Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diagnosis

It is based on symptoms and "radiological examination (X-rays). The latter" can highlight deformations of the joint, represented by a reduction of the joint line (the space between the two ends of the joint), osteophytes, and any bone cysts (geodes).

Course and evolution

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, and for this reason it has a slowly progressive and disabling course. The bone lesions are irreversible, but the pain can be intermittent, with phases of exacerbation and phases of well-being, and often decreases as the disease progresses. leaving room for deformities, which are permanent. The course and prognosis depend very much on the affected joint, on the functional abuse of it and on the possibility of correcting the predisposing cause.

Therapy

An "effective treatment of" osteoarthritis presupposes the correction of the favoring causes: weight loss in the obese, orthopedic correction of varus or valgus, scoliosis and dislocation of the hip, modification of potentially damaging work activities.

A targeted gymnastics can correct bad positions, strengthen the supporting muscles, recover joint motility or facilitate the acceptance of a partial handicap.

The application of heat (diathermy, ultrasound, heating pads, paraffin baths, exercises in a heated pool) can temporarily relieve pain and reduce muscle spasm.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are useful for relieving pain and facilitating joint mobilization during short courses of therapy. Their prolonged use is not recommended due to possible side effects (gastritis and ulcers), as well as avoiding opiates (morphine) for the risk of addiction and cortisone, since it promotes osteoporosis. Surgery, especially on the hip, can restore joint function by modifying the relationship between the two joint heads or by replacing it with a prosthesis.

Prevention and Physical activity

The prevention of osteoarthritis is based on the control of risk factors. In this regard, it is necessary to avoid overweight, bad positions and excessive and repeated loads.

Very often we read that excessive physical activity favors co

arthrosis and therefore should be absolutely avoided if the disease has already affected the joint. In reality, there is nothing more wrong. It is true that the onset of cartilage problems is frequent in many sportsmen but it is also true that often it arises as a result of trauma. Furthermore, it should be remembered that even in the case of full-blown osteoarthritis, targeted physical activity is able to relieve pain and improve the mobility of the joint. elderly leads to a prevalent concentration of load on the medial part of the knee. This overload, cause or contributing cause of arthrosis, can be avoided by strengthening the muscles of the lower limbs.

It is recommended to perform a regular program based on light stretching and exercises for the recovery of joint mobility. It is very important to perform an adequate muscle warm-up before starting the training program, to protect the joints from trauma and impacts, to choose footwear with maximum cushioning, suitable clothing and to choose soft surfaces on which to perform the exercises.

Exercise helps improve mood and appearance, decreases pain, increases elasticity and keeps body weight under control, improves balance by decreasing the risk of falls.

In the presence of arthrosis it is advisable to practice cycling since the muscle works anyway but the knee is unloaded; that is, the joint is not forced to bear all the body weight as happens for example during dancing, walking and especially running (activities which are instead very useful in the presence of non-advanced osteoporosis).

Swimming and water activities are also favorable exercises as they make the movements more natural and less stressful for the knee (with the exception of "breaststroke" swimming which causes greater intra-articular stresses).

Supplements, Diet and Prevention of Osteoarthritis

In recent years, the use of substances such as glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid (a component of the synovial fluid with a "fundamental importance in joint lubrication) to treat and prevent arthrosis is becoming increasingly important.

Diet also plays an important role:

a "diet rich in antioxidants, balanced, low in alcohol and not too rich in foods of animal origin helps to keep the joints healthy. The diet must therefore be oriented towards the limitation of oxidizing and acidifying agents providing all the nutrients of which the body needs (in particular vitamins, omega-3, minerals and water). The consumption of fish is very important, associated with the moderation of daily portions of dried fruit and seed oils.

DID YOU KNOW THAT: Arthrosis should not be confused with rheumatoid arthritis. While the first occurs due to overloads, traumatic events and in general degenerative processes related to aging, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an infection of viral or bacterial origin.