At the pace of modern life, we often do not notice the alarming signals that the body reports about the nascent diseases. And for many, we prefer not to pay attention at all. That's why people often notice such an unpleasant diagnosis as arthrosis when the disease passes to the next degree, deforming the big toe. After all, the first symptoms - pain, puffiness and slight burning sensation - can easily be mistaken for overwork.
Let's find out what causes lead to our footsteps affecting arthrosis, what symptoms signal about the disease, and what treatment is possible in case of a disease.
Causes of deforming arthrosis of the foot
Arthrosis of the joints of the foot and fingers is the premature aging of cartilaginous cells, accompanied by a modification of the structure of the bony heads and inflammation of the soft tissues.
Below are the main reasons that increase the risk factor:
- elderly age;
- Obesity (and as a consequence a constant load on the foot);
- metabolic disease;
- impaired thyroid function;
- as a consequence of professional loads (for example, loaders);
- constant wearing of uncomfortable, tight shoes, as well as shoes on high (more than 4 cm) heels;
- trauma and post-traumatic inflammation.
Types of foot arthrosis and their symptoms
Depending on the degree of joint damage, three types of deforming arthrosis of the foot are distinguished:
The first degree. The first signs of a violation in the joints are periodic pain in the area of the sock, a burning sensation and a crunch. Visually, the initial stage is expressed in small swelling.
The second degree. Arthosis of the foot of the 2nd degree is an almost inevitable stage in the course of the ignored disease. It is a deforming arthrosis of the foot, which is expressed in the deformation of the thumb, the appearance of the so-called "bones". "Bone" is a thickening of the head of the first metatarsal bone, which gradually increases. The pain becomes more severe and can move into a chronic sensation.
Third degree. Because of pronounced deformation of the metatarsophalangeal joint, the thumb is lowered, its movements are extremely limited. Appears clear limp.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the foot
Despite all the advances in medicine, the treatment of deforming foot arthrosis is rather conservative. Regardless of the stage at which your disease occurs, first of all you should forget about uncomfortable shoes and high heels. And visit a doctor. He will take care of removing the inflammation and pain syndrome, for example, by administering injections of lidocaine. It is likely that in the prescription you will see such drugs as: Ibuprofen, Orthofen or Indomethocin. In addition, physiotherapeutic procedures are popular: ionophorer, electrophoresis, magnetotherapy. In parallel, drugs that improve metabolism in cartilage and soft tissues are prescribed.
If these measures do not bring relief, then, as a rule, surgical intervention is required.
Arthrosis of foot: treatment with folk remedies
Of course, in the arsenal of traditional medicine, there are many recipes for alleviating pain and general condition with deforming arthrosis of the foot.
Compress for the removal of pain syndrome
Mix the chopped chalk and yogurt until a thick mushy mass is obtained. Apply as a compress on the aching joint.
Anti-inflammatory tincture
100 grams of crushed eucalyptus leaves, pour 0.5 liters of vodka or medical alcohol. Insist for about a week in a place protected from getting direct sunshine by the best. It is necessary to rub in a sick joint every evening until pain symptoms are alleviated.
Therapeutic baths
For their preparation, traditional herbs such as oregano, thyme, lavender, eucalyptus, shoots of marsh ledum, juniper are used.