Arthrosis is the most common joint damage in medical practice, associated with the degenerative-dystrophic process that occurs in it.Due mainly to the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissue, this disease cannot be completely cured.However, according to experts, it is impossible for a person to slow down the destructive process, delay arthrosis and preserve joint health for a long time.
Arthritis and its symptoms
The destruction of joints begins with the gradual wear of cartilage - the main element of this movable bone connection, which protects them at the point of contact from friction and serves as a shock absorber under mechanical load.In most cases, this process is caused by the deterioration of metabolic processes associated with age in the human body and the lack of nutrients in the joints.Therefore, symptoms of the disease usually appear after 40-50 years.However, the development of negative changes in cartilage tissue occurs at an earlier age and consists of a gradual loss of cartilage elasticity, its thinning and destruction.
The inability of the cartilage to fully perform its function causes negative changes in the bone tissue, which can develop, forming osteophytes (growths in the form of tubercles, spines, hooks), which are a source of pain when moving.Gradually, the pathological process covers articular muscles, ligaments, and tendons.Joints may become deformed.
The following symptoms indicate the development of arthrosis:
- pain that increases with movement and physical activity;
- decreased joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- joint deformation and immobility (in the form of severe disease).
Arthrosis mainly affects the knees, hip joints, lumbar and cervical spine and hands.
Disease causes and risk factors
The main causes of the destruction of articular cartilage and the development of arthrosis include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- joint injuries, which can be small, but multiple and repeated, or once, but serious (for example, meniscus injury);
- 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 an inactive lifestyle, which disrupts the normal blood supply and nutrition to the joints, worsening the metabolism in them.Excessive physical activity, local inflammatory processes, hormonal changes (for example, menopause) can also trigger arthrosis.
Treatment or prevention?
A complete cure for this disease is impossible - this is the general decision of rheumatologists, whose task is to fight arthrosis.Modern therapy can slow the process of cartilage destruction, relieve 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 sulfate and glucosamine;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid or hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, mud application);
- physical therapy.
In severe cases, they resort to surgery and joint replacement with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine considers the main task of overcoming this disease to be the prevention of arthrosis and the promotion of a lifestyle that helps maintain healthy joints.First of all, this applies to teenagers and young people actively involved in sports, who 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 exercise, the main steps to prevent arthrosis are maintaining a normal body weight and physical activity.
Weight loss and nutrition
As a result of many studies, it was found that obese people have a 3-fold increased risk of getting arthrosis.This is explained not only by the fact that excess body weight increases the load on the joints, but also by the fact that excess fat provokes the development of many pathological processes in the body, which leads to serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which also negatively affect the condition of the joints.
Nutrition as a prevention of arthrosis aims to fill the body with nutrients necessary for the normal function of articular cartilage and slow down the degenerative process in it.Following the following basic principles will not only help keep your joints in good condition, but will 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 calcium to the bones;
- increase the portion of grains, vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and microelements needed by the joints.
Special attention during nutrition should be given to foods and dishes that contain natural ingredients that protect and strengthen cartilage tissue.These substances mainly include collagen, a protein that is part of the cartilage, ligaments and skin of animals and fish.For this purpose, it is necessary to include in the diet jellied meat, aspic (especially from fish), fruit jelly and other dishes containing gelatin - modified collagen.
Physical activity to prevent arthrosis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system.Although physical activity allows you to simultaneously achieve many goals necessary to maintain joints and general well-being:
- increase blood supply and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excessive weight gain;
- develop muscles, which in turn strengthens the skeletal system;
- train all body systems and improve immunity;
- helps improve mood.
To keep the joint in good condition, it should not be loaded.But this does not mean that you should stop doing physical activity.Movement is very necessary for the joints, but it should be moderate and suitable for the physical shape, age and other individual characteristics of each person.
Experts say that walking is the best prevention of knee arthrosis at any age, and recommend taking at least 6,000 steps per day.Swimming is very beneficial when movement occurs without the negative effects of body weight on the bones.Engaging in any sport or favorite activity related to movement (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children), provided they are frequent, will help prevent arthrosis and keep the joints in good condition for a long time.