Can nutrition influence Bouchard’s arthritis?
Good nutrition is very important, if not the most important factor in preventing osteoarthritis. Since osteoarthritis often occurs in overweight people, where the high weight leads to an incorrect load on the joints, weight reduction is very important. However, even in cases of existing arthrosis, the right diet can help to prevent progression and reduce pain.
Especially important are remedies that have a positive effect on the bone and cartilage substance. These are above all vitamins and minerals. Recommended foods are paprika, kiwi, lemon, fruit and vegetable oils.
It is also important to avoid foods that damage the joints and cartilage. These are for example meat, eggs, cheese, butter. However, not everything should be avoided, it is important to have a balanced diet plan, which is best prepared with the help of a nutrition expert.
Course of Bouchard arthrosis
Bouchard arthrosis proceeds in different phases. In terms of symptoms, it often begins with slight pain, which increases with movement and during the course of the day. In the further course of the disease, movement is restricted and the fingers become deformed.
In higher stages, large lumps often appear on the joints. X-rays generally distinguish between 4 stages. In the initial stage, no symptoms need to be seen, but the X-ray image already shows changes in the joint space and effusions.
This is often a coincidental finding. In the second stage, the joint space becomes narrower, as the cartilage continues to deteriorate. In addition, cysts may occur.More serious cases are referred to as stage 3: once the cartilage in the joint is completely destroyed, stage 4 is reached.
Causes
Bouchard arthrosis occurs mainly as a result of wear and tear due to many years of incorrect and overloading. It is a common disease, especially in older patients. It occurs rather rarely in young people, but a genetic component is being discussed.
Osteoarthritis in the finger joints can also occur as a result of previous injuries, such as healed bone fractures, inflammation in the joint area (synovitis) or osteoarthritis of other joints. Often, arthrosis does not occur in one joint alone; the majority of patients suffer from degenerative wear and tear in several joints, including the foot or hip. If five or more joints are affected, the condition is referred to as polyarthrosis. In women, the hormonal changes after menopause also play an important role, which is why women are more frequently affected.
