Osteoarthritis is a progressive non-inflammatory breakdown of joint cartilage.
Due to degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its functions, bending-stretching movements in it become difficult, and then completely impossible.
Joints are moving joints of bones. There are more than 200 such joints in the human body, which ensure all kinds of movements of the bony skeleton. Free gliding in them occurs due to smooth hyaline cartilage surfaces and synovial lubrication.
In arthrosis, hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually collapses, becomes rough, synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free sliding. As a result, friction occurs, which prevents movement in the joint and leads to its gradual destruction.
Arthrosis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people aged 45-65 and more than 65% of people over 65. Morbidity has a pronounced dependence on age.
This disease mostly affects large joints - knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis), shoulder joints. Of the small joints, the joints of the hands, feet and spine are most often affected.
In the late stage of the disease, joint ankylosis (complete immobilization) occurs. In this case, only surgical treatment is possible - removal and replacement with an endoprosthesis.
In stages 1-3 of arthrosis, conservative treatment is possible, the purpose of which is to slow down and stop joint destruction, gradual restoration of cartilage tissue, improvement of functions (mobility), increase of range of motion, pain relief. symptoms and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated application of reflexology, herbal and physiotherapy methods of Eastern medicine.
Causes of arthrosis
The cause of the disease is the wear and tear of hyaline cartilage, not the process of its regeneration. This means that during times of stress, joint cartilage wears out and is destroyed faster than it can repair itself.
This is due to two factors, increased loads and/or slow recovery.
The regeneration of hyaline cartilage requires collagen, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ is not only involved in the synthesis of collagen, which is necessary for joints, but is also responsible for the body's heat level.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold diseases, including osteoarthritis, is a decrease in body heat. This can happen, especially with insufficient liver function.
All arthrosis belong to degenerative, dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, which is tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
In order for joint cartilage to constantly regenerate, it needs collagen, the universal building material of connective tissue. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints with the blood.
If the blood supply is disrupted for some reason, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process slows down in them. In this case, the joints that bear the greatest load are the most affected - knees, ankles, hips, shoulders. The joint cartilage begins to gradually wear out and collapse.
When the cartilage is destroyed, its fragments tear and move freely in the joint cavity (so-called "mice"), causing compression, blocking, further limiting movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of the disease can be a lack of collagen due to insufficient synthesis of this substance in the body. This can be, for example, due to functional failure of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Factors provoking the development of the disease can be:
- overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- hard physical work, intense sports,
- injuries, multiple microtraumas,
- effect of cold
- age-related changes in the body (dehydration),
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, connective tissue weakness, etc. ).
classification
Arthrosis that develops against the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary arthrosis occurs due to inflammatory processes (arthritis, including autoimmune), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own names - gonarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondyloarthrosis (spine).
With the addition of inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as arthrosis-arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Stage 1 arthrosis is characterized by periodic pain and slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means noticeable narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bone growths (osteophytes), joint deformation.
Stage 3 arthrosis means almost complete disappearance of the joint space, limitation of movements to a minimum, deformation of the joint, damage to periarticular tissues and bones (osteoarthrosis, periarthrosis).
In the 4th stage, complete immobilization (ankylosis) occurs, the joint space disappears completely.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis develops gradually.
Symptoms may not be present for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and synovial lubrication properties have already begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthrosis include increased fatigue of the joint, minor pains that appear after physical exertion or at the beginning of movements after a long period of immobility (the so-called "initial" pain), after which the joint develops. The range of flexion-extension and rotation movements is not limited, there are no difficulties during movements.
In the 2nd stage, joint pain intensifies and lasts longer, occurs even with light loads. A creaking or cracking sound is heard when moving. Bending, straightening, rotation movements become more difficult, their volume is more and more limited. Stiffness develops.
In the 3rd stage of arthrosis, joint pain becomes permanent. Movements in the joint are performed with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bone growth and increases in size. When the joints of the legs are affected, severe limping occurs.
In stages 2-3 of the disease, inflammation is usually manifested by symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain and local fever.
Pain in arthrosis can increase with changes in weather, humidity, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical exertion, as well as when the joint is blocked by a mouse.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of arthrosis is made on the basis of a survey, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor examines the medical history, asks the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their occurrence, exacerbation.
During the initial admission to the clinic, the doctor usually asks the patient not only about the symptoms of arthrosis, but also about the nature of nutrition and lifestyle, because in Eastern medicine, the human body is considered a single system. Within this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints is highly dependent on the metabolism, immune, hormonal system and movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold disease, which develops against the background of exhaustion of the body's energy, decrease in heat level and accumulation of cold. The main factors in this case are poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, cold and humidity.
During the external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape, range of motion of the joints, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local temperature increase.
After examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor sends him for additional examination - X-ray, CT or MRI.
On an X-ray, the doctor can see a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. According to the degree of narrowing, the stage of arthrosis is determined.
In the X-ray image, osteophytes are clearly visible - growths along the edges of bones, formed during arthrosis.
X-rays visualize bony tissue well, but poorly show connective, soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides much more information.
Using a tomogram, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, the joint capsule, detect joint "mice", meniscus and ligament damage.
To examine the blood supply to the joint, angiography using a contrast agent (x-ray, computer tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed.
Treatment of arthrosis
At the 4th stage of arthrosis, surgical treatment is applied, the joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis. In stages 1-3 of the disease, conservative treatment is applied.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In case of an inflammatory process, hormonal (glucocorticoids) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. These drugs are usually injected into a joint or into a muscle. In order to slow down the process of destruction of joint cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.In order to reduce friction and improve gliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, the molecules of which have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect cartilage surfaces from drying out and slow down their destruction.
In case of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Operation.Surgical treatment of arthrosis consists of replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such interventions are indicated in the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physiotherapy.Physical therapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy, medication using current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used to relieve inflammation.
Mud applications, compresses, heating improve local blood circulation, promote the healing and recovery of cartilage tissue, relieve pain. - Other treatments.In order to prevent arthrosis, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed as an auxiliary treatment method. Regularly performing simple exercises improves blood supply to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to warm the painful joint and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment of arthrosis includes measures such as mud or radon baths.
Important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of arthrosis. Basically, these are not curative, but preventive measures. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which increase lubrication (synovial fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows the breakdown of cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the development of the disease, but also to reverse it, it is necessary to improve the blood supply, activate the processes of metabolism and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an adjunct, but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Treatment of arthrosis in a specialized clinic
At the clinic, the treatment of stage 1-3 arthrosis is carried out using phyto-, physio- and reflexology methods of Eastern medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which, based on the principle of synergy, mutually enhance the effect.
Treatment in the clinic is aimed at eliminating the cause of arthrosis, which ensures long-term and lasting results.
Joint disease is the foundation of Bad Kan, one of the body's three governing systems, where balance means health and imbalance means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
Bad Kan imbalance usually causes not one, but several diseases at the same time. Therefore, arthrosis is almost always accompanied by concomitant disorders, diseases such as overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and/or immunodeficiency, endocrine system disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (for women), etc.
Modern treatment restores the balance of the entire Bad Kan base and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, along with arthrosis, other concomitant diseases also appear.
When treating arthrosis, the doctor works not only with the area of the affected joint, but also with the whole body in order to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret of the high efficiency of arthrosis treatment in our clinic.
Tszyu or moxa therapy.
This procedure consists of heating the bioactive points simultaneously or sequentially with a wormwood cigar or smoking cones (made of wormwood or charcoal). Ju therapy is the main treatment of arthrosis in alternative medicine. It is used both locally, in the area of the affected joint, and in the meridians of the body to restore the balance of the Bad Kan base and the whole body.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: it improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the recovery and renewal of connective tissues, improves the lubricating properties of synovium and normalizes volume, has anti-inflammatory and metabolic properties.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect, promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
The effect on the bioactive points of the liver meridian helps to improve the functioning of this organ and activates collagen synthesis in the body.
Effect on bioactive kidney points helps to improve blood flow in the lower part of the body in gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthrosis of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, removes muscle tension and spasms. Point massage on the meridians of the body (Ku-nye) increases the overall energy level of the body.
Phytotherapy.
In case of arthrosis, various herbal preparations are prescribed, which speed up metabolism, increase body heat level, speed up recovery processes in the body, have anti-inflammatory effects, and improve liver and kidney function.
Aids.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy, shock wave therapy are used as auxiliary means.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body heat levels.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerates healing and repair of the joint.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves the painful joint, increases the range of motion and mobility.
Diet in arthrosis
In case of arthrosis, heating, hot food is indicated.
Warming foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onions, ghee and sesame oil are recommended.
To increase the energy value of food, you should definitely use spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes rich in animal connective tissue, such as rich bone and meat broths, are beneficial.
You should avoid cold foods, frozen drinks, reduce consumption of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and milk products, confectionery, citrus fruits, green vegetables and leafy salads, semolina and pulses.
Prevention of arthrosis
In order to avoid arthrosis, you should avoid factors that cause an imbalance of the Bad Kan base - a cooling diet, a sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), cold, humidity.
A warming diet, physical activity, especially walking, outdoor games and physical therapy exercises are useful.
Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthrosis?
Vitamin complexes affect metabolic processes in general. But they do not have any specific, prophylactic or therapeutic effect on joint diseases. To maintain general health and balance in the body, the vitamins in food are sufficient if there is a proper diet.
Is there always inflammation with osteoarthritis?
Not always. Osteoarthritis can be accompanied by arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in arthrosis does not always help and is often pointless.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up for osteoarthritis helps improve circulation and is generally beneficial. But only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. In case of arthritis, thermal procedures and warming up are contraindicated.
How long does arthrosis treatment take?
Usually, a course of treatment at a rehabilitation clinic consists of 10-15 complex sessions, which are performed every other day and last 21-30 days. After that, there is a 6-month break. After six months, an examination is carried out, on the basis of which a decision is made to carry out a second course of treatment in order to strengthen and consolidate the results.