Knee pain is a common complaint with which doctors are consulted.What causes pain and how to help yourself if it occurs?There is no clear answer, because the knee joints can suffer from different types of lesions that arise for many reasons.One of these reasons (and very common) 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 the disease
Arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a lesion of a mostly 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 - occurs due to a congenital joint defect;
- 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 the articular surfaces or the ligamentous apparatus.During walking, such a joint is subjected to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which provokes degenerative changes in it.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: broken bones of the leg, bruises and displacement of the knee, 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, as they lead to the destruction of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs, which athletes are often subjected to.
- Excessive obesity also provokes arthrosis, as it leads to excessive pressure from the body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Long-term arthritis is associated with 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 factors and diseases associated for a long time with leg muscle spasms or blood vessels.
- Deferred operations.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of the injury, one-sided 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 preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformities), but occasionally there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Women over 40 who are overweight are more often affected, and especially those who suffer from varicose veins as an aggravating factor.
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 going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with every movement accompanied by a characteristic cracking sound.Fluid may accumulate in the joint cavity and initial deformity may be noted during examination.Range of motion in the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even with rest.Often, anxiety increases before the weather changes.At this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs can hardly be bent at the knees or may not be fully extended.The gait changes: it becomes a "wave" or on half-bent legs.The deformity of the knees is severe: the legs bend and take an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop faster.As a result of the injury, pain and swelling appear in the knee area.Such pain constantly accompanies a 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 extent 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 long-term remission (a resting phase 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:
- eliminates pain,
- if possible, restore the damaged cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increases the 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 medications;under no circumstances describe them to yourself.Their main action aims to:
- Elimination of the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relief of pain and inflammation.For this purpose, appropriate medications are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improving blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by agents that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Cartilage tissue restoration.For this purpose, drugs are prescribed that nourish and restore the 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, irreversible damage, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - prosthetics, that is, the implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.This is so far the only method that gives a chance for a full recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited service life, after which they must be replaced.Since the cost of such operations is very high, this method of treatment has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises using loads and special machines), physiotherapy and sanatorium-resort treatment.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at unloading the injured knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc., which make walking easier (used if necessary).
There are many popular recipes for ointments and various compresses based on herbs, medical bile and heating bandages made from natural wool.Basically, the effect of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Preventive measures
Prevention of knee arthrosis involves many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet should contain a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and microelements.
- Fighting an unhealthy lifestyle and getting rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and heavy lifting.
The most important thing when identifying a pathology such as knee arthrosis is not to allow the disease to progress, as its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you direct all your efforts to treatment and prevention in time - before time is lost and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a possibility of complete relief from the disease.