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Prognosis and prevention of osteoarthritis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Primary prevention Osteoarthritis should be performed as early as childhood. It is necessary to monitor the correct posture of the child at the school desk in order to avoid the formation of juvenile scoliosis with the subsequent development of deforming spondylosis. Children need systematic gymnastics to strengthen the muscular-ligamentous apparatus. If there is even a slight flatfoot, it is necessary to strongly recommend the wearing of instep supports to prevent further lowering of the arch of the foot. In case of congenital and acquired disorders of statics (scoliosis, kyphosis, hip joint dysplasia, O-shaped or X-shaped lower limbs, flat-footedness), an orthopedic surgeon should be consulted for the earliest possible correction of these disorders.
Adults with overweight and arthralgia, and especially those whose families have patients with arthrosis, it is necessary to monitor the correct ratio between height and weight, do not overload the joints, avoid fixed postures at work. It is necessary to perform physical exercises (without overloading the joints), swimming is especially recommended with a mandatory subsequent rest. Fortifying actions are useful - small walks with rest, morning shower or wiping to improve blood supply and the exchange of substances. Young people should take into account family predisposition to osteoarthritis, when choosing a profession, avoid types of work associated with overloading and microtraumatization of individual joints (for example, if the mother has Heberden and / or Bouchard nodules, it is not advisable to do work coupled with an increased dynamic load on the joints of the fingers for example typing). These people also should not engage in heavy sports (weightlifting and athletics, boxing, speed skating, etc.).
In the presence of at least minimal dysplasia and static disorders (for example, small scoliosis), consultation of an orthopedic surgeon and appropriate treatment is necessary.
Secondary prevention of osteoarthritis is to comply with measures that prevent the recurrence of synovitis - dosed walking, lightweight work, walking with support and other activities that relieve the joints.
[Prognosis of osteoarthrosis
In patients with coxarthrosis (especially arising on the background of hip dysplasia) for several years, complete disability may occur. At other sites of the disease, disability occurs rarely, but there are often cases of temporary disability due to exacerbation of the symptoms of articular syndrome.
With the slow progression of the disease, as well as with the localization of arthrosis in several small joints, the working capacity of patients persists for many years.