Arthropathy is a degenerative joint pathology accompanied by a degenerative process of cartilage tissue.As the disease progresses, the joint capsule, ligamentous apparatus, synovium, and nearby bony structures also participate in the destruction process.
Prevalence of joint disease
Among people with joint disease, most are elderly.Diseases after the age of 65 are not only the most commonly diagnosed joint pathologies but also the leading causes of incapacity and subsequent disability.Moreover, among older people, it is mainly women who are affected, but among young people, it is mostly men.
The incidence of osteoarthritis varies widely between countries.It is not yet possible to determine the reason for the widespread dispersion in statistics.
Causes and risk factors
Arthropathy is a disease that can be primary or secondary.If the pathology develops without objective reasons, it is called primary disease.If the cause of the arthropathy could be determined, they would say it was the secondary type.
The following negative factors may trigger secondary arthropathy:
- Joint trauma of various natures (frequent falls, sprains, bruises);
- Chronic congenital tissue dysplasia;
- Pathological changes in metabolic processes;
- various autoimmune diseases;
- Non-specific inflammatory processes in the joint area;
- Some lesions of the endocrine system;
- A long-term degenerative dystrophic process;
- Various diseases involving excessive joint mobility and weak ligament structures;
- Presence of hemophilia;
- A specific type of inflammatory process.
In addition to the direct causes of arthropathy, there are predisposing factors that do not themselves cause the disease but increase the risk of its occurrence.
These include:
- Aged over 55 years old;
- Being overweight increases the load on joints;
- Excessive load on any one joint or group due to improper sports training, specific tasks that require holding one position for a long time;
- History of joint surgical intervention;
- genetics;
- Hormonal changes in women after menopause;
- persistent low temperature;
- Untreated spinal pathology;
- Insufficient intake of beneficial micronutrients and macronutrients from food.
development mechanism
The mechanisms of arthropathy are well known.The cartilage that ensures normal contact between the two bones is smooth in nature without any bumps or roughness, which helps maintain the normal movement of the joint.When disease occurs, the structure of the cartilage changes, becomes rough, and develops defects that reduce the effectiveness of its natural glide.
Due to acquired unevenness, cartilage is gradually injured, calcification begins in some places, and ossification begins in other places.In this case, small particles that end up in the joint fluid and can damage surrounding tissue can be separated.
As the pathology worsens, the joint may enter a state of chronic subluxation, which will seriously impair its movement function.
degree
Doctors classify joint disease into three main degrees:
- My degree.It is characterized by a lack of clear clinical manifestations.Patients may rarely complain of pain in the affected joint but usually do not see a doctor.In this case, changes in the ligamentous-muscular apparatus and synovial fluid were observed, but no significant deformation has yet occurred.
- Level 2.Symptoms of arthrosis become more pronounced.Pain is characterized by being tolerable but occurring frequently.The patient consults the physician because he has noticed a decrease in quality of life.A characteristic crunching sound can be heard in the affected joints.As nerve conduction is disrupted, changes occur in nearby muscle structures.
- Level three.It is characterized by obvious symptoms.Articular cartilage is very thin, and cysts, calcifications or ossifications can be seen inside.The ligamentous apparatus becomes shortened, resulting in increased mobility of the affected area and at the same time limitations due to a pronounced inflammatory process.The metabolism of surrounding tissues is affected, which may lead to muscular dystrophy.
In any case, the patient needs clarification of the diagnosis from the attending physician.This is due to the unique nature of the course of the disease, which is characterized by alternating periods of remission and exacerbation.
pain due to illness
Joint pain is the most common complaint that patients present to the clinic.They are characterized by their association with time of day, weather and physical activity.
For most patients, the pain worsens when walking, running, or other types of physical activity that target the affected joint.Once the loading stops, the pain gradually decreases.They develop because the cartilage is no longer able to perform its shock-absorbing function.
At night, discomfort is often caused by stagnant blood in the veins.Another reason is the increased intraosseous pressure during this time.
One of the main diagnostic criteria is the presence of so-called onset pain, which bothers the patient when he or she has just begun active movement.The initial pain usually subsides if physical activity is continued.Their occurrence can be explained by the presence of joint deposits (debris), which irritate nerve endings.Once these deposits are away from the nerve, the pain goes away.
symptom
In addition to pain, doctors may notice other signs of joint disease that may indicate the presence of pathology.
These include:
- Pain and crunching sounds occur.Pain occurs primarily with hypothermia.At first, the crunching sound is barely noticeable in the ears, but as the disease progresses without treatment, people around you will hear it.
- Reduced mobility.In the early stages of pathological development, mobility is not reduced.However, the longer the disease remains untreated, the more severe the limitation of joint movement becomes.This is due to narrowing of the joint space and spasm of nearby muscle structures.
- Joint deformities.It is a characteristic of late-stage joint disease and an important indicator of the course of the disease.During this period, it is already very difficult to treat the disease.
Which doctor treats joint disease?
Who Treats Arthropathy?In most cases, treatment is performed simultaneously by several specialists.First, there’s an arthrologist involved—a joint specialist.Additionally, patients need to see an orthopedic surgeon.If the disease is the result of an inflammatory process, then a visit to a rheumatologist is also recommended.
If necessary, other specialists may be involved during treatment.In most cases, you will have to resort to the services of traumatologists, physical therapists, massage therapists, and surgeons.
diagnosis
Treatment of joint arthritis begins only after a diagnosis has been made and the extent of the pathology has been determined.First, the doctor questions the patient in detail and conducts an examination.The presence of characteristic complaints and deformities indicates the presence of the disease.
The mandatory method to confirm the diagnosis is radiographic examination of the affected joints.If the disease affects the knees, pictures of the knees are taken; if lesions are found on the hands, X-ray signs of the disease are looked for there specifically.
Diagnosis using radiography does not always provide adequate results to diagnose the patient.In this case, he may be sent for MRI (which will allow assessment of the condition of the soft tissues and their involvement in the pathological process) or CT (which will allow conclusions to be drawn about the state of the bone and cartilage structures and the involvement of nearby anatomical structures in the pathological process).
treat
How to Treat Arthritis of the Joints?Choosing the appropriate treatment technique depends on the severity of symptoms and the stage of the disease.
Doctors choose treatment options after assessing the patient's general condition and course of the disease.Two methods, conservative treatment and surgical treatment, can be used.
drug treatment
How is it treated with medication instead of surgery?
Conservative treatment is suitable only for patients at an early stage of the development of the pathology and consists of the use of three main groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticoids– Injection into the joint cavity of hormonal drugs that effectively relieve the inflammatory process during exacerbations;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,Mainly used as an injection, injected into muscles near joints or directly into veins.But doctors can also recommend taking tablets, although this option of taking NSAIDs is not advisable because of the negative effects it can have on the gastrointestinal tract;
- chondroprotectant– This group of drugs can reduce the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and enhance regeneration; they are particularly effective in the initial stages of the development of the disease.
surgical
If the joint disease has progressed to a serious stage, how should it be treated?In this case, conservative treatment is ineffective and doctors can only recommend surgical intervention.
Today, endoprosthetic repair is performed in most cases.During surgery, the real joint is replaced with a prosthesis that has all the functions of a healthy joint.
In some cases, palliative care options are offered whose primary goal is to reduce the load on the joint surfaces.
exercise
In the early stages of the disease, not only medication but also physical therapy is needed.Physical exercise is an important phase of treatment, helping to maintain joint function and reduce the likelihood of further progression of the disease.
A set of exercises is individually selected depending on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient.Doctors must consider the positioning of the joint to provide the most effective treatment to the affected tissue.
Self-study without medical supervision is not recommended, especially in the initial stages.The selection of exercises must be as smooth as possible, without sudden movements.
Exercise therapy sessions are only effective if the patient spends a little time each day doing the recommended combination of exercises.
traditional method
Many people with joint disease refuse medication or surgery until the end.In this case, alternative medicines are used as substitutes for medications.
The plants most commonly used in treatment are:
- Kalanchoe;
- ginger;
- horseradish;
- bay leaves;
- garlic;
- Cinnamon;
- Horsetail et al.
They are applied to the affected area in the form of tinctures, decoctions, and ointments.It is important to remember that it is impossible to completely treat the disease using only family recipes.Traditional treatments combined with traditional medicine are best.
prevention
What can be done to reduce the likelihood of joint disease in old age?There are simple precautions anyone can take.
recommend:
- Daily moderate physical activity: walking, cycling, simple exercise, etc.;
- Adhere to the basic principles of healthy eating: eat often, but little by little, avoid fast food, overeating, greasy food, and lots of condiments;
- Control weight: Gaining weight can lead to increased pressure on joints, leading to the occurrence of joint disease;
- Prompt treatment of chronic diseases causing metabolic disorders;
- If food is thought to provide insufficient nutrients, a vitamin-mineral complex is used.
The difference between arthritis and joint disease
Many people confuse arthritis with joints due to the similarity in sound.However, these are completely different diseases.
Arthritis is not referred to as dystrophy and degeneration of joint tissue, but rather refers to any inflammatory response that may occur within the joint cavity, regardless of its cause.Inflammation often affects not only the joints, but also the muscle, bone, and ligamentous structures closest to the joints.The pain of arthritis is not related to physical activity; it bothers the sufferer even at rest, and the joints do not creak at all.
In most cases, it is not possible to differentiate independently between arthritis and arthropathy, since the main symptom is pain and patients rarely understand the characteristics of each pathology.
It is best to entrust accurate diagnosis to the attending physician to avoid mistakes in subsequent treatment and prevention of the disease.
Arthropathy is a serious pathology that can lead to disability if patients do not seek prompt medical attention.As soon as signs of the disease appear, it is recommended to contact a specialist so that he can confirm the diagnosis and choose the best treatment.
If you catch the disease in its early stages of development, you may be able to do it even without surgical intervention, leaving you with only conservative treatment.