Signs of arthrosis of the knee joint: causes, stages of the disease, how to treat

Signs of arthrosis of the knee joint are often found in older people.Athletes and obese patients are also at risk.

Why does arthrosis of the knee joint occur?

Arthrosis is a deformation of joint cartilage.Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and facilitates the movement of the human body.When it is destroyed, mobility gradually decreases and any load brings pain.Over time, the knee becomes completely immobile and the person may become disabled.

All cartilage thins and wears out with age, so diseases of various degrees occur in 70-85% of people over 60 years old.First of all, this is an overweight woman.Other common causes of arthrosis:

• Intense sports and physical loads contribute to premature wear of cartilage at a young age.
• Injuries, fractures, dislocations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Congenital disorders, lack of intra-articular fluid.
• Blood circulation disorders in which the cartilage receives little oxygen and nutrients.
• Joint disease is accompanied by inflammation.
• Violation of hormone production and metabolism.

A type of arthrosis that affects the knee joint is called gonarthrosis, from the ancient Greek word "goni" - knee.

Classification of arthrosis of the knee joint

In this situation, there are 3 stages, depending on the level of development of arthrosis.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful and easier the treatment.Features of various stages of arthrosis:

1. At this stage, bone deformation is not obvious.Abnormalities can be seen on X-rays, but few people pay attention to minor symptoms and come to the doctor.
2. Bone changes and thickening can be seen on x-rays with the naked eye.Quality of life decreases due to constant discomfort.
3. The patient is very limited in movement.Ligaments and cartilage are completely destroyed.

Many older people endure pain until the last moment and experience illness because they are used to age-related illnesses and consider these symptoms to be normal.However, in the early stages you can manage with conservative methods, and in the final stages only surgery will help.

Main symptoms

The disease does not start suddenly, but develops over several years.A little pain in the knee at first felt only under heavy loads, when going up and down stairs.If arthrosis is not treated, over time the pain symptoms become permanent, the knee joint takes an unnatural shape and outline, and the leg may bend to the right or left.

At level 1

Long before arthrosis develops seriously, a person may begin to feel some discomfort in the knee after walking.Sometimes, stiffness of movement and cramping occur.These symptoms should not be ignored, because with timely examination, treatment can be started and serious consequences can be prevented.

At stage 2

At this stage, the patient feels pain almost constantly.It is most noticeable in the morning, subsides after a short walk, but worsens in the evening.The patient's movements become slow, accompanied by a constant crackling sound.Often, redness and swelling of the skin appear in the knee area, which indicates an inflammatory process.X-rays show significant changes.

Diagnostics

Orthopedic specialists examine and identify arthrosis of the knee joint.Diagnostics includes laboratory and instrumental research methods.These include:

• Blood and urine tests.Indicates the level of hormones in the body and the presence of inflammation.
• Radiography.Helps assess the type of joint and determine the stage of the disease.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Shows the condition of soft tissue, meniscus, cartilage, which is impossible with radiography.
• Joint ultrasound.Like MRI, it shows the condition of the cartilage and surrounding tissue.It is a more subjective method, the result depends on the qualifications of the specialist.Therefore, ultrasound should be performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging.
• Personal inspection.Sometimes doctors rely entirely on the results of an x-ray or MRI, and do not consider it necessary to check it themselves.At the same time, manual examination can show missed details and identify concomitant diseases that also require treatment.

If gonarthrosis is suspected, it is better to carry out all examinations and be observed by a doctor in a specialized orthopedic clinic.

How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint

All treatment methods are selected individually and used in combination.You can not use ordinary ointment for joints as a self-medication, because the effect will be temporary and will not eliminate the cause of the disease.It is optimal to combine medication, physical therapy, proper nutrition and physiotherapy.

Hormonal drugs

Steroid drugs have a variety of effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory and pain relief.The drugs are used as an injection into the joint at the time of exacerbation of the disease to quickly relieve pain and swelling.Disadvantages of the method include side effects, limited frequency of use (preferably no more than once every 2 weeks).In addition, hormone injections do not eliminate the cause of the disease, but reduce the symptoms in combination with other methods and cannot be considered a complete treatment.

Chondroprotectors

This is a group of drugs that act on cartilage tissue, restore and nourish it, improve the quality of the lubricating fluid.

The most effective in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint are preparations with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.These ingredients are included in some medicines.

The attitude towards chondroprotectors among doctors and patients is ambiguous.Some patients, thanks to advertising, expect unrealistic quick results from treatment.Not finding them, they became frustrated and began to consider this group of drugs useless.

In fact, chondroprotectors require the use of long-term courses in combination with other treatment methods.

These drugs are much more effective at stage 1-2 of the disease, and not when the cartilage tissue is already severely damaged.

Hyaluronic acid

Sodium hyaluronate is a natural moisturizing component produced in the human body.By intra-articular injection, hyaluronic acid deeply nourishes dry and thin cartilage, restores joint mobility, and acts as an effective natural lubricant.Disadvantages of the method include unwanted use during periods of exacerbation, inflammation and high price.At the same time, a well-designed course of hyaluronic acid can replace surgical intervention, which can be more expensive.

Ointment

Gels and ointments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects cannot affect the cause of the disease, but can alleviate the patient's condition.Warming preparations improve blood circulation, improve nutrition of the diseased area and help the overall treatment.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are widely used to relieve pain, despite the relatively small amount of active ingredients that can penetrate the skin into the joints.

Diet therapy

Scientists have been studying the relationship between eating certain foods and joint arthrosis for years.It has been suggested that the increased risk of morbidity is influenced by the consumption of meat, processed foods, and excessive salt, but this conjecture has not been confirmed.The only thing related to food and arthrosis is being overweight.Therefore, the principle of diet therapy for this diagnosis is based on the general rules of healthy eating, as well as reducing and controlling body weight.

Recommendations for patients with knee arthrosis:

• Limit the use of ready-made food, fast food, and give preference to homemade dishes made from simple products.
• Make sure you have a healthy salt intake - no more than 1 teaspoon a day.
• Limit sweets, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and flour products.
• The diet should be varied, mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, nuts, eggs (especially protein) and lean meat.
• On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take vitamin complexes and food supplements.

If a patient with knee arthrosis is already overweight, he should consult a nutritionist.Specialists will be able to give advice based on the patient's age, lifestyle and other indicators.

Folk remedies for the treatment of arthrosis

In folk medicine, infusions, decoctions, compresses from medicinal herbs and other components are used to treat joints.With the permission of the doctor, these drugs can complete the main treatment, or be used to prevent gonarthrosis, at the first signs of discomfort and arthrosis of the knee joint.

Some folk recipes:

• Rubbing turpentine.Mix an egg yolk, a teaspoon of turpentine, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.Apply the mixture to the affected area overnight, wrapping it in a woolen cloth.Use 1-2 times a week.
• Honey and mumiyo.For 100 g of honey you need to add 3-4 g of mumiyo.Rub on the knees before going to bed.
• Dandelion infusion.To prepare half a liter of alcohol or vodka, pour it into a dark glass container.Fill with yellow heads and leave in a cool place for at least a month.Rub the filtered product into the sore area before going to bed.

Such recipes help relieve pain and inflammation in complex treatment, but do not replace them.Illiterate self-medication can worsen your condition.

massage

Manual and hardware massage, manual therapy is suitable for overweight, inactive people with arthrosis.If there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the joint, lymphatic drainage is indicated.All types of massage go well with physical therapy and are used to relax muscles after exercise.Contraindication for massage is acute inflammation.

Physiotherapy

Various types of procedures using heat, cold, electric current, ultrasound and laser beams slow down the development of arthrosis, improve blood circulation in the diseased area, and have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Often, doctors prescribe:

1. Shock wave therapy.This method involves specifically directing sound waves to the diseased joint area.This effect relieves swelling, improves cartilage nutrition and destroys salt deposits.The most effective physiotherapy method for arthrosis.
2. Myostimulation.Electrical impulses relieve muscle spasms and tension and maintain knee joint mobility.
3. Phonophoresis.This therapy combines the local effects of ointments and gels with ultrasound.Due to this, the penetration of beneficial substances into the skin increases.

Less commonly used are cryotherapy, paraffin therapy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other techniques.

Kinesitherapy

Popular techniques include physical therapy and joint traction.The complex of exercise therapy is prescribed individually by a rehabilitation doctor.It may include exercises using weights, medical devices and gymnastics for independent performance.Some exercises should be done in the morning, while still in bed, others - 3-4 times a day.The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises largely depends on the responsibility of the patient and his desire to recover.When performed correctly, such physical exercises help stop deterioration and prevent surgery.

Special orthopedic devices are used for traction.This method allows you to widen the gap between the joints, reducing their friction and the load on the painful knees.

Surgical treatment

Surgery for arthrosis is a method to affect the cause of the disease, and not just the symptoms.It is used in stage 2-3 arthrosis, when other methods are ineffective.There are several intervention options:

1. Arthroscopy.Modern methods make it possible to perform operations through small incisions with thin instruments under the supervision of a video camera.This type of surgery is easier to tolerate and recovery is faster.During the operation, the surgeon removes pieces of cartilage and destroyed tissue fibers.
2. Puncture.Refers to low trauma interventions.It involves pumping excess fluid from the joint with a syringe.Allows you to relieve swelling, inflammation and improve mobility.
3. Endoprosthetics.If in the last stage of arthrosis the joint is badly damaged, it can be replaced with titanium compatible with the body.This is the most extensive intervention, followed by long-term rehabilitation.They use it in the most difficult cases, when there is no other option.

To avoid surgery, you need to monitor your health and start treating the disease at an early stage.There is no need to endure for years and get rid of pain in the knee joint and other signs of arthrosis with painkillers.

Preventive measures for arthrosis of the knee joint

You need to start taking care of your knee joint health early.The older you get, the more preventative measures you should take.Athletes and overweight people should pay special attention to the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent arthrosis of the knee joint, you must:

• Choose a sport and load it properly, based on your ability.
• Use comfortable, high-quality shoes with low heels.
• Swimming, which stretches and relaxes all muscles and joints evenly.
• Avoid joint injuries and complete the treatment.
• Avoid excessive weight gain and keep it normal.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, timely treatment of congenital features of joint development, for example, various deformities and dislocations, is important.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur not only in the elderly, but also in young patients.This disease takes a long time to develop, and with the right approach it is possible to recover and avoid serious health consequences.