Osteoarthritis is the most common joint injury in medical practice, associated with the degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in it.Caused mainly by the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissues, the disease cannot be completely cured.However, according to experts, it is quite possible for a person to slow down the destructive process, delay osteoarthritis and preserve joint health for a long time.
Osteoarthritis and its symptoms
The destruction of the joint begins with the gradual wear of cartilage - the main element of this movable connection of bones, which protects them at the point of contact from friction and serves as a shock absorber under mechanical loads.In most cases, this process is due to a deterioration of metabolic processes in the human body and age-related joint malnutrition.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 cartilage to fully perform its functions causes negative changes in bone tissue, which can develop, forming osteophytes (growths in the form of tubercles, thorns, hooks), sources of pain during movements.Gradually, the pathological process covers 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;
- decreased joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- deformation and immobility of the joint (in severe forms of the disease).
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees, hip joints, lumbar and cervical spine and hands.
Causes of disease and risk factors
The main causes of destruction of articular cartilage and development of osteoarthritis include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- joint injuries, which can be minor, but multiple and repeated, or one-off, but serious (for example, meniscus injuries);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.The main ones are excess weight, which increases the load on the joints, and a sedentary lifestyle, which interferes with the normal blood supply and nutrition of the joints, thereby worsening their metabolism.Excessive physical activity, local inflammatory processes, hormonal changes (e.g. menopause) can also cause osteoarthritis.
Treatment or prevention?
A complete cure from this disease is impossible - this is the general verdict of rheumatologists, whose task is to combat osteoarthritis.Modern therapy can slow down 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 osteoarthritis:
- 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 therapy, mud applications);
- physiotherapy.
In severe cases, they resort to surgery and replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine considers that the main task in the fight against the disease is the prevention of osteoarthritis and the promotion of a lifestyle that contributes to the maintenance of healthy joints.This applies, first of all, to adolescents 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 devices: knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).For people who do not exercise, the main measures to prevent osteoarthritis are maintaining a normal weight and physical activity.
Weight loss and nutrition
As a result of numerous studies, it has been established that obese people have a 3 times higher 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, which lead to serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which also negatively affect the condition of the joints.
Nutrition as prevention of osteoarthritis is aimed at saturating the body with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of articular cartilage and slowing down degenerative processes in it.Following the following basic principles will not only help you keep your joints in good shape, but will also prevent you from gaining excess weight:
- reduce the calorie content of foods by eliminating or limiting fatty meats and poultry;
- consume enough low-fat dairy products to provide calcium to bones;
- increase the proportion of cereals, vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and microelements that the joints need.
During nutrition, special attention should be paid to foods and dishes containing natural substances 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.To this end, it is necessary to include in the diet jellied meats, aspics (especially fish), fruit jellies and other dishes containing gelatin-modified collagen.
Physical activity to prevent osteoarthritis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, especially the musculoskeletal system.While physical activity allows you to simultaneously achieve many objectives necessary for joint maintenance and general well-being:
- improves blood supply and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excessive weight gain;
- builds muscles, which strengthens the skeletal system;
- trains all body systems and improves immunity;
- helps improve mood.
To keep the joints in good condition, they must not be overloaded.But that doesn’t mean you have to give up physical activity.Movement is absolutely necessary for the joints, but it should be moderate and correspond to the physical form, age and other individual characteristics of each person.
Experts say walking is the best prevention of knee osteoarthritis at any age and recommend taking at least 6,000 steps per day.Swimming is most beneficial when the movement occurs without the negative impact of body weight on the bones.Practicing any sport or favorite movement-related activity (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children), provided they are regular, will help prevent osteoarthritis and keep joints in good condition for a long time.