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 definite answer, because the knee joints can suffer from different types of lesions that arise for many reasons.One of these reasons (and a very common one) is incipient 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 predominantly non-inflammatory nature, which over time leads to the destruction of 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 defect of the joint;
- secondary – occurs as a consequence 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 ligamentous apparatus.When 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: fractures of the leg bones, bruises and dislocations of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bone and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Surgeries to remove the meniscus, since they lead to disruption of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs that athletes often subject themselves to.
- Excessive fatness 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 accompanied by the formation of fluid in the joint cavity and over time can be complicated by arthrosis.
- Metabolic disorders leading to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases long-term accompanied by spasm of the leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Postponed surgeries.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of 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 preceded by months and years of initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformation), but from time to time there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Most often, women over 40 years of age who are overweight are affected, and especially, as an aggravating factor, those suffering from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can last for months and sometimes years.A person experiences periodic knee pain, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, as well as when going up and down the stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with any movements that are accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.Fluid may accumulate in the articular cavity, and upon examination one may notice incipient deformation.The 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 discomfort increases before the weather changes.By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs may hardly bend at the knees or may not fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes “waddling” 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 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 long-term remission (a resting phase 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), then an almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of treatment of gonarthrosis:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore damaged cartilage and ligamentous 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 medications; under no circumstances prescribe them for yourself.Their main action is aimed at:
- Elimination of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relieving 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.
- 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 the position of bones, and increase blood circulation.
In case of advanced, irreversible damage, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - prosthetics, that is, implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.This is so far the only method that gives a chance for a complete recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited service life, after which they must be replaced.Since the cost of such operations is very high, this treatment method has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises using special loads and machines), physiotherapy and sanatorium-resort 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 ointments and compresses based on herbs, medical bile, and warming bandages made from natural wool.Basically, the effect of such 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 a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and microelements.
- Fighting unhealthy lifestyle and getting rid of bad habits.
- Normalization of weight.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and heavy lifting.
The most important thing when identifying such a pathology as arthrosis of the knee is not to let the disease progress, since 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 chance of complete relief from the disease.