Modern medicine knows dozens, if not hundreds, of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, very often the inhabitants of our country are diagnosed with "arthritis" and "arthrosis", especially during the summer season, when people, forgetting all precautions, cultivate beds from morning to evening. What could this mean and, above all, how to avoid joint diseases?
Arthritis and arthrosis: what is the difference
There is a huge difference between arthritis and arthrosis. The ending "-itis" in Latin, which is considered the native language of medicine, always indicates that there is an active process of inflammation in the body. This, relatively speaking, is the first stage of joint disease.
But arthrosis in most cases is a natural consequence of arthritis.
Dmitry Tarasov gives an analogy, comparing joint diseases with fresh and old calluses. In the first case, the liquid accumulates under the skin: the wound becomes inflamed and causes discomfort. An old callus does not hurt: the skin is dead and is therefore numb. With a joint it's the same: in the last stage of osteoarthritis there are no cartilage cells left, only the bone itself that forms the joint — this is called osteoarthritis.
The terms "arthritis" and "osteoarthritis" apply to all joints. Their pathologies can be divided into several groups:
- diseases of 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 pathologies in the initial stages are treated conservatively. Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective drugs are prescribed: drugs that improve the functions of damaged joints and limit the load on them using crutches or a cane.
The main task of the doctor is to reduce the manifestation of the process and "smooth out" arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, unlike arthritis, cannot be treated with conservative methods. There is only one way out - endoprosthesis, joint replacement. This is why it is 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 course of life of the joint. With age, cartilage becomes thinner and destroyed. Therefore, doctors say that almost every elderly person can be diagnosed with this disease.
However, arthritis can occur for other reasons. Most often - as a consequence of diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Or, let's say, a person catches a cold, gets sick, and the causative agent of the disease enters the joint, causing inflammation - this is also arthritis, but of a different nature.
The most common are arthritis 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 eased. This is post-exertional arthritis.
A sedentary lifestyle is also harmful to the joints. Furthermore, according to the expert, the phrase "movement is life" mainly refers to the joints. They need to move to function properly. And if a person is not active, his muscles and ligaments - everything that makes up the stability of the joint - begin to weaken. And at the slightest load they can fail.
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 a couple of minutes and then the person happily forgets about the unpleasant incident. Until the next time.
In fact, throbbing back pain can be associated with many serious reasons and therefore should not be ignored. First of all, you need to contact a neurologist or orthopedist. The doctor will prescribe some research methods: X-ray or MRI. Subsequently, the further algorithm of actions will become clear.
Therefore, if the examination shows that the back pain is of a muscular nature, the doctor will exclude some movements and recommend reducing physical activity. However, it is possible that low back pain in the back is associated with damage to the intervertebral discs, the formation of bumps and hernias - then emergency treatment, including surgery, will be required.
It is important to know that treatment of spinal conditions is often performed by neurologists and spinal surgeons rather than orthopedic surgeons. And this is logical, given the proximity between the spine and the nervous system.
Will vitamins and orthopedic protection help?
Many people take bone and joint vitamins without a prescription. However
Dmitry Tarasov warns that in this case they will not help, but rather harm. For example, increased calcium intake will strengthen bones, but may have a negative impact on kidney function. That is why, before starting a course of vitamins, you should definitely consult a doctor, endocrinologist or therapist.
Another way to protect your joints is to purchase orthopedic products: knee braces, corsets, orthotics, bandages. However, such products "take over" part of the functions performed by the human musculo-ligament system. If it is healthy, wearing orthotics will lead to the fact that the ligaments and muscles will begin to become "lazy" and weaken. And this can cause serious pathologies. There is only one conclusion: before buying "protection" for the joints, consult a doctor.
When engaging in active sports, always wear elbow and knee protectors. They won't save you from serious joint injuries, but they will minimize damage and also protect your skin from damage.