Diseases of the joints: subchondral sclerosis, as one of the signs of osteoarthritis

For sure, most people at least once in their lives have experienced discomfort and discomfort caused by pain in the back and joints. Of course, it's good if they are short-lived due to banal physical exertion, but what if this is a serious disease requiring the participation of professional specialists?

Changing cartilage tissue or subchondral sclerosis is the most common cause and one of the radiologic symptoms of such unpleasant diseases as osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis. It should be noted that the concept of "osteoarthritis" unites not one but a whole group of diseases with similar morphological, biological and clinical signs. In this process, the entire joint is involved, including the subchondral bone, capsule, ligament, periarticular muscles and synovial membrane. The main clinical symptoms of ostearthrosis include deformity and pain of the joints, which subsequently lead to inadequate functionality. Especially it is felt by people of advanced age.

In general, osteoarthritis belongs to the group of the most common joint diseases. The causes of its development can be not only mechanical (bruises, injuries, etc.), but also biological factors (disruption of the formation of new cells of the subchondral bone (subchondral sclerosis) and articular cartilage). In addition, the presence of genetic diseases is of great importance in diagnosing osteoarthritis.

There are primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The reasons for the first, as a rule, can not be established. It is also called idiopathic, i. Special or peculiar. In contrast, the causes of secondary osteoarthritis are obvious - these are mechanical damages of joints of various origin (metabolic disorders, endocrine diseases, inflammatory processes in the joints, trauma, etc.).

For the detection of osteoarthritis successfully used X-ray diagnostics. It indicates a number of symptoms that reflect changes in bone tissue and articular cartilage, including subchondral sclerosis. The roentgenologic symptom of osteoarthritis at an early stage is osteophytes - bone growths at the edges, which first manifest by sharpening the edges of the surface of the joints (subchondral sclerosis of the joint surfaces), and then gradually growing into large bone lips and thorns. The presence of significant changes in articular cartilage is confirmed by a different degree of narrowing of the joint gap. Moreover, the gap can narrow on one side and simultaneously expand with the other, which also indicates the instability of the joint.

In addition, X-ray diagnostics can reveal subchondral sclerosis of the closure plates. Their thickening also indicates the instability of the joint and appears, as a rule, due to mechanical trauma or due to age-related changes in the joints of elderly people.

Often, osteoarthritis contributes to the loss of the cushioning function of the articular cartilages, which protect the bone tissue from physical and mechanical overloads. Compensatory factor in this case is subchondral sclerosis, i.e. Thickening or thickening of the bone tissue of the subchondral spongy bone.

The most common in Russia is the one developed by N. Kosinskaya. X-ray classification of osteoarthritis in accordance with the stages of development. For example, the first stage of the disease is characterized by the presence of a small narrowing of the joint gap and marginal bone growths. The emergence of subchondral syndrome and a more pronounced narrowing of the joint gap indicates the second stage of osteoarthritis. And, at last, the third stage is a sharp and significant narrowing of the gap, accompanied by cyst formations and flattening of the surface of the joints.

Usually, treatment of osteoarthritis is a rather lengthy and time consuming process. To its basic principles can be attributed, first of all, the restriction of physical exertion, physiotherapy, compliance with orthopedic regimens, etc.