Modern medicine knows dozens, if not hundreds, of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, most often the residents of our country are diagnosed with "arthritis" and "osteoarthritis", especially during the summer season, when people cultivate the beds from morning to evening without any precautionary measures. What could that mean and, above all, how can you avoid joint diseases?
Arthritis and arthrosis: what's the difference?
There is a big difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis. The ending "-itis" in Latin, which is considered the native language of medicine, always indicates that an active inflammatory process is taking place in the body. Relatively speaking, this is the first stage of joint disease.
However, in most cases, osteoarthritis is a natural result of arthritis.
Dmitry Tarasov provides an analogy by comparing joint disease to fresh and old calluses. In the first case, fluid collects under the skin - the wound becomes inflamed and causes discomfort. An old callus doesn't hurt - the skin on it is dead and therefore insensitive. It's the same with a joint: in the final stage of osteoarthritis, there are no more cartilage cells left, only the bone itself that forms the joint — that's called osteoarthritis. "
The terms "arthritis" and "osteoarthritis" apply to all joints. Their pathologies can be divided into several groups:
- Diseases of the large joints, namely the hip and knee;
- Spinal pathologies associated with radicular syndromes, intervertebral discs and facet joints;
- arthritis and arthrosis of small joints;
- Diseases of the wrists, elbows and radiocarpal joints.
As Dmitry Tarasov notes, joint diseases in the early stages are treated conservatively. Anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors are prescribed - drugs that improve the function of damaged joints and limit the load on crutches or a cane.
The main task of the doctor is to reduce the manifestation of the process and "smooth" the arthritis.
Unlike arthritis, osteoarthritis cannot be cured using conservative methods. There is only one way out – endoprosthetics, joint replacement. That's why it's so important to take care of your joints throughout your life, from a young age, and not just when they start to hurt.
Causes of Arthritis
The most common cause of arthritis is the natural history of the joint. As we age, the cartilage becomes thinner and destroyed. Therefore, doctors say that almost every elderly person can be diagnosed with this disease.
However, arthritis can also occur for other reasons. Most often - as a result of diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders. Or, let's say, a person catches a cold, becomes ill, and the causative agent of the disease penetrates the joint and causes its inflammation - this is also arthritis, but of a different nature.
Arthritis most commonly occurs after stress and injury. I arrived at the dacha, dug up the beds or went to the gym - and the next day my knee joints were swollen. After a few days the pain gradually subsided. This is post-stress arthritis.
A sedentary lifestyle also damages the joints. In addition, according to the expert, the saying "movement is life" refers primarily to the joints. They have to move in order to function properly. And when a person is not active, his muscles and ligaments - everything that ensures the stability of theJoints are weakened and can fail under the slightest load.
What to do if you get shot in the back?
Everyone knows the feeling of being shot in the back. As a rule, the pain lasts for a few minutes - and then the person happily forgets about the unpleasant incident. See you next time.
In fact, stabbing pain in the back can have many serious causes and therefore should not be ignored. First of all, you need to contact a neurologist or orthopedist. The doctor will prescribe certain examination methods: X-ray or MRI. After that, the further algorithm of actions becomes clear.
If the examination shows that the back pain is muscular, the doctor will rule out certain movements and recommend reducing physical activity. However, it is possible that lumbago in the back is accompanied by damage to the intervertebral discs, the formation of bulges and hernias - then emergency treatment, up to and including surgery, is required.
It is important to note that treatment of spinal disorders is often performed by neurologists and spine surgeons rather than orthopedic surgeons. And that's logical when you consider how close the spine and nervous system are to each other.
Do vitamins and orthopedic protection help?
Many people take vitamins for bones and joints without a doctor's prescription. However
Dmitry Tarasov warns that in this case they will not help, but rather harm. For example, increased calcium intake strengthens bones but can negatively impact kidney function. That is why before starting a vitamin course, you should definitely consult a doctor - an endocrinologist or therapist.
Another way to protect your joints is to purchase orthopedic products: knee pads, corsets, orthoses, bandages. However, such products "take over" part of the functions of the human muscular-ligamentous apparatus. If it is healthy, wearing orthoses causes the ligaments and muscles to become "lazy" and weaken. And this can lead to serious pathologies. There is only one conclusion: before buying any "protection" for the joints, consult a doctor.
If you are actively involved in sports, always wear elbow and knee protection. They will not save you from serious joint injuries, but they will minimize their damage and also protect the skin from damage.