Rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee - treatment with and without surgery. What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis? Features of the manifestation of arthrosis

Complete or incomplete rupture of the cruciate ligaments occurs due to the following unfavorable factors:

• fall with emphasis on the knee;
• direct blow to the cruciate ligament area with a heavy object;
• extreme or athletic sports involving sudden movements of the legs;
• industrial or transport accidents;
• degenerative changes in the area of ​​the medial meniscus associated with osteoarticular diseases.

How is it treated

A torn cruciate ligament of the knee can be treated with conservative methods and surgery. Let's take a look at the features of each option.

Immediately after the injury, swelling and pain are relieved, after which the previous mobility of the joint is restored. Conservative methods include cold compresses, anti-inflammatories and, of course, rest. In addition, the patient may be prescribed special exercises and physical therapy.

As for exercises, they are aimed at restoring mobility and preventing muscle atrophy. It is also recommended to wear special knee pads, which can be of several types.

For this reason, people involved in sports are recommended to undergo surgery, and calipers are prescribed at least six months later.

If conservative methods are ineffective, surgical treatment is performed. Even if it is immediately clear that surgery cannot be done, patients are still initially prescribed physical therapy and exercises to relieve swelling and restore mobility.

As a rule, when the ACL and PCL are torn, arthroscopy is performed - one of the most minimally traumatic operations. A torn ligament cannot be stitched; grafts or piece prostheses are used to restore it.

Arthroscopy is most effective after a course of exercises and physiotherapy, and this once again proves how important conservative therapy. Usually the operation is performed six months after the injury, but sometimes it happens several years later.

We also add that transplants can be of two types:

• autografts (other tendons from the patient);
• allografts (tendons from a donor).

The advantage of the second option is that the operation takes half as long, since the surgeon does not need to cut out the graft first.

Judging by the fact that you are now reading these lines, victory in the fight against inflammation of cartilage tissue is not yet on your side...

And have you already thought about inpatient treatment? This is understandable, because joint pain is a very dangerous symptom, which, if not treated in a timely manner, can result in limited mobility. Suspicious crunching, stiffness after a night's rest, skin around problem area tense, swelling in the sore spot... All these symptoms are familiar to you firsthand.

What are the types and symptoms of damage?

Stage	Signs
Lightweight	Mild pain
	Stretching or partial rupture of individual fibers
	The functionality of the limb is preserved
Average	Subtotal connective tissue damage
	Palpable pain
	Limited mobility
	Swelling and redness of the skin of the knee
Heavy	Intense painful sensations
	Motor functions are lost
	The ligaments are completely torn, their fiber disintegration is observed
	Characteristic crunching sound during injury
	Extensive swelling
	Hemorrhage into the joint cavity
	Temperature increased
	Feeling of the joint "loose"
	Loss of sensation in the toes if bundles of nerves are pinched

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Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Cruciate ligament rupture is a pathological condition that develops as a result of trauma to the knee joint.

This ACL injury is one of the most dangerous, but if it is identified in a timely manner, assistance is provided and proper treatment is carried out, it will not carry any consequences for the person. He can continue normal life.

Most often, rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee occurs in people who actively play sports, especially tennis, basketball and football.

The cruciate ligament is a strong anatomical formation that is responsible for the full functioning of the knee joint and also controls the movements of the articular joint in a strictly designated range.

If the amplitude of movement increases for some reason, then a sprain or even rupture is possible. ligamentous apparatus. There are two ligaments in the knee - anterior and posterior. They got their name because if you look at the knee from the front, they form a cross.

Structure of the knee joint

Symptoms of a rupture are usually very pronounced - the knee swells and intense pain appears, and the body temperature locally increases. In addition, at the moment of rupture, a person may hear a cracking sound.

Only a traumatologist can accurately determine that a rupture has occurred after conducting an examination and prescribing certain laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods. It is recommended to treat a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee or the posterior ligament in inpatient conditions.

Doctors resort to both non-invasive therapy and surgical intervention.

Reasons for the breakup

More often in medical practice A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint is detected. And this is usually associated with injury. Somewhat less often, inflammation in the area of ​​the articular joint can contribute to this. Posterior cruciate ligament rupture is much less common.

The causes of this pathological condition:

• a person falling from a height;
• sudden movements in knee joint. A rupture can occur during intense jumps, a sudden stop after running, sudden extension, etc.;
• stumbling;
• blow to the knee area, falling on its front or back. The worst thing is if there is a direct blow. Because of it, a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament can occur;
• road accident;
• the occurrence of degenerative or inflammatory processes, which also affect the ligamentous apparatus.

Predisposing factors to sprain or rupture of the ligamentous apparatus:

1. inadequate development of muscles in the lower extremities;
2. some features of the human skeleton;
3. hormonal background person. Clinicians note that such injury is more often diagnosed in the fair sex.

Symptoms and pain

The intensity of the symptoms of anterior cruciate ligament rupture directly depends on how severely the integrity of this anatomical formation is damaged. Most often, one can suspect the presence of this pathological condition in a person by the following signs:

1. when receiving an injury, a person hears and feels a crunching sound in the knee joint;
2. body temperature increases locally;
3. at the time of injury, severe pain appears, which intensifies as the person tries to move the leg (if the ligament is completely torn, the limb ceases to perform its supporting function);
4. the knee joint swells;
5. the limb is unstable;
6. hyperemia of the skin at the site of injury. Bruising and bleeding may occur;
7. manifestation of hemarthrosis is not excluded. This is a pathological condition that is characterized by the accumulation of blood in the joint.

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If such signs appear, before the patient is delivered to medical institution It is important to give him first aid. The first thing to do is to completely immobilize the leg so as not to further injure it.

The affected knee is fixed elastic bandage or ordinary tight fabric. Cold must be applied to the affected area and the patient is given an anesthetic tablet to reduce the manifestation of pain.

Only a qualified traumatologist can detect the presence of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament after interviewing the patient and thoroughly questioning him. To assess the extent of the rupture, some instrumental examinations are prescribed, in particular the following:

• X-ray of the affected limb;
• ultrasound examination of the articular joint;
• MRI is the most informative technique that allows you to identify the presence and extent of a rupture.

Many people assume that the gap can be eliminated only through surgical intervention. But actually it is not. To treat this condition, both conservative methods and surgery.

Conservative treatment is used in the treatment of rupture in children, as well as in the elderly.

In addition, non-invasive methods are used to treat partial ruptures, which have minimal impact on the functioning of the articular joint.

The affected leg is fixed and provided with maximum rest. If there is an urgent need, the doctor can even plaster it. Some medications are prescribed:

1. anti-inflammatory;
2. painkillers;
3. general strengthening;
4. hemostatic.

The second stage is restoration of the functioning of the affected joint. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed massage, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and wearing special orthopedic devices.

Surgical intervention is indicated if conservative therapy is ineffective or there is a complete rupture of the ligamentous apparatus.

It is important to know that sutures cannot restore the integrity of the ligament.

Therefore, in order to normalize a person’s condition, special ligament prostheses or grafts are implanted into the knee.

Knee ligament ruptures are frequent injuries. They can be complete or incomplete and are accompanied by complete separation from the attachment site.

These factors largely determine the severity of symptoms.

Such injuries can occur during road accidents, at home, while playing sports and other circumstances.

In this article, we will introduce you to the types, causes, symptoms and treatments for knee ligament tears. With this information, you will be able to provide first aid to yourself or a loved one in a timely manner and decide whether to see a doctor.

The ligaments of the knee joint act as a fixator of the tibia to the femur. As a result, the rupture causes a violation of the elasticity and precise location of the joint structures, and movements in it become chaotic.

Depending on the location of the injury, the following types of ruptures are distinguished:

• anterior cruciate ligaments;
• posterior cruciate ligaments;
• external collateral ligaments;
• internal collateral ligaments.

Depending on the extent of damage to the fibers, three degrees of severity of damage are distinguished:

1. I – only a few fibers in the ligament are damaged, and the rest remain intact;
2. II – more than 50% of the fibers in the ligament are damaged and joint mobility is limited;
3. III - the ligament is completely torn or torn from the place of fixation, and the joint becomes immobilized and unstable.

Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases that have similar names and the same affected areas: both pathologies negatively affect the joints. However, there are much more differences in these diseases than it seems at first glance: the mechanism of development, clinical picture and the symptoms, diagnostic criteria and treatments are completely different when examined in detail.

The main causes of arthritis are:

• infections - viral, bacterial agents, fungi can cause inflammation in the joint capsule and the fluid surrounding it;
• autoimmune disorders;
• hereditary tendency to develop the disease;
• metabolic disorders.

Women 30 years of age and older are more susceptible to arthritis; certain types of the disease (juvenile form) occur in childhood and adolescence.

The reasons for the development of arthrosis are:

Arthrosis is a disease of professional athletes, people whose work involves hard work (loaders, masons); arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints often occurs in pianists. Intra-articular cartilage is destroyed under load: first, microcracks form, and then the deformation progresses.

Injuries.

Hypothermia.

Pre-existing arthritis.

Obesity, unbalanced diet.

Metabolic changes in the body (hemochromatosis, gout).

Hereditary predisposition.

Intoxication.

Degenerative joint changes occur in older people: women aged 45-60 years are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. According to some authors, after 60 years the disease occurs in almost 100% of the population.

Classification of arthritis

Depending on the pathogen, clinical and laboratory picture, joint inflammation is classified into the following main groups.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease in which inflammation develops in the synovium, spreading to cartilage and bones.

Unlike arthrosis, the articular syndrome typical of this disease is symmetrical: the lesion is often bilateral. The joints of the hands, wrists, wrists, elbows, and shoulders are most affected. But large joints of the legs can also be involved in the process of inflammation: knees, hips, and also the joints of the spine.

The causative factors in the development of the disease are genetic - patients have a hereditary predisposition to carry the HLA DR1, DR4, DW4 antigens. The relationship between the presence of these alleles and the development of the disease has been scientifically proven. The role of carriage of the Epstein-Barr virus in the occurrence of this form of arthritis is great.

Psoriatic arthritis

Inflammation can occur against the background of an existing disease – psoriasis.

In 70% of patients with psoriatic skin rashes, an articular syndrome appears, which has features that distinguish it from other forms of arthritis and osteoarthritis.

• the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet are affected predominantly;
• the skin over the joints is bluish or purple;
• “sausage” type deformation of fingers;
• negative reactions to rheumatoid factor";
• the appearance of pain in the heels.

Patients suffering from psoriasis should be aware of the possibility of spread and progression of the disease involving joints in the disease process. At the first " alarm bells» in health - the appearance of general weakness, swelling or pain, such patients should immediately visit a doctor.

Reactive arthritis

This is inflammation in the joint cavity that occurs in patients with existing or previous intestinal or genitourinary infection, and pathogens do not penetrate into the synovial cavity, which is why these arthritis are also called “sterile”.

• the patient suffered from urethritis, enterocolitis, conjunctivitis the day before;
• knee, ankle joints, toes are affected asymmetrically;
• the Achilles tendon or plantar aponeurosis is affected;
• the patient has HLA B27 antigen;
• temperature rises to 38-390C acute period diseases.

Unlike other arthritic forms, as well as arthrosis, reactive lesions can disappear without a trace after 4-6 months, but sometimes, without proper treatment, they can become chronic.

Today, rheumatoid arthritis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus also belongs to the reactive group. The disease debuts in childhood or adolescence. Joint problems occur 1-2 weeks after a sore throat. Rheumatic joint disease is characterized by pain in large joints(knee, elbow), volatility of the lesion, complete reversibility of the development of inflammation (unlike arthrosis).

Arthritis associated with infection

This type of disease includes joint damage, in which there is a connection with an infectious onset, and the pathogen itself penetrates into the synovial cavity (as opposed to a reactive lesion).

The infectious nature of the disease will be indicated by an acute, violent onset with symptoms of intoxication and high temperature body, the pathogen is inoculated in the synovial fluid punctate.

Classification of arthrosis

This pathology indicates degenerative processes occurring directly in the cartilage tissue and leading to its destruction, changes in the bone surfaces of the joint, and their deformation.

Primary arthrosis

This form develops in previously healthy cartilage. The main causes of the disease are:

• injuries and microtraumatization of cartilage;
• increased joint mobility;
• hereditary predisposition.

Internal factors may predispose to the development of this form of the disease:

• flat feet, dysplasia, scoliosis of the spine;
• excess weight;
• circulatory disorders.

The cartilage is unable to withstand the mechanical stress that is placed on it. Its strength may be genetically reduced in some cases due to a hereditary predisposition to arthrosis. The consequence of these factors is the formation of cracks in the center of the cartilaginous surface, loss of elasticity, destruction of cartilage until the complete disappearance and exposure of the bone surfaces that form the joint.

The primary form of the disease is classified into local (1-2 joints are affected) and generalized (3 or more joints are affected).

Secondary arthrosis

This form of the disease is characterized by the destruction of previously affected cartilage tissue due to:

• suffered injuries;
• endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, acromegaly);
• metabolic changes (hemochromatosis, gout);
• previous arthritis.

The above pathology creates “fertile” soil for the formation of the disease: due to existing chronic disorders, the cartilage does not receive enough nutrients, oxygen, and is insufficiently supplied with blood. Cartilage tissue in such conditions ceases to function normally: it is depleted in proteoglycans, dries out, becomes dry and rough, and gradually collapses.

What is the difference between the symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis?

An experienced doctor is already at the stage of collecting anamnesis clinical symptoms and complaints can suggest what kind of disease the patient is facing.

The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is ulnar deviation of the fingers and their “swan neck” deformity.

Rheumatoid lesion of the hand: 1 - swelling of the PUJ and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, 2 - symmetrical swelling in the wrist area, 3 - flexion contracture of the fingers, 4 - ulnar deviation of the fingers, 5 - palmar (volar) subluxation of the 2nd PUJ and wrist joint, 6 - subluxation of the head of the ulnar hand, 7 - arthrosis of the interosseous muscles.

The onset of arthrosis is usually gradual and progressive. Symptoms occur in patients over 40 years of age.

With arthrosis, large joints of the lower extremities are usually affected: hip, knee, most often other joints upper limb The shoulder and distal interphalangeal muscles are affected.

Patients complain of a slight crunching sound, not intense aching pain, appearing during prolonged physical activity and disappearing with rest. As the process worsens, the pain intensifies with prolonged standing or climbing stairs.

With a long course of arthrosis, musculoskeletal contractures and ankylosis are formed, leading to limitation and loss of mobility, causing disability.

Arthritis	Arthrosis
The appearance of spontaneous pain that increases with movement, morning stiffness, peak pain after 3 a.m. and in the morning hours	The initial nature of the pain is that its intensity increases with movement towards the end of the day; after rest, the patients’ condition noticeably improves, and there are no symptoms of morning stiffness.
Swelling, swelling, redness of the changed joints - the skin over them is reddened, shiny, hot to the touch. The disease debuts with small joints: affected hands, feet, wrists	Often a symptom of “jamming” occurs: a condition in which spontaneously during movement severe pain occurs in the joint, completely preventing movement. These phenomena are caused by fragments of cartilage in the articular cavity - “articular mouse”; falling between the articular surfaces, the fragments provoke intense pain and block movement. This condition lasts about 1 minute, usually patients involuntarily change their body posture, the “joint mouse” moves and the pain subsides
Symmetry pathological process	Crepitation, crunching in the affected area, resulting from friction of uneven articular surfaces
Combination of pain with general symptoms of intoxication: weakness, increased body temperature to subfebrile levels (37.5-380C), weight loss, sweating	Deformation of joints and limitation of mobility due to the proliferation of bone surfaces
Atrophy of nearby muscles, deformation of joints and blocking of their mobility up to complete ankylosis with a long course of the disease	No signs of local inflammation (redness, no swelling)
	Patient's condition is satisfactory
	Slow disease progression
	Rapid muscle fatigue in the affected area

Osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint - what is the difference?

Many people turn to the doctor with complaints of knee pain, wondering what could be causing the deterioration in their well-being? But even before visiting the clinic, knowing the characteristics of the symptoms and clinical picture of arthritis and arthrosis, the patient can guess why the knee joint hurts and what disease is developing.

Of all the localizations of arthrosis, the knee joint ranks second in frequency of occurrence, second only to the hip joint. Gonarthrosis is the name of a degenerative-dystrophic disease affecting the joints of the knees.

How does the knee joint hurt with arthrosis?

The pain increases gradually. Initially, a crunching sensation occurs in the affected area when moving, then aching pain appears in the knee when walking, going up or down the stairs. At rest, the pain subsides, the patient notes an improvement in well-being after rest.

The joints are most often affected symmetrically on both limbs. A long course of gonarthrosis leads to limited mobility, the formation of flexion contracture, and genu varum deformity of the limbs.

With gonarthrosis, pain in the knee occurs gradually, since the cartilage itself, which is destroyed as a result of the disease, does not have pain receptors. Pain syndrome is characteristic at the stage of exposure of bone surfaces and their friction against each other, the growth of osteophytes, and the entry of cartilaginous fragments into the synovial cavity.

How does the knee joint hurt with arthritis?

Damage to the knee joint due to arthritis is not uncommon. The inflammatory process in this pathology is accompanied by pain of varying intensity: the pain can be acute, burning or aching, long-lasting.

Knee pain due to arthritis is accompanied by inflammatory changes, both local and general: in the affected area there is redness of the skin and an increase in body temperature over them - the skin is hot to the touch.

As the pathology progresses, an inflammatory effusion is formed, which leads to an increase in the volume of the joint, accompanied by its swelling and swelling.

In order to reduce pain, patients take a forced position of the limb - flexion at the knee joint, and if this position is maintained for a long time, a flexion contracture can form.

The pain intensifies in the morning and is accompanied by stiffness. With an exacerbation of the disease, symptoms of general intoxication may be observed: an increase in body temperature up to 38⁰C, general weakness, increased fatigue, sweating.

Diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis

These diseases differ not only in clinical picture and symptoms, but also in the results of laboratory and instrumental studies.

Radiography

With arthrosis, changes in the images depend on the severity of the degenerative process. There are 4 radiological stages of arthrosis according to Kellgen:

Arthritis therapy

The main goal in the treatment of arthritis of any origin is the relief of the inflammatory process.

If inflammatory changes are caused by specific pathogens, antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal therapy is used depending on the infectious agent.

Anti-inflammatory drugs include:

• NSAIDs (Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Tenoxicam);
• Glucocorticoids (Prednisolone, Methylpred, Dexamethasone).

The dosage and duration of taking the drugs is determined by the doctor individually, taking into account the form of the disease, its activity, the patient’s age, and the presence of concomitant diseases.

In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the basic groups of drugs that can slow the progression of the disease are:

• Gold preparations (Crizanol, Sanacrisin, Myocrisin, Auranofin);
• Cytostatics (Methotrexate, Cyclophosphamide, Imuran, Leukeran, Prospidin);
• D-penicillamine.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is of great importance for arthritis - as one of the components complex therapy. Widely applicable:

• SMT-electrophoresis of dimexide;
• electrophoresis of drugs with anti-inflammatory effects (analgin, novocaine, sodium salicylate);
• magnetic therapy;
• hydrocortisone phonophoresis;
• laser therapy;
• acupuncture;

After acute inflammation has been relieved, physical therapy and massage are prescribed to strengthen the muscles in the affected joints and prevent deformities and contractures.

The patient should not engage in self-examination or attempt to make a diagnosis on their own. You should entrust your health to a specialist.

Arthrosis and arthritis are diseases that affect the joints. Since the names of these ailments are similar, many people have thoughts about their identity. They perceive these terms as synonyms, assuming that they are the same disease. However, arthrosis and arthritis are far from the same thing, and there is a significant difference between them. In order to understand the difference between arthritis and arthrosis, let's find out what these diseases are.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a collective term that refers to inflammation of any joints and most often indicates more extensive and serious pathological disorders in organism. That is, the disease is inflammatory in nature and can affect one or several joints.

There are a number of ailments that are accompanied by the development of arthritis:

• rheumatism;
• gout;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• psoriasis;
• hemochromatosis.

In addition, there are reactive arthritis that develop as a result of complications after infectious diseases:

• flu;
• syphilis;
• gonorrhea;
• mycoplasmosis;
• chlamydia.

All these diseases are classified into a separate group.

Inflammatory processes in arthritis primarily affect synovium, and synovial fluid, causing disease (synovitis). As a result, the amount of this fluid increases, which results in swelling of the affected joints. The cartilage tissue covering the surfaces of the bones also becomes inflamed, and over time, erosions form on it, exposing the bone.

What is arthrosis?

Arthrosis is a non-inflammatory degenerative disease that is associated with deformation and destruction of cartilage tissue inside the joint. That is, pathological changes occur, which are manifested by degeneration of the cartilage lining the surfaces of the bones. Although sometimes it is a long-term inflammatory process that provokes thinning and damage to cartilage. Arthrosis is often observed in older people, since their cartilage tissue wears out with age, and osteoporosis also occurs, which negatively affects the condition of the entire musculoskeletal system.

In some cases, arthrosis can also occur at a young age in people who experience prolonged stress on their joints. This category includes athletes, people who are obese, or people whose professional activity leads to rapid wear of the support - motor system.

The symptoms of the disease are caused by dysfunction of the cartilages, as they become thinner and deformed, bone tissue grows, which leads to the inability to fully perform shock absorption and friction of the bones that form the joint. As a result, the amount of synovial fluid that should envelop the articular surfaces decreases.

Common causes of arthrosis and arthritis

Since arthrosis and arthritis affect the joints, and in general the entire musculoskeletal system, these diseases develop as a result of many factors. Let's look at ten reasons that cause these ailments:

• hereditary factor;
• metabolic disease;
• immune factor (especially for arthritis);
• congenital diseases of connective and bone tissue;
• joint injuries;
• overweight, obesity;
• unbalanced diet;
• hypothermia;
• infections.

These are common causes that can cause both arthritis and arthrosis. But that's where their similarities end. Further, the diseases have only differences.

Characteristic causes of the development of arthritis and arthrosis

Causes of arthritis:

• unbalanced, monotonous diet, which causes disruption of metabolic processes and immunity (poor nutrition provokes the development of infectious diseases, and their agents penetrate into the synovial fluid and cause arthritis);
• severe hypothermia of the joint (sleeping in a tent, swimming in cold water, poor quality shoes and clothing);
• any injuries (sprain, bruise or fracture);
• smoking and obesity;
• sedentary lifestyle life.

Causes of arthrosis:

• hereditary factor;
• elderly age;
• injuries;
• metabolic diseases.

Previously, a primary (when the cause of the disease was unknown) and a secondary (when the cause was known) stage in the development of arthrosis was distinguished. With the development of more advanced diagnostic methods the primary stage was called into question, since in all cases the main cause of the development of arthrosis is metabolic disorders in the form of metabolism of carbohydrates and enzymes of cartilage tissue. Consequently, arthrosis can occur as a result of arthritis, since degeneration of synovial fluid is nothing more than a metabolic disorder. During dystrophic processes, blood circulation in the joint is disrupted, which leads to deterioration of nutrition and destruction of cartilage tissue.

What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?

Let's look at the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. Since arthritis and arthrosis often affect the same joints, despite this, there is still some pattern in the localization of the pathological process:

1. Arthrosis most often develops in large joints of the lower extremities (ankle, knee, hip). In addition, the pathological process develops only in one joint. During life, all these joints experience very heavy loads, so it is not surprising that they wear out and collapse due to destructive processes. Rarely, arthrosis affects the joints of the big toes, hands and intervertebral joints.
2. With arthritis, the joints are affected one after another, that is, the disease is characterized by “volatility”. Let's say one day I got inflamed wrist joint, on the other - the elbow, on the third - the shoulder joint. In addition, several asymmetrical joints can become inflamed at once.

In addition to the characteristic localization of the pathological process, there is a difference between arthritis and arthrosis in symptoms:

1. With arthritis, pain occurs at night when a person is at rest. And in the morning, patients feel characteristic stiffness in the affected joints. In order to relieve stiffness, they have to work out the joints. Some patients interpret these phenomena as the norm, forgetting that healthy people do not need to work out their joints after sleep. Their joints are always mobile and functional. With arthrosis, such stiffness is not observed.
2. In the case of arthrosis, everything happens the other way around. At rest, the patient experiences relief, since pain occurs only when moving and becomes more intense with significant physical activity. Sometimes, with arthrosis, pain may also occur at night, but this is due to the fact that the patient changes the position of the affected limbs during sleep, which causes pain.
3. Also varies appearance joint with arthritis and arthrosis. With arthritis, the metacarpophalangeal joints (the convex bones of a clenched fist) become swollen and swollen, red and hot (the local temperature rises). With arthrosis, such symptoms are not observed, the joint looks absolutely normal. Of course, joint deformation may occur in the future as a result of the growth of osteophytes (bone growths on the joints), but even then, there are no symptoms characteristic of arthritis. But with arthrosis, there is a crunch in the affected joint, which is not the case with arthritis.

It is necessary to note the general condition of patients with these diseases. With arthritis, a person, in addition to pain in the joint, feels weakness and general malaise: low-grade fever, chills, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss. With arthrosis, the problem is only in a non-functional and painful joint, and there are no general symptoms.

It should be noted that arthritis often leads to arthrosis, when, as a result of inflammation, the joint is destroyed and modified, and its mobility is also impaired. However, even with arthrosis, inflammatory processes in the joints are observed. Understanding the diagnosis is not so easy; it is necessary to find out the root cause of the development of these ailments. Arthritis, as a rule, occurs against the background of infections that have penetrated into the joint tissue, and in the case of arthrosis, joint deformation occurs due to injury in old age. Of course, sometimes inflammation can occur, but this does not always happen.

Differential diagnosis of arthrosis and arthritis

In order to understand why problems with the joint arose, it is necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis. Such diagnostics include the following clinical tests:

1. general blood analysis.
2. general urine analysis;
3. biochemical analysis blood;
4. rheumatic tests;
5. autoimmune standards (blood test for antibodies);
6. x-ray of affected joints;
7. examination of synovial fluid;
8. radioisotope scanning of the skeleton (in some cases);
9. computed tomography (CT);
10. magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI).

Blood test for arthritis and arthrosis

For an adequate diagnosis of joint diseases, this procedure is mandatory and necessary. In the case of arthrosis, the clinical picture of the blood does not change at all, the ROE (erythrocyte sedimentation reaction) may only slightly increase to 28-30 mm, usually with a complication - synovitis. With arthritis, the blood picture completely changes: leukocytes increase to 14,000, a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left is observed, the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and ROE increases to 40-80 mm.

C - reactive protein in the blood

For differential diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a biochemical blood test. In arthritis, there is an increase in inflammatory markers of some immunoglobulins, seromucoid and C-reactive protein, which is not observed in arthrosis. The exact factor diagnosing the level of inflammation in joint diseases is considered to be C-reactive protein (CRP). Because the synovial fluid reacts by increasing protein to emerging inflammation, then during inflammatory and autoimmune processes in the body, its level rises to 10 mg/l and higher. Compared to healthy people whose blood reactive protein does not exceed 0.002 g/l. Thus, increased level reactive protein in the blood plasma, eloquently indicates the development of arthritis.

C - reactive protein (CRP) is a protein fast phase, which is synthesized in the liver. Activates the body's immune response to the invasion of an inflammatory factor. After 24 hours, the level of reactive protein in plasma increases tenfold. With adequate treatment, protein quickly decreases to normal indicators. With arthrosis, the levels of P-reactive protein in the patient’s blood remain normal.

X-ray of affected joints

This diagnostic method is the second most effective after clinical blood testing. In this case, arthrosis is accurately diagnosed, since an x-ray can determine the degree of bone deformation based on the width of the joint space. For arthritis, this method is not essential, although it is certainly prescribed as a diagnostic technique. However, this method is imperfect, since the degree of damage and destruction of cartilage tissue cannot be seen in the image.

Differences in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis

Arthritis and arthrosis have different causes and mechanisms of development, so their treatment is somewhat different.

With arthritis, it is necessary first of all to identify the cause of inflammation and neutralize it as quickly as possible. If the occurrence of arthritis has an infectious etiology, then the patient is prescribed antibiotics. If the disease is of autoimmune origin, cytostatics and hormones are prescribed, and if gouty arthritis correction of uric acid in the body is necessary, so treatment is carried out with hypouremic drugs.

For arthrosis, treatment is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue and restoring joint function. Therefore, treatment is carried out with chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid, physiotherapy, sanitary and spa treatment, massage and physical therapy.

Since both arthritis and arthrosis are accompanied by pronounced pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for internal and external use (tablets and ointments) are used as painkillers for these ailments. Such drugs not only effectively eliminate pain, but also reduce signs of inflammation.

In the treatment of these ailments, both conservative treatment and surgical therapy are used. It all depends on the level and scale of articular lesions. Typically this is drug treatment and joint replacement.

Since the very fact that a patient has chronic arthritis and arthrosis increases the likelihood of an acute relapse, the treatment strategy should be aimed at preventing and preventing relapse. For this, the following treatment is prescribed:

1. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medicines in this group effectively eliminate signs of inflammation, especially in arthritis, but are always included in the treatment complex for arthrosis.
2. Quick elimination of muscle spasm that occurs in the muscles adjacent to the joint. This ensures access to medications, nutrients and oxygen.
3. Normalization of metabolic reactions. This is possible only after the inflammatory process has stopped.
4. Evacuation of uric acid salts from the joint (if we are talking about metabolic disorders).
5. Normalization of acid-base metabolism.

Modern medicine has been quite successful in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis, but despite this, not every case of arthritis or arthrosis ends in complete success.

Achieving success in the treatment of these diseases consists of relieving joint inflammation and muscle spasms, normalizing metabolic processes and acid-base balance. As a result of these actions, the joint begins to receive adequate nutrition, oxygen and restore metabolic processes.

Traditional medicine recipes are very effective in the complex treatment of arthritis and arthrosis. Their use in this format is even approved official medicine. It should be noted right away that medicinal herbs are only auxiliary in the fight against these diseases. Therefore, before starting treatment folk remedies follows in mandatory seek advice from your doctor.

Nutrition for arthritis and arthrosis

Without exception, all joint diseases require special dietary nutrition. Since the symptoms of arthritis affect the entire body, in some cases its course is complicated by serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart, kidneys and liver, and arthrosis can immobilize the patient, lead to disability and thereby reduce the quality of his life, it is necessary to devote all efforts to the fight against these ailments . In the context of articular pathologies, the body must receive all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals with a certain bias. Attention is drawn to products that normalize metabolic reactions and acid-base balance.

• limit consumption of red meat (pork, beef, lamb, venison, horse meat);
• avoidance of products containing a large number of fats and trans fats;
• complete abstinence from alcohol;
• give preference lean fish and seafood;
• consume large amounts of vegetables, fruits and herbs (in any form);
• consumption of foods based on cartilage: aspic, jelly, jelly, marmalade;
• plenty of drinking regime;
• take dietary supplements with calcium, vitamins A, D and group B.

General prevention of arthritis and arthrosis

In the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis, the treatment strategy is to prevent and prevent relapses of arthritis and arthrosis. After all, a disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, the prevention of these ailments has the same principles:

1. Avoid hypothermia of the legs (foot joints). After all, this path is the main one in the exacerbation of chronic diseases and infection with viral infections.
2. Timely relief of chronic ailments (tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis).
3. Refusal of uncomfortable high-heeled shoes. Uncomfortable shoes create additional stress on the joints, which leads to their destruction, deformation and deformation, and as a result to arthrosis.
4. Fighting excess weight. Excess weight is a signal of metabolic disorders, and arthritis almost always occurs against the background of such disorders.
5. Moderate physical activity. Heavy work puts pressure and stress on the joint, causing it to break down and become inflamed.
6. Be sure to adhere to a healthy lifestyle: often walk outdoors, get proper rest and nutrition, engage in physical therapy, and regularly visit a doctor.

Physical therapy for arthritis and arthrosis is a very important part of therapy, coupled with massage, diet therapy and physiotherapy. It provides diseased joints with nutrients and oxygen, and without this their healing and restoration cannot occur.

The very name arthrosis-arthritis suggests that this state includes two pathological mechanism: arthritis and arthrosis. Indeed, arthrosis-arthritis - complex disease, which combines both signs of destructive changes in joint tissues and an inflammatory component.

To use a more precise formulation, arthrosis-arthritis is arthrosis complicated by arthritis.

The main risk factors for developing joint diseases include:

If for arthrosis to occur, one or more factors usually must act over a long period of time, then an acute event is usually sufficient for inflammation to occur. This may be hypothermia, adverse weather conditions (frost, strong wind), joint injury, infectious disease of the body, stress or other influence.

Infectious arthritis usually develops after an acute respiratory viral or bacterial infection, otitis media, pneumonia, infections urinary tract. Against the background of reduced immunity, the infection easily “sits” on a dystrophic joint. Occasionally, specific infectious processes occur. Usually tuberculosis. Syphilitic, brucellosis and other specific infectious arthritis are now very rare.

Traumatic arthritis develops after an acute injury (bruise, fracture or any other) or chronic injury (occupational hazards, sports). Such arthritis can be a complication of reconstructive operations (for example, arthrosis after bite correction).

Pathogenesis of arthrosis-arthritis

First, arthrosis occurs in the joint. Its causes are metabolic and blood supply disorders resulting from age-related changes, excessive stress on the joint (sports, excess weight, occupational hazards), injuries, hypothermia and some other pathological conditions.

Under the influence of these factors, cartilage begins to deteriorate, articular surfaces become deformed, and bone growths appear. All this causes even more damage to the joint. Symptoms of arthrosis occur (aching pain that disappears after rest, “crunching” when moving or other joint noises, limited mobility and a feeling of “seizing” of the joint). This process lasts for years and sooner or later leads to loss of joint function. Timely start correct treatment can prevent further progression of the process.

Rarely does it run smoothly. Since the blood supply and metabolism are impaired in a destructively altered joint, and besides, it is constantly injured by bone growths and osteophytes, inflammation easily occurs, i.e. arthritis. It can be of different nature depending on risk factors, the presence of concomitant pathology and individual predisposition. It can be rheumatoid, infectious, gouty or any other.

The state of “exacerbation” of arthrosis due to the addition of an inflammatory component (arthritis) is called arthrosis-arthritis.

The first rule: consult a doctor promptly. Many people try to diagnose themselves on their own, consulting friends or the Internet. Self-diagnosis is often wrong. This significantly delays going to the doctor and starting treatment. By this time, irreversible changes have often already developed in the joint. Don't forget, this could cost you your health. It is easier to contact a specialist in a timely manner to prescribe therapy, and then come only for a follow-up examination and treatment correction.

Diagnosis of arthrosis-arthritis includes:

1. Examination by a specialist. The doctor identifies pain in the joint, crepitus, swelling, limited movement, tension in the joint, and instability. If necessary, consultation with specialized specialists may be indicated: phthisiatrician, rheumatologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist and others.
2. Laboratory research. A general and biochemical blood test is shown. In some cases - immunological studies, hormonal profile, serological methods for identifying an infectious agent and others.
3. There are many instrumental methods. The main one is radiography of the joint. It reveals the presence of joint deformation, bone growths, changes in the joint space, some inflammatory changes and a number of others. Ancillary studies include ultrasound of the joints, puncture, arthroscopy, CT, MRI and others.

Stages of arthrosis-arthritis

During arthrosis there are three stages:

1. First (initial). Minor changes appear in the joint, pain occurs only with significant loads, and arthritis rarely occurs.
2. Second. Cartilage and menisci are destroyed, osteophytes (bone growths) appear. Movement in the joint is limited. The pain is almost constant. Arthritis often appears.
3. Third. The pain is constant and intense. Arthritis is chronic. Irreversible changes in the joint and sharp restriction its functions. Severe deformity, contractures.

Exclude:

Can be eaten:

• freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables with a high content of calcium and magnesium,
• green leafy vegetables,
• radish,
• watermelon,
• ginger,
• sesame seeds,
• seafood,
• fish (sardines, mackerel),
• oats,
• apple cider vinegar (with caution, depending on concomitant pathology).

Eat healthy, joint-friendly foods. If it’s difficult to give up old habits, master the preparation of new dishes, learn to cook dietary food the way you like.

Proper nutrition will help achieve another important goal - normalizing weight.

Exercise therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures are stopped during an exacerbation. In this case, complete rest of the affected joint is indicated (if necessary, it is fixed). Sometimes examination and treatment in a highly specialized department or hospital is indicated (for example, in a phthisiopulmonology hospital or in a rheumatology department).

It is very important to limit yourself from stressful situations, refuse bad habits. If this is difficult to do, find yourself a hobby, a new company, fill your life with pleasant things. In general, do everything you can to take your mind off your illness and problems.

In addition to following the above recommendations, you should equip your own home for your convenience, you can use devices to reduce the load on the joint (canes, knee pads, corsets and others), wearing orthopedic shoes. You can find a complete list of recommendations for arthrosis in the corresponding section of our website.

Symptoms of arthrosis-arthritis are expressed, as a rule, by pain (from moderate to severe), swelling, limitation of joint mobility up to its blocking, crunching, deformation, and accumulation of intra-articular fluid. Let's look at each symptom in detail.

• Pain. Arthrosis is characterized by dull, aching pain that intensifies with exercise. At first, they are practically not expressed; they can manifest themselves simply as unpleasant sensations and aches. Therefore, this symptom usually remains unnoticeable for a long time. It seems to a person that it is just fatigue, a cold or another illness. As soon as signs of arthritis appear, the pain intensifies sharply; it can also occur at rest; it is accompanied by other symptoms. There may be continuous dull pain at night (due to venous stagnation increased intraosseous pressure).
• The appearance of swelling of joint tissues. A characteristic symptom of arthritis. It is often accompanied by hyperemia (redness) of the skin over the affected joint. Edema is most pronounced during infectious processes. In this case, a dense painful infiltrate may appear over the affected area. In this case, emergency surgery is indicated to open the purulent focus.
• Restricted mobility in the joint, stiffness, feeling of “stiffness”. A fairly constant symptom of arthrosis, especially worse in the morning or after rest. If the process has gone very far, then after rest a “jamming” may occur in the joint, i.e. complete restriction of movements for some time. When inflammation occurs, movements are sharply limited, up to complete immobility of the joint.
• Crunching in the joint and other joint noises (creaking, crackling, crepitus) when moving. They appear even in the presence of arthrosis and usually do not greatly depend on the addition of arthritis. Since their occurrence is primarily associated with deformation of the articular surfaces, the appearance of bone growths and “articular mice,” i.e. the sound arises from the friction of pathological elements against each other. The symptom is typical for damage to many joints, but more so for the knee, hip, spine, and finger joints.
• Symptoms of a “blocked” joint and the accompanying sharp pain usually occur in cases of advanced arthrosis. They are associated with the entry of a fragment of cartilage, osteophyte or other pathological element between the articular surfaces. In this case, the pain increases sharply, movements in the joint become impossible. When arthritis occurs, destructive processes are enhanced due to the inflammatory component, which means this symptom may occur more often.
• Joint deformity. The degree of change in the configuration of the affected joint may vary depending on the stage of the arthrosis process. The more the articular surfaces are changed, the more severely the movements are limited. In advanced cases, it can be greatly changed, and contractures develop. When inflammation occurs, these changes usually intensify even more (due to swelling of the surrounding tissues). And the most unpleasant thing is that with arthritis this process is significantly accelerated.
• The accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity is usually characteristic of arthritis. If you have arthrosis, but the volume of intra-articular fluid is still increased, most likely you have already suffered arthritis in mild form, without noticing it. This process is most pronounced in allergic, rheumatic, rheumatoid, reactive, and infectious processes. It is also possible to accumulate pathological exudates, for example, pus during an infectious process. In this case, surgical intervention is necessary (joint puncture to remove purulent contents and wash it).

Arthrosis is usually treated on an outpatient basis (at home), but if inflammation occurs, treatment in a specialized hospital may be necessary.

The goal of therapy for arthrosis is to restore blood supply and metabolism in the affected joint.

Treatment must include:

1. Compliance.
2. Fighting excess weight.
3. A healthy lifestyle (giving up bad habits, following a daily routine, walking, limiting stress).
4. Therapeutic gymnastics.
5. Drug therapy (includes the use of painkillers, chondroprotectors and other medications).
6. Physiotherapeutic procedures.
7. Spa treatment.

All recommendations of specialists must be followed in full. If you are actively taking medications, but do not follow a diet and do not limit the load on the joint, you are simply wasting your time and money.

Treatment must be comprehensive. It usually includes basic therapy arthrosis (painkillers and drugs that improve blood circulation, chondroprotectors and others). Upon accession, there is a need to add pathogenetic drug therapy depending on the etiology of inflammation (for example, antibiotics, antihistamines or other). In some cases, after recovery, several courses of anti-relapse therapy are necessary, which are usually carried out in sanatoriums and resorts.

It is very important to follow all medical recommendations. Do not treat with one or two drugs or stop therapy as soon as symptoms subside. Remember, even if you are no longer bothered by pain and other manifestations of the disease (and symptoms usually stop after 5-9 days), then complete restoration of the joint occurs only after 45-75 days (the period depends on the etiology and severity of the process). Therefore, if treatment is interrupted prematurely, a relapse of the disease may occur.

The choice of a specific procedure depends on the affected joint, the stage and extent of the disease, and individual contraindications.

For arthrosis-arthritis use:

• thermal and ultrasound procedures,
• electrophoresis,
• magnetotherapy,
• balneotherapy,
• mud therapy,
• electrosleep,
• acupuncture,
• microwave resonance therapy,
• hyperbaric oxygenation,
• diadynamic therapy,
• amplipulse therapy,
• ultraphonophoresis,
• laser therapy,
• gravitational energy
• diadynamic currents (with synovitis),
• paraffin applications,
• transcutaneous nerve stimulation.

Surgical treatment of arthrosis-arthritis

In severe cases, surgical treatment is used, which includes arthrodesis and arthroplasty. It also includes puncture of the joint (for example, for the purpose of washing the joint cavity during purulent processes, intra-articular administration of drugs).

Do not under any circumstances refuse traditional methods treatment (medicines, physiotherapy and others), but you shouldn’t neglect folk wisdom either. Remember, everything should be in moderation.

Often, doctors themselves prescribe, in addition to medications, herbal remedies, teas, compresses and other remedies. But this does not mean that you can completely abandon medications.

Prognosis of arthrosis-arthritis

Arthrosis is a chronic disease that gradually leads to joint destruction. However, with proper and timely treatment, the process can be slowed down as much as possible. In this case, the destruction will be stopped and the symptoms of the disease will practically disappear. But such an outcome is very rare. Since the manifestations of the disease progress slowly, a person usually does not notice the symptoms for a long time, attributing them to ordinary fatigue, a cold and other conditions. The same cannot be said about arthritis. As soon as it appears, the process immediately becomes obvious. That is why the doctor often diagnoses arthrosis-arthritis, rather than ordinary arthrosis.

The more often inflammatory phenomena occur in the joint against the background of arthrosis, the faster the process of destruction progresses, irreversibly leading to loss of function. Therefore, it is very important to follow all the recommendations of specialists and protect sore joints from hypothermia, injuries and other unfavorable factors.

Do not try to prescribe treatment for yourself and do not refuse to visit a doctor!

You should also not dictate to a specialist which medications you should prescribe and which not. This always makes an unpleasant impression and is simply ugly. Do not forget, the doctor should be your ally, do not treat him with hostility and do not take all recommendations with hostility.

We understand that many come to the appointment already “savvy”, having read all the reference literature and many articles on the Internet. If you do not agree with something or do not understand, ask, a qualified specialist will always answer the question: why did he prescribe this particular medicine and not some other. There is no point in remaining silent either. If you still have any doubts, consult another doctor. But you shouldn’t go to specialists and “collect diagnoses” until you get the one you want to hear. You just might waste valuable time.

Good evening, my dears! Our village grandmothers love to show off their illnesses. So they sit on a bench in the evening and come on - this one has arthritis, the second has angina, the third has sclerosis.

They sit and compare the difference between arthritis and arthrosis, and sclerosis from diarrhea. Listen to them and you’re amazed how people can still walk on their own feet and carry sacks of potatoes on their backs?

At least don’t pass by. They get hooked and start asking me everything about my ailments, as if I’m big. medical encyclopedia walking. I'd rather take the tenth route around them. Hurry home, hurry to you, my dear readers.

Osteoarthritis and arthritis are diseases that damage the joints. That is why, and also because of the consonance of the names, many people do not understand the difference between arthrosis and arthritis, and perceive them as something similar in essence. Meanwhile, arthrosis and arthritis are far from the same thing.

Arthrosis is a gradual age-related deformation of the joints; Arthrosis most often develops in old age (45 years and older). Arthritis, on the contrary, often begins at a young age (before 40 years).

Although in both cases there are exceptions: sometimes arthritis occurs in a person who is 60–70 years old (usually this happens after a severe flu, cold, hypothermia or stress); or arthrosis begins in a person who is not yet 40 (after severe injuries, fractures or in professional athletes).

Arthrosis is a disease that affects only the joints. The rest of the body with arthrosis, to put it simply, is not involved in the process.

Arthritis, on the other hand, is inflammatory disease the whole body; and inflammation of the joints during arthritis is only the “tip of the iceberg”, under which some other processes occurring inside the body are hidden. Inflammation of the joints during arthritis can be manifested by swelling, redness and severe pain that does not go away with rest, and sometimes even worsens at night.

Such inflammation is most often caused by either an infection or a malfunction and overly active activity of the immune system, mistakenly directing its forces against its own body. In some cases, arthritis indicates a general metabolic disorder.

The changes that occur in the body with some arthritis negatively affect not only the joints.

They often hit internal organs - most often the heart, liver and kidneys. And sometimes, if proper treatment is not carried out, complications of some arthritis can pose a fairly serious threat to the patient’s life. Fortunately, as mentioned above, arthritis is several times less common than arthrosis.

Causes of joint pain

Diseases of the joints and joints of the spine can be divided into two large groups: dystrophic processes and inflammatory processes. The causes of these conditions are different, therefore there is a big difference in the treatment of such processes.

It is probably clear that the success of treatment largely depends on correct and thorough diagnosis and examination. Typically, X-rays are taken and laboratory research blood, and if a more detailed study is necessary, MRI of the joints.

Dystrophic diseases

The names of these diseases usually have the ending “-oz” - arthrosis, osteochondrosis, ligamentosis, etc. They manifest themselves as slow degeneration of cartilage tissue, ligamentous and capsular apparatus of joints. Characteristic symptoms are pain, limited mobility in the joint or spine, deformation of the joint over time, crunching when moving.

The development of dystrophic diseases of the spine and joints is primarily caused by the inevitable aging process of the body as a whole. And the hereditary factor, frequent immobile “working” position, diseases of the endocrine system, metabolic disorders (obesity), salt metabolism only accelerate its appearance and determine the rate of progression.

The fact is that each joint, like any tissue in our body, renews its cells with a certain frequency. The rate of death of cartilage cells in the joint is balanced with the rate of their new birth.

This happens in young and middle age. Then the regeneration processes do not have time to replace cells that have spent their time. There are many factors involved in this process. One of them is joint nutrition. The joint is nourished by the joint fluid, which carries everything it needs for nutrition.

As its amount decreases with age, the amount of components nourishing the joint decreases accordingly. In addition, the joint fluid acts as a lubricant, ensuring ideal gliding of two perfectly smooth articular surfaces.

The coordinated functioning of joint structures can be disrupted by: chronic pain, long-term injuries, surgeries, work disorders and injuries to the central nervous system(brain concussion), depressive states, sedentary lifestyle, or vice versa – excessive work overload.

Deviation in the regulation of movement leads to damage to the articular cartilage or intervertebral disc first.

As a rule, the damage is very minor in the first stages, almost unnoticeable at first, but the trauma is repeated with every movement and gradually, over the years, the joint or disc is destroyed, which leads to degeneration of the cartilage tissue and the joint as a whole.

Over time, the body’s “cup of patience” becomes full and after a slight provocation (awkward movement, exercise stress), a ligament tear, meniscal injury or disc damage occurs, which causes obvious pain and significantly limits mobility.

Inflammatory diseases

The names of these diseases, as a rule, have the ending “it” - arthritis, spondyloarthritis, polyarthritis, etc. Ankylosing spondylitis also belongs to this group. Manifested by inflammation of the tissues of the joints of the arms, legs and spine.

Characteristic symptoms are pain, morning stiffness, swelling of the joints, red and hot skin at the site of the swelling, limited mobility in one or more joints, the entire spine, deformation of the joints over time and the progression of the disease.

Inflammatory joint diseases can have the following origins:

• Autoimmune or infectious-allergic – aggressiveness of the immune system towards joint tissues;
• Metabolic disorders - usually accompanied by the formation of salt crystals in the joint cavity and periarticular tissues, which leads to their inflammation;
• Infectious – bacterial or viral inflammation of one or more joints.

Arthrosis

Arthrosis is a condition of the joints that occurs with the natural passage of years. Its main symptoms are pain and limitation of movement. Arthrosis is widespread - from 10 to 15% of all inhabitants of the Earth suffer from arthrosis.

Primary arthrosis is a disease that naturally occurs as a result of age-related changes in cartilage tissue. Arthrosis can develop earlier or later in life due to hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders, increased stress on the joints associated with working conditions or excess weight.

The age of arthrosis has become younger in Lately and the disease develops at the age of 30–40 years. Moreover, women suffer 2.5 times more often than men. In most cases, by the age of 50, 30% of people already have changes in the joints, and by the age of 60, certain manifestations of arthrosis appear in almost everyone and there is no longer any difference in gender.

Secondary arthrosis is the outcome of a previous injury. Can develop at any age.

Normally, the joint surfaces are absolutely flat, smooth and elastic. They move freely, gliding thanks to the joint fluid, which acts as a lubricant. In this case, the surface of the joint, due to its elasticity, bends slightly in places highest pressure, redistributes the load, making it more uniform, and works like a shock absorber.

With arthrosis, the cartilage covering the surface of the joint changes. It loses its smoothness and elasticity. With arthrosis, in some places the cartilage tissue becomes thinner and degrades, in others it grows and changes, losing normal structure. Small fragments of cartilage appear in the joint fluid, and the joint fluid itself changes in quality and quantity. In details

Initially, due to a decrease in the amount of joint fluid, the normal functioning of the joint is disrupted and pain appears when moving. As a rule, they occur after intense physical work, go away on their own if you give the joint rest, but return as soon as you resume the load.

At the same time or a little later, the joint begins to hurt at night. The soft tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed, they “swell”, and excess fluid may appear in the joint. Effusion. The result of sluggish inflammatory reaction. It is caused by modification of the joint tissues. Now the fabric is not original.

Becomes changed - a stranger! And it's good if the immune system will not begin to “attack” such tissue. Otherwise, the process goes into the category of autoimmune arthrosis. If the disease progresses, restriction of movement appears, first due to pain, and then due to the growth of altered cartilage tissue, which deforms the joint and does not allow it to move normally.

Arthrosis is a chronic disease with an undulating course. Sometimes the disease can last for years, only reminding itself from time to time, and in some cases it develops to a severe stage within a few months. It is necessary to remember that, firstly, no matter how it progresses, arthrosis does not appear suddenly, and secondly, if the disease is not treated, its symptoms increase over time, interfering with life, worsening the quality of life, and sometimes leading to disability and immobility.

Causes of the disease

In some cases, the causes may be unknown or impossible to determine. In such cases, the disease occurs on its own without any external factors. This condition is called idiopathic or primary arthrosis. Secondary arthrosis is a condition that is provoked by any pathological changes in the human body. The most common reasons for this are:

1. Various injuries, including fractures, dislocations, sprains, etc.;
2. Congenital abnormal development of joints;
3. Metabolic system disorders;
4. Some diseases of the autoimmune spectrum (including rheumatoid arthritis, Libman-Sachs disease);
5. Nonspecific inflammatory processes, including acute purulent arthritis;
6. Specific inflammatory processes (tuberculosis, tick-borne encephalitis, gonorrhea and syphilis);
7. Certain diseases of the endocrinological spectrum;
8. Processes of a degenerative-​dystrophic nature (Legg-​Calvé-​Perthes disease and Koenig disease);
9. Diseases associated with problems of the musculoskeletal system and increased joint mobility;
10. Hemophilia of various etiologies, causing hemarthrosis.

In addition to the diseases themselves, there are many different factors that provoke the risk of arthrosis:

• Age exceeding 60–65 years;
• Large body weight, creating additional stress on the joints of the body;
• Some conditions labor activity, improper organization of training and the consequences of certain diseases;
• Surgical interventions in the periarticular area or directly in the joint;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Disturbances in the balance of the endocrine system during the period after menopause in women;
• Micronutrient deficiency;
• Pathologies of the cervical and thoracic spine, consisting of neurodystrophic disorders;
• Toxic poisoning by certain substances;
• Unfavorable environmental living conditions;
• Prolonged or frequent hypothermia of the body;
• Microtraumas of the joint, often repeated one after another.
• Regardless of what reason triggered the development of arthrosis in a person, it is very important to first eliminate it, and then treat the consequences.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of arthrosis: severe pain in the joint when moving, joint deformation, decreased joint mobility. If arthrosis is neglected, joint immobility occurs.

Arthrosis has completely different symptoms, but the most distinctive of them is pain in the joints. Most often it occurs in cases where there is some kind of load or mechanical damage affected area.

In general, four large groups of symptoms can be distinguished that directly characterize a disease such as arthrosis:

1. Pain;
2. Crunch;
3. Decreased mobility;
4. Deformation.

Depending on the location of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body, as well as the degree of development of the disease, the manifestations of each of them depend.

Painful sensations with arthrosis are pronounced, especially after various types of stress. When a person comes to a state of rest, after a while the discomfort disappears. Localization of pain occurs directly in the place where changes in the usual structures of the body took place.

In some cases, pain with arthrosis can occur when a person is resting, being completely relaxed. They appear very sharply and severely, which can be compared to toothaches. Most often this happens in the morning. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to begin treating the problem as early as possible.

Crunching is also an indicative symptom of arthrosis. This is due to the fact that due to changes, the bones begin to rub against each other. It is also important to remember that some crunching can be present in a healthy person, so this symptom in itself does not indicate the presence of a problem.

Decreased mobility manifests itself at later stages of the disease. This is due to the fact that the muscles gradually spasm, and the gap in the joint disappears.

Joint deformation is directly related to the formation of osteophytes on its surface. More often this symptom occurs when there is a long absence of any adequate treatment diseases.

Arthrosis of the joints can have different symptoms and treatment. This is influenced by many different factors. Before starting therapy, it is very important to comprehensive diagnostics diseases.

Treatment

If you notice pain in your joints after exercise, a short-term feeling of heaviness and stiffness, crunching in the joints, limited mobility or other signs of arthrosis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will determine the extent of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment for arthrosis.

In addition, it is necessary to figure out whether this is really arthrosis. Similar symptoms can appear with arthritis, which, unlike arthrosis, is inflammatory in nature and is treated with a different method.

The choice of treatment for arthrosis depends on which joint is affected by the disease, how severe the symptoms and changes in the cartilage are. In the initial stages of the disease, conservative treatment methods are used: physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic mud and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs significantly reduce pain, they must be taken very carefully. At regular use they affect the functioning of the liver, change the composition of the blood, and can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.

Therefore, preference should be given to homeopathic and non-medicinal methods that act more long-term and do not disrupt the functioning of the body's systems.

Arthrosis and osteoarthritis

These consonant diseases are similar in combination of letters and symptoms. Doctors are divided: some argue that arthrosis and osteoarthritis are different names for the same disease, others that the differences are not only in the name. Osteoarthritis is a progressive arthrosis that appears due to wear and tear of cartilage tissue. It occurs in men and women, usually over forty years of age.

What is the difference between arthrosis and osteoarthritis? The similarities are obvious; both diseases affect cartilage tissue, cause pain, and hinder a person’s movements. There are similarities in the treatment of diseases. Having problems with joints, an overweight patient is advised to diet for weight loss, strengthening cartilage tissue in order to reduce the load and avoid complications of the disease.

Doctors advise eating food with low content calories, eat more vegetables and fruits, as they contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in cartilage tissues body.

It is advisable to add fatty fish to your diet because of its omega-3 content. It is useful to use olive oil, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, consume more vitamin C to quickly restore connective tissue.

In both cases it is shown physiotherapy, physiotherapy strictly according to the indications of the attending physician. Worth reducing physical activity at the time of acute inflammation, wear orthopedic fixators to remove and distribute the load correctly.

Arthritis

Arthritis - literally means "inflammation of the joints", a pathology that affects connective tissue, causes joint pain, swelling, degeneration, and disability. Both men and women, children and adults. About 350 million people worldwide have arthritis.

The causes of arthritis depend on various factors, such as lesions (leading to arthrosis), metabolic disorders (such as gout), heredity, bacterial and viral infections, immune dysfunction (eg, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus). Arthritis is most often classified as one of the rheumatic diseases.

The cause of arthritis can be traumatic, metabolic, infectious, autoimmune and idiopathic in origin. The occurrence of various existing arthritis depends on the origin of the causes.

Signs of arthritis, symptoms

Symptoms of arthritis are pain not only during movement, but also at rest, swelling, swelling, morning stiffness in the joints, the skin over the joints may be hot to the touch. Movements are painful, but do not stop, limited only by swelling of the soft tissues.

Symptoms depend on the course of the disease and the period. Acute and chronic conditions. Occurrence of stage and type - acute arthritis of the joints, can occur suddenly, severe pain and fever, redness of the site of inflammation, the main symptoms of the condition.

The chronic course of the disease is slow and progresses gradually. The danger is that the disease can become chronic.

The symptoms are varied and similar as they tend to affect joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage and tendons, and many can affect other areas of the body.

Symptoms:

• Joint Stiffness – This occurs when the joints and muscles are stiffer in the morning, to the point that it is impossible to walk or get out of bed. For those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it may take several hours before they can move smoothly. Limitation of mobility.
• Edema.
• Redness in the affected area.
• Muscle weakness.
• Many forms of arthritis can cause symptoms affecting different organs of the body: fever, swelling lymph nodes, weight loss, fatigue, general malaise.
• Ailments and symptoms (fever) caused by abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart or kidneys.

Types of illness

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is characterized by an inflammatory condition. It occurs due to the gradual deterioration of the cartilage layer covering the articular surfaces. Risk factors for osteoarthritis vary; among the most important: advanced age related to female, injuries and obesity.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it tends to affect the arm, knee, hip and spinal joints. In addition to pain, joint stiffness, and swelling, a decrease in the ability to move is added, this is associated with the formation of osteophytes (or bone spurs). At an advanced stage, osteoarthritis makes it very difficult to use the joints.

For example, even a simple task such as writing with a pen can be difficult to complete.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this type of arthritis, there is only symptomatic methods treatments, i.e. aimed at reducing existing symptoms. For therapeutic and preventative purposes, doctors recommend staying active and practicing regular therapeutic exercise.

Rheumatoid arthritis represents autoimmune disease, or a disorder that results from a malfunction of the immune system. Various studies have shown that it has several risk factors, among them the most important are: genetic predisposition, being female, age from 40 to 60 years, smoking, herpes viruses and Epstein-Barr virus(VEB).

This type of arthritis attacks the joints in the synovial membrane and in turn causes the entire joint structure to change, with articular surfaces and articular cartilage damaged, ligaments weakened and stretched, and the joint capsule changing its shape. At the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation primarily affects the joints of the fingers and toes.

At a more advanced stage, it also affects the joints of the wrists, knees, ankles, hips and shoulder joints. Inflammation may involve the skin, lymph glandular system, respiratory system and eyes.

In addition to the classic symptoms of arthritis, the rheumatoid form can also cause fever, weight loss and muscle wasting. Often the condition alternates between phases characterized by intense symptoms and phases of apparent remission.

As with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis has no cure, and the only current treatments against it consist of symptomatic medications aimed at improving symptoms and slowing joint degeneration.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic and degenerative arthritis of autoimmune origin. This mainly determines the fusion of articular elements spinal column and affects the good functioning of tendons and ligaments in several parts of the body (especially the back).

Due to the fusion of the articular elements of the spine, the latter loses flexibility and compromises the patient's postural alignment. The exact causes are not yet clear. According to the most credible causal theories, it is of genetic origin.

At an advanced stage, affects other areas human body, including: eyes (eye causes inflammation), changes in the shape of the aorta and heart. There is no specific treatment for this type; the only treatments available are symptomatic and aimed at delaying the onset of complications.

Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease disorder that affects the spine, namely the cervical spine. Due to the latter, it determines the form of arthritis, which induces a slow but progressive deformation of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. The exact causes of cervical spondylosis are unknown.

However, researchers agree that the onset of the condition is due to a number of factors, including: certain genetic and familial predisposition, stress and repeated trauma to the cervical spine, hard work, effort, surgical interventions for removing hernias. disk, etc.

According to available clinical data, cervical spondylosis is particularly common among the population over the age of 60 years; so it is probably a disorder also associated with old age. Absence specific treatment cervical spondylosis, therapeutic target procedures available today - to improve symptoms (reduce pain, prevent permanent spinal injuries, etc.).

Knee arthritis is not a type of arthritis, but damage to this area is very common in client requests. What is knee arthritis and why do adults and children suffer from it?

Another name for the disease is gonarthrosis. This inflammation occurs within and around the joints and affects one or two knees. Most common reason emergence huge pressure on the knees and osteochondrosis. This disease affects more than 40% of adults and more than 25% of children.

Treatment methods

Today, unfortunately, there is no universal pharmacological agent, effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis on a permanent basis. However, medications and some non-pharmacologic therapeutic strategies (physical therapy) can control symptoms and relieve pain.

In the most severe cases, surgery may be the final therapeutic option; some patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis require joint replacement. The main goal, methods and treatment of acute knee or hand arthritis or other type of disease should be aimed at controlling symptoms and reducing pathological progression to avoid further damage to the joints.

Until the cause of the disease is determined, drug treatment is used to control the pain. After confirmation of the diagnosis, anti-rheumatic drugs are taken. Arthritis can lead to the development of other diseases.

How to distinguish between these diseases?

In some cases, confusion occurs between different diseases, because people who are little familiar with medicine think that arthritis and arthrosis are the same thing. In fact, this is not so, because in the first case the disease is acute inflammatory in nature, and in the second it is long-term, less pronounced chronic. Because of such nuances self-treatment without a doctor is very risky, so it is not recommended.

The main difference between arthritis and arthrosis: with arthrosis, the main destructive activity is performed not by inflammatory, but by degenerative processes in the articular cartilage. If the joint is very painful and swollen, you feel “not very good”, movements in the joint are painful and there is a “crunching” when moving, the skin is hot to the touch - there is a high probability of arthritis.

If the joint hurts not acutely, it can be said to be constant and over time (months of suffering) changes its shape, while the leg, arm or back gradually become limited in the range of their movements, and from month to month we can say that it is getting worse and worse... Then greater likelihood of arthrosis of the joint(s).

Arthritis affects mainly young people, amounting to just under two percent of the total population of the planet. Arthrosis is a more common disease, affecting about ten percent of all humanity.

Accordingly, young people develop arthrosis infrequently, and the problem itself lies in the increase in incidence in older generations. After crossing the threshold of 50 years, about 30% have various forms of arthrosis. One or another joint deformation occurs in almost 50% of cases at the age of 70.

It is very important to note that the effects of arthrosis extend to the joints and are not transferred to other tissues, bones or organs. With arthritis, inflammation occurs throughout the body, and inflamed joints are simply the most visible manifestation of it. During arthritis, the joints may become swollen and red.

Moreover, pain begins that does not subside with a decrease in activity, and, in some cases, becomes stronger at night. The basis of such inflammatory processes may be infection.

Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and acts too actively, as a result of which the body becomes the target of its activity, and not an external threat. Much less often, arthritis occurs with impaired metabolism.

During certain types of arthritis, you can expect negative changes not only in the joints. It happens that the negative impact of arthritis affects internal organs human, most often the liver, kidneys or heart. But, as we know thanks to statistics, such cases are extremely rare, and ordinary arthrosis symptoms in people are much more common.

Despite the fact that both diseases affect the same joints, they can be fairly quickly distinguished by a number of signs. With arthrosis, the joints most often affected are the knees, hips and big toes.

Much more rarely, inflammation affects the ankle and joints near the fingernails. Arthritis can be identified if a person is bothered by stiff sensations in different areas bodies, the inflammation of which sometimes passes and moves to other joints.

You should be wary if your hands seem stiff, as this could be rheumatoid arthritis. Red and swollen fingers with inflammation are also highly likely to indicate possible arthritis.

Of course, it would be wrong to distinguish between these diseases based on which joints are affected by arthrosis and which by arthritis, but nevertheless, such a pattern exists.

Arthritis and arthrosis (osteoarthrosis) are completely different groups diseases, despite the fact that they can be very similar to each other, and their external manifestations (symptoms) may even partially coincide.

But if the main problem with DOA is the gradual destruction of cartilage (which can occur without inflammation or with rare inflammation in the form of synovitis), then with arthritis the main damaging factor is inflammation, which occurs with pain, swelling of the joint and impairment of its functions.

Despite the fact that some of the symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are similar, the patient’s tactics when the described symptoms occur should be exactly the same. If you experience pain, limitation of movements, suspicious crunching in the joints that was not there before, do not think about whether arthritis or arthrosis is worse, consult a doctor as soon as possible and start receiving the necessary treatment.

And as these symptoms begin to decrease on medications, your doctor will conduct the necessary examinations and prescribe tests that will tell both you and him with high accuracy what kind of disease we are talking about - inflammation or deforming arthrosis.

Do not neglect a visit to the doctor, this will help you avoid pain, and, perhaps, will greatly extend the life of your joints!