Arthrosis of the hip joint is a progressive chronic disease that develops in the elderly after suffering injuries, infections, spinal injuries. Most elderly people are affected by this disease. Almost 75% of people find signs of arthrosis in themselves. The affected area may touch the left, right joint. Modern remedies stop the destruction of the joint, cure in the early stages of the disease.
Treatment of hip arthrosis in the elderly is carried out in several ways (using traditional, alternative medicine). In order to detect the disease in time, not to bring the matter to an operation, it is necessary to establish the correct diagnosis. The treatment is carried out under the supervision of a physician, applying a set of measures to prevent the disease.
Diagnostic methods are magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, x-ray. In combination, the methods allow you to find out the condition of the tissues, to consider the individually flowing symptoms. The task will be to establish pathology in bone tissue, the causes of arthrosis in the elderly.
When treating hip arthrosis in the elderly, it is worth identifying measures that help increase the immune system:
- Meeting the requirements for a balanced diet;
- Getting rid of excess body weight;
- Massage;
- The use of drugs;
- Therapy with folk remedies.
It is worth following a correct, healthy diet. Products should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, macronutrients. The body will receive substances that can stop further destruction of the cartilage.
Overweight in old age is difficult to deal with. Excess weight is the main enemy for sore joints and adds stress on the bones.
When using drugs (chondroprotectors), the result is not immediately visible.
Treatment with massage, physical education improves blood circulation in the body, relieves pain, swelling, which will allow the cartilage to receive the required amount of nutrients. Exercise will stretch your joints without letting them ossify. Massage is carried out several times a day. Types of massage, exercises are prescribed by a doctor.
Treatment helps to solve problems:
- Decreased pain sensation;
- Restoration of normal blood circulation;
- Strengthening the muscles;
- Reducing the load on the diseased joint;
- Slowing down the destructive process in bone tissue, the recovery process;
- Increased joint gap;
- Improving metabolic processes in muscles;
- Improvement of the patient's condition;
Orthopedic treatment is an important branch in the care of arthrosis in the elderly. It is varied, depending on the condition of the hip joint.
In addition to ongoing measures for the treatment of the disease, studies are prescribed:
- Clinical blood test;
- Biochemical analysis;
- General clinical analysis of urine;
- Tissue analysis by biopsy;
- Examination of cartilage tissue;
- Ultrasound procedure.
To determine the causes, the course of the disease, it is enough to see the general indicators of clinical, radiological data.
Treatment of the disease at the first stage will be effective. Fixing garters are used to maintain the position of the joint. In subsequent stages, the efficiency decreases. The third stage is characterized by complete destruction of cartilage, drugs do not work. Complications in such cases are:
- Complete immobility of the patient with damage to the hip part;
- Constant pain in the joint area;
- Development of concomitant diseases (pneumonia).
The hip joint can occur at home. Surgery is stressful for the patient, especially when it is done in old age. In order for the patient to recover faster, he is sent for wellness procedures in a sanatorium, a holiday home.
The operation is prescribed when the disease reaches 3 degrees, the destroyed joint can be restored only by replacing it with a prosthesis. Surgery can be prescribed at the second stage of the disease for the fastest reconstruction of the body. In the future, the disease will no longer bother the person, which will help return him to his daily environment.
The operation allows to restore the functional capacity of the hip joint, prostheses serve for many years before their subsequent replacement. The doctor's recommendations should be followed - violations associated with improper handling of the implanted joint can lead to injuries, repeated surgery. If the operation is successful, the mobility of the joint returns to normal, constant pain disappears.
There are ways to eliminate the disease of the hip joint by surgical intervention:
- The use of intra-articular surgery;
- Surgery outside the joints;
- Using combined methods;
After applying one of the methods, the patient's pain is eliminated, and mobility is lost for a while. This makes it harder to work after being discharged from the hospital. With stress on the lower back, back pain may occur. Therefore, at the first suspicion of arthrosis of the hip joint, you should immediately seek help.
Treatment in unconventional ways
For older people, this method of treatment is close. Traditional methods of treating hip arthrosis are divided into several categories:
- External use - natural ingredients that help relieve pain (compresses, health baths, rubbing, ointments from aloe, eucalyptus, and other plants). The composition includes medicinal plants;
- Internal use - a variety of infusions, decoctions.
Honey acts as an assistant in activating recovery processes. Contains many vitamins, trace elements necessary for the body. Relieves joint pain.
Herbs, decoctions produce an anti-inflammatory effect. During use, there is a possibility of contraindications, acceleration of destructive processes in the joints, therefore, before use, it is worthwhile to find out the doctor's recommendations. It is more efficient to use non-traditional methods of treatment together with pharmaceutical methods. Treatment with the help of complex measures will avoid disability and death.
Medicines for arthrosis of the hip joint
The course of medicines for the treatment of arthrosis in the elderly includes drugs:
- Glucosamine;
- Rumalon;
- Midocalm;
- Sirdalud.
This group of drugs relieves muscle pain, restores blood supply to damaged tissues. Promotes tissue saturation with microelements.
It is difficult to advise older people about expensive surgeries to replace a diseased joint with an implant. The procedure is difficult to tolerate at this age. It is worth paying attention to strengthening measures that can freeze the process of tissue destruction:
- Increase walking, provided that there are no exacerbations of the disease of the hip joint. Help with arthrosis of the joint is provided by: swimming, skiing, cycling.
- To avoid overstrain of the musculoskeletal system, use additional means - a cane, a stick.
- Do not get carried away with painkillers - they temporarily relieve severe pains, accelerate the process of destruction of cartilaginous tissues. Medicines negatively affect the bowel function, they should be replaced with folk remedies.
- Perform exercises to improve the condition with caution, each of them has a specific effect (the intensity of the exercise should depend on the patient's condition), can increase the pain.
A new achievement in the treatment of arthrosis is the use of oriental medicine. It improves metabolic processes in the body, balances blood flow, and soothes pain. You should not be treated only on the basis of traditional medicine in order to relieve pain, eliminate the disease.
Treating arthrosis with the right diet
A well-chosen diet is the key to restoring the body in the event of cartilage breakdown. The main goal is to fill the body with proteins, get rid of excess weight, and limit the consumption of salty foods. The diet allows you to relieve stress on the joints, eliminate pain, discomfort, and restore damaged areas of the joint.
During the diet, adhere to the following diet:
- Eat a sufficient amount of protein foods (fish, meat);
- Use dairy products (cottage cheese, fermented baked milk);
- Boil porridge in water;
- There are vegetables;
- Exclude alcoholic, strong drinks.
Arthrosis of the hip joint is a complex, serious disease. More often, its development is the transfer by the patient of a chronic disease with pathology. Prevention is the surest way to avoid joint disease. Its measures help prevent injuries, correct nutrition, and avoid heavy physical exertion. Ignoring arthrosis in elderly patients can become disabled.
In this article, you will learn:
Why do joint diseases occur in the elderly?
How do joint diseases manifest in the elderly
What joint diseases are most common in older people?
How to treat joint diseases in the elderly correctly
Can traditional medicine help fight joint diseases in the elderly?
Popular phrase "Movement is life!" for millions of people with joint pain is of particular importance. And joint diseases in the elderly are taken for granted. As a rule, if pains appear, people attribute them to the approaching old age. What are the causes of the appearance of joint diseases in the elderly? How are they treated? Can the onset of joint diseases be prevented or slowed down? Let's figure it out together.
How common are joint diseases in older people?
The joint is called the junction of the bones; it is a kind of cavity with joint fluid, which serves to reduce friction between the bones. They help a person to make all movements. As long as our joints are healthy, we do not notice their work. Only over the years, when faced with unbearable pain when walking, squatting or climbing stairs, do we begin to appreciate them. Joint diseases in the elderly are often irreversible and chronic.
The problem of joint diseases has always been relevant for humanity. Since ancient times, people have been looking for ways of salvation. Even now, despite the achievements of modern medicine, every third person in the world suffers from joint diseases. Each of us is at risk, regardless of gender and social status, age and habits. When we are young, we don’t think about serious illnesses.
Restriction of freedom of movement due to pain is very common. Unbiased statistics speak of terrible numbers: almost all elderly people over 75 have joint problems. And at the age of 65, 70% of elderly people are already concerned about the symptoms of the disease.
It is obvious that joint diseases in the elderly occur against the background of age-related changes, namely: changes in joints (lose their rounded shape), muscles (become flabby), tissues (elasticity decreases). In addition to natural aging, there may be other causes that exacerbate the disease or accelerate the exacerbation.
Why does joint disease occur in the elderly?
Treatment of joint diseases in the elderly, however, like any disease, should begin with a correct diagnosis. Having established the diagnosis, the causes of the pathology should be determined, the nature of the treatment depends on it. It is difficult to say how this or that disease developed, but the following forms have been investigated and studied by modern medicine:
With age, the human musculoskeletal system undergoes essential changes... In older people, the volume of muscle mass changes, since muscles become flabby and atrophied without strenuous physical work. The cartilage is no longer so elastic, it becomes thinner. The sliding process of bones is disrupted due to the roughness of the cartilage tissue. All articular cartilage changes, tendons and articular bags are deformed due to the deposition of calcium salts. Let's add to this process the age-related thinning of the bones, which makes them fragile and vulnerable. Thus, changes in the body of an elderly person make him more susceptible to injury.
The phrase "Sport cripples, physical education heals" is confirmed by frequent joint diseases due to trauma... Injuries sustained over the course of life are usually a common cause of joint pathology in old age. What do athletes hurt? Ligaments, muscles, joints. While recovering, the body slightly changes the affected tissues. And if the injuries are permanent, then this will inevitably lead to the development of joint diseases in old age. Who else, besides athletes, is at risk? Those whose professional activities involve repetition of monotonous movements, excessive physical exertion on the joints.
Joints, synovial fluid of joints are prone to inflammatory processes due to chronic infections.
A special group is pathological changes in the work of the joints due to endocrine disorders in organism. The mechanism is as follows: hormonal imbalance entails metabolic failure, salt deposition. This imbalance lowers bone density, which can cause joints to malfunction. The so-called endocrine arthritis, which are treated by an endocrinologist, cause big problems for an elderly person, because the root cause is a disruption of the endocrine glands. Women during menopause should pay attention to the likelihood of developing joint disease (infectious or dystrophic) due to hormonal changes.
Medical research has shown that not in the last place as a cause of joint diseases are family diseases, i.e. hereditary predispositions... Genetically, problems with joint disease can be traced back to generations.
The well-known fact: "keep your feet warm and dry" in practice is confirmed by an increase in the incidence of joint diseases due to dampness and cold... For example, in Sweden, there are 2 times more cases of rheumatoid arthritis among elderly residents of coastal areas (in an atmosphere of high humidity) than among residents in the country.
Does not require a scientific explanation for the effect on the joints overweight... It is clear that excessive physical stress on the connecting blocks, which provide movement, wears them out prematurely, which leads to dysfunctions of their functions and joint diseases in the elderly.
How joint disease in older people can be associated with sedentary life? It's simple: physical activity decreases with age, which means that due to poor blood circulation, cartilage tissue does not receive adequate nutrition, metabolism is disrupted. The blockade joint is destroyed, arthrosis appears.
Each case of joint disease in the elderly should be considered separately. Chronic stress, inappropriate climate, environmental problems and poor nutrition of the elderly can provoke an exacerbation.
After analyzing the facts affecting the development of joint diseases in the elderly, the following conclusions can be drawn:
The reasons that provoke the appearance of joint diseases in the elderly are many, ranging from internal problems of the body to external factors related to the location of the country.
More often, joint diseases occur due to the effects of several reasons at once.
What are the diseases of the joints in the elderly by the nature of the lesion?
Inflammatory and infectious
The name itself says that the cause of these joint diseases in the elderly is an infectious process that causes inflammation. In addition to infection, the cause of joint pathology can be both an autoimmune and an allergic process. How to recognize this type of disease? An elderly person, of course, will notice swelling, swelling in the joint area, accompanied by pain. Symptoms develop very quickly, then fade away, but this does not mean that the disease is localized. Usually, after an acute onset, the inflammatory process passes hidden, without pain, which is more dangerous for an elderly person, since the pathology develops, and there is no treatment.
Pathologies caused by inflammatory reactions constitute a whole group. it arthritis(the most common disease in the elderly), ankylosing spondylitis, Hoffa's disease, gout, psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis is distinguished as rheumatoid and infectious-allergic.
In arthritis, the lining of the joints is affected. With inflammation of one joint, they talk about monoarthritis, with multiple lesions, doctors diagnose polyarthritis.
Degenerative lesions
Degenerative lesions are recognized as the most widespread among joint diseases in the elderly. This is not surprising, because age-related changes are the cause of their appearance, namely: wear and tear of joints, destruction of cartilage, osteoporosis (age-related fragility of bones due to a decrease in density).
More often, doctors diagnose a disease such as arthrosis. The joint is affected, followed by its destruction. It all starts with cartilaginous tissue: thinning, it allows the articulating ends of the bones to come closer. Without encountering a natural obstacle, the bones touch each other during movement, grind against each other, causing stiffness and pain. The body itself begins to build up, thicken the place of rubbing, thereby changing the initial joint node.
The joint increases, changes, loses mobility. The problem is that one change entails another, involving all joints in the destructive process. The deformed joint can no longer play the role of a shock absorber when walking or moving. Elderly obese people especially suffer from arthrosis.
Types of joint diseases in the elderly at the site of localization
An experienced doctor immediately diagnoses the disease without waiting for test results and X-rays. The fact is that joint diseases in the elderly usually have persistent localization.
Thus, periarthritis of the scapular and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which are accompanied by constant pain in the shoulder girdle, are detected in elderly or mature people who have been engaged in hard physical labor for a long time.
Diseases of former athletes include epicondylitis, osteoarthritis deformans and osteochondritis. Pain is usually localized in the elbow joint, which greatly complicates movement.
If in medical practice the doctor encounters diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, then most likely he is dealing with a former musician, typist, engraver, jeweler, i.e. with those whose professional activity is associated with great tension in the joints of the hands. Inflamed joints, usually in both hands, prevent fingers from straightening in the morning. It takes a long time and carefully to knead them in order to regain at least some mobility.
Coxarthrosis, a disease of the hip joint, is considered a real disaster among joint diseases in the elderly. Softening of the structure of the femur (osteoporosis) threatens with a hard-to-heal fracture of its neck.
Unfortunately, people of different ages are familiar with diseases of the knee joint. In the elderly, gonarthrosis is more common, affecting the destruction of the knee joint.
Diseases of obese elderly people with a sedentary lifestyle include arthrosis of the ankle, coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis. Diseases accompany walking with severe pain, which entails uncertainty in gait, fear of falling.
How to recognize joint diseases in the elderly
Not all painful sensations in joint diseases in older people are the same. Pain can occur with any movement or at rest. The complaints of patients suffering from similar ailments can be divided into specific groups.
The largest group is complaints of pain in the joints, at first insignificant, then more and more palpable. If treatment is not prescribed, they will increase. Gout and some types of arthritis in the elderly are characterized by sharp, severe pain.
Many elderly people complain of pain when going up or down stairs. Discomfort in the knees makes you listen with concern to the beginning problems in the knee joints.
In addition to inconveniences, the long transition from the morning state of "numbness" to a normal active life in older people is often not perceived as a disaster, but serves as a dangerous sign. If there is no treatment, the risk increases and the disease progresses.
Complaints of pain with colds, ARVI are also very common, but older people do not relate them to the approach of such a disease as rheumatoid arthritis.
Complaints about crunching during movement, bending of knees, elbows, when turning the head also indicate pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
All problems with diseases of the joints in the elderly must be studied, pay attention to stiffness, crunch, swelling, pain. At an early stage, a complete cure or stoppage of the process of destruction of the joints is possible. Later treatment will not relieve painful sensations, will not guarantee recovery.
How to treat joint diseases in the elderly correctly
In case of pain in the heart or dizziness, they try to immediately get an appointment with a therapist, but this is not done for pain in the joints, albeit daily. “It hurts and will pass, well, think, I limp slightly, my bones ache - to rain, tomorrow it will be better” - these and other phrases are often heard by relatives, children of pensioners. No less dangerous for people of age are the advice of "experienced" patients, scraps of recipes heard somewhere. Joint diseases in the elderly cannot be treated at random! Treatment methods for ailments are radically different.
The correct approach to the treatment of the elderly consists of three areas: drugs, physiotherapy, spa treatment.
Consider the medications used.
Etiotropic medications
These drugs are needed to directly affect the cause of the disease.
Only the attending physician selects the treatment and the appropriate drugs, since each type of disease requires close attention for medical indicators, the results of X-ray diagnostics. Judge for yourself: autoimmune reactions are treated with steroid hormones; for the treatment of osteoarthritis, chondroprotectors are required (they improve the structure of the cartilage).
Symptomatic medications
Pain, swelling, fever and other symptoms of inflammatory processes of joint diseases in the elderly are relieved by therapeutic means. Most often, they are used intravenously, sometimes intramuscularly, so that, without harming the internal organs, they can act on the diseased organ. Side effects depend on the dosage of the medication used. If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not suitable for treatment, then there is a good alternative for topical use: creams, ointments, gels. In extreme cases, the doctor may insist on surgery. The purposes of the forced surgery are arthrodesis (fixation of the joint) and arthroplasty (restoration of motor function).
How to eat so that joint diseases in the elderly recede
It would be wrong to say that nutrition plays an essential role, blocks or provokes the development of joint diseases in the elderly. Most likely, proper nutrition normalizes metabolic processes, which means it prevents metabolic disorders. Although there are some subtleties here that should not be neglected.
At first as with any balanced diet , in the diet an elderly person who takes care of their joints should contain a lot of vegetables and fruits. Complex carbohydrates will be represented by grains and cereals, proteins - lean meat and fish. Do not ignore the sources of unsaturated fatty acids: they are fish oil, vegetable oils, preferably unrefined, and nuts.
For the prevention of joint diseases, do not forget foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D: milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, canned tuna, pink salmon, salted herring. Broccoli, beans, pumpkin are also useful. There are many useful trace elements in dried apricots, figs, raisins, almonds and peanuts.
Vegetable juice mixtures contain 50% more nutrients than the fruits themselves, and vitamins are there in a concentrated form. It can be the juice of turnips, beets, pumpkin and carrots, and do not find yourself from the healing juice of dandelion. Drinking one apple every day will save you many problems. No wonder they say: "An apple for dinner - a doctor is not needed," although nutritionists still advise eating fruits in the morning in any form: raw, baked, boiled. Also useful is the celery leaf in salads or boiled, stewed.
A feature of nutrition for the prevention and treatment of joint diseases in the elderly is the use of products such as fish, hard cheese, meat, meat jelly, fruit jellies. The thing is that these products contain glucosamine and chondroitin, and these are the main elements of restoration and strengthening of joints.
Secondly as with any healthy diet , and in case of joint diseases in the elderly, especially, should be abandoned:
From fried because of the huge amount of fat and carcinogens;
From alcohol (due to edema, there is pressure on the walls of the articular cavity);
From mayonnaise, margarine due to the presence of trans fats;
From confectionery because of the calorie content of simple carbohydrates.
Foods affect the deterioration of the condition of the joints. For example, a gout attack (a metabolic disease in which salts are deposited in the joints) can occur after excessive consumption of protein foods. A lack of vitamin C in food can provoke the appearance of scurvy, which affects the fragility of blood vessels, which means there is a risk of developing hemarthrosis (hemorrhage in the joint cavity). Deforming osteoarthritis will necessarily develop in a person whose diet provokes the appearance of obesity. The huge body weight puts pressure on the joints, increasing physical activity.
Thirdly, eat in moderation... In diseases of the joints in the elderly, overweight is a big problem, which serves as an additional load on the spine and joints. It is not for nothing that gout has always been considered a disease of kings, since excess food polluted the body with salts and toxins. The idea of fasting (notice how wisely they shift the body from one season to the next, changing the nature of the foods available at a given time) is also supported by modern nutritionists. Now various products can be bought all year round, the ordering of their food system, the reduction of the calorie content of food intake, depends only on the person.
What Drinks May Ease Joint Ailments in Older People
Separately, it is necessary to analyze the situation with the drinks taken, which, in case of joint diseases in the elderly, can both help and harm the body.
Everyone knows that water is the source of life. And the fact that an abundant use of water helps with joint diseases in the elderly, few know. The mechanism is simple: due to lack of water, metabolism slows down, blood circulation deteriorates, which leads to malnutrition of the joints. The joint cavity suffers from a decrease in the amount of synovial fluid, which means that the movement of the joint occurs with great resistance, which destroys the cartilaginous tissue. Opinions about the amount of daily drinking water are different. Usually it is 1.5-2.5 liters, but one should take into account weight, gender, physical activity, season, humidity in a permanent place of residence, concomitant diseases. The best water is clean, non-carbonated. It should be warm (35-40 degrees Celsius).
Under the supervision of a physician, on his recommendation, you can consume alkaline drink. Why is it important for joint diseases in the elderly? Alkaline water with a low content of mineralization, always non-carbonated (remove bubbles, leaving the bottle open) washes away accumulated acids (uric and oxalic). These acids accumulate in the body and trigger the mechanism of joint inflammation.
The most popular drinks are tea and coffee. This is not to say that in case of joint diseases in the elderly, they cannot be taken, but you need to know when to stop. And she's like this: coffee - no more than two cups of milk, tea should be brewed weak (half a teaspoon per 250 ml of water). Ginger tea has excellent characteristics, however, it tastes too spicy, for an amateur. A piece of ginger root should be chewed and washed down with water, as it is very useful for joint diseases.
Lemonades, soda, packaged juices will do more harm due to the high sugar content, which means they will increase your weight. Freshly squeezed juices are diluted with water 1: 1.
It is unlikely that there is a place for alcoholic drinks in a healthy diet. And even more so, they are not useful for people with joint problems. Uric acid, which affects joint inflammation, is increased by wine, beer contains purines that harm the joints. And champagne with gases washes out calcium from the body, which accelerates the inflammatory process.
So, these or those drinks are not a panacea in solving problems with joints, but, as part of preventive measures, they can stop inflammation and improve the general condition of the body.
Joint diseases in the elderly: 6 recipes for traditional medicine
Traditional medicine is held in high esteem among the elderly, and there are many recipes for the treatment of joint diseases. If, upon consultation with a specialist, you get approval, then you can apply 6 traditional medicine recipes, aimed at relieving pain and relieving inflammation.
Recipe 1... Insist for 2-3 hours a remedy consisting of camphor and mustard (take 50 g each), egg white (100 g) and 500 ml of vodka. If every day the resulting mass is rubbed into the affected areas, you can achieve a reduction in the pain symptom.
Recipe 2. This medicine helps to cope with many diseases of the joints, only it must be used for at least a year. Prepare the medicine for two weeks, shaking daily. So, cut 300 g of chestnut fruit and, placing it in a half-liter glass bottle, fill it with vodka.
Recipe 3... Prepare: minced ginger (1 tablespoon), birch buds (1 tablespoon), salt (1 teaspoon), minced garlic clove, and a pinch of red or black pepper. Fill with oil (sesame, corn or olive oil is suitable) and hold in a water bath for up to 10 minutes. Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator, and before use, heat the required portion to body temperature (37 degrees Celsius). Rub the sore joint with ointment and hold for 15-20 minutes, after removing the agent, wrap the joint with a warm bandage to keep it warm.
Recipe 4. A recipe similar to the previous one in terms of preparation technique and application. The composition is as follows: a mixture of ginger, nettle, thyme, string, barberry and cinquefoil, pour olive oil (200 g). Take 1 tablespoon of herbs, chop ginger and barberry, also take 1 tablespoon.
Recipe 5. Take a bottle, fill it halfway with nutshells (you need pine nuts, walnut partitions, hazelnuts) and fill it to the top with vodka. Store the tincture in a dark place and shake daily for 14 days. When the tincture is ready, use it in two ways: internally (half a teaspoon per day) and to rub the joints.
Recipe 6. Decoctions of herbs that have a choleretic effect (oats, immortelle, bear's ear and horsetail) are recommended for prolonged treatment of arthrosis. These decoctions, individually or in combination, can be drunk in a quarter for a month, and then in half a glass.
While skeptics debate the benefits of a cabbage leaf for reducing joint pain, optimists continue to attach a fresh burdock or cabbage leaf to the sore joint. The soft bandage with the sheet must be changed after an hour.
How yoga can help fight joint diseases in older people
Reading about the dire consequences of joint diseases in the elderly, one begins to think about preventive measures. One of them is yoga - a system of exercises to strengthen muscles, joints, ligaments. It has been proven that just 12 minutes of exercise a day for several years not only gives an increase in bone density, but actually reduces the risk of osteoporosis and arthrosis.
If you have yoga specialists in your city, be sure to ask about a set of exercises specifically for your age and fitness level. Do not try to stubbornly repeat difficult asanas (poses), so you will only harm your joints.
Beginners and yoga instructors are advised to try the Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation.
So why did we decide to do yoga? How will this help the elderly?
When fixing a particular position, a natural tension occurs, muscles are worked out, which we almost never use in everyday life.
The muscles become elastic, which means they protect the adjacent joint.
A lot of attention in yoga is given to the feet as the most important shock absorbers when walking.
Yoga is a wonderful property for dealing with stress.
The main feature of this system of exercises is the absence of pain, which comes to the fore for those who want to exercise, but experience painful sensations when moving.
9 Tips on How to Prevent Joint Disease in Older People
Nobody dreams of being a dilapidated ruin in old age. Each movement should bring joy, and not excruciating pains leading to immobilization. If you carefully read this article, you have long understood that only the balance of the whole organism gives stable health. A disease of one organ causes a disease of another, affects the third, because everything in our body is interconnected.
In one of the programs dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, the presenter asked an 82-year-old man about how he manages to maintain joint mobility and vitality. An elderly person begins to talk about his morning: 20 minutes - exercise on joints (without getting out of bed), 40 minutes with an open window, then - a glass of water, brisk walking with sticks on the street, in any weather ...
To which the presenter exclaims in amazement: "This is a mockery of your body!" The answer is amazing: "You will not" mock "your body when you are young, it will mock you when you are old." The conclusion is simple: in order to prolong the life of your joints, you need to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, this is prevention.
For the prevention of joint diseases in the elderly, we offer 9 simple but effective rules.
The diet should be balanced, the drinking regime must be strictly observed. You need physical activity that is adequate for your age: if not running, then brisk walking, if there is no strength, then walking in place, circular movements of the hands, arms, feet. Systematic exercise improves blood circulation, accelerates the metabolic process, strengthens muscles, joints, ligaments. There are many joint exercises for any level of physical fitness of an elderly person.
Physiotherapy exercises, subject to the correct selection of exercises, is today the main element of the prevention and recovery of the body after joint diseases in the elderly. Prerequisites: the exercises must be offered by a specialist, the execution time is at least 30 minutes, there should be no pain.
It is necessary to protect joints from heavy physical exertion, not to test the body for strength, especially in young years. All injuries, even if they are safely treated, can lead to early destruction of cartilage tissue in old age.
People who have been able to lose weight primarily report a reduction in knee pain. American scientists observed a group of patients (506 people) with overweight, the risk of developing osteoarthritis was in all. Only the normalization of weight was able to stop the process of destruction of the knee joint.
If the attending physician recommends to an elderly patient the use of complex preparations, bioadditives, then you should pay attention to such drugs as "Phyto support for joints", "Biorhythm Joints", "Calcium phytobalance", "Locomotorium", "V. Dikul's balm".
We associate warmth with health; it can be very useful to warm the joint for prevention. Bath, sauna, steam bath - all this helps to increase blood circulation. Blood rushes to problem areas, nourishing the cartilage tissue. Flexibility is enhanced, muscle spasms are relieved. On the question of whether it is possible to warm the inflamed joints, you will find the answer from the attending physician. Do not self-medicate, do not forget about hypertension, which often accompanies diseases of the joints in the elderly.
During sleep, our body rests, joints do not carry physical stress. An orthopedic mattress and pillow are of great importance for the quality of rest. For people with excess weight, a hard mattress will be useful. The transition from a horizontal position to a vertical position in case of joint diseases in the elderly should be done slowly: sit down, lower your legs out of bed, slowly, leaning on a bed or a chair, stand up.
A healthy lifestyle is impossible without such a component as healthy, full sleep.
Joint diseases in the elderly cannot be treated separately from other ailments of the body. All contraindications must be taken into account so as not to cause more harm to the body than good.
O.B. Ershova
Department of Therapy FPDO with the course of gerontology of the Yaroslavl State Medical Academy
Osteoarthritis is a heterogeneous group of diseases of different etiology with similar biological, morphological and clinical outcomes, which are based on the defeat of all components of the joint (articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule, synovial membrane and periarticular muscles). Osteoarthritis is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It is also one of the main causes of premature disability and disability. The most important risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis is age. There are studies showing that signs of the disease are detected in 90% of people over 50 years old. Obviously, persons of the older age group, as a rule, suffer not from one, but several diseases at the same time, including those of the gastrointestinal and cardiac plan. This complicates the selection of adequate therapy for osteoarthritis, since it becomes necessary to take into account the numerous side effects and interactions of a number of drugs.
The causes of osteoarthritis are diverse, they are often combined, while the contribution of many factors to the development of the disease at the stages of its development can be different. There are mechanical influences, biological (genetic) characteristics of articular structures, and inflammation. The pathological process in osteoarthritis is characterized primarily by cartilage degradation. At the same time, histological changes in cartilage concern two main components of the matrix - collagen and proteoglycans, and are detected already in the early stages of the disease. Cartilage degradation is due to a change in the structure of proteoglycans, aggregated proteoglycans and a decrease in the aggregation properties of monomers. The defeat of the articular tissue is not limited to the destruction of cartilage, it is accompanied by inflammation of the synovial membrane, since as a result of damage to the cartilage matrix by proteolytic enzymes, the products of its degradation in excess enter the synovial fluid, causing an inflammatory reaction of the synovial membrane, which in turn leads to the synthesis of cytokines: interleukin-1 , tumor necrosis factor-a, etc.
The most striking clinical manifestations and consequences of osteoarthritis are: pain and dysfunction of the joint, which force the patient to reduce physical activity.
Most drugs are primarily aimed at treating the symptoms of the disease, although some of them are considered drugs that affect the catabolic and anabolic processes that occur when cartilage is damaged. These medications are classified as symptom-modifying drugs. The choice of drugs, the selection of a combination of various methods of treatment remain strictly individual. Knowledge of the mechanisms of action, efficacy, contraindications for prescribing drugs, and the safety profile of drugs is extremely important.
Chondroprotectors are currently one of the principal prescriptions for patients with osteoarthritis. However, the efficacy of only certain chondroprotectors (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine) has been proven in multicenter randomized trials, and their use in osteoarthritis has a high (A1) degree of evidence. Most often they are referred to as symptomatic slow acting drugs for osteoarthritis - SYSADOA.
Chondroitin sulfate, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan found in the extracellular matrix of the articular cartilage, is a high-grade polyanionic glucosaminoglycan that is an integral part of the aggrecan cartilage molecule and is responsible for its cellular and physicochemical properties. In patients with osteoarthritis, the concentration of chondroitin sulfate in the synovial fluid is lower than normal. Chondroitin sulfate therapy is essentially a substitution therapy. The results of pharmacokinetic studies indicate that when taken orally, it is well adsorbed and is found in high concentrations in the synovial fluid. In vitro studies have provided evidence that this drug has anti-inflammatory activity, directed mainly at the cellular component of inflammation, stimulates the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans, and inhibits the action of proteolytic enzymes. In experimental studies in vivo, it was found that the administration of chondroitin sulfate orally or intramuscularly to rabbits (with artificial chemical degeneration of cartilage) significantly increased the content of cartilage proteoglycans in comparison with control animals. This suggests that chondroitin sulfate protects cartilage when damaged and has the ability to support resynthesis of the proteoglycan matrix.
There is evidence of the ability of chondroitin sulfate to suppress the formation of superoxide radicals and the synthesis of nitric oxide, which explains the analgesic effect that develops rather rapidly during treatment with it. Another mechanism that could potentially underlie its structural-modifying action is associated with the suppression of catabolic (cytokine-dependent destruction of cartilage, inactivation of matrix metalloproteinases) and stimulation of anabolic (proteoglycan synthesis) processes in cartilage, as well as slowing down apoptosis of chondrocytes.
The study of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate is the subject of a published meta-analysis that spanned studies up to 1999. The authors conclude that chondroitin and glucosamine have a moderate to significant effect on pain and functional mobility of the joints in OA compared with placebo.
In a randomized controlled comparative study of chondroitin sulfate and diclofenac, conducted in 146 patients, a faster decrease in clinical symptoms was observed in patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but the return of these symptoms was noted immediately after discontinuation of therapy. Chondroitin sulfate was characterized by a slower onset of therapeutic action, which lasted up to 3 months after the end of treatment.
The level of evidence for the efficacy of the original glucosamine sulfate was high (1A). In the multifaceted complex mechanism of action of this drug, the anti-inflammatory component is represented by the ability to inhibit the factor of activating pro-inflammatory genes - NF-kb. Glucosamine sulfate is a component of articular cartilage. It has been shown in vitro that this substance, added to the culture of chondrocytes, stimulates the synthesis of proteoglycans. Results from early short-term studies indicate the efficacy of oral glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine monosulfate is a substrate for the synthesis of proteoglycans by chondrocytes, is involved in the synthesis of glucuronic acid (a substance that provides the viscosity of the intra-articular fluid), and also inhibits the activity of metalloproteinases (collagenase, phospholipase). It is believed that glucosamine monosulfate has a dual effect - anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective. According to the available data from randomized multicenter trials, 1500 mg / day of glucosamine sulfate improved the condition of patients with monotherapy. In cases where the disease proceeded with an unexpressed inflammatory component, the effectiveness of glucosamine sulfate was not inferior to that of NSAIDs. Additionally, data were obtained indicating the presence of an additive effect with the combined use of glucosamine sulfate and NSAIDs.
For all chondroprotectors E.L. Nasonov notes the following common features:
- their anti-inflammatory effect is comparable to that of NSAIDs;
- they allow you to reduce the dose of NSAIDs;
- the effect persists after the end of treatment;
- they are combined with paracetamol and NSAIDs;
- when using them, there are practically no side effects,
- they slow down the progression of osteoarthritis (?).
And although the last point needs confirmation, a number of works have shown the possibility of some chondroprotectors to slow down structural changes in the joints. As for their real analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect and reducing the need for NSAIDs, this study is practically unanimous, and we, taking into account personal experience and the results of clinical trials, also agree with this opinion.
There are combination preparations containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate). The duration of taking these chondroprotectors is usually up to 3-4 months; such courses are recommended 2 times a year. New chondroprotectors, consisting of these components, appear on the market. Several clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin (often with other ingredients) compared to placebo. These combinations have not been compared with each other, as well as with monotherapy, so it is impossible to draw conclusions about the advantages or disadvantages of this approach. There are drugs of other groups with a chondroprotective effect, but the data are still insufficient and, accordingly, the degree of evidence of treatment with these drugs is lower than that of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. As an example, let us give piaskledin 300, a complex of active phytostyrene (g-tocopherol and b-sitostyrene) and saturated fatty acids (fraction H) obtained by molecular distillation. In the mechanism of its action, three points should be noted:
- stimulation of collagen synthesis through anabolic action by increasing the expression of the transforming growth factor TGF-b1;
- inhibition of the collagenolytic activity of chondrocytes by increasing the synthesis of an inhibitor of plasminogen activity, which leads to a decrease in the activity of metalloproteinases;
- decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE.
However, the methods used to treat osteoarthritis cannot be considered perfect, so the search for new drugs continues, which could not only reduce pain, but also slow down the progression of joint destruction, and thereby prevent or delay joint dysfunction and the development of disability. Along with this, local (local) therapy, including the use of ointments and gels, is of great importance in the treatment of articular syndrome in osteoarthritis.
Let us recall the existence of such a method of treatment as intra-articular administration of lubricants, which has its own history (many rheumatologists remember the use of polyvinylpyrilidone for this purpose), but this direction has become popular only since the end of the last century. Currently, hyaluronic acid preparations are used as "artificial lubrication" for the joint. They are usually injected into the knee joint once a week, the course is 3-5 injections, the duration of improvement is 4-6 months. It should be borne in mind that a clearer effect is observed only in the early stages of arthrosis. The domestic drug of this group is a synthetic polymer, the allergenicity of which, due to the fact that it does not contain ingredients of animal origin, is negligible, its ingress into the soft periarticular tissues does not cause reactions and, therefore, it is possible to inject it into different joints, not only the knee ... This drug also has certain antibacterial properties due to the silver ions it contains and the ability to effectively up to 1-2 years at any stage of arthrosis.
Of the domestic remedies for local therapy, Chondroxide (ointment) has recently received recognition, the active ingredient of which is chondroitin sulfate, due to which it has a stimulating effect on the regeneration of articular cartilage, which makes it possible to classify this drug as a substitute restorative agent identical to mucopolysaccharides and glycosamines. Recommended for external use by applying 2-3 times a day to the skin over the lesion and rubbing in for 2-3 minutes until completely absorbed.
Dimethyl sulfoxide has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and fibrinolytic effects, promotes the penetration of chondroitin through cell membranes and its entry into the periarticular tissues, muscles and the joint cavity. The active substances of Chondroxide are chondroitin sulfate and dimethyl sulfoxide.
Chondroitin sulfate is a structural modulator that is not only synthesized by the body, but also, after administration, integrates into the structures of cartilage tissue, stimulating its synthesis and inhibiting destruction. Its timely appointment and regular use provide inhibition, stabilization and prevention of the development of destructive processes in the joint. Used topically, dimethyl sulfoxide also has a general anti-inflammatory effect and enhances the direction of other drugs to inflamed organs (tissues).
Due to its unique composition, Chondroxide ointment has a quick and pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, has a chondroprotective and regenerative effect.
With an integrated approach to the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis, physiotherapeutic methods are widely used, the use of which improves microcirculation in the subchondral bone, synovial membrane and periarticular tissues, metabolism, and slows down destructive processes. Techniques such as ultrasound, electrophoresis with drugs, laser therapy, paraffin therapy, magnetotherapy and many others in patients with osteoarthritis lead to a decrease in muscle spasm, increased lymphatic drainage, improved blood supply to tissues, a decrease in pain and an increase in the functional activity of joints. However, the widespread use of many methods of treatment is limited due to the frequent presence in patients with this disease of contraindications due to concomitant pathology, such as cardiovascular, including arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, rhythm disturbances, as well as diseases of the thyroid gland, uterine myoma , mastopathy, etc. Magnetotherapy, including magnetophoresis of drugs, unlike other physiotherapeutic methods, does not have side effects, which makes it possible to use it for various concomitant pathologies. An important difference between magnetotherapy is the possibility of using this method in any phase of local inflammation, including in the presence of synovitis. For magnetophoresis, the authors used the Pole-2 apparatus for low-frequency magnetotherapy. Magnetophoresis was carried out in a continuous mode with a frequency of 50 GY (stepwise intensity, up to 4, duration of one procedure - 15 min).
According to a study conducted by V.N. Sorotskaya et al. , the use of magnetophoresis with Chondroxide ointment in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of large joints (knee, hip, shoulder) provided a pronounced analgesic effect. At the same time, against the background of this therapy, there was a significant improvement in the indicators of the functional state of the joints, as well as a more rapid onset of a positive effect from the treatment in comparison with patients who received only basic therapy. Along with this, magnetophoresis with Chondroxide ointment has established itself as not only an effective, but also a safe method of treating osteoarthritis, including in patients for whom phonophoresis is contraindicated.
According to the authors from the CITO im. NN Priorova, for the treatment of arthrogenic pain in osteoarthritis, the use of chondroxide by ultraphonophoresis is more effective. Due to the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide in the composition of the drug, the permeability of the skin increases, which means that the penetration of chondroitin sulfate into the body improves, which acts in the exchange of proteoglycans and thereby increases the synthesis of the components of the cartilage matrix and inhibits the processes of cartilage destruction. This achieves an anti-inflammatory effect in recurrent synovitis, which is one of the causes of arthrogenic pain in osteoarthritis. The course of treatment includes 8-10 daily procedures. Phonophoresis should be carried out as follows: 5% chondroxide ointment is applied around the circumference of the affected joint and rubbed for 2-3 minutes until completely absorbed (ultrasound intensity - 0.40.6 W / cm 2, the technique is labile, the mode is continuous, 3- 5 minutes on the field). Chondroxide phonophoresis is safe, does not cause side effects and can be recommended for the complex therapy of osteoarthritis.
In general, the main advantage of Chondroxide lies in the combination of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and chondroprotective action, which allows, solving the main task of treating osteoarthritis - the use of disease-modifying therapy with chondroprotectors, to reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs that cause a number of serious side effects (gastrointestinal and other cardiac. )
Thus, the drugs used in osteoarthritis are many and varied. At the same time, the correct choice of the type of therapy and the prescription regimen with the obligatory inclusion of drugs with chondroprotective effect is extremely important, since in this case not only the effectiveness of treatment increases, but also the quality of life of patients improves.
Literature
Various joint diseases are very common all over the world. Today we will focus on a disease that often affects middle-aged and elderly people. it osteoarthritis or, as it is called in foreign literature, osteoarthritis... This ailment is now very common: according to statistics, a third of the population over forty years old suffers from pain in the joints. And among people over 60 there are already more than half of them.
Osteoarthritis (arthrosis, osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease in which cartilage is gradually destroyed and the articular surfaces, devoid of protection, begin to actually rub against each other. In addition, the amount of intra-articular fluid, which is necessary for the "lubrication" of the joint, is reduced.
The process can last for years, the joint is destroyed more and more and the symptoms of the disease also increase. Typically, knees, hip joints, neck, and fingers are affected.
The main problem is that if left untreated, joint pain increases, mobility decreases, and it becomes difficult for a person to walk and even perform ordinary daily activities. The case may end in complete disability.
Osteoarthritis symptoms:
Pain that worsens with stress on the joint and ends at rest.
- stiffness in the joint when starting to move, especially in the morning or after prolonged immobility
swelling of the diseased joint
-crunch in the joint
- gradual limitation of mobility
Some causes of osteoarthritis:
Age-related changes in the joints
-overweight
-trauma
-heredity
If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
The earlier treatment is started, the better the result will be. So far there are no drugs that would completely cure this ailment, but there are already means that significantly slow down the development of the disease. These include a modern drug Fermatron, which is successfully used for the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis of large joints. The main active ingredient of the drug is sodium hyaluronate or gilan - an analogue of the natural human intra-articular fluid. It protects the joint from further destruction, stimulates the production of its own synovial fluid and improves its quality. As a result, pain, inflammation disappears and joint mobility returns. An important advantage of Fermatron is a long-term healing effect - from 6 months or more.
If the doctor prescribed Fermatron, then the question arises: where is it better to get it. The price of this medicine in Russian pharmacies is from 4000 rubles and more. Taking into account the fact that several injections are required, the costs are serious. You can save a lot if you buy a drug in Europe by placing an order on the website fermathron24.ru. On the same site you can find detailed information about the drug, the features of its use and release forms.
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Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis deformans, DOA) is a very common disease in which articular cartilage, bones underneath, and other elements of the joint are destroyed. At the same time, the recovery processes in the joints slow down.
In our country, the name osteoarthritis is adopted, while in Western countries and Europe, osteoarthritis is often spoken.
The manifestations of osteoarthritis have individual characteristics in individuals, and also depend on the type of the affected joint. Some people experience significant joint damage without any external symptoms. In other cases, even in the presence of pronounced subjective sensations, the mobility of the joint is practically unlimited.
The three main signs of osteoarthritis are:
- moderate inflammation inside and around the joint;
- damage to cartilage - a dense, smooth layer that covers the articular surfaces of bones and allows them to move easily and without friction;
- the formation of bone outgrowths - osteophytes around the compositions.
All this can lead to soreness, stiffness and dysfunction of the joints.
Most often, knees, spine, small joints of the hands, thumb joint and hip joints suffer from osteoarthritis. However, the disease can affect any other joint in the body.
In Russia, from 10% to 12% of the total population suffers from osteoarthritis, which is more than 14 million people. Osteoarthritis usually develops in people over 50 and is more common in women than in men.
It is generally accepted that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of aging, but this is not entirely true. In older people, when X-rays are taken, tissue changes associated with the disease are visible, however, these disorders do not always cause painful sensations or problems with joint mobility. Young people can also suffer from osteoarthritis, often the reason for this is trauma or other joint disease.
There is no complete cure for osteoarthritis, but symptoms can be relieved with a variety of medical procedures, exercise, or comfortable shoes. However, for more advanced cases of the disease, surgery may be required.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) symptoms
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are painful sensations and joint stiffness. You may have difficulty moving your injured joints, or discomfort when performing certain activities. However, osteoarthritis may not cause any symptoms at all, or pain may be episodic. One or more joints are most commonly affected. The disease can progress slowly.
Other symptoms characteristic of osteoarthritis:
- painful sensations in the joints;
- increased pain and stiffness in the joints, which were motionless for some time (after a long stay in a sitting position, for example);
- the joints become slightly larger than usual or acquire a "knobby" shape;
- worried about the feeling of clicks or cracking in the joints when moving;
- limiting the range of motion in the joints;
- muscle weakness and atrophy (loss of muscle mass).
Osteoarthritis is most susceptible to knee, hip, arm and spine joints. 
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joints
With osteoarthritis of the knee joints, the process is usually bilateral. Symptoms first appear in one knee, and eventually in the other. The exception is post-traumatic osteoarthritis, when only the previously injured knee is affected.
Knee pain can be most intense when walking, especially when going uphill or up stairs. Sometimes the knee joint may "pop out" under the weight of the weight, or it may be difficult to fully extend the leg. You may also hear slight clicks when the affected joint moves.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint often causes difficulty in moving the hip. It may be difficult to put on socks and shoes, get in and out of the car. With osteoarthritis of the hip joint, pain is felt in the groin area or on the outside of the thigh, aggravated by movement.
Sometimes, due to the peculiarities of the nervous system, pain may be felt not in the hip, but in the knee.
In most cases, pain will occur while walking, while pain at rest is not excluded. If you are experiencing severe pain at night (while sleeping), your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for joint replacement (arthroplasty) treatment.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine
The regions of the spine most susceptible to osteoarthritis are the region of the neck and lower back, since these are the most mobile parts of it.
If the cervical spine is affected, the mobility of the cervical joints may be reduced, which affects the ability to turn the head. Pain can occur if the neck and head are in the same position for a long time or in an uncomfortable position. A spasm of the neck muscles is possible, pain can be felt in the shoulders and forearms.
With the defeat of the lumbar spine, pain occurs when bending or lifting weights. Stiffness is often observed when resting after exercising or bending the trunk. Pain in the lumbar region can sometimes move to the hips and legs.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the joints of the hand
Basically, osteoarthritis affects three areas of the hand: the base of the thumb, the middle joints, and the joints closest to the fingertips.
Your fingers may become stiff, swollen and painful, and bumps may form on the joints of the fingers. However, over time, the pain in the fingers may diminish and eventually disappear altogether, although bumps and swelling may remain.
Your fingers may be slightly bent to the side around the affected joints. Painful cysts (fluid-filled lumps) may develop on the dorsum of the fingers.
In some cases, a bump may form at the base of the thumb. It can be painful and limit the ability to perform certain activities, such as writing, opening a can, or turning a key in a keyhole.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when there is damage in or around a joint that the body cannot repair. The exact causes are not known, but there are several factors that increase the risk of developing the disease.
In everyday life, the joints of your body are regularly exposed to stress and receive microtrauma. In most cases, the body is able to deal with the damage on its own. Usually, the recovery process is subtle and you don't experience any symptoms. Types of injuries that can lead to the development of osteoarthritis:
- ligament or tendon problems;
- inflammation of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joint;
- Damage to the protective surface (cartilage) that allows your joints to move with the least friction.
Lump-like nodules may develop in your joints where marginal bony growths called osteophytes form on the bones. Due to the thickening and enlargement of bones, your joints will become less moving and sore. Inflammation can build up fluid in the joints, leading to swelling.
Factors contributing to the occurrence of osteoarthritis
It is not known why the restoration of damaged joint tissues worsens in osteoarthritis. However, a number of factors are believed to contribute to the development of the disease. They are presented below.
- Joint damage - Osteoarthritis can develop due to injury or joint surgery. Excessive stress on a joint that has not yet fully recovered after suffering injuries can be the reason for the development of osteoarthritis in the future.
- Other diseases (secondary osteoarthritis) - sometimes osteoarthritis can be the result of another previous or existing disease, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Options for the development of osteoarthritis after a long period of time after the initial damage to the joint are not excluded.
- Age - The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age due to muscle weakening and joint wear.
- Heredity - in some cases, osteoarthritis can be inherited. Genetic studies have not identified a specific gene responsible for osteoarthritis, so it is likely that a whole group of genes are responsible for the transmission of this disease. This means that a genetic test for susceptibility to osteoarthritis is unlikely to be developed in the near future.
- Obesity - A study found that obesity puts excessive stress on the knee and hip joints. Thus, in obese people, osteoarthritis is often more severe.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
See your doctor if you suspect you have osteoarthritis. There is no specific test for this condition, so the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints and muscles. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases in people:
- over 50 years old;
- experiencing constant joint pain, aggravated by exertion;
- suffering from joint stiffness in the morning for more than 30 minutes.
If your symptoms are slightly different from those listed above, your doctor may suggest that you have a different form of arthritis. For example, if you have a feeling of stiffness in your joints in the morning that lasts more than an hour, this could be a sign of an inflammatory form of arthritis.
Additional tests, such as x-rays or blood tests, can be used to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis or a fracture. However, they are not always required to diagnose osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis treatment
Osteoarthritis treatment aims to relieve pain, reduce disability, and maintain an active lifestyle in people with osteoarthritis for as long as possible. Osteoarthritis cannot be completely cured, but treatment can relieve symptoms and prevent them from affecting daily life. First of all, it is recommended to try to cope with the disease without medication, for which:
- use reliable sources of information about osteoarthritis (this site and the organizations we link to are reliable sources);
- exercise regularly to improve physical fitness and strengthen muscles;
- reduce body weight if you are overweight.
If you have mild to moderate osteoarthritis, you may not need additional treatment. Your doctor can give you advice on how to manage your symptoms with lifestyle adjustments. This may be sufficient to control the disease.
Lifestyle changes
Osteoarthritis can be controlled by improving overall health. Your doctor can give you advice on how you can help yourself, such as how to lose weight and stay active.
Exercise is the main treatment for osteoarthritis, regardless of the age and fitness level of the patient. Your physical activity should include a variety of exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your overall fitness.
If osteoarthritis is causing you pain and stiffness, you may think that exercise will make the disease worse, but it is not. As a rule, regular exercise improves joint mobility, strengthens the muscular system of the body and reduces symptoms of the disease. Exercise is also good for relieving stress, losing weight and improving posture, which together will greatly ease the course of osteoarthritis.
Your doctor or physical therapist can create a personalized exercise plan that you can do yourself at home. It is important to follow this plan, as in some cases overuse or improper exercise can damage your joints.
Being overweight or obese worsens the course of osteoarthritis. Excess weight increases the stress on damaged joints, the ability of which to recover is reduced. The joints of the lower extremities, which bear the bulk of the weight, are especially stressed.
The best way to lose weight is a proper exercise regimen and a healthy diet. Before starting classes, you should discuss your training plan with your doctor. He will help you design the exercise program that is optimal for you. Your doctor will also advise you on how to lose weight slowly and without compromising your health.
Medicines for the treatment of osteoarthritis
Your doctor will talk with you about a list of medications that can help control your osteoarthritis symptoms, including pain relievers. You may need a combination of several treatments: physical therapy, medications, and surgery.
The type of pain reliever (analgesic) the doctor may recommend to the patient depending on how severe the pain is and whether the patient has other medical conditions or health problems. If you are experiencing pain caused by osteoarthritis, your doctor may suggest taking paracetamol first. You can buy it over the counter without a prescription. It is best to take it regularly rather than waiting for your pain to become unbearable.
Important! When taking paracetamol, always follow the dosage recommended by your doctor and do not exceed the maximum dose indicated on the package.
If paracetamol is not effective, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers. These can be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are pain relievers that reduce inflammation. There are two types of NSAIDs and they work in different ways. The first type is traditional NSAIDs (for example, ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac), the second type is COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) inhibitors, which belong to the coxib group (for example, celecoxib and etoricoxib).
Some NSAIDs come in the form of creams that are applied directly to the affected joints. Most NSAIDs are available over the counter without a prescription. They can be especially effective if you have osteoarthritis of the knee joints or hands. The drugs relieve pain and at the same time reduce swelling in the joints.
NSAIDs may be contraindicated in people with certain medical conditions, such as asthma, stomach ulcers, or angina pectoris. It is also not recommended to take NSAIDs soon after suffering a heart attack or stroke. Do not take ibuprofen or diclofenac without a doctor's prescription if you have at least one of the above contraindications. If you are taking low doses of aspirin, check with your doctor if you should use NSAIDs.
If a doctor prescribes NSAIDs, they will usually also prescribe so-called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) at the same time. The fact is that NSAIDs can damage the gastric mucosa, which protects it from the damaging effects of hydrochloric acid. PPIs reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach, reducing the risk of mucosal damage. There is little risk of stomach problems with COX-2 inhibitors, but you still need to take PPIs if you use COX-2 on a regular basis.
Opioid analgesics such as codeine are another type of pain reliever that can relieve pain if paracetamol is not working properly. Opioid analgesics can relieve severe pain, but they can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
Codeine is found in common drugs in combination with paracetamol, such as Codelmixt. Other opioid analgesics that may be prescribed for osteoarthritis include tramadol and dihydrocodeine (Continus DHA). Both drugs are available in the form of tablets and injection solutions. Tramadol is contraindicated if the patient has epilepsy. Dihydrocodeine is not recommended in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Opioid analgesics are contraindicated in pregnant women. Opioid analgesics are dispensed in the pharmacy, strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
When prescribing opioid analgesics, your doctor may prescribe a laxative to help prevent constipation.
If you have osteoarthritis in the joints of your hands or knees and NSAIDs do not relieve the pain, your doctor may prescribe capsaicin ointment. Capsaicin ointments block the transmission of nerve impulses that cause pain. The effect of the drug develops after some time from the start of use. The pain should subside slightly in the first two weeks of using the ointment, but it may take up to a month before treatment is fully effective.
To achieve this, apply a small amount of the ointment (about the size of a pea) to the affected joints no more than four times a day. Do not apply capsaicin cream to damaged or inflamed skin, and always wash your hands after your procedure.
Avoid getting capsaicin cream on sensitive skin areas such as eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers, so it can be very painful for several hours when it comes into contact with sensitive areas of the body. However, this will not cause serious harm to health.
You may notice a burning sensation on your skin after applying capsaicin ointment. There is nothing wrong with that, and the longer you use it, the less often these sensations will appear. However, try not to use too much ointment or take a hot bath or shower before and after applying it, as this can intensify the burning sensation.
Intra-articular injections
In severe forms of osteoarthritis, treatment with pain relievers may not be sufficient to control the symptoms of the disease. In this case, it is possible that the drug is injected directly into the joint affected by osteoarthritis. This procedure is known as intra-articular injection.
The most commonly used treatment for osteoarthritis is intra-articular injections of corticosteroids to reduce swelling and pain. Also in our country, hyaluronic acid is used for injection, which is a natural component of the intra-articular fluid and reduces joint pain for a period of 2 to 12 months after the procedure. While the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Practice does not recommend intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid.
Supportive therapy (physiotherapy)
Transcutaneous electroneurostimulation (TENS) uses an apparatus to help relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis. The procedure numbs the nerve endings in the spinal cord that control pain perception, and you stop feeling pain.
TENS is usually treated by a physical therapist. Small electrical pads (electrodes) are attached to the skin over the affected joint. These electrodes transmit small electrical impulses from the TENS apparatus. The physiotherapist selects the pulse strength and the duration of the sessions that are optimal for the patient.
Applying hot or cold compresses (sometimes called thermotherapy or cryotherapy) to the joint area can relieve pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A heating pad filled with hot or cold water and applied to the osteoarthritis affected area can effectively relieve pain. You can also purchase special hot and cold compresses that can be refrigerated in the freezer or heated in the microwave - they work in a similar way.
Joint stiffness can lead to muscle atrophy and an increase in the symptom of stiffness associated with osteoarthritis. Manual therapy sessions are conducted by a physiotherapist or chiropractor. The therapy uses stretching techniques to keep your joints elastic and flexible.
If, due to osteoarthritis, the patient has decreased mobility or difficulties in performing daily tasks, there are various assistive devices. The attending physician may refer the patient to a podiatrist for advice or assistance.
If the patient has osteoarthritis of the joints of the lower extremities, such as the hip, knee, or foot joints, the orthopedic surgeon may suggest special shoes or shoe insoles. Shoe with cushioning soles designed to relieve pressure on the joints of the feet while walking. The special insoles help to distribute the weight more evenly. Braces and braces work in the same way.
If the patient has osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint, which negatively affects mobility, he may need an auxiliary support when walking, such as a cane or stick. Use a cane on the side of the affected leg to relieve some of the pressure on the affected joint.
A splint (a piece of hard material used to support a joint or bone) can also be helpful if you need to relieve stress on a sore joint. The doctor should tell and show you how to use it correctly.
If your hand joints are affected, you may need help with daily tasks that involve your hands, such as unscrewing the tap. Attachments such as dedicated mixer handle attachments can make this much easier. Your healthcare professional can advise and advise on the use of special devices in your home or workplace.
Surgical intervention for osteoarthritis 
Osteoarthritis requires surgery in very rare cases. Sometimes the operation is effective for osteoarthritis of the hip, knee joints, or the joint of the base of the thumb. Your doctor may suggest surgery if other treatments have failed or if one of your joints is severely damaged.
If the patient requires surgery, the doctor refers him to the surgeon. Surgery can significantly reduce osteoarthritis symptoms and improve mobility and quality of life. However, surgery does not guarantee simultaneous and complete relief of all symptoms; joint pain and stiffness may appear depending on your condition.
There are several different types of surgical treatment for osteoarthritis. During the operation, you can restore the surface of the articular cartilage, replace the entire joint or return it to the correct position.
Arthroplasty- joint replacement surgery, most often performed with the defeat of the hip and knee joints.
During this operation, the surgeon removes the affected joint and replaces it with an artificial prosthesis made of special plastic and metal. An artificial joint can last up to 20 years, but after some time it will need to be replaced.
There is also a new type of joint surgery called resurfacing. During this operation, through a small incision in the joint area, the damaged part of the articular surfaces is removed and replaced with implants. When performing this type of operation, only metal components are used. The operation is well suited for young patients.
Joint arthrodesis performed if joint replacement is not possible. This is a procedure to fix the joint in a permanent position. The joint will become stronger and it will hurt a lot less, but the mobility in the joint is completely lost.
Osteotomy considered in cases where the patient has osteoarthritis of the knee joints, but he is too young for surgical prosthetics (artoplasty). The surgeon adds or removes a small piece of bone either below or above the knee joint. This helps redistribute the stress on the knee joint and relieve pressure on the damaged part. An osteotomy relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis, although knee replacement may still be required later on.
Complementary and alternative treatments
Many people with osteoarthritis practice alternative treatments. There is evidence that some of the treatments can relieve symptoms, but experts disagree that alternative treatments can actually slow the progression of the disease.
Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and massage are the most commonly used adjunctive treatment options for osteoarthritis. Some people find these treatments help, although they can be expensive and time-consuming.
There are several dietary supplements available for the treatment of osteoarthritis, of which the two most common are chondroitin and glucosamine. Glucosamine hydrochloride has not shown beneficial effects, but there is evidence that glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate can relieve symptoms with little or no side effects.
The cost of these supplements can be high. The UK's National Institutes of Health and Clinical Practice does not recommend prescribing chondroitin or glucosamine by a physician, but recognizes that patients often take them voluntarily.
There are also drugs that contain chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates. In our country, they are used by official medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Irritant drugs exist in the form of gels and ointments; when rubbed into the skin, such drugs cause a warming effect. Some of them can be used to treat joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that irritants have little or no effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis. For this reason, their use is not recommended.
Prevention of osteoarthritis
It is impossible to protect yourself from the development of osteoarthritis guaranteed. However, you can minimize your risk of developing the disease by avoiding injury and following a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise regularly, but try not to put too much stress on your joints, especially your hips, knees, and arm joints. Avoid exercises that put undue stress on your joints, such as jogging or strength training. Instead, engage in swimming and cycling in which your joints are more stable and easier to control.
Try to maintain good posture at all times and avoid being in the same position for extended periods. If you have a sedentary job, make sure your chair is the correct height and take regular breaks to stretch.
Your muscles help support your joints, so having strong muscles will help your joints stay healthy. Aim for at least 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (cycling or brisk walking) every week to build muscle strength. Exercise should be fun, so do what you enjoy, but try not to overload your joints.
Lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese can worsen the course of osteoarthritis.
Living with osteoarthritis
By taking certain measures, you can lead a healthy, active lifestyle with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis does not always progress and leads to disability.
Self-care is an integral part of everyday life. This means that you take responsibility for your own health and well-being with the support of those who also care for you. Self-care is everything you do every day to stay fit and to maintain good physical and mental well-being. This is the prevention of diseases, accidents, timely treatment of prescribing ailments and chronic diseases.
The lives of people with chronic conditions can be greatly improved if they are given the right support. They can live longer, experience less pain and anxiety, avoid depression, get tired less often, live at a higher quality level, be more active and independent.
Eating a diet and exercising regularly can help maintain muscle tone and control your weight, which can help treat osteoarthritis and improve overall health.
It is important to keep taking your drugs, if prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Continuous medication can help prevent pain, but if the medication has been prescribed with the note “as needed,” then there is no reason to take the medication during remission.
If you have any questions or concerns about your medications or side effects, talk to your doctor about it.
The instructions for use of the drug may also be helpful, it says about interactions with other medications and supplements. Talk to your doctor if you are looking to buy pain relievers or dietary supplements, as these may not work with the medications prescribed for your treatment.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition and you will be in constant contact with your doctor. A good relationship with your doctor ensures that you can easily discuss any concerns or symptoms you have with them. The more the doctor knows, the better he will be able to help you.
Complications of deforming osteoarthritis
If you have osteoarthritis, you may have difficulty moving around and increase the risk of injury and accidents such as bruises or falls.
Osteoarthritis of the feet most commonly affects the base of the big toe. This can lead to pain during walking and bursitis of the big toe, which is accompanied by the formation of bony outgrowth in the area of the affected joint. This may be due to the wrong shoes, so high heels should be avoided. A foot brace can relieve symptoms.
If you've had joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty), the new joint may become inflamed. Septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) is a serious complication that requires urgent hospital treatment.
Many people find it beneficial to be in contact with people suffering from the same condition. You can chat with a group or individually with someone who suffers from osteoarthritis. And there are groups in your city where you can talk to other people with osteoarthritis.
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis can be overwhelming and confusing. Like many people with chronic diseases, people with osteoarthritis may experience anxiety or depression. There are people with whom communication can be useful. Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel you need support to cope with your illness.
Severe osteoarthritis can affect your performance. In some cases, difficulties in performing work duties can be overcome with some changes in the workplace. However, if due to illness you are unable to work or work only during periods of remission, you have the right to sick leave payments, as well as, registration of disability.
Which doctor should I contact for deforming arthrosis (DOA)?
With the help of the NaPopravku service, you can, which deals with both conservative and surgical treatment of osteoarthritis. If you only need medication,.
Localization and translation prepared by site. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content
Copyright notice: “Department of Health original content 2020”
All materials on the site have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow taking into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only supplements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes only and are of a recommendatory nature.
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