Osteoarthritis is the progressive non-inflammatory destruction of joint cartilage.
Due to degenerative-dystrophic changes, the joint gradually loses function, flexion-extension movements there become difficult and then completely impossible.
Joints are movable joints of bones. The human body contains more than 200 such joints, providing all types of skeletal movements. Free sliding in them is made possible by the smooth surface of hyaline cartilage and synovial lubricants.
With osteoarthritis, the hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and gradually collapses, becoming rough and the synovial lubricant is not enough to slide freely. As a result, friction occurs, which impedes joint movement and leads to its gradual destruction.
Arthritis is one of the most common degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They affect more than 30% of people aged 45 to 65 years and more than 65% of people over 65 years old. The incidence of the disease clearly depends on age.
Most often, the disease affects large joints - knees (gonorrosis), hips (coxarthrosis) and shoulders. Among the small joints, the joints of the arms, legs, and spine are most commonly affected.
In the late stages of the disease, stiffness (complete immobility) of the joints occurs. In this case, treatment is possible only with surgery - removal and replacement with a prosthesis.
In stages 1 - 3 of joint disease, conservative treatment is possible, the goal is to slow down and prevent joint destruction, gradually restore cartilage tissue, improve function (mobility), increase rangemicro-movement, relieves symptomatic pain and inflammation.
In the clinic, these goals are achieved through the integrated use of oriental medicine methods of acupressure, herbal medicine, and physical therapy.
Causes of arthritis
The cause of the disease is due to hyaline cartilage being worn down during the regeneration process. This means that joint cartilage wears down and is destroyed under pressure faster than it can be restored.
This occurs due to the effects of two factors - increased load and/or slow recovery.
To regenerate hyaline cartilage, collagen is required, which is produced in the body with the participation of the liver.
This organ is not only involved in the synthesis of collagen necessary for joints, but is also responsible for regulating body temperature.
From a medical point of view, the cause of all colds, including joint diseases, is a decrease in body temperature. This can happen, especially due to insufficient liver function.
All joint diseases belong to degenerative diseases and dystrophies. Their development begins with dystrophy, which is tissue starvation due to insufficient blood supply.
To continuously regenerate, joint cartilage requires collagen, a common building material of connective tissue. This protein is synthesized in the body and enters the joints through the blood.
If the blood supply is interrupted for any reason, the hyaline cartilage will lack collagen. Their regeneration process slows down. In this case, the joints that bear the maximum load - the knees, ankles, hips and shoulders - suffer the most. Joint cartilage begins to gradually wear down and collapse.
When cartilage is destroyed, pieces of cartilage will fall off and move freely in the joint cavity (called "mice"), causing compression, obstruction, further restriction of movement and increased pain.
Another cause of the disease may be collagen deficiency because the body does not synthesize enough of this substance. For example, this may be due to impaired function of the liver, which plays an active role in this synthesis.
Factors provoking the development of the disease can be:
- overweight,
- unhealthy diet
- hard labor, playing high-intensity sports,
- trauma, multiple microtraumas,
- exposure to cold
- age-related changes (dehydration) in the body,
- birth defects (dysplasia, weak connective tissue, etc. ).
Classify
Arthritis that develops against the background of metabolic disorders is called primary.
Secondary arthritis occurs against the background of inflammatory processes (arthritis, including autoimmune diseases), endocrine diseases or injuries.
Some of the most common forms of the disease have their own names - coxarthrosis (knee joint), coxarthrosis (hip joint), spondylosis (spine).
With the addition of inflammation, the disease is diagnosed as arthritis.
There are four stages in the development of the disease.
Stage 1 arthritis is characterized by periodic pain and mild narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2 of the disease means significant narrowing of joint space, limited range of motion, formation of bone spurs (osteoporosis), and joint deformity.
Stage 3 arthritis means almost complete disappearance of the joint space, minimal limitation of range of motion, joint deformity, involvement of tissues and bones around the joint (osteoarthritis, periarticularjoint).
At the 4th stage, complete immobility occurs (ankle), the joint cavity completely disappears.
Symptoms of arthritis
Like many other degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthropathy develops gradually.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time, although changes in cartilage tissue, volume and synovial lubrication properties have begun.
Symptoms of stage 1 arthritis are increased fatigue in the joints, mild pain that occurs after physical activity or at the beginning of movement after a long period of immobility (the so-called pain"start"), then the joint will develop. The range of flexion-extension and rotation movements is not limited and there are no difficulties during movement.
In stage 2, pain in the joint becomes more intense and lasts longer, occurring even with light loads. When moving, you will hear a creaking or crunching sound. Bending, stretching, and rotating movements become difficult, and volume becomes increasingly limited. Hardness develops.
In the third stage of arthritis, joint pain becomes constant. Movements in the joints are performed with great difficulty, their volume is reduced to a minimum. Joints are severely deformed as bones grow and increase in size. When the joints in the legs are affected, lameness develops.
In stages 2-3 of the disease, inflammation often occurs with symptoms such as swelling, redness, severe pain and local fever.
Arthritis pain can increase with changes in weather, humidity, cold, at night, when starting to move or during physical activity, as well as when the joint is blocked with a mouse.
Diagnose
Diagnosis of joint diseases is carried out on the basis of survey, external examination and hardware methods (X-ray, CT, MRI).
During the interview, the doctor studies the patient's medical history, asking the patient about his symptoms, the circumstances of their appearance and the severity of their condition.
At the first appointment at the clinic, the doctor, as a rule, will ask the patient not only about the symptoms of joint diseases, but also about the nature of nutrition and lifestyle, because in Oriental medicine, the human body isconsidered a single system. Within this unified system there are internal relationships.
For example, the condition of the joints closely depends on metabolism, the immune system, hormones and the movement of body fluids, body mass index.
Modern medicine classifies arthrosis as a cold that develops against the background of the body's energy depletion, temperature drop, and accumulation of colds. The main factors in this case are poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to cold and dampness.
During external examination, the doctor pays attention to the size, shape of the joint, range of motion, as well as signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, increased local temperature.
After examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor will send the patient for additional examination - X-ray, CT or MRI.
When X-rayed, the doctor saw that the joint space had narrowed, indicating that the cartilage had thinned. Based on the degree of narrowing, the stage of osteoarthritis is determined.
X-ray images clearly show bone spurs - growths along the edges of bones that form during osteoarthritis.
X-rays clearly show bone tissue but reveal soft, poorly connected structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides more information.
Using a CT scan, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the hyaline cartilage, as well as the synovium and joint capsule, and detect joint "rats", damage to the articular cartilage and ligaments.
To study the blood supply to the joint, angiography using contrast agents (X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed.
Treatment of arthritis
At stage 4 of joint disease, surgical treatment is used, the joint is removed and replaced with a prosthetic joint. At stages 1 - 3 of the disease, conservative treatment is performed.
- Medicines.Drug treatment is used to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. When there is an inflammatory process, hormonal (glucocorticoid) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs based on ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. ) are prescribed. Typically, these drugs are injected into a joint or intramuscularly. To slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage, cartilage-protecting drugs are prescribed.
- Inject into the joint.To reduce friction and improve gliding, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint cavity, where the molecules have the ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid injections protect the cartilage surface from drying out and slow down the process of their destruction.
In case of severe inflammation and swelling, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity are used. - Work.Surgical treatment of joint disease includes joint replacement with a prosthetic joint. Such interventions are indicated in the 4th stage of the disease with ankylosis (complete immobility).
- Physical therapy.To reduce inflammation, physiotherapeutic methods such as laser therapy, magnetic therapy and drug administration with electric current (electrophoresis) or ultrasound (phonophoresis) are used.
The use of mud, compression and heating will improve local blood circulation, promote healing and restoration of cartilage tissue and reduce pain. - Other treatments.To prevent joint diseases, as well as an auxiliary treatment, exercise therapy (physical therapy) is prescribed. Regularly performing simple exercises helps improve blood supply to joints, increasing joint mobility and range of motion.
Hot baths can be used to warm painful joints and relieve symptoms. Therapeutic treatments for arthritis include measures such as mud baths or radon baths.
It is important!
Chondroprotectors do not affect the cause of joint disease. Essentially, this is not a cure but a preventative medicine. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which increase the amount of lubrication (joint fluid) and facilitate gliding activity. Reducing friction slows down cartilage destruction but does not restore cartilage.
To not only slow down the development of the disease, but also reverse it, it is necessary to improve blood supply, activate metabolic processes and regenerate tissues. Chondroprotectors do not do this. Therefore, they can be used as an adjunct but not as a substitute for full treatment.
Arthritis treatment at a specialized clinic
At the clinic, treatment of stage 1 - 3 joint disease is carried out using Phyto, physical and acupressure methods of oriental medicine. Positive results are achieved in more than 90% of cases of treatment of this disease.
Complex treatment sessions include several procedures (moxibustion therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, etc. ), which enhance each other's effectiveness according to the principle of synergy.
Treatment in the clinic is aimed at eliminating the cause of joint disease, which ensures long-term and lasting results.
Arthritis refers to underlying disorders of Bad Kan - one of the three control systems of the body, the balance of which means health and the imbalance of which means disease. In addition to the joints, this foundation is also responsible for the lymphatic system, body fluids, immunity, hormones and metabolism.
Bad Kan imbalance often causes not one but many diseases at the same time. Therefore, joint disease is almost always accompanied by accompanying disorders and diseases, such as overweight (obesity), chronic respiratory disease, allergies and/or immunodeficiency conditions, disordersendocrinology, hormone-dependent gynecological diseases (in women), etc. v.
Modern treatment restores the balance of the entire Bad Kan foundation and thus eliminates the common cause of all these diseases. So, along with joint disease, other comorbidities also occur.
When treating arthritis, the doctor works not only on the affected joint area, but also on the entire body to restore the balance of the Badk-an base. This is the secret to highly effective treatment of joint diseases at our clinic.
Tszyu or moxo therapy.
The procedure involves simultaneous or sequential heating of biologically active points with a wormwood cigar or a smoldering cone (made of wormwood or coal). Ju therapy is the primary treatment for arthritis in alternative medicine. It is used both topically, on the affected joint area, and on the body's meridians to restore balance to the Bad Kan base and the entire body.
This procedure has a comprehensive effect: improves blood circulation, stimulates blood flow, activates and accelerates the process of recovery and renewal of connective tissues, improves properties and normalizes the amount of lubricationsynovial fluid, and also has anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects.
Acupuncture.
Inserting medical needles into biologically active points has anti-inflammatory, decongestant, pain-relieving effects and promotes the outflow of inflammatory fluid.
Impact on biologically active points of the liver meridian helps improve the function of this organ and activates the process of collagen synthesis in the body.
The effect on biologically active points of the kidneys helps improve blood circulation in the lower body with gonorrhea, coxarthrosis and other joint diseases of the legs.
Acupressure.
Strong point pressure improves local circulation, increases blood flow, accelerates metabolism and tissue regeneration, eliminates muscle tension and spasms. Acupressure on the body's meridians (Ku-nye) increases the body's overall energy level.
Plant therapy.
For arthritis, many herbal medicines are prescribed to speed up metabolism, increase body temperature, accelerate recovery processes in the body, have an anti-inflammatory effect and improve liver function. and kidneys.
Auxiliary means.
Hirudotherapy, stone therapy, manual therapy and shock wave therapy are used as auxiliary means.
Hirud therapy has anti-inflammatory effects and improves blood circulation.
Hot stone therapy increases body temperature.
Shock wave therapy (SWT) improves local blood circulation, accelerating joint healing and recovery.
With the help of manual therapy, your doctor will reduce joint pain and increase range of motion and mobility.
Diet for arthritis
For arthritis, hot, warm foods are indicated.
Warming foods such as fish, lamb, poultry, seafood, pumpkin, liver, nuts, as well as garlic, onions, ghee and sesame oil are recommended.
To increase the energy value of food, you should definitely consume spices (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, turmeric, coriander, asafoetida, etc. ).
Hot dishes rich in animal connective tissue, such as rich meat and bone broths, are very helpful.
You should eliminate cold foods and chilled drinks, reduce consumption of cooling foods such as sugar, butter, milk and dairy products, candy, citrus fruits, raw vegetables and other foods. leaf salad, semolina, beans.
Prevent arthritis
To prevent joint disease, you should avoid the factors that cause basic imbalances of Bad Kan - cooling nutrition, sedentary lifestyle (physical inactivity), exposure to cold, dampness.
Warming nutrition, physical activity, especially walking, outdoor games and physiotherapy exercises are all useful.
Frequently asked questions about arthritis
Are vitamin complexes useful for arthritis?
Vitamin complexes affect the general metabolic process. But they do not have any specific, preventive or therapeutic effect on joint diseases. To maintain the overall health and balance of the body, the amount of vitamins contained in food is sufficient, as long as adequate nutrition is provided.
Is there always arthritis?
No, not always. Osteoarthritis may accompany arthritis, but the inflammation is secondary. Therefore, using NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to treat joint disease is not always effective and is often pointless.
Is heat good for joints?
Warm-ups for arthritis help improve blood circulation and are generally beneficial. But only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. For arthritis, heat and warm-up procedures are contraindicated.
How long does arthritis treatment last?
Typically, a course of treatment at a rehabilitation clinic includes 10 - 15 complex sessions, carried out every other day and lasting 21 - 30 days. Then there will be a 6-month break. Six months later, an examination is carried out, on the basis of which a decision is made to proceed with a second course of treatment to enhance and consolidate the results.