Dorothy FarrarArthrosis
Osteoarthritis ( joint wear) refers to excessive wear and tear of articular cartilage. In most cases, osteoarthritis is caused by improper or excessive stress (overweight). Wear and tear can affect various joints (e.g. knees, hips) and can also extend to bones, muscles and ligaments. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. However, the progression of the disease can be contained and the symptoms alleviated by early therapy.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis or joint wear and tear is a common joint disease. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage layer in the joint is destroyed. The affected joint becomes inflamed. As a result, movement is then only possible with pain.
Osteoarthritis is a gradual process that begins with the slow breakdown of cartilage. If this progresses further, the patients feel pain in the affected joints.
As the disease progresses, the joints can stiffen or even deform. Finally, in the final stage, the affected joint can ossify completely.
Osteoarthritis pain usually worsens when the weather changes. Especially in cold and damp weather, patients increasingly complain about joint pain .
All jerky movements should be avoided as far as possible – however, a certain amount of physical activity such as swimming or cycling can help to positively influence the course of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can also become noticeable through bruising or swelling.
X-rays are usually sufficient to diagnose arthrosis. However, an ultrasound examination, an MRI or a CT are also ordered in individual cases.
causes
Osteoarthritis can basically affect all joints, but knee and hip joints suffer most frequently. The reason for this is that a particularly large amount of body weight is placed on the joints and these are therefore heavily stressed.In addition to incorrect or excessive strain as the main cause of arthrosis, other causes can also be considered. For example, sports injuries such as a cruciate ligament tear or congenital cartilage defects can trigger arthrosis.
If arthrosis occurs in childhood, it can be assumed that misalignments of the legs such as an X-position are the cause of the disease. Even with legs of different lengths, arthrosis is not uncommon.
People who are overweight are much more likely to suffer from arthrosis – simply because the joints have to work harder. Other diseases such as gout or diabetes can also cause arthrosis as a consequence.
The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age. At least 80 percent of those over 70 are affected by arthrosis, with women developing arthrosis more frequently as a percentage.
When to the doctor?
If osteoarthritis is suspected, it is advisable to consult a doctor at an early stage, especially if the symptoms do not subside after several days. The doctor can determine whether there is a suspicion by looking at joint pain and starting pains as well as by feelings of swelling or cracking and crunching in the joints. Even if the joint disease is still in the early stages, it makes sense to see a doctor to prevent consequential damage. Then the symptoms can still be treated conservatively with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs without surgery.
If the damage has already progressed too far, a doctor is indispensable in order to rinse the joint or even carry out an operative treatment by means of a partial or total replacement of the joint. Osteoarthritis usually also affects the synovial fluid, so medical help is essential. The doctor can restore the lubricity of the cartilage surfaces by injecting hyaluronic acid, which means that the pain recedes. Furthermore, a doctor’s visit is important because he can individually assess which therapy is most suitable for the patient.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis usually begins with unspecific and intermittent symptoms. Typical signs are tension, stiffness and intermittent pain in the affected joints.
Those affected often suffer from so-called starting difficulties ( stress or start-up pain). This means that the pain that suddenly occurs at the beginning of a movement (e.g. walking, climbing stairs) gradually disappears.
As the disease progresses and the joints continue to wear down, the pain in the affected regions also increases significantly. While gliding movements in particular (swimming, cycling) are initially pain-free, in the later stages of the disease severe pain also occurs during periods of rest.
Diagnose
Various medical diagnostic methods are used for osteoarthritis. First, the doctor takes an anamnesis – he conducts a detailed discussion with the patient. The doctor asks questions about the frequency and type of symptoms, for example whether the pain is worse with certain movements or times of the day.
This is followed by a physical examination of the affected joint. Imaging procedures such as an X-ray examination , computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) usually follow for further diagnosis. This makes the typical signs of arthrosis visible, such as a reduction in the joint space, bone deformities or compression.
In some cases, a minimally invasive joint reflection (arthroscopy) is performed. Sonography or scintigraphy is also used to better diagnose existing inflammatory processes in arthrosis.
complications
Without appropriate treatment, osteoarthritis will continue to worsen, which in turn can have serious consequences. These cause a significant reduction in the quality of life of those affected. The problematic effects of arthrosis include sleep disturbances. The pain-sensitive joints often prevent a restful sleep. If the pain does not have a negative effect on the resting phases of the body, the movement restrictions do, because they prevent the patient from being able to assume a comfortable lying position in bed.
Another problem is the limited productivity of the people involved. Due to their pronounced joint pain, they have higher absenteeism from work. In addition, they are restricted in carrying out ordinary activities such as cooking, housework or dressing, which in turn has negative consequences for their quality of life.
Osteoarthritis often has a negative effect on the patient’s ability to move. This affects not only sporting activities, but even simple walks. Lack of exercise also causes weight gain with its unhealthy side effects. This increases the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
There is also an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes mellitus. Joint inflammation is one of the most common complications of osteoarthritis. In medicine, this is then referred to as activated arthrosis. This leads to increased pain and swelling of the joints.
treatment and therapy
Since arthrosis is a lengthy process that is usually not even noticed in the early stages, it can be delayed even if the pain is mild.
Once osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, it is now important to contain the pain as much as possible. This is usually done with medication, but joint irrigation or injections have also proven to be effective.Targeted physiotherapy and health sports in connection with joint-gentle sports such as swimming or cycling can also help to positively influence the course of the disease. Heat or cold treatments have also proven effective – but each patient reacts differently.
Osteoarthritis can be influenced in its course, but usually cannot be stopped. The last resort is usually an artificial joint. This is now almost a routine operation and the artificial joints last 15 to 20 years without any problems.
prevention
Basically, it is important to pay attention to your body weight. After all, overweight people have a significantly higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.
All joint-gentle sports such as swimming or cycling are ideal for preventing arthrosis. Sports that put a strain on the joints in particular should be avoided. In this context, sudden movements and stopping are particularly stressful for the joints.
↳ Further information: Home remedies for osteoarthritis
The floor covering of the sports field or the sports hall is also decisive, as it can put a massive strain on the joints. Indoor football, for example, should be avoided.
In the case of people with a hereditary predisposition, it is also advisable to have an ultrasound examination carried out – deformations of the joint can thus be recognized at an early stage and treated in a targeted manner.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.