Osteoarthritis is the progressive, non-inflammatory destruction of articular cartilage.
As a result of degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses its functions, flexion-extension movements become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are movable joints of bones. The human body contains more than 200 such joints, which provide all types of movements of the bone skeleton. Free sliding is achieved thanks to the smooth surfaces of the hyaline cartilage and synovial lubrication.
With osteoarthritis, the hyaline cartilage gradually thins and collapses, becomes rough, and synovial lubrication becomes insufficient for free sliding. This results in friction which hinders the movement of the joint and leads to its progressive destruction.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people between 45 and 65 years old, and more than 65% of people over 65 years old. The incidence has a pronounced age dependence.
Most often, the disease affects large joints - the knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis) and shoulder. Among the small joints, the joints of the hand, foot, and spine are most commonly affected.
At an advanced stage of the disease, ankylosis (complete immobilization) of the joint occurs. In this case, only surgical treatment is possible - removal and replacement with an endoprosthesis.
At stages 1-3 of osteoarthritis, conservative treatment is possible, the goal of which is to slow down and stop the destruction of the joint, the gradual restoration of cartilage tissue, improvement of functions (mobility), lIncreased range of motion, pain relief. symptoms and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of reflexology, herbal medicine and physiotherapy methods of oriental medicine.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The cause of the disease is the predominance of wear of hyaline cartilage over the process of its regeneration. This means that joint cartilage wears down and breaks down under stress faster than it can recover.
This occurs due to the action of two factors: increased load and/or slow recovery.
For the regeneration of hyaline cartilage, collagen is necessary, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ not only participates in the synthesis of collagen, necessary for joints, but is also responsible for the level of body heat.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all cold illnesses, including osteoarthritis, is a decrease in body heat level. This can especially occur due to insufficient liver function.
All osteoarthritis belongs to degenerative and dystrophic diseases. Their development begins with dystrophy, that is, tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
To continually regenerate, articular cartilage requires collagen, a universal connective tissue building material. This protein substance is synthesized in the body and enters the joints with the blood.
If the blood supply is disrupted for any reason, the hyaline cartilage lacks collagen. The regeneration process in them slows down. In this case, the joints that bear the maximum load – the knees, ankles, hips and shoulders – suffer the most. The articular cartilage gradually begins to wear away and collapse.
When cartilage is destroyed, its fragments tear and move freely within the joint cavity (called "mouse"), causing pinching, locking, further limiting movement and increasing pain.
Another cause of the disease may be a deficiency of collagen due to insufficient synthesis of this substance in the body. This may be due, for example, to a functional insufficiency of the liver, which actively participates in this synthesis.
Factors provoking the development of the disease can be:
- Overweight,
- bad eating habits
- intense physical work, intense sports,
- trauma, multiple microtrauma,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, connective tissue weakness, etc. ).
Classification
Osteoarthritis that develops against the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary osteoarthritis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (arthritis, including autoimmune), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own name: gonarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondyloarthrosis (spine).
In addition to inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as osteoarthritis-arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the 1st stage is manifested by periodic pain and slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means noticeable narrowing of the joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bony growths (osteophytes), and deformity of the joints.
Stage 3 osteoarthritis corresponds to an almost complete disappearance of the joint space, a limitation of the range of movement to a minimum, joint deformation, damage to the periarticular tissues and bones (osteoarthritis, periarthrosis).
At the 4th stage, complete immobilization occurs (ankylosis), the joint space completely disappears.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteoarthritis develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and synovial lubrication properties have already begun.
The symptoms of stage 1 osteoarthritis are increased fatigue of the joint, minor pain that occurs after physical activity or at the beginning of movements after long periods of immobility (the so-called "starting pain"), afterwhat the joint develops. The range of flexion-extension and rotation movements is not limited and there is no difficulty during movements.
At stage 2, pain in the joint becomes more intense and lasts longer, occurring even with minor loads. When moving, a cracking or crunching sound is heard. Flexion, extension and rotation movements become difficult, their volume is increasingly limited. Stiffness develops.
In the 3rd stage of osteoarthritis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joint are carried out with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. The joint is severely deformed due to bone growth and increases in size. When the leg joints are affected, severe lameness develops.
In stages 2 and 3 of the disease, inflammation usually manifests itself with symptoms such as swelling, redness, increased pain and local fever.
Osteoarthritis pain may intensify with changes in weather, humidity, cold, at night, at the start of movement or during physical activity, as well as when the joint is blocked by a mouse.
Diagnostic
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is carried out on the basis of examination, external examination and hardware methods (x-ray, CT scan, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor studies the medical history, asks the patient about the symptoms, the circumstances of their occurrence and exacerbation.
At the first appointment at the clinic, the doctor usually asks the patient not only about the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but also about the nature of his diet and lifestyle, because in oriental medicine the human bodyis considered a single system. In this unified system, there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints closely depends on the metabolism, immune and hormonal systems as well as the movement of body fluids and the body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies osteoarthritis as a cold disease that develops against the background of energy depletion of the body, a decrease in heat levels and accumulation of cold. The key factors in this case are poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and humidity.
During an external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape of the joints, range of motion, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, local increase in temperature.
After examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor sends him for additional examination - x-ray, CT scan or MRI.
On an X-ray, the doctor notices a narrowing of the joint space, which indicates thinning of the cartilage. Depending on the degree of narrowing, it determines the stage of osteoarthritis.
An x-ray image clearly shows osteophytes - growths along the edges of the bones that form during osteoarthritis.
X-rays visualize bone tissue well, but poorly show connective and soft structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides much more information.
Using a tomogram, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovial bursa, joint capsule, and detect joint "mice", damage to the meniscus and ligaments.
To study the blood supply to the joint, angiography using a contrast agent (x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
At stage 4 of osteoarthritis, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis. At stages 1-3 of the disease, conservative treatment is carried out.
- Drugs.Drug treatment is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In the presence of an inflammatory process, hormonal drugs (glucocorticoids) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. Typically, these medications are given by injection into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage, chondroprotectors are prescribed.
- Injections into the joint.To reduce friction and improve gliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, the molecules of which have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect cartilage surfaces from drying out and slow down their destruction.
In the presence of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Operation.Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis involves replacing the joint with an endoprosthesis. Such interventions are indicated at the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (total immobility).
- Physiotherapy.To relieve inflammation, physiotherapy methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy and drug administration using current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used.
Mud applications, compresses and heating improve local blood circulation, promote healing and restoration of cartilage tissue and relieve pain. - Other treatments.To prevent osteoarthritis, as well as as an auxiliary method of treatment, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed. Regular performance of simple exercises improves blood supply to the joint, increases its mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to warm a painful joint and relieve symptoms. Balneological treatment of osteoarthritis includes remedies such as mud or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the causes of osteoarthritis. These are essentially not therapeutic agents but prophylactic. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which work to increase the amount of lubrication (synovial fluid) and facilitate gliding. Reducing friction slows the destruction of cartilage, but does not restore it.
In order not only to slow down the development of the disease, but also to reverse it, it is necessary to improve blood supply, activate the processes of metabolism and tissue regeneration. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an aid, but cannot replace comprehensive treatment.
Treatment of osteoarthritis in a specialized clinic
In the clinic, the treatment of stage 1 to 3 osteoarthritis is carried out using phyto, physio and reflexology methods of oriental medicine. Positive results are obtained in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which mutually reinforce the effect according to the principle of synergy.
In-clinic treatment aims to eliminate the cause of osteoarthritis, which ensures long-term and lasting results.
Joint diseases refer to disorders of the Bad Kan base - one of the body's three control systems, balance of which means health and imbalance of which means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
An imbalance of the Bad Kan usually causes not one, but several diseases at once. So, osteoarthritis is almost always accompanied by concomitant disorders, diseases, for example, overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and/or immunodeficiencies, endocrine disorders, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases(in women), etc.
Modern treatments restore the balance of the Bad Kan base as a whole and thus eliminate the common cause of all these diseases. Therefore, in addition to osteoarthritis, other concomitant diseases also occur.
When treating osteoarthritis, the doctor works not only on the affected joint area, but also on the body as a whole, in order to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret of the high effectiveness of osteoarthritis treatment in our clinic.
Tszyu or moxo therapy.
This procedure involves simultaneously or sequentially heating bioactive points with an absinthe cigar or smoking cones (made of absinthe or charcoal). Ju therapy is the main treatment for osteoarthritis in alternative medicine. It is used both locally, on the area of the affected joint, and on the body's meridians to restore balance to the base of Bad Kan and the body as a whole.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the restoration and renewal of connective tissues, improves the properties and normalizes the volume of synovial lubrication and has an anti-inflammatory and metabolic effect.
Acupuncture.
The introduction of medical needles into the bioactive points has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
The impact on the bioactive points of the liver meridian makes it possible to improve the functioning of this organ and activate the synthesis of collagen in the body.
The impact on the bioactive points of the kidneys helps to improve blood circulation in the lower body in cases of gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis and other arthrosis of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolic processes and tissue regeneration, eliminates muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure on the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the body's overall energy level.
Phytotherapy.
For osteoarthritis, various herbal remedies are prescribed that accelerate metabolism, increase the level of body heat, accelerate the body's recovery processes, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
Auxiliary means.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy and shock wave therapy are used as auxiliary means.
Hirudotherapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body heat levels.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerates healing and restoration of the joint.
With the help of manual therapy, the doctor relieves the painful joint, increases the range of motion and mobility.
Diet for osteoarthritis
For osteoarthritis, hot and warming meals are indicated.
It is recommended to reheat foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onions, ghee and sesame oil.
To increase the energy value of foods, it is absolutely necessary to consume spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes with lots of animal connective tissue, for example broths rich in bones and meat, are helpful.
It is necessary to exclude cold foods, refrigerated drinks, reduce the consumption of cold foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, confectionery, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and leafy salads, semolina and legumes. .
Osteoarthritis prevention
To prevent osteoarthritis, you need to avoid factors that cause an imbalance in the Bad Kan base - refreshing diet, sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, humidity.
A warming diet, physical activity, including walking, outdoor games and physiotherapy exercises are useful.
Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis
Are vitamin complexes useful for osteoarthritis?
Vitamin complexes influence metabolic processes in general. But they have no specific, preventive or therapeutic effect on joint diseases. To maintain general health and body balance, vitamins contained in foods are sufficient, provided that adequate nutrition is ensured.
Is there always inflammation with osteoarthritis?
Not always. Osteoarthritis can be accompanied by arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, using NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to treat osteoarthritis does not always help and is often unnecessary.
Is heat good for joints?
Warming up for osteoarthritis helps improve blood circulation and is generally beneficial. But only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. For arthritis, thermal procedures and warming up are contraindicated.
How long does treatment for osteoarthritis take?
Typically, a course of treatment in a rehabilitation clinic consists of 10-15 complex sessions, carried out every other day, and lasts 21-30 days. After that there is a break of 6 months. Six months later, an examination is carried out, on the basis of which it is decided to carry out a second treatment to improve and consolidate the results.