Database of diseases - Pain treatment clinic

      
With age, we start to "feel the joints", even when we have not suffered for them. The cause is the natural wear and aging of joint tissue. It creates damage and anatomical abnormalities called degenerative changes. These changes start with articular cartilages, which lose their elasticity and smoothness with time, while bony spurs appear on the joints of the joints of the bones or vertebrae of the spine, which irritate neighboring tissues and cause pain.


Why are joints getting worn out with age and are beginning to ache?

When scratches on joint cartilage eliminate friction and shock-absorbing micro-shocks of touching bones - cracks and unevenness appear - the cause is not only natural wear as a result of the passage of years. An important reason for the growing property and pain is the worse and worse composition of synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the cartilage of bones coming into contact in the joint. Caustic enzymes appear in it that damage it. Its smoothness becomes uneven and it gets worn faster. This causes reduced joint slip and pain.


What is the reason for the "increased friction" in the joints?

The cause of degenerative disease is most often a variety of joint overloads caused by, for example, postural defects, congenital defects of the structure, strong injuries, micro-injuries adding up for a long time, intense training, neurological disorders, or obesity overloading the joints.


Characteristic pain ...

Osteoarthritis develops slowly - however, it causes far-reaching damage to articular cartilage and subchondral tissues. The symptom is a strong movement pain, especially at the beginning (so-called starting pain), as well as pain occurring during a longer period of activity, i.e. walking, exercise, etc. Although the disease and pain is not associated with arthritis - this can occur in the immediate vicinity of degenerative changes to inflammation.


And characteristic symptoms of degenerative disease

Restrictions on movable property, if they are usually small, generally do not stiffen. The patient often feels or even hears the sounds of creaking in the joints while moving. Although the joints can sometimes be somewhat thickened, they are rarely immobilized or disabled. No less severe pain often interferes with the normal lifestyle of the patient.


What joints attacks the disease?

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the joints of the spine, hip and knee joints. Degenerative changes of the spine are located, for example, in the cervical spine (occupational disease of drivers). Pain then radiates to the occiput or shoulder belt. There may also be dizziness when suddenly turning. Spinal curvatures favor degeneration of its thoracic segment. The pain is small, it can imitate the pain of the heart. Disadvantages of the construction of the V vertebra, intervertebral disc, spinal curvature - can cause degenerative lumbar spine disease. A typical discomfort is acute pain, called lumbago. In the case of nerve root irritation - a paralyzing pain called sciatica radiates through the buttock to the leg. Osteoarthritis of the hip occurs most often due to inborn and untreated childhood defects of the joint. Pain occurs when standing up and walking longer, radiates to the groin, buttocks, sometimes to the thigh. The patient has difficulties with putting a healthy leg on. Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs most often in obese and older people.

Osteoarthritis

How to treat degenerative disease?

First of all - prophylaxis is the most important thing.It is best to prevent the disease or delay its development through treatments correcting postural defects and body build. It is important, for example, to correct unbalanced spinal overloads, align with uneven limbs, fight against obesity, etc.




The movement is best treated by joint pain

Contrary to common opinion, one painful rule for the ill one is to keep the joint in motion. The explanation of this principle to the patient is difficult - for rheumatic pain usually decreases as the joint is immobilized. It is no wonder that the sick try to move very little. This is a mistake! Movement rehabilitation, adapted to the patient's performance, prevents the organism from storing joints and thus stiffening them due to insufficient synovial fluid and other physiological fluids, muscular atrophy and laxity of the ligaments.


Exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist

Important are the exercises to improve the muscles of the affected joints, which, with prolonged immobility, have a tendency to sag and disappear. For example, when hip joint degeneration - leg exercises in a lying position or on a special bicycle are desirable. Such exercises should be conducted under the supervision of an experienced physiotherapist at a specialist clinic.


How to avoid pain?

Many patients avoid movement and exercise due to pain. Therefore, a way to induce rehabilitation exercises can be an effective painkiller. There are many painkillers and anti-inflammatories available in pharmacies, recommended as anti-rheumatism and without a prescription. However, before buying, it is good to consult a rheumatologist.


ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
The medication of Piotr Tederko was used