Osteoarthritis is a progressive non-inflammatory destruction of articular cartilage.
As a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its functions, flexion-extension movements in it become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are movable joints of bones. The human body contains more than 200 such joints, which provide all kinds of movements of the bony skeleton. Free sliding in them occurs thanks to the smooth surfaces of hyaline cartilage and synovial lubrication.
In arthrosis, the hyaline cartilage thins and is gradually destroyed, coarsened, and the synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free sliding. As a result, friction occurs, which makes movement in the joint difficult and leads to its progressive destruction.
Arthrosis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people between the ages of 45 and 65 and more than 65% of people over 65. Morbidity has a pronounced age dependence.
Most often, the disease affects the large joints - knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis) and shoulder. Of the small joints, the joints of the hand, foot and spine are most often affected.
In the late stage of the disease, ankylosis (complete immobilization) of the joint 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 goal of which is to slow down and stop the destruction of the joint, gradually restore the cartilage tissue, improve functions (mobility), increase the range of motion, relieve pain. symptoms and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of reflexology, herbal and physiotherapy methods of oriental medicine.
Causes of arthrosis
The cause of the disease is the predominance of wear of hyaline cartilage over the process of its regeneration. This means that the articular cartilage wears out and destroys under stress faster than it can be repaired.
This happens due to the action of 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 necessary for the joints, but is also responsible for the body's heat level.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold diseases, including arthrosis, is a decrease in the level of body heat. This can happen in particular due to insufficient liver function.
All arthrosis belong to degenerative, dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, that is, tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
In order to constantly regenerate, articular cartilage needs collagen, a universal building material of connective tissue. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints with the blood.
If for some reason the blood supply is impaired, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process in them slows down. In this case, the joints that bear the maximum load - the knees, ankles, hip joints and shoulders - suffer the most. Articular cartilage begins to gradually wear out and collapse.
When the cartilage breaks down, its fragments break off and move freely in the joint cavity (so-called "mice"), causing pinching, blocking, further limiting movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of the disease can be collagen deficiency due to insufficient synthesis of this substance in the body. This may be due, for example, to a functional failure of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Provocative factors for the development of the disease can be:
- Overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- heavy physical work, intense sports,
- trauma, multiple microtraumas,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, connective tissue weakness, etc. ).
Classification
Arthrosis that develops against the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary arthrosis occurs against the background of 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).
When inflammation is added, the disease is diagnosed as arthrosis-arthritis.
There are four stages of disease development.
Arthrosis in the first stage manifests itself with 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) and deformation of the joint.
Stage 3 arthrosis means almost complete disappearance of the joint space, limitation of the range of motion to a minimum, deformation of the joint, involvement of periarticular tissues and bones (osteoarthrosis, periarthrosis).
At the 4th stage, complete immobilization occurs (ankylosis), the joint gap completely disappears.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and properties of synovial lubrication have already begun.
Symptoms of arthrosis in stage 1 are increased fatigue in the joint, mild pain that occurs after physical activity or at the beginning of movements after long periods of immobility (the so-called "starting" pain), after which the joint develops. The range ofthe flexion-extension and rotation movements are not limited and there are no difficulties during the movements.
In stage 2, the pain in the joint becomes more intense and lasts longer, occurs even with minor loads. There is a creaking or crunching sound when moving. Movements of flexion, extension, rotation become difficult, their volume is increasingly limited. Stiffness develops.
In the 3rd stage of arthrosis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joint are very difficult, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bony growths and an increase in size. If the joints of the legs are affected, severe lameness develops.
In stages 2-3 of the disease, inflammation usually manifests itself with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain and local fever.
Pain in arthrosis can increase with a change in weather, moisture, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical activity, as well as when blocking the joint with a mouse.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arthrosis is made on the basis of examination, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor studies the medical history, questions the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their appearance and exacerbation.
At the initial appointment in the clinic, the doctor, as a rule, questions the patient not only about the symptoms of arthrosis, but also about the nature of nutrition and lifestyle, since in Eastern medicine the human body is considered as a single system. Within this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints is closely dependent on the metabolism, the immune system, the hormonal system and the movement of body fluids, the body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold disease that develops against the background of energy exhaustion of the body, reduction of heat levels and accumulation of cold. The key factors in this case are improper nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and moisture.
During an external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape of the joints, range of motion, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local increase in temperature.
After an examination and an interview with the patient, the doctor sends him for an additional examination - X-ray, computed tomography or MRI.
On an X-ray, the doctor sees a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. Based on the degree of narrowing, the stage of arthrosis is determined.
On an X-ray, osteophytes are clearly visible - growths on the edges of bones that form during arthrosis.
X-rays visualize bone tissue well, but poorly show connective, soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives much more information.
With the help of a tomogram, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, the joint capsule and detect joint "mice", damage to the meniscus and ligaments.
An angiography with a contrast agent (x-ray, computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance) is prescribed to study the blood supply to the joint.
Treatment of arthrosis
In stage 4 arthrosis, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis. At stages 1-3 of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal (glucocorticoids) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. These drugs are usually given by injection into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.Hyaluronic acid, whose molecules have the ability to retain moisture, is injected into the joint cavity to reduce friction and improve gliding. Hyaluronic acid injections protect cartilage surfaces from drying out and slow down their destruction.
In the presence of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs are used in the joint cavity. - Operation.Surgical treatment of arthrosis consists in replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such interventions are indicated at the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physiotherapy.Physiotherapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy and application of drugs with current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used to relieve inflammation.
Mud applications, compresses, and heat improve local circulation, promote healing and repair of cartilage tissue, and relieve pain. - Other treatments.To prevent arthrosis, as well as as an auxiliary method of treatment, training therapy (physiotherapy) is prescribed. Regular performance of simple exercises improves blood supply to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to heat the inflamed joint and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment of arthrosis includes such means as mud or radon baths.
It is essential that!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of arthrosis. In essence, these are not therapeutic, but prophylactic means. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which work to increase the amount of lubricant (synovial fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows cartilage destruction, but does not repair 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, to activate the processes of metabolism and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an aid, but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Treatment of arthrosis in a specialized clinic
In the clinic, the treatment of arthrosis of stage 1-3 is carried out with the help of phyto-, physio- and reflexological methods of oriental medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxitherapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually enhance the effect of the principle of synergy.
Treatment at the clinic is aimed at eliminating the cause of arthrosis, which guarantees long-term and lasting results.
Diseases of the joints refer to disturbances in the basis of the Bad Kan - one of the three control systems of the body, the balance of which means health and the imbalance means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
An imbalance of Bad Kan usually causes not one, but several ailments at once. Therefore, arthrosis is almost always accompanied by concomitant disorders, diseases, for example, excess weight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and/or immunodeficiency states, endocrine disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (in women), etc.
Modern treatment restores the balance of the Bad Kan base as a whole and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, along with arthrosis, other concomitant diseases appear.
When treating arthrosis, the doctor works not only on the area of the affected joint, but also on the body as a whole to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret of the high efficiency of arthrosis treatment in our clinic.
Tzu or moxa therapy.
This procedure consists of simultaneous or sequential heating of bioactive points with a wormwood cigar or smoldering cones (made of wormwood or coal). Ju therapy is the main treatment of arthrosis in alternative medicine. It is used both locally, on the affected joint area, and on the meridians of the body to restore the balance of the Bad Kan base and the body as a whole.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: it improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the recovery and renewal of connective tissue, improves the properties and normalizes the volume of synovial lubricant, has an anti-inflammatory and metabolic effect.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
The impact on the bioactive points of the liver meridian helps to improve the functioning of this organ and activate the synthesis of collagen in the body.
The effect on the bioactive points of the kidneys helps to improve blood circulation in the lower part of the body in gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthrosis of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local blood circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, removes muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure along the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the body's overall energy level.
Phytotherapy.
In case of arthrosis, various herbal medicines are prescribed that speed up the metabolism, increase the level of body heat, speed up the recovery processes in the body, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and improve the work of the liver and kidneys.
Facilities.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy and shock wave therapy are used as adjuncts.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body heat.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerates the healing and recovery of the joint.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves the inflamed joint, increases the range of motion and mobility.
Diet for arthrosis
Warming, warm food is indicated for arthrosis.
Warming foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onion, ghee and sesame oil are recommended.
To increase the energy value of food, you should definitely consume spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes containing a lot of animal connective tissue, such as rich bone and meat broths, are helpful.
Cold foods, chilled drinks should be excluded, the consumption of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, confectionery, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and leafy salads, semolina and legumes should be reduced.
Prevention of arthrosis
To prevent arthrosis, you must avoid factors that provoke an imbalance at the base of Bad Kan - cooling food, sedentary lifestyle (inactivity), exposure to cold, moisture.
Warming food, physical activity, especially walking, outdoor games and physical therapy exercises are helpful.
Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthrosis?
Vitamin complexes affect metabolic processes in general. But they have no specific, preventive or therapeutic effect on joint diseases. To maintain the general health and balance of the body, the vitamins contained in food are sufficient, provided proper nutrition is provided.
Is there always inflammation in arthrosis?
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 in arthrosis helps to improve blood circulation and is generally beneficial. But only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. In arthritis, thermal procedures and heating are contraindicated.
How long does the treatment of arthrosis last?
Usually, the course of treatment in the rehabilitation clinic consists of 10 - 15 complex sessions, which are held every other day and takes 21 - 30 days. Then there is a break of 6 months. Six months later, an examination is conducted, based on which a decision is made to conduct a second course of treatment to improve and consolidate the results.