Deforming arthrosis (osteoarthritis) is a progressive pathology that leads to dystrophy and degeneration of the joint surfaces and damage to the cartilage, all the way to complete destruction of the joint area.
Deforming arthrosis is usually observed in the elderly and in the elderly, in the presence of concomitant factors and diseases, and is often detected in studies but does not manifest clinically.
Deforming arthrosis is the most common and common joint pathology. It occurs in 70% of all joint diseases.
Cause
The exact cause of deforming arthrosis has not yet been elucidated, but some factors have been identified that reliably increase its likelihood of developing it. First, these are general aging of the body and dystrophic phenomena in the tissues, changes in cartilage and joint capsules.
Factors influencing the development of osteoarthritis can be divided into:
- external - these include joint overload (eg due to weight lifting), permanent injuries, occupational effects, joint hypothermia,
- internal - this is the effect of inheritance through overexertion of the ligaments and looseness of the joints, ovarian dysfunction and climatic changes in women, vascular accidents, deterioration of blood circulation in cartilage tissues, obesity.
Deforming arthrosis, as one of the symptoms, can be alcoholism or myxedema, acromegaly or hormone treatment, congenital dislocation of the hip, Marfan syndrome (an inherited disease characterized by excessive mobility of the joints and elongation of the bones). joint stiffness)
Stages of development
There are several consecutive regular stages in the development of deforming arthrosis:
- reduces cartilage wateriness, which thins and dries out,
- the formation of defects and cracks in the cartilage,
- destruction of cartilage with a sharp reduction in joint space,
- disappearance of cartilage from the bone border,
- compensatory compression of the ends of bones left without cartilage,
- rupture of joints with dislocations, fractures, and limb dysfunction.
Symptoms of deforming arthrosis
First, the main manifestation of deforming arthrosis is
- pain in the joint, after a worse workout or at night,
- each joint is affected,
- the joints involved are asymmetrical,
- however, joint damage has no common manifestations,
- no fever
- no strong redness in the joints,
- there is no change in the analysis.
The process often occurs in the ankle, knee, hip, or interphalangeal joint.
If the disease progresses to the point of cartilage destruction, painful occlusion of the joint occurs, severe pain occurs when walking, which prevents the legs from moving and stops them. This is because cartilage pieces or small bone fragments (joint "mice") get into the joint cavity.
In the area of the phalanges joints, nodular, very hard formations appear, while the joints are not very deformed, the muscles do not atrophy, and there is no ankylosis (joint immobility).
Inside the joints, crackling is heard during movement due to friction on uneven surfaces.
Pain and limited mobility can cause contractions (muscle contractions) that shorten the legs or arms.
The manifestations of deforming arthrosis are similar to different forms of arthritis, first of all, it must be distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnostics
There are no typical criteria for diagnosing deforming arthrosis, only recognizable from the outside by nodules on the phalange of the fingers. Osteoarthritis is suspected if:
- typical joint damage,
- the long-term development of the disease over many years,
- elderly patient.
The diagnosis is based on X-ray data that are generated before the onset of clinical manifestations and pain syndrome.
Narrowing of the joint space, change with flattening and deformation of the joint surfaces, instability of the joint area with dislocations and subluxations, marginal bone growth, osteosclerosis (excessive increase in bone density) are noticeable.
As the process progresses, bone spikes and bumps appear, and the joint space may become wedge-shaped.
The examination is complemented by arthroscopy, which is a blood test with no signs of inflammation.
Study of periarticular fluid is required.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis
Treatment is given by traumatologists and orthopedic doctors.
Methods of treating deforming arthrosis depend on the degree of involvement of the joints in the process, as well as the duration of the lesion and the presence of pain.
First, conservative therapy is used.
- reduces the load on the joints,
- weight loss,
- use of metabolites - aloe or vitreous intramuscular course,
- use cartilage repair stimulants in intramuscular injections for courses.
Complements the treatment:
- use of quinolone drugs,
- anti-inflammatory therapy.
If there is inflammation in the joint, it indicates the course of hormones within the joint.
A complex of massages, physiotherapeutic effects, mud therapy and thermal effects is also used. The spa treatment is useful.
In advanced cases, surgical treatment helps - joint arthroplasty. In the future, joint unloading, weight loss, walking on a stick or crutch, and physiotherapy exercises can be seen.
Forecast
Deforming arthrosis without the required treatment is slow but progressive. It leads to disability and significant joint dysfunction and movement disorders. Therefore, when the first signs of osteoarthritis appear, they prescribe active therapy with courses of 1-2 months.