Deforming arthrosis (osteoarthritis) is a progressive pathology that leads to dystrophy and degeneration of the joint surfaces and damage to the cartilage, up to its complete destruction in the joint area.
Usually, deforming osteoarthritis is detected in old age and old age, in the presence of concomitant factors and diseases, it is often detected during examinations, but does not manifest itself clinically.
Deforming osteoarthritis is the most frequent and widespread joint disease. It occurs in 70% of all joint diseases.
causes
The exact cause of deforming osteoarthritis has not yet been elucidated, but some factors have been identified that reliably increase the likelihood of its development. First of all, these are the 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 overloading of the joints (for example, due to lifting weights), permanent injuries, occupational influences, hypothermia of the joints,
- internal - this is the influence of heredity with excessive stretching of the ligaments and laxity of the joints, ovarian dysfunction and climate changes in women, vascular accidents, impaired blood circulation in cartilage tissues, obesity.
Deforming osteoarthritis, as one of the symptoms, can be with alcoholism or myxedema, acromegaly or with hormonal treatment, with congenital hip dislocation, Marfan syndrome (hereditary disease characterized by excessive joint mobility and lengthening of the tubular bones). joint stiffness)
Stages of development
In the development of deforming osteoarthritis, there are a number of regular successive stages that replace each other:
- reducing the hydration of the cartilage, which leads to its thinning and drying,
- formation of defects and cracks in the cartilage,
- destruction of cartilage with a simultaneous acute narrowing of the joint space,
- the disappearance of cartilage from the bone margins,
- compensatory compaction of the ends of the bones, which have remained without a cartilage surface,
- joint rupture with dislocations, fractures and limb dysfunctions.
Symptoms of deforming osteoarthritis
First of all, the main manifestation of deforming arthrosis is
- pain inside the joint, which gets worse after exercise or at night
- individual joints are affected,
- the affected joints are not symmetrical,
- at the same time, there are no common manifestations of joint damage,
- no fever
- there is no severe redness of the joints,
- no change in the analyzes.
The process often occurs in the ankle, knee, hip, or interphalangeal joint.
If the disease progresses to the degree of destruction of the cartilage, a painful blockage of the joint occurs, when walking, severe pain appears, which does not allow the legs to move and causes it to stop. This is due to pieces of cartilage or small bone fragments (joint mice) entering the joint cavity.
In the area of the joints of the phalanges, very hard nodular formations appear, while the joints are not very deformed, the muscles do not undergo atrophy and there is no ankylosis (joint immobility).
Inside the joints, when moving, a creak is heard due to the friction of uneven surfaces against each other.
Pain and limited mobility can cause contractures (muscle twitching), which shorten the legs or arms.
Deforming arthrosis in its manifestations is similar to various forms of arthritis, first of all it must be distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnostics
There are no typical criteria for diagnosing deforming osteoarthritis; it can only be recognized externally by the nodules on the phalanges of the fingers. Osteoarthritis is suspected when:
- typical joint damage,
- long-term development of the disease for many years,
- elderly patient.
The basis of the diagnosis is X-ray data that arise even before the period of clinical manifestations and pain syndrome.
There is a narrowing of the joint space, a change with flattening and deformation of the surfaces of the joint, instability in the joint area with dislocations and subluxations, marginal bone growths, osteosclerosis (excessive increase in bone density).
As the process progresses, bone spines and bumps are revealed, the joint space can become wedge-shaped.
The study is complemented by arthroscopy, a blood test with no signs of inflammation.
It is necessary to conduct a study of the periarticular fluid.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis
The treatment is carried out by traumatologists and orthopedists.
Methods for treating deforming osteoarthritis depend on the degree of involvement of the joints in the process, as well as the duration of the injury and the presence of pain.
First of all, conservative therapy is used.
- reducing stress on the joints,
- weight loss,
- the use of metabolites - a course of aloe or vitreous body intramuscularly in the courses,
- use cartilage restoration stimulants in intramuscular injections during courses.
Complete the treatment:
- the use of quinolone drugs,
- anti-inflammatory therapy.
If there is inflammation in the joint, a cycle of hormones within the joint is indicated.
A complex of massages, physiotherapy effects, mud therapy, thermal effects are also used. The spa treatment is useful.
In advanced cases, surgical treatment helps - joint arthroplasty. In the future, joint unloading, weight loss, walking with support on a cane or on crutches, physiotherapy exercises are shown.
Forecast
Deforming osteoarthritis without the necessary treatment has a slow but constantly progressive course. Leads to disability and significant joint dysfunction, movement disorders. Therefore, when the first signs of osteoarthritis appear, active therapy is indicated, lasting 1-2 months.