Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint damage in medical practice, combined with the degenerative-dystrophic processes that occur in them. The disease is mainly caused by the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissues and cannot be completely cured. However, according to experts, it is within the power of a person 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 wear and tear of the cartilage - the main element of this flexible connection of the bones, which protects them from friction at the point of contact and acts as a shock absorber in the event of mechanical stress. In most cases, this process is due to an age-related deterioration in 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 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 (growth in the form of tubercles, spines, hooks) that cause pain during movement. Gradually, the pathological process includes the joint muscles, ligaments and tendons. The joint can deform.
The following symptoms indicate the development of osteoarthritis:
- Pain that increases with movement and physical exertion;
- decreased joint mobility;
- Swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- Deformation and immobility of the joint (in severe disease).
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, hips, lumbar and cervical spine and hands.
Causes of Disease and Risk Factors
The main reasons for the destruction of the articular cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis are:
- hereditary predisposition;
- Joint injuries that can be minor but multiple and repetitive, or one-time but severe (e. g. meniscus damage);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that make osteoarthritis more likely. The main ones are obesity, which puts stress on the joints, and sedentary lifestyle, which interferes with the normal blood supply and nutrition of the joints, and affects the metabolism therein. Excessive physical activity, local inflammation, hormonal changes (e. g. menopause) can also cause osteoarthritis.
Treatment or prevention?
Complete cure of this disease is impossible - this is the general judgment of rheumatologists, whose task it is to fight osteoarthritis. Modern therapies can slow down cartilage breakdown, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve the patient's condition. To do this, in the treatment of osteoarthritis, they use:
- Chondroprotectors based on chondroitin sulfates and glucosamine;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid or hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic field therapy, mud applications);
- physiotherapy exercises.
In severe cases, they resort to surgery and replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine sees the main task of counteracting the disease as preventing osteoarthritis and promoting a lifestyle that contributes to maintaining joint health. This applies primarily to active young people and young people who need to develop special skills to protect the joints during training (warming up and warming up the joints, use of special protective devices: knee pads, elbow pads, etc. ). For people who do not participate in sports, maintaining a normal weight and being physically active are the most important measures to prevent osteoarthritis.
Weight loss and diet
As a result of numerous studies, it has been found that obese people have a 3-fold increased risk of osteoarthritis. This is explained not only by the fact that excess weight puts a strain on the joints, but also that excess fat provokes the development of many pathological processes in the body that lead to serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. which negatively affects the condition of the joints.
Diet as a prevention of osteoarthritis 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 the joints in shape, but will also prevent excessive weight gain:
- Reducing the calorie content of foods by eliminating or limiting fatty meat and poultry;
- consume sufficient amounts of low-fat dairy products to supply calcium to your bones;
- increasing the percentage of grains, vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and microelements that the joints need.
Particular attention should be paid in the diet to foods and dishes that contain natural substances that protect and strengthen the cartilage tissue. The main one of these substances is collagen - a protein that is part of the cartilage, ligaments and skin of animals and fish. To do this, it is necessary to include in the diet gelled meat, aspic (especially from fish), fruit jelly and other dishes with gelatin, a modified collagen.
Physical activity to prevent osteoarthritis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system. With physical activity, you can simultaneously achieve many of the goals necessary for joint maintenance and general well-being:
- improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excess weight gain;
- develops muscles, which, in turn, strengthen the skeletal system;
- trains all body systems and improves immunity;
- improves mood.
To keep your joints in shape, they shouldn't be overloaded. However, this does not mean that you should refrain from physical activity. Exercise is essential for the joints but should be moderate according to each person's physical shape, age, and other individual characteristics.
Experts say that walking is the best prevention against osteoarthritis of the knee at any age, and they recommend walking at least 6, 000 steps a day. Swimming is very beneficial when exercise is taking place without any negative impact on the bones of body weight. Any sport or favorite activity related to exercise (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children), if done regularly, will help prevent osteoarthritis and keep the joints in good condition for a long time.