diseases diagnosis

Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diagnosis

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

Course and evolution

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

Therapy

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

Targeted gymnastics can correct spoiled positions, reinforce the supporting muscles, recover articular motility or facilitate the acceptance of a partial handicap.

The application of heat (diathermy, ultrasounds, heating pads, paraffin baths, heated pool exercises) can temporarily relieve pain and attenuate muscle spasm.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are useful for relieving pain and facilitating mobilization of the joint during short cycles of therapy. Their prolonged use is not recommended due to possible side effects (gastritis and ulcers), as opiates (morphine) are to be avoided due to the risk of addiction and cortisone, since it favors osteoporosis. Surgical interventions, especially at 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

Arthrosis prevention is based on the control of risk factors. In this regard, avoid overweight, flawed positions and excessive and repeated loads.

Very often we read that excessive physical activity favors the co

loss of osteoarthritis and therefore must 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 cartilaginous problems is frequent in many athletes but it is also true that it often arises following trauma. Furthermore, it should be remembered that even in the case of full-blown arthrosis, targeted physical activity is able to relieve pain and improve joint mobility. Finally, I remember that the decline in muscle quality in the elderly leads to a prevalent concentration of the load on the medial part of the knee. This overload, cause or cause of osteoarthritis can be avoided by strengthening the muscles of the lower limbs.

It is advisable to carry out a regular program based on light stretching and exercises for the recovery of joint mobility. It is very important to perform an adequate muscular warm-up before starting the training program, protecting the joints from trauma and impacts, choosing footwear with maximum cushioning, suitable clothes and choosing soft surfaces on which to perform the exercises.

Exercise helps improve mood and appearance, reduces pain, increases elasticity and keeps body weight in check, improves balance by decreasing the risk of falls.

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

Swimming and water activities are also favorable exercises because they make the movements more natural and less stressful for the knee (except for "frog" swimming which causes greater intra-articular stresses).

Supplements, Diet and Arthrosis Prevention

In recent years, the use of substances such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (a component of synovial fluid with a fundamental importance in joint lubrication) to take care of and prevent arthrosic pathology 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 maintain healthy joints. The diet must therefore be oriented towards the limitation of oxidizing and acidifying agents, providing all the nutrients the body needs (in particular vitamins, omega-3s, minerals and water). Very important is the consumption of fish, 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 former arises due to overloads, traumatic events and generally to degenerative processes related to aging, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an infection of viral or bacterial origin.