Arthrosis is the most common joint injury in medical practice, associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in them.The disease, which is primarily caused by the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissue, cannot be completely cured.However, according to experts, it is quite possible for a person to slow down the destructive process, delay arthrosis and maintain joint health for a long time.
Arthritis and its symptoms
The destruction of the joint begins with the gradual wear of cartilage - the main element of this movable connection of bones, which protects them from friction at the point of contact and serves as a shock absorber under mechanical loads.In most cases, this process occurs as a result of age-related deterioration of metabolic processes in the human body and malnutrition of the joint.Therefore, symptoms of the disease usually appear after 40-50 years.However, the development of negative changes in the cartilage tissue occurs at an earlier age and consists of a gradual loss of cartilage elasticity, thinning and destruction.
The inability of the cartilage to fully perform its functions causes negative changes in the bone tissue, which form osteophytes (tubercles, spines, hook-shaped growths) that are a source of pain when moving.Gradually, the pathological process involves articular muscles, ligaments and tendons.Joint deformation may occur.
The following symptoms indicate the development of arthrosis:
- increased pain with movement and physical activity;
- decreased joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- deformation and immobility of the joint (in severe forms of the disease).
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, hip joints, back and neck, and hands.
Disease causes and risk factors
The main reasons for the destruction of articular cartilage and the development of arthrosis are:
- hereditary tendency;
- joint injuries that may be minor but multiple and recurrent or one-off but serious (eg, meniscal injuries);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of developing arthrosis.The main ones are excess weight, which increases the load on the joints, and a sedentary lifestyle, which interferes with the normal blood supply and nutrition of the joints, and worsens their metabolism.Excessive physical activity, local inflammatory processes, hormonal changes (for example, menopause) can also cause arthrosis.
Treatment or prevention?
It is impossible to completely cure this disease - this is the general decision of rheumatologists, whose task is to fight arthrosis.Modern therapy can slow down the process of cartilage destruction, eliminate inflammation, reduce pain and improve the patient's condition.For this purpose, the following are used in the treatment of arthrosis:
- chondroprotectors based on chondroitin sulfates and glucosamine;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid or hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, mud applications);
- physical therapy.
In severe cases, they resort to surgical intervention and replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine considers the prevention of arthrosis and the promotion of a lifestyle that helps maintain healthy joints to be the main task of fighting the disease.First of all, this applies to teenagers and young people who are actively involved in sports, they need to develop special skills to protect the joints during training (warming up and warming up the joints, using special protective equipment: knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).For people who do not play sports, the main measures to prevent osteoarthritis are a normal weight and physical activity.
Weight loss and nutrition
As a result of numerous studies, it has been determined that the risk of developing arthrosis increases 3 times in obese people.This is explained not only by the fact that excess weight increases the load on the joints, but also by the fact that excess fat causes the development of many pathological processes in the body, which leads to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which negatively affects the condition of the joints.
As prevention of arthrosis, nutrition is aimed at saturating the body with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of articular cartilages and slowing down the degenerative processes in it.Adhering to the following basic principles will not only help keep your joints in good condition, but also prevent you from gaining excess weight:
- reduce the calorie content of food by eliminating or limiting fatty meat and poultry;
- consume enough low-fat dairy products to supply bones with calcium;
- increasing the proportion of cereals, vegetables and fruits to fill the body with vitamins and trace elements needed by the joints.
During nutrition, special attention should be paid to foods and dishes containing natural substances that protect and strengthen cartilage tissue.These substances primarily include collagen, protein, which is a part of the cartilage, ligaments and skin of animals and fish.For this purpose, it is necessary to include jellied meats, flavored meats (especially from fish), fruit jelly and other foods containing gelatin - modified collagen - in the diet.
Physical activity to prevent arthrosis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system.Physical activity allows you to simultaneously achieve many goals that are necessary for the protection of joints and general well-being:
- improves blood supply and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excess weight gain;
- develops muscles, which in turn strengthens the skeletal system;
- exercises all body systems and increases immunity;
- helps improve mood.
To keep the joints in good condition, they should not be overloaded.But this does not mean that you should give up physical activity.Movement is absolutely necessary for the joints, but it should be moderate and suitable for each person's physical shape, age and other individual characteristics.
Experts say that walking is the best prevention of knee arthrosis at any age and recommend taking at least 6,000 steps a day.Swimming is very beneficial when movement occurs without the negative impact of body weight on the bones.Doing any sport or favorite activity that involves movement (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children) will help prevent arthrosis and keep the joints in good condition for a long time, provided they are regular.