Osteoarthritis is a progressive non-inflammatory destruction of articular cartilage.
As a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its function, flexion-extension movement in it becomes difficult and then completely impossible.
A joint is a bone joint that can be moved. The human body contains more than 200 such joints, which provide all types of skeletal movement. Free sliding in it is carried out thanks to the smooth surface of hyaline cartilage and synovial lubrication.
With arthrosis, hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually collapses, becomes rough, and synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free sliding. As a result, friction occurs, which prevents movement in the joint and leads to progressive destruction.
Arthrosis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It affects more than 30% of people between the ages of 45 and 65, and more than 65% of people over the age of 65. Incidence has a significant age dependence.
Most often, this disease affects large joints - knees (gonarthrosis), hips (coxarthrosis), and shoulders. Of the small joints, the joints of the hands, feet and spine are most often affected.
In the final stages of the disease, ankylosis (complete immobilization) of the joint occurs. In this case, only surgical treatment is possible - removal and replacement with an endoprosthesis.
At stage 1 - 3 arthrosis, conservative treatment is possible, the aim is to slow down and stop joint destruction, gradual recovery of cartilage tissue, increase function (mobility), increase range of motion, relieve symptomatic pain and inflammation.
In the clinic, this goal is achieved through the integrated use of reflexology, herbal and oriental medicine physiotherapy methods.
Causes of arthrosis
The cause of this disease is the dominance of hyaline cartilage wear throughout its regeneration process. This means that the articular cartilage wears and breaks down under stress faster than it can recover.
This happens due to the action of two factors - increased load and/or slow recovery.
For the regeneration of hyaline cartilage, collagen is needed, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ not only participates in the synthesis of collagen, which is necessary for the joints, but is also responsible for the level of body heat.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold diseases, including arthrosis, is a decrease in body heat. This can happen, in particular, due to insufficient liver function.
All arthrosis belongs to degenerative, dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, that is, tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
To constantly regenerate, articular cartilage needs collagen, the universal building material of connective tissue. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints with the blood.
If the blood supply is interrupted for some reason, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process in it slows down. In this case, the joints that bear the maximum load - knees, ankles, hips, and shoulders - suffer the most. Articular cartilage begins to gradually wear out and collapse.
When the cartilage is destroyed, the fragments are torn off and move freely in the joint cavity (the so-called "rats"), causing pinching, blocking, further limiting movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of this disease may be a lack of collagen because the synthesis of this substance is insufficient in the body. This may be due, for example, to insufficient liver function, which takes an active part in this synthesis.
Factors that provoke the development of this disease can be:
- overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- heavy physical work, intense sports,
- trauma, various microtraumas,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, connective tissue weakness, etc. ).
Classification
Arthrosis that develops against the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary arthrosis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (arthritis, including autoimmune), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own names - gonarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondyloarthrosis (spine).
With the addition of inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as arthrosis-arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of this disease.
Stage 1 arthrosis is characterized by periodic pain and slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means significant narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bone growths (osteophytes), and joint deformation.
Stage 3 arthrosis means almost complete loss of joint space, limitation of range of motion to a minimum, joint deformation, involvement of periarticular tissue and bone (osteoarthrosis, periarthrosis).
In the 4th stage, complete immobilization occurs (ankylosis), the joint space is completely lost.
Arthritis symptoms
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis develops gradually.
Symptoms may not be present for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, the amount and properties of synovial lubrication have begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthrosis are increased joint fatigue, minor pain that occurs after physical activity or at the beginning of movement after a long period of immobility (the so-called "initial" pain), after which the joint develops. The range of motion of flexion-extension and rotation is unlimited, and there is no difficulty during movement.
In stage 2, pain in the joint becomes stronger and lasts longer, occurs even with a small load. When moving, a creaking or pulsating sound is heard. Flexion, extension, rotational movements become difficult, the amount is increasingly limited. Stiffness develops.
In the 3rd stage of arthrosis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joints are made with great difficulty, the amount is reduced to a minimum. Joints are severely deformed due to bone growth and increased size. When the foot joints are affected, severe lameness develops.
In stage 2-3 of the disease, inflammation usually occurs with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain, and local fever.
Pain with arthrosis can increase with changes in weather, humidity, cold, at night, at the beginning of movement or during physical activity, as well as when the joint is blocked with a mouse.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of arthrosis is carried out based on survey, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor examines the medical history, asks the patient about the symptoms, the state of their appearance, and severity.
At the initial appointment in the clinic, the doctor, as a rule, asks the patient not only about the symptoms of arthrosis, but also about the nature of nutrition and lifestyle, because in Eastern medicine the human body is considered as a system. In this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the state of the joints is highly dependent on the metabolism, immune system, hormonal system and movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold disease that develops against the background of lack of body energy, decreased heat level and cold accumulation. The main factors in this case are poor diet, inactive lifestyle, exposure to cold and humidity.
During the external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape of the joint, various movements, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, increased local temperature.
After examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor sends him for additional examinations - X-ray, CT or MRI.
On x-rays, the doctor sees a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. Based on the degree of narrowing, it determines the stage of arthrosis.
The x-ray image clearly shows osteophytes - growths along the edges of bones that form during arthrosis.
X-rays visualize bone tissue well, but do not show the connective soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides more information.
Using a tomogram, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, joint capsule, and detect joint "rats", damage to the meniscus and ligaments.
To study the blood supply to the joints, angiography using contrast agents (radiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed.
Treatment of arthrosis
At stage 4 of arthrosis, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis. At stage 1 - 3 of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Medicines.Drug therapy is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal drugs (glucocorticoids) or non-steroids (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. Usually, this medicine is given by injection into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injection into the joint.To reduce friction and improve sliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, whose molecules have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect the cartilage surface from drying out and delay its destruction.
In the presence of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Operation.Surgical treatment of arthrosis consists of replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such intervention is indicated in the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physiotherapy.To relieve inflammation, physical therapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy, and drug administration using current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used.
The application of mud, compression and heating improves local blood circulation, promotes healing and restoration of cartilage tissue, and relieves pain. - Other treatments.To prevent arthrosis, as well as as an additional treatment method, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed. Doing simple exercises regularly increases the blood supply to the joints, increasing their mobility and range of motion.
A hot bath can be used to warm up sore joints and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment for arthrosis includes medicines such as mud or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the cause of arthrosis. Basically, this is not a therapeutic, but a prophylactic agent. It contains chondroitin and glucosamine, which act to increase the amount of lubrication (synovial fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows the destruction of cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the progression of the disease, but also to reverse it, it is necessary to increase blood supply, activate metabolic processes and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, it can be used as an aid, but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Treatment of arthrosis in a specialized clinic
In the clinic, the treatment of stage 1 - 3 arthrosis is carried out using phyto-, physio- and reflexology methods of oriental medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
A complex treatment session includes several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually enhance the effect according to the principle of synergy.
Treatment at the clinic aims to eliminate the cause of arthrosis, this ensures long-term and lasting results.
Joint disease refers to the basic disorder of Bad Kan - one of the body's three control systems, balance which means health, and imbalance which means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones, and metabolism.
An imbalance of Bad Kan usually causes not one, but several diseases at once. Therefore, arthrosis is almost always accompanied by concomitant disorders, diseases, for example, overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and/or immunodeficiency conditions, endocrine disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (in women), etc.
Modern treatment restores the basic balance of Bad Kan as a whole and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, along with arthrosis, other concomitant diseases also occur.
When treating arthrosis, doctors work not only on the affected joint area, but also on the body as a whole, to restore the basic balance of Badk-an. This is the secret of the high effectiveness of arthrosis treatment in our clinic.
Tszyu or moxo therapy.
The procedure consists of simultaneous or sequential heating of the bioactive points with a wormwood cigar or a smoldering cone (made of wormwood or coal). Ju therapy is the main treatment for arthrosis in alternative medicine. It is used locally, on affected joint areas, and on the meridians of the body to restore the basic balance of Bad Kan and the body as a whole.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the recovery and renewal of connective tissue, improves the properties and normalizes the amount of synovial lubrication, and has anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect, and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
The effect on the bioactive point of the liver meridian helps improve the function of this organ and activates collagen synthesis in the body.
The effect on the bioactive points of the kidneys helps to improve blood circulation in the lower part of the body with gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthrosis of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local circulation, improves blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, relieves muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure on the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the energy level of the whole body.
Phytotherapy.
For arthrosis, various herbal medicines are prescribed that speed up metabolism, increase body heat levels, speed up the recovery process in the body, have anti-inflammatory effects, and improve liver and kidney function.
Auxiliary words mean.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy, and shock wave therapy are used as additional means.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body heat levels.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerating joint healing and recovery.
With the help of manual therapy, doctors relieve painful joints, increase range of motion, and mobility.
Diet for arthrosis
For arthrosis, heating, hot food is indicated.
Warming foods such as fish, lamb, chicken, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, shallots, ghee and sesame oil are recommended.
To increase the energy value of food, you definitely need to take spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes containing a lot of animal connective tissue, for example, rich bone and meat broths, are useful.
You should exclude cold foods, cold drinks, reduce the use of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, pastries, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and leafy salads, semolina and legumes.
Prevention of arthrosis
To avoid arthrosis, you should avoid factors that trigger an imbalance in the Bad Kan foundation - cooling diet, inactive lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, humidity.
Warming nutrition, physical activity, in particular, walking, outdoor games and physical therapy exercises are useful.
Frequently asked questions about arthrosis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthrosis?
Vitamin complexes affect metabolic processes in general. But they do not have any specific, preventive or therapeutic effect for joint diseases. To maintain general health and body balance, vitamins contained in food are sufficient, provided proper nutrition is provided.
Is there always inflammation with arthrosis?
No not always. Osteoarthritis may be accompanied by arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for arthrosis does not always help and is often in vain.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up for arthrosis helps improve blood circulation and is generally beneficial. But only if there is no acute inflammatory process. For arthritis, thermal procedures and heating are contraindicated.
How long does treatment for arthrosis last?
Usually, a course of treatment at a rehabilitation clinic consists of 10 - 15 complex sessions, which are carried out every day, and takes 21 - 30 days. After this there is a break for 6 months. Six months later, an examination was conducted, based on which a decision was made to conduct a second course of treatment to improve and consolidate the results.