Arthritisis a joint dystrophy that leads to the destruction of cartilage in joints.More than 10% of the world's population suffers from this disease.In 40-50% of cases, arthropathy occurs as a primary disease.It can also appear due to trauma - secondary, occurring in 50-60% of cases.
Arthritis of the lower extremity joints and pelvis (hip, knee, first metatarsal) is more commonly detected.Among the joints of the upper limbs, arthritis of the phalanges predominates.
Women suffer from arthritis more often than men, but after age 65, this difference is almost negligible.
Causes of joint disease include
- Metabolic and hormonal disorders in the human body;
- Impaired blood supply to joints;
- Genetic predisposition to diseases of cartilage tissue;
- Age;
- Overweight;
- Various injuries;
- Works on joints.
Additionally, diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis can lead to arthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis
Even if you feel uncomfortable because of seemingly trivial symptoms, don't ignore them.
- The pain subsides at rest (manifests when there is a load on the joint and when going up stairs);
- Limited mobility and brittleness in joints;
- Muscle tension in the joint area;
- Periodic swelling appears in the joint area, gradual deformation of the joint (swelling only occurs during an acute attack and is accompanied by pain, not acute pain).
All this can be a manifestation of a serious disease - joint disease!Contact your doctor!He will diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Please note that without treatment, arthritis-prone joints can not only collapse on their own, but also lead to changes in the biomechanics of the spine and other joints.Therefore, disc herniation or arthritis in other joints occurs.
Diagnose
Diagnosis of joint disease includes:
- Examination by a doctor;
- X-ray;
- CT;
- Blood tests (with joint disease, ESR increases sharply);
- Synovial fluid analysis;
- Histological examination of the synovium.
Treatment of arthritis
Treatment of joint diseases includes:
- Taking pain relievers (pain relievers);
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs;
- The stage of cartilage tissue recovery is to use drugs containing cartilage protective substances.To achieve results, you must take the drug according to an individually selected regimen for several months!;
- Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, acupuncture, relaxation massage, magnetic field therapy).It should be remembered that physiotherapy is carried out only during periods of remission;
- Intra-articular injection course.
Prevent arthritis
Arthritis is much easier to prevent than to cure.To prevent the appearance of osteoarthritis, you need to: reduce the static load on the joints, give up high heels, do not sit with your legs crossed, get rid of excess weight, do not lift heavy objects, do gymnastics.