Conditions such as arthritis occur most often in older adults.But taking into account the environment, lifestyle and human nutrition, the disease is significantly younger.Now you can see her even among young people in their 20s.To know how to prevent or stop the development of this pathology, you need to understand what it is.
Arthropathy - What is it?
If we describe this disease in simple terms, it can be characterized as a disease of articular cartilage.It causes their destruction and functional disruption as well as modification.Often, during the above process, the joint capsule itself becomes inflamed.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but the hip and knee joints are most commonly affected.
Causes of Arthropathy
Osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis – all of these are other names for joint diseases.As mentioned earlier, this disease most commonly affects the elderly population.This is due to disorders in the body's systems caused by aging.But if a person is still far away from gray hair and has already developed joint disease, then there may be the following factors:
- Musculoskeletal system injuries, trauma.These include bruises, dislocations, tendon ruptures, and other types of injuries;
- A congenital disorder associated with joint dysplasia.In other words, it is called joint dysplasia;
- Abnormal metabolism in the body;
- Drinking lots of carbonated drinks, which wash away important trace elements from your bones;
- Thyroid dysfunction, hyperglycemia and other disorders of the human endocrine system;
- Bleeding within the joint capsule.
The causes of osteoarthritis are very broad.Therefore, in order to start prompt treatment, it is best to consult a doctor, not only about the symptoms, but also about the cause.
Symptoms of Arthropathy
The knee joint is usually affected first.Next comes the buttocks, and then the disease spreads to the joints of the big toes of the lower limbs.Osteoarthritis rarely affects other joints.To know whether this particular pathology exists, you need to know its symptoms.Notable symptoms of arthrosis include four components:
- In the initial stages of the disease, pain occurs in the joints during strenuous exercise or stress.Most often, their expression is weak due to the development of arthropathy.The second stage is characterized by pain when the damaged joint is placed under a smaller load.Third, pain can occur even when standing still.If a person has problems with their cardiovascular system, pain may occur when the weather changes;
- From time to time, a dry, rough crunching sound may occur in damaged joints.The result is friction between the joint surfaces.By the second and third stages, such sounds become sonically clearer.It is worth noting that the common crunching sound in the joints, without pain, does not indicate the presence of the disease nor does it in any way affect its further occurrence;
- Muscle spasms occur, joint spaces narrow, and bone hyperplasia occurs.As a result, the range of motion of the affected joint is reduced;
- Modify joints step by step.
The symptoms of joint disease and arthritis have many similarities.Therefore, some people confuse these two concepts or think that they are the same.But it would be wrong to think so.These are different diseases.The main difference is that with osteoarthritis, pain occurs when moving during the day.With arthritis, the pain is not dependent on movement but occurs at night.They are sharper and more intense.
Types of Arthropathy
The species diversity of the disease is divided into two categories: by etymology and by nature of the disease.Each one contains several categories, and then there are specific divisions, including a large number of varieties.
By etymology
Arthropathy can be divided into two categories based on the cause:
- primary.It mostly occurs in patients under 40 years old.In this condition, the disease begins to develop without prior injury or damage;
- Secondary.Arthropathy occurs for certain reasons, including age-related physical changes, disruption of the endocrine system, trauma, injury, etc.
According to the nature of the disease
Arthropathy is divided into three stages.In this condition, a person may experience mild intermittent pain that does not affect his normal functioning.In this case, he may not seek medical help for years.Others may experience a rapidly progressive disease: one stage of arthrosis morphs into another in as little as a month or two.Therefore, it is impossible to determine the timing of the transition from the first phase to the next.
Stages of Osteoarthritis:
- Stage one.The pain is weak, subtle, and only occurs after significant stress is placed on the joint.This occurs due to changes in the synovial fluid and membranes inside the joint capsule.
- The second stage.The cartilage within the joint is destroyed and primary deformations begin.Bone growth also occurs during this stage.All of the above conditions are associated with pain, even with minor loads on the affected area.
- The third stage.In the final stage, the process of irreversible modification of the joint has occurred.At the same time, the length of the tendon shortens, making it more difficult for the muscle to contract.Eventually, the person becomes incapacitated.
Since the consequences of advanced arthrosis do not bring any pleasant consequences, it is necessary to start the treatment procedure on time.
Treatment of Arthropathy
For an effective treatment plan, you need to contact a trusted expert.He will research tests, lifestyle, perform appropriate diagnosis and prescribe necessary medications and other treatments.These may include the following:
- Physical therapy:
- physical therapy;
- spa treatments;
- Proper nutrition, and a few others.
Typically, techniques are used to smooth the development of joints by applying short-term and feasible loads to the damaged area.During this treatment, you will experience mild pain in the joints that subsides by the next day.If the pain becomes increasingly severe, then you should reconsider the loading system you are using and make adjustments.But don't stop development entirely!
Arthropathy is a common disease in modern society.Every year more and more people are affected by this disease.This is due to deteriorating environmental conditions, malnutrition and an increase in the number of injuries.But technology is also evolving to help address osteoarthritis.Therefore, the most important thing is not to let the disease progress, carry out regular diagnostics and, if joints are detected, immediately contact a doctor who specializes in this area.