain syndrome can become permanent. Also, over time, symptoms such as cracking joints and a feeling of muscle tension around the joint may appear. Skin rashes in the joint area characterize psoriatic osteoarthritis.
Types of osteoarthritis
Depending on which joint of which part of the body was affected, osteoarthritis is:
- hip joint;
- knee joints;
- hands;
- spine;
- stop.
Psoriatic osteoarthritis mainly affects the joints of the knees and hands.
There are four stages of osteoarthritis, the fourth stage is also called deforming osteoarthritis, when pathological changes in the joint become irreversible, the joint itself is practically destroyed and ceases to perform its functions.
If the pathology has affected several joints at the same time, polyarthrosis is diagnosed.
Psoriatic osteoarthritis is diagnosed when the usual symptoms of osteoarthritis are complemented by specific skin rashes.
Diagnosis
It is almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis and even more so to prescribe an adequate treatment on your own. The most likely way would be to consult a doctor. Modern diagnostic methods allow the specialist to apply the most optimal treatment direction.
The main types of diagnoses
- X-ray: the image shows the degree of joint deformation;
- laboratory tests - confirmation of the presence of a pathological process in the joint will be an increase in ESR in the blood;
- analysis of synovial fluid and histological examination of the synovium - allows the doctor to determine the presence of pathological formations in the joint.
Also, the doctor should examine and palpate the affected joint. Then a visual examination will reveal signs of psoriatic osteoarthritis. Only an integrated approach to studying test results can provide a true picture of the disease and confirm the diagnosis.
Onset and course of the disease
The onset of osteoarthritis, as a rule, goes unnoticed by the patient, the pain in the early stages of the disease is barely noticeable and does not present any significant concern. The first thing patients usually feel is a feeling of discomfort after a long period of rest, for example, short-term joint stiffness in the morning. Over time, the connection between physical activity and joint pain begins to develop. Mild pain with exertion begins to intensify. In later stages, pain can also be worrisome during rest periods, at night. Pain sensations in arthrosis differ in their frequency, they intensify during periods of exacerbation, they may not appear at all during periods of remission.
For the most part, patients go to the doctor when there is already a very pronounced pain syndrome and limited movement, making it impossible to lead a normal life. The advanced stage of osteoarthritis is also indicated by symptoms such as lameness and subluxation of the joints, the appearance of which is associated with the presence of large deformities in the joint and deterioration of the cartilage tissue.
Treatment
The sooner therapy is started, the more likely the joint is to start working fully again, although modern medicine does not speak of the complete disappearance of the disease. The main factors in the treatment of osteoarthritis are its complexity and consistency. The doctor must take into account many different factors: the stage of the disease, the details of the clinical picture, the causes of its occurrence, and take into account how impaired the function of the musculoskeletal system is. If acute osteoarthritis is diagnosed, treatment begins with the appointment of pain relieving drugs.
Treatment is carried out in three stages:
- Joint stress relief.
- Synovitis relief.
- Rehabilitation and preventive measures aimed at slowing the further development of the disease.
In each case, an individual approach is required. Medications affect each organism with varying degrees of effectiveness, in addition, tolerance and side effects of such medications must be taken into account. In many cases, the disease develops against the background of an infection already present in the body. So, in the case of psoriatic osteoarthritis, steps are taken to eliminate psoriasis.