Arthrosis of the knee joint (osteoarthritis) is a complex disease of the degenerative-dystrophic type, during the development of which processes occur that affect the bone-cartilage-tissue of the knee.
Pathological changes in the joint tissue that negatively affect the musculoskeletal potential of the lower extremities. The progressive osteoarthritis of the knee joint leads to restricted mobility, a loss of stability and a significant decrease in motor and shock-absorbing abilities.
What must be done in order to maintain the mobility of one's own body for many years and what should be done if the indicators of physical activity and quality of life have decreased due to osteoarthritis of the knee joint? Let's try to understand this difficult subject.
Features of the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Knee osteoarthritis- This is a common pathology that belongs to the category of the most common diseases that have an extremely negative effect on the quality of life of people.
Degenerative-dystrophic processes are most clearly expressed in the form of physical dysfunction of the legs, accompanied by a severe pain syndrome. Depending on how much the pathological process progresses, further prognoses are made about the course of the disease.
One of the disappointing prognoses is lower extremity paralysis. The severity of the consequences of pathological processes requires qualified medical care.
What causes knee osteoarthritis?
A lot of research was needed to identify the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Long-term studies of patients and a thorough study of the clinical picture of the pathology led the specialists to conclude that the influence of a number of negative factors is the cause of the destruction of joint tissues, causing severe pain and inflammation.
Among the main reasons that lead to degenerative-dystrophic processes, it is worth highlighting:
- Injuries suffered - a bruise, dislocation or fracture of the knee automatically classifies a person as a risk group and can cause the development of the disease. Damage to the joint implies its fixation, and long-term immobility is a direct route to the formation of osteoarthritis;
- vigorous physical activity - heavy load on the knees (especially in the elderly) leads to micro-traumas, which also lead to the development of negative pathological processes;
- insufficiently strong ligamentous apparatus - abnormal joint mobility also negatively affects their condition, which is mainly manifested in old age;
- Obesity - extra pounds can cause irreparable damage to the knee joints, as the likelihood of meniscus injuries in this case is incredibly high. If a large weight is accompanied by varicose veins, then there is a high probability that severe forms of osteoarthritis of the joints of the lower extremities will appear;
- metabolic disorders - a failure in the metabolism of nutrients and elements in the body provokes the development of various types of diseases, which are due to insufficient supply of various tissues, especially bones and cartilage;
- increased stress level - worries and experiences not only have a negative effect on people's mood, but also on physical well-being.
Typical symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The symptomatic manifestation of the disease allows you to timely follow the onset and development of pathological processes, which gives each patient the opportunity to recover.
Before deciding who to turn to and how to treat knee osteoarthritis, it is important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disease.
Only a specialist doctor competent in this regard can determine the presence and confirm the diagnosis by prescribing treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, every patient should know the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, among which a distinction is usually made:
- Pain - ailments that gradually develop into painful sensations do not appear immediately. Their insignificant manifestation in the knees can bother a person for many years, but at some point they can get stronger and they will not stop in a calm state.
- Crunch - "clicks" during flexion / extension of the joint are a wake-up call that manifests itself in the second or third stage of the disease;
- Synovitis - inflammation of the joint membrane, in which fluid accumulates, causing local swelling;
- Deformation is a characteristic feature that is manifested in the latter stages of the disease, accompanied by pronounced inflammation and swelling.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is carried out by an orthopedic surgeon or rheumatologist. If you want to undergo a diagnostic examination, any patient can turn to a therapist who will refer to a specialist with a narrow profile or independently take a ticket to one of them.
The most important diagnostic tool for specialists is of course the X-ray machine. Thanks to the captured image, you can track not only the presence of a pathology, but also the degree of its development.
It is important to note that x-rays eliminate the likelihood of other musculoskeletal disorders being present.
The X-ray examination gives a specialist the opportunity to:
- track the narrowing of the joint space;
- recognize a seal in the joint tissue.
The combination of clinical symptoms and information from the image allows a high-quality diagnosis and diagnosis with the definition of further treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
The degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Modern medicine divides knee osteoarthritis into several degrees according to the nature of the development of pathological processes.
First of all, it should be noted that, according to observations, the disease can be of different nature:
- one-sided (right-handed / left-handed);
- two-sided.
In addition, the pathological process has three stages of development, each of which has its own clinical picture.
1 degree osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The initial stage in the development of pathology, the successful diagnosis of which is an incredible success not only for the patient, but also for the attending physician.
The peculiarity of the degree of development of osteoarthritis at this stage is the absence of clinical signs and vivid symptoms. Identifying a disease can be done during a clinical examination or while studying another disease.
Proof of osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree can be:
- local discomfort in the knee area when walking for a long time;
- slight pain that disappears with rest.
It is important to note that pain can occur in one or both joints of the lower extremities.
It is interesting that left-handers are often diagnosed with left-sided gonarthrosis, while right-sided gonarthrosis is typical for people involved in various sports.
2 degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Symptoms of the second degree of development of the pathology are accompanied by an expansion of signs, which usually include:
- pronounced pain syndrome;
- Stiffness and severe discomfort in the knee joint;
- atrophy of the muscles near the knee joint, which is caused by tissue damage;
- increased pain;
- visually noticeable deformation of the joint;
- Restriction of mobility.
The expansion of the symptomatology simplifies the diagnostic process. The characteristic changes in osteoarthritis of the 2nd degree of the knee joint are easy to follow on palpation. During a clinical examination, a specialist can easily spot an abnormal mass in the knee area.
3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
It is almost impossible not to notice the third-degree pathology, since the patient is faced with constant pain. In addition, the course of the disease reaches a critical level, which is manifested in the most severe deformation of the joint, at which point the limb completely loses the ability to bend / stretch.
The lack of proper treatment leads to the complete destruction of the cartilage and subsequently to the development of ankylosis (fusion of the joint bones).
The only solution to the final stage of development of the disease is expensive surgery, which involves removing remnants of cartilage tissue or performing joint replacement.
How do you treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint?
The level of modern medicine is at a sufficiently high level, which ensures the successful treatment of diseases of various kinds. Knee osteoarthritis is no exception.
Nowadays there are a multitude of methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
In the initial stages of the development of the pathology, conservative methods of treatment are predominantly used. Conservative therapy includes:
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- physiotherapeutic exercises (movement therapy);
- Attending various massages.
Progressive methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint are also actively used. Modern effective methods of dealing with dangerous pathology include:
- Ozone therapy - a local effect of ozone on the affected joint tissue. Helps relieve pain and stop inflammation. Improves blood circulation in the problem area;
- Kinesitherapy is a series of exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee joint aimed at increasing its range of motion and increasing blood flow.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the most popular treatments for knee osteoarthritis.
Methods of physical manipulation, under a certain number of conditions, have the most positive effect on the zone of localization of pathologies of various types.
Physiotherapy includes procedures such as:
- Electrophoresis;
- Ultraphonophoresis;
- Laser / infrared radiation;
- Pulse magnetotherapy.
The effectiveness of the procedures is individual and depends on the quality of the elaboration of the patient's main treatment plan.
Massage used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Massage is a useful addition to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Most experts around the world believe that massage is a mandatory part of the treatment of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which has a positive effect on metabolic processes and accelerates recovery.
The knee massage can be done both at home and in the walls of a hospital. The main thing during massage is preliminary high-quality heating of the joint and compliance with the optimal duration of the process (from 10-15 minutes).
Treating osteoarthritis of the knee with massage should include techniques such as brushing, rubbing, and kneading.
Gymnastics and exercise therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Exercise in osteoarthritis of the knee joint is an effective way to get rid of unpleasant symptoms and treat the disease.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis is a rather complicated and lengthy process, and physical therapy exercises are an excellent helper in achieving the desired result.
The type of exercise therapy and exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee joint are selected by a specialist individually, depending on the degree of development of the pathology and the general state of physical fitness of the patient.
The basic principle of gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is: no increased stress on the affected joint, just rational, calm action.
Medicines to treat osteoarthritis of the knee
The medical treatment of knee osteoarthritis is used to relieve symptoms such as pain and swelling and to activate regenerative processes.
Preparations for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can have a different form of release (ointments / gels, tablets or injections, plasters).
Important! Any medication must be prescribed by a specialist as part of an existing treatment plan for the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Self-medication is unacceptable and can lead to extremely negative consequences, in particular - lower limb paralysis and disability.
Painkillers for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
They are used to get rid of the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Painkillers play an important role in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint because their use improves the patient's well-being and gives them the opportunity to get a good night's sleep.
Pain relief is achieved through the action of active ingredients.
Antispasmodicsfor osteoarthritis of the knee
Assigned as active assistant. A central area of activity is the fight against spasms.
The active ingredients of the preparations help to relax the muscles and have a pain-relieving effect.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with such drugs provides not only the elimination of pain, but also the slowing down and complete elimination of the progression of pathological processes.
By regularly taking medication, you can observe a constant concentration of active ingredients, which guarantees a positive effect.
Chondroprotectors for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The most important helpers in the drug treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are chondroprotectors.
The active effect of chondroprotectors in osteoarthritis of the knee joint is aimed at restoring motor skills, which is due to the micro-elements contained in the composition, which are an integral part of the structure of cartilage tissue.
The peculiarity of the principle of action of drugs assumes a fairly long, but at the same time effective process of eliminating osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Diet and general nutritional recommendations for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Obese patients require a diet for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. A low-calorie diet and rich nutritional content will help reduce body weight and accelerate the recovery of the affected joints.
The diet for osteoarthritis of the knee joint must first be balanced. The daily diet should include meals enriched with useful vitamins and microelements necessary for the regeneration of joint tissues and the maintenance of the balance of the entire body.
It is recommended to give up not only bad habits (alcohol abuse and smoking), but also such dishes as:
- Store semi-finished products;
- fatty, spicy and excessively salty foods;
- sweet carbonated drinks.
For the convenience and competent alignment of nutrition, in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, it is recommended to keep a food diary, which will discipline and facilitate the process of restructuring the usual way of life.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The entire spectrum of preventive measures can be divided into two groups:
- primary- aim to reduce the risks of a pathology;
- secondary- aim to reduce the development of an existing disease.
The most important are:
- increased attention to the joints of the lower extremities;
- Exercise to strengthen the periarticular muscles;
- Maintaining optimal body weight;
- To bathe.
Secondary prevention includes:
- a systematic treatment with chondroprotectors;
- seek qualified medical attention in a timely manner if signs of arthritis appear.
Remember that early detection of a disease greatly increases the likelihood of a complete cure.
If you experience the slightest symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, don't fail to see a doctor.