Arthrosis and osteoporosis: tactics for treating two diseases simultaneously

Causes of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis develops gradually. This is a chronic and progressive disease. Degradation of bone tissue is associated with a violation of the metabolism of its mineral components - calcium, magnesium, fluorine. These disorders are usually age-related: after 35 years, the calcium content in bone tissue gradually begins to decrease. Metabolic processes are regulated by hormones, so the hormonal changes that occur with the decline of reproductive function also affect here: during menopause, the rate of calcium loss increases significantly. As a result, osteoporosis is largely a female disease. It is believed that every third woman aged 60-70 years suffers from osteoporosis, and after 80 years, osteoporosis is detected in two out of three women.

Osteoporosis is less common in men. The likelihood of developing it also increases with age. But the disease can be detected at a young age and even in children.

Factors that increase the risk of developing osteoporosis

First of all, we can identify a group of factors that are determined by the genetic and individual characteristics of a person and do not depend on his actions. This:

• genetic predisposition. It manifests itself through family history: if close relatives (mother, father, brother-sister) have osteoporosis or an increased tendency to fractures due to minor injuries, then osteoporosis is very likely.
• female;
• short stature, fragile physique (“narrow bones”), low body weight;
• menopause, including premature cessation of menstruation.

Another group of factors depends on a person’s lifestyle. Therefore, the influence of these factors can be eliminated:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• insufficient intake of calcium from food. The average calcium intake should not be less than 1000 mg per day;
• poor nutrition – excessive protein consumption leads to loss of calcium from bone tissue, and excess fat and dietary fiber interferes with the absorption of calcium in the intestines;
• vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin comes from food, but it is also produced by the body itself - under the influence of sunlight. Insufficient sun exposure can cause sun deficiency;
• smoking. Nicotine promotes the removal of calcium from the body (calciuria): 1 pack of cigarettes per day throughout life leads to a loss of 5 to 10% of bone mass;
• alcohol abuse;
• excessive coffee consumption.

It should also be taken into account that the risk of developing osteoporosis increases as a result of:

• a large number of pregnancies (more than three);
• long-term breastfeeding (more than 6-8 months);
• gynecological diseases (menstrual irregularities, infertility, removal of the ovaries before the natural onset of menopause);
• some endocrinological diseases;
• long-term use of certain medications;
• prolonged immobilization (for example, when treating injuries).

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Symptoms of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is an insidious disease in its own way. It begins to develop without obvious symptoms. In most cases, osteoporosis is diagnosed only during examination of a fracture.

A fracture in osteoporosis is a complication indicating significant destruction of bone tissue. Let's say a person stumbles and falls. With healthy bone tissue, a fracture due to a simple fall is unlikely. With osteoporosis, any fall or injury can lead to a fracture. The most vulnerable are the femoral neck, arm bones, wrist, and spine. A vertebral fracture in osteoporosis can occur simply from heavy lifting or bumpy driving.

Until a fracture has occurred, the manifestations of osteoporosis are usually interpreted as symptoms of osteochondrosis, especially since osteochondrosis is its usual companion. These symptoms are often ignored, which should not be done.

Osteoporosis may be indicated by:

Back pain

Osteoporosis can manifest itself as pain in the lumbar or thoracic spine during prolonged static load (for example, if you have to sit all day long).

Convulsions

With osteoporosis, leg cramps may occur at night.

More about the symptom

Slouch

With osteoporosis, stooping and decreased height are observed due to a decrease in the height of the vertebrae.

Parodontosis

The consequence of osteoporosis can be periodontal disease - a non-inflammatory lesion of the periodontium (periodontal tissue).

What kind of disease is this?

This pathology is among the skeletal diseases diagnosed in humans. This disease is expressed in the destruction of the joint coupled with damage to the cartilage, as well as soft tissues located near the affected joint. The peculiarity of this disease is that it is quite large joints that are destroyed.

At first, the articulation of the bones hurts. Later, nearby soft tissues begin to become inflamed. This makes the arm or leg much less mobile. Then osteophytes (growths on the bones) appear, the joint begins to change shape, and the mobility of the limb decreases. Moreover, it can even be completely paralyzed.

This pathology is provoked by a deterioration in the absorption of calcium compounds by the musculoskeletal system and its subsequent weakening. And this happens due to old age, hormonal imbalances or other reasons.

Periarticular osteoporosis develops due to deterioration in the absorption of calcium compounds by the body

Currently, doctors distinguish two forms of osteoporosis, differing in the extent of the pathology:

• general, which occurs in at least a couple of areas;
• local, covering just one place.

The local form of this disease is called “local osteoporosis”.

This form is often diagnosed in the lower back, neck, joints - knee, elbow, and so on. If the disease is found in a joint, it is called “periarticular (aka paraarticular) osteoporosis.”

Methods for diagnosing osteoporosis

Diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on data from laboratory and instrumental studies.

Instrumental diagnosis of osteoporosis is carried out using radiography or densitometry. The most revealing instrumental study is densitometry, since bone loss of less than 25-30% is not visible on radiographs, which prevents the detection of osteoporosis in the early stages.

Laboratory diagnostics

Laboratory diagnostics includes:

Blood test from a vein

. The main analyzed indicators: hormones (calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, etc.), mineral components (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), vitamin D, markers of bone tissue formation (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase), markers of resorption - degradation, “resorption” of bone tissue (beta -CrossLaps).

Blood must be donated on an empty stomach (the last meal should be at least 12 hours before the test). The day before taking blood, it is necessary to avoid alcohol and physical activity. It should be borne in mind that some foods (milk, seaweed, coffee, beans, nuts), as well as dietary supplements (dietary supplements) can lead to increased levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Immediately before the test, the patient should be completely at rest for 30 minutes.

Urine test for deoxypyridinoline (DPID).

DPID is a marker of bone tissue resorption (destruction).

The necessary laboratory tests are combined into the “Diagnostics of Osteoporosis” profile.

Densitometry

Densitometry is a diagnostic procedure that provides a quantitative assessment of bone mass and bone mineral density. Densitometry is performed using a densitometer - a special scanner. The procedure is completely painless, X-ray exposure is minimal. The time spent on the procedure is 10 minutes. No special preparation is required for the study.

More information about the diagnostic method

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Treatment

Using the technique of correct and safe movements, the center’s doctors prevent the development of degenerative processes, achieve strengthening of deep muscles and greatly reduce the risk of injury.

The path to restoring health consists of performing a set of exercises, each of which is selected individually.

In order for the treatment to correspond to the characteristics of the patient, his needs and limitations, the kinesiotherapist first conducts a comprehensive diagnosis of the body. During the examination, special attention is paid to areas of pain, muscle response and joint mobility.

To perform motor exercises, the Bubnovsky multifunctional simulator is used - the author's complex simulator, which allows you to target specific muscle groups and joints.

By performing simple and safe exercises, the patient engages the deep muscles responsible for the dynamics of nutrients.

The blood is saturated with oxygen, tension is removed from spasmed muscles, a healthy muscle corset is formed around the affected bones and stressed joints, and the body’s protective properties are restored.

The treatment plan is complemented by diaphragmatic breathing techniques. If necessary, the technique is adjusted, focusing on the patient’s individual indicators.

Regular diagnostic examinations, constant monitoring by doctors and instructors of the center allow patients with osteoporosis to lead a normal lifestyle without losing its quality.

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ethnoscience

To treat this disease, there are also traditional medicine recipes. You can make bones stronger, ease pain, and prevent the development of pathology using the following means:

• mixtures that include eggshells and lemon juice;
• decoctions including parsley and dill;
• wraps with tinctures of comfrey and chamomile made with alcohol.

Some folk remedies will help get rid of discomfort caused by pathology

To normalize calcium levels, you can use the following traditional medicine:

• one piece of egg shell;
• one part propolis;
• two parts honey.

Fry the shells in the oven. Mix all three ingredients. Take the result 1 tsp. three times a day.

And here is another recipe that may be useful in the treatment of periarticular osteoporosis:

• one volume of fresh parsley/dill;
• ten volumes of boiling water.

Finely chop the greens, then pour boiling water over them. All this should sit for at least three hours. Take daily between meals, two to three times a day, one glass at a time.

You can also make lotions from tinctures/decoctions of horsetail, knotweed or comfrey. Use them like this for about 21 days.

Warning

It is easier to prevent any pathology than to treat it, and osteoporosis is no exception. Moreover, preventing the disease is most important for those with a hereditary tendency towards it.

To avoid osteoporosis, it is enough to follow the general rules of a healthy lifestyle:

• include in your menu the maximum number of healthy products listed above;
• regularly give yourself some physical activity;
• take a walk every day;
• exclude from the diet all carbonated, sweet and alcoholic drinks, as well as strong coffee;
• follow the daily routine.

Answers to questions people ask

What is the specialty of a doctor who specializes in osteoporosis called?

As soon as pain appears in the joints, you need to go to the clinic at your place of residence. There, describe all complaints to the local therapist. He will do an initial examination, after which he will issue directions for tests and x-rays. If osteoporosis, which is a consequence of a joint disease, is suspected, the doctor will prescribe densitometry, as well as consultations with colleagues and specialists in other, narrower areas of medicine. In this case, the patient’s “main” doctors will be rheumatologists. If necessary, he can be examined by an orthopedist or a traumatologist.

First of all, you need to contact a therapist - he will subsequently refer the patient to a doctor with a more narrow specialization

What is the reason that the development of osteoporosis goes hand in hand with rheumatoid arthritis?

There are several reasons for this:

• hormones and immunosuppressants that the doctor prescribes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis accelerate the development of osteoporosis;
• hormonal intra-articular blockades, used as painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, perform their tasks perfectly, but their side effect is the destruction of bones near the joints, so that they become brittle and brittle;
• Pain and decreased mobility are another reason why joints become weaker.

Is arthritis related to osteoporosis?

Calcium deficiency causes joints to deteriorate faster, making arthritis worse and more difficult to treat.

What is hidden behind the expression “joint replacement ”?

This is the installation of a prosthesis for a deformed joint. It requires a long rehabilitation.

How can the further development of the disease be prevented?

First of all, you need to consider the following: it is the underlying pathology that should be treated, which is the cause of deformation of the bones near the joints. The main thing is to bring calcium metabolism back to normal, as well as restore bone mineral density.

The process and methods of treatment depend on the following factors:

• How severe is the mineral deficiency?
• how old is the patient from birth;
• what condition is his body in?
• Are there any other pathologies in it at the moment?

When inflammation of the joint reaches an acute phase, accompanied by deformation of the adjacent bones, the patient needs a protective regime, and the suffering limb should never be loaded in any way.

If the joint is fixed in a stationary state, this will make the healing of inflammation faster, and will also speed up the healing of the bones. The immobility of the joint can be ensured by applying plaster and splints.

One of the methods for treating pathology is fixing the affected area with splints, plaster or bandage.

In most cases, improving the condition of bones in such a pathology requires a lot of effort on the part of both parties - both doctors and the patient. The patient should be prepared to carefully carry out every day all the procedures that the doctor prescribes, even taking into account the fact that all of them will require a lot of effort, time and often also money.

The entire treatment complex consists of many stages. They have the following directions:

• relieving the patient of pain, which is achieved by using anesthetic drugs;
• relief from inflammation achieved through the use of non-steroidal antiseptics;
• if necessary, you can also use steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but only for a very short time;
• To restore density to the patient’s musculoskeletal system, calciotonin and bisphosphonates are used.