Osteoarthritis is the most common joint damage associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes in medical practice. The disease, which is mainly caused by the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissues, cannot be completely cured. However, according to experts, it is human power to slow down the destructive process, delay osteoarthritis and maintain joint health for a long time.
Osteoarthritis and its symptoms
The destruction of the joint begins with the gradual erosion of the cartilage - a key element of this moving connection that protects the bones from friction at the point of contact and serves as a shock absorber under mechanical stress. In most cases, this process is associated with age-related deterioration of metabolic processes in the human body and malnutrition of the joint. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease usually appear after 40-50 years. However, the development of adverse changes in cartilage tissue occurs at an earlier age and consists of the gradual loss, thinning, and destruction of cartilage elasticity.
The inability of cartilage to fully perform its functions causes osteophytes (growths in the form of tubercles, thorns, forks) that are a source of pain during movement, causing negative changes in bone tissue. Gradually, the pathological process involves the articular muscles, ligaments, tendons. The joint may be deformed.
The following symptoms indicate the development of osteoarthritis:
- increased pain with movement and physical exertion;
- reduction of joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- joint deformity and immobility (in severe disease).
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, hip joints, spine and cervical spine and hands.
Causes of the disease and risk factors
The main causes of destruction of articular cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis are:
- hereditary predisposition;
- joint injuries that are small but numerous and recurrent or may be single but severe (eg, meniscus damage);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. The main ones are a sedentary lifestyle that increases the load on the joints, overweight and impedes the normal blood supply and nutrition of the joints, disrupts the metabolism inside. Excessive physical activity, local inflammation, hormonal changes (eg, menopause) can also cause osteoarthritis.
Treatment or prevention?
There is no complete cure for this disease - this is the general judgment of rheumatologists, who are tasked with combating osteoarthritis. Modern therapy can slow the destruction of cartilage, eliminate inflammation, reduce pain and improve the patient's condition. For this purpose it is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis:
- chondroprotectors based on chondroitin sulfates and glucosamine;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid or hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapy procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, mud applications);
- physiotherapy exercises.
In severe cases, surgery and prosthesis replacement are used.
Modern medicine aims to prevent osteoarthritis in the fight against the disease and to promote a lifestyle that contributes to the protection of joint health. First of all, this applies to adolescents and young people who are actively involved in sports, which require the development of special skills for the protection of joints during exercise (warming and warming of the joints, the use of special protective equipment). : knee pads, elbow pads, etc. ). For people who do not exercise, the main measures to prevent osteoarthritis are to maintain a normal weight and be physically active.
Weight loss and nutrition
Numerous studies have found that obese people have a threefold increased risk of osteoarthritis. 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 leads to the development of many pathological processes in the body, leading to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. negatively affects the condition of the joints.
As a prevention of osteoarthritis, nutrition is aimed at saturating the body with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the articular cartilage and slowing down the degenerative processes in it. Following the following basic principles will help keep the joints in good condition, as well as prevent excess weight gain:
- reduce the caloric content of food by eliminating or limiting fatty meats and poultry;
- eating low-fat dairy products to provide bones with calcium;
- increase the proportion of grains, vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and trace elements needed by the joints.
In the process of nutrition, special attention should be paid to foods and foods that contain natural substances that protect and strengthen cartilage tissue. These substances include collagen, a protein that is primarily part of the cartilage, garden and skin of animals and fish. For this purpose, the diet should include jelly meat, aspic (especially from fish), fruit jelly and other foods containing gelatin, modified collagen.
Physical activity to prevent osteoarthritis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system. Physical activity also allows you to achieve many of the goals needed to maintain joints and overall well-being:
- improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excess weight gain;
- develops muscles, which strengthens the skeletal system;
- teaches all body systems and enhances immunity;
- improves mood.
It should not be overloaded to keep your joints in good condition. However, this does not mean that you should give up physical activity. Movement is absolutely necessary for the joints, but it should be moderate, depending on the physical shape, age and other individual characteristics of each person.
Experts say that walking is the best prevention of knee osteoarthritis at any age, and recommend taking at least 6, 000 steps daily. Swimming is very useful when it occurs without adversely affecting the bones of the body weight. Doing any movement-related sports or hobbies (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children), provided they are regular, will help prevent osteoarthritis and keep the joints in good condition for a long time.