Knee pain is a common problem with which doctors are consulted.What causes pain and how to help yourself if it occurs?There is no definitive answer, because the knee joints can suffer from different types of lesions that arise for a number of reasons.One of these reasons (and a very common one) is initial arthrosis.Today we will tell you in detail about arthrosis of the knee joint: what are its causes, types, symptoms and signs, we will talk about methods of treatment and prevention.
Types and causes of diseases
Arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a lesion of a predominantly non-inflammatory nature, which over time leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage, deformation of the knee and limited range of motion in it.The disease has two main forms:
- primary – arises due to a congenital defect of the joint;
- secondary - occurs as a result of other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by improper formation of joint surfaces or the ligamentous apparatus.When walking, such a joint is subjected to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which causes degenerative changes in it.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: leg bone fractures, bruises and knee dislocations, accompanied by damage to the bones and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Operations to remove the meniscus, because they lead to disruption of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- Disproportionately high load on the legs that athletes are often subjected to.
- Excessive thickness also provokes arthrosis, because it leads to excessive pressure of body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Long-term 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 salt in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases accompanied by long-term spasms of leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Delayed operations.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of an injury, unilateral arthrosis (for example, of the right knee) will most likely develop, and from obesity - bilateral arthrosis.
Characteristic symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes it is preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformations), but from time to time there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Women over 40 who are overweight are most often 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 for months and sometimes years.A person experiences periodic pain in the knee, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, as well as when climbing and descending stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with any movements that are accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.Fluid can accumulate in the joint cavity, and the initial deformation can be observed on examination.Range of motion in the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even at rest.Often the discomfort increases before the weather changes.By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs barely bend at the knees or may not fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes "rolling" or on half-bent legs.Deformity of the knees is severe: the legs bend and take on an O- or X-shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop faster.As a result of the injury, there is pain and swelling in the knee area.Such pain constantly accompanies a person and intensifies after physical activity.It is gradually followed by a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knees.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 lesion.But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is a long-term remission (a stage of rest when the 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), then an almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of gonarthrosis treatment:
- eliminate pain,
- if it is possible to restore the damaged cartilage and ligament apparatus,
- increase the range of motion in the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- restorative therapy (physical therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medicines;under no circumstances to prescribe them to yourself.Their main action is aimed at:
- Eliminating symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relief of pain and inflammation.For this purpose, appropriate drugs are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improving blood flow to the affected area.It is made possible by means that alleviate vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue.For this purpose, drugs 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 alignment, and increase blood circulation.
In the case of advanced, irreversible damage, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - prosthetics, that is, by installing a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.This is currently the only method that gives a chance for complete recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited lifespan, after which they must be replaced.Since the prices of such operations are very high, this method of treatment has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises on special weights and devices), physiotherapy and sanatorium-resort.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at relieving the painful knee - these are sticks, orthoses, etc., which make walking easier (used as needed).
There are many folk recipes for various ointments and compresses based on medicinal herbs, medical bile and heating bandages made of natural wool.Basically, the effect of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Prevention measures
Prevention of knee arthrosis involves many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and microelements.
- Fighting against an unhealthy lifestyle and getting rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and lifting heavy loads.
The most important thing when identifying such a pathology as knee arthrosis is not to allow the disease to progress, because its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you focus all your efforts on treatment and prevention in time - before time is lost and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a chance to completely get rid of the disease.