Knee pain is a common complaint that doctors see.What causes pain and how to help yourself if it occurs?There is no definitive answer, as knee joints can suffer different types of injuries that arise for different reasons.One of these reasons (and very common) is incipient osteoarthritis.Today we will tell you in detail about osteoarthritis of the knee joint: what are its causes, types, symptoms and signs, we will talk about treatment and prevention methods.
Types and causes of the disease
Arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is an injury of a predominantly non-inflammatory nature, which over time leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage, deformation of the knee and limitation of its range of motion.The disease has two main forms:
- primary – occurs due to a congenital joint defect;
- secondary – occurs as a consequence of other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by inadequate formation of the articular surfaces or ligamentous apparatus.When walking, this joint is subjected to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which causes degenerative changes.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: fractures of the bones of the legs, bruises and dislocations of the knee, accompanied by bone and cartilaginous injuries of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Surgeries to remove the meniscus, as they lead to the rupture of the knee's integral structure and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs that athletes often subject themselves to.
- Excessive fat also causes osteoarthritis, as it leads to excessive pressure from body weight on the knee joint cartilage.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.Prolonged arthritis is accompanied by the formation of fluid in the joint cavity and over time can be complicated by arthrosis.
- Metabolic disorders that lead to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other long-term factors and diseases accompanied by spasm of leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Surgeries postponed.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of injury, unilateral arthrosis (for example, of the right knee) is likely to develop, and from obesity - bilateral arthrosis.
Characteristic symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by months and years of initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformity), but from time to time there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Most of the time, women over 40 and overweight are affected, and especially, as an aggravating factor, those who suffer from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial phase can last months and sometimes years.The person feels periodic pain in the knees, especially when taking the first steps out of bed in the morning, as well as when going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with any movements accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.Fluid may accumulate in the joint cavity and, upon examination, incipient deformation may be noted.The range of motion of the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not disappear even with rest.Often the discomfort increases before the weather changes.By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs can hardly bend at the knees or may not fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes “waddling” or with legs half bent.The deformity of the knees is serious: the legs bend and take on an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop more quickly.As a result of the injury, pain and swelling appear in the knee area.This pain constantly accompanies the person and intensifies after physical activity.Gradually, it is accompanied by a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee.Sometimes with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from the initial symptoms to irreversible changes.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The scope of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the injury.But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is long-term remission (a phase of rest when manifestations of the pathology are minimal or absent).At the same time, if in the early stages it is possible to eliminate the cause of arthrosis of the knee joint (for example, by reducing body weight), an almost complete recovery will be possible.
Gonarthrosis treatment goals:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore damaged cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increase range of motion in the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- restorative therapy (physiotherapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medicines;Under no circumstances prescribe them for yourself.Its main action aims to:
- Elimination of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relief of pain and inflammation.To this end, appropriate medications are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improve blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by agents that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilaginous tissue.For this purpose, medications are prescribed that nourish and restore cartilage.
Manual manipulation and massage reduce pain, relax spastic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
In case of advanced and irreversible damage, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - prosthetics, that is, implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.To date, this is the only method that gives a chance for complete recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited service life, after which they must be replaced.Since the cost of these operations is very high, this method of treatment has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises with loads and special machines), physiotherapy and sanatorium treatment.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at unloading the sore knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc., which make walking easier (used if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various herbal ointments and compresses, medicinal bile and warming bandages made from natural wool.Basically, the effect of these methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Prevention measures
Prevention of knee arthrosis includes many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet should contain sufficient amounts of proteins, vitamins and microelements.
- Combat unhealthy lifestyle and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Preventing injuries during sports and weight lifting.
The most important thing in identifying a pathology such as knee osteoarthritis is not to let the disease progress, as its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you direct all your efforts to treatment and prevention in time - before time is wasted and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a chance of complete relief from the disease.