Osteoarthritis is the most common joint damage in medical practice and is associated with the degenerative-dystrophic processes that occur there.The disease is mainly due to the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissue and 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.
Osteoarthritis and its symptoms
The destruction of the joint begins with the gradual wear and tear of cartilage - the main element of this mobile connection of bones, which protects them from friction at the point of contact and serves as a shock absorber during mechanical stress.In most cases, this process is caused by age-related deterioration in 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 cartilage tissue occurs at an earlier age and consists in a gradual loss of elasticity of the cartilage, its thinning and destruction.
The inability of cartilage to fully perform its functions leads to negative changes in bone tissue, which can grow and form osteophytes (growths in the form of tubercles, spines, hooks), which cause pain when moving.Gradually, the pathological process captures the joint muscles, ligaments and tendons.The joint may become deformed.
The following symptoms indicate the development of osteoarthritis:
- pain that increases with movement and physical activity;
- reduced joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- Deformation and immobility of the joint (in severe forms of the disease).
Osteoarthritis primarily affects the knees, hip joints, lumbar and cervical spine and hands.
Causes of disease and risk factors
The main causes of the destruction of joint cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- joint injuries that may be minor but multiple and repeated or one-time but serious (e.g., meniscus injuries);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis.The main ones are excess weight, which increases the load on the joints, and a sedentary lifestyle, which impairs the normal blood supply and nutrition to the joints and worsens metabolism in them.Excessive physical activity, local inflammatory processes and hormonal changes (e.g. menopause) can also cause osteoarthritis.
Treatment or prevention?
A complete cure for this disease is impossible - this is the general opinion of rheumatologists whose task is to combat osteoarthritis.Modern therapies can slow down the process of cartilage destruction, reduce 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;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid or hormonal preparations;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic field therapy, mud applications);
- Physiotherapy.
In severe cases, they resort to surgery and replacing the joint with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine sees the main task of combating disease in preventing osteoarthritis and promoting a lifestyle that helps maintain healthy joints.This primarily applies to adolescents and young people active in sports who need to develop special skills for joint protection during training (warming up and warming up the joints, using special protective devices: knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).For people who do not exercise, the most important measures to prevent osteoarthritis are maintaining a normal weight and being physically active.
Weight loss and diet
As a result of numerous studies, it has been found that overweight people have a three-fold increased risk of developing 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 provokes the development of many pathological processes in the body, leading to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which also negatively affects the condition of the joints.
Nutrition for the prevention of arthrosis is aimed at saturating the body with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of articular cartilage and slowing down the degenerative processes in it.Adhering to the following basic principles will not only help keep your joints in shape, but also prevent weight gain:
- Reducing the calorie content of foods by eliminating or limiting fatty meats and poultry;
- consume enough low-fat dairy products to provide calcium to the bones;
- Increasing the proportion of grains, vegetables and fruits to provide the body with vitamins and microelements that the joints need.
Particular attention in the diet should be paid to foods and dishes that contain natural substances that protect and strengthen cartilage tissue.These substances primarily 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 osteoarthritis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system.While physical activity allows you to simultaneously achieve many goals that are necessary for the maintenance of joints and general well-being:
- improves blood supply and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excessive weight gain;
- develops muscles, which in turn strengthen the skeletal system;
- trains all body systems and improves immunity;
- helps improve mood.
To keep the joints in good condition, they should not be overloaded.However, this does not mean that you should avoid physical activity.Exercise is absolutely necessary for the joints, but it should be moderate and appropriate to each person's physical condition, age and other individual characteristics.
Experts say walking at any age is the best way to prevent knee osteoarthritis and recommend walking at least 6,000 steps daily.Swimming is very beneficial when the exercise occurs without the negative impact of body weight on the bones.Regularly practicing a sport or favorite activity related to exercise (dancing, gardening, playing outdoors with children) helps prevent osteoarthritis and keeps the joints in good condition for a long time.