Signs of arthrosis of the knee joint: causes, stages of the disease, how to treat

Signs of arthrosis of the knee joint are often found in elderly people.Athletes and obese patients are also at risk.

Why does osteoarthritis of the knee joint occur?

Osteoarthritis is the deformation of joint cartilage.Cartilage plays the role of shock absorbers and facilitates movement in the human body.When they are destroyed, mobility gradually decreases and any load brings pain.Over time, the knee becomes completely immobilized and the person may become disabled.

All cartilage becomes thinner and worn down with age, so the disease occurs in several stages in 70-85% of people over 60 years of age.First of all, these are overweight women.Other common causes of osteoarthritis:

• Intense sports and physical overload contribute to premature cartilage wear at a young age.
• Injuries, fractures, dislocations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Congenital disorders, lack of intra-articular fluid.
• Circulatory disorder in which the cartilage receives little oxygen and nutrients.
• Joint diseases accompanied by inflammation.
• Violation of hormonal production and metabolism.

A type of osteoarthritis that affects the knee joint is called gonarthrosis, from the ancient Greek “goni” – knee.

Classification of arthrosis of the knee joint

In this condition, there are 3 stages, depending on the degree of development of osteoarthritis.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful and simpler the treatment will be.Characteristics of the different stages of osteoarthritis:

1. At this stage, bone deformation is not pronounced.Deviations are noticeable on x-rays, but few people pay attention to minor symptoms and go to the doctor.
2. Changes and thickening of the bones are visible on x-rays with the naked eye.Quality of life decreases due to constant discomfort.
3. The patient is significantly limited in movement.Ligaments and cartilage are completely destroyed.

Many elderly people endure pain until the last moment and suffer from illnesses because they become accustomed to age-related illnesses and consider these symptoms to be normal.However, at the initial stage you can deal with conservative methods, and at the last stage only surgery will help.

Main symptoms

The disease does not start suddenly, but develops over several years.Mild knee pain is initially felt only under heavy loads, when going up and down stairs.If osteoarthritis is not treated, over time the pain symptom becomes permanent, the knee joint takes on an unnatural shape and contour, and the leg can bend to the right or left.

In phase 1

Long before osteoarthritis develops seriously, a person may begin to experience mild knee discomfort after walking.Occasionally, stiffness of movement and crushing occur.These symptoms should not be ignored, as with a timely examination, treatment can be started and serious consequences can be avoided.

In phase 2

At this stage, the patient feels pain almost constantly.It is more pronounced in the morning, disappears after a short walk, but the condition worsens at night.The patient's gait slows down, accompanied by a constant crunching sound.Redness and swelling of the skin in the knee area often appear, which indicates an inflammatory process.The x-ray shows pronounced changes.

Diagnosis

An orthopedist examines and identifies osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Diagnostics includes laboratory and instrumental research methods.These include:

• Blood and urine tests.Show the level of hormones in the body and the presence of inflammation.
• Radiography.It helps to assess the type of joint and establish the stage of the disease.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Shows the condition of soft tissues, menisci, cartilage, which is impossible with radiography.
• Ultrasound of the joints.Just like MRI, it shows the condition of the cartilage and surrounding tissues.It is a more subjective method, the result depends on the specialist's qualifications.Therefore, ultrasound should be performed as a complement to MRI.
• Personal inspection.Sometimes the doctor completely trusts the results of an x-ray or MRI and does not consider it necessary to check it himself.At the same time, manual examination can reveal details that have been missed and identify concomitant illnesses that also require treatment.

If gonarthrosis is suspected, it is preferable to carry out all tests and be observed by a doctor in a specialized orthopedic clinic.

How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint

All treatment methods are selected individually and used in combination.You cannot use ordinary joint ointment as self-medication, as its effect will be temporary and will not eliminate the cause of the disease.It is ideal to combine medications, physiotherapy, proper nutrition and physiotherapy.

Hormonal drugs

Steroid medications have a wide range of effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory and pain relieving.These medications are used in the form of injections into the joint at the time of exacerbation of the disease to quickly relieve pain and swelling.The disadvantages of the method include side effects, limited frequency of use (preferably no more than once every 2 weeks).In addition, hormonal injections do not eliminate the causes of the disease, but relieve symptoms in combination with other methods and cannot be considered a complete treatment.

Chondroprotectors

It is a group of medicines that act on cartilaginous tissue, restoring and nourishing it, improving the quality of the lubricating fluid.

The most effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint are preparations with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.These substances are included in various medicines.

The attitude towards chondroprotectors among doctors and patients is ambiguous.Some patients, thanks to advertising, expect quick and unrealistic results from treatment.Not finding them, they are disappointed and start to consider this group of drugs useless.

In fact, chondroprotectors require prolonged use in combination with other treatment methods.

These drugs are much more effective in stages 1-2 of the disease, and not when the cartilage tissue is already severely damaged.

Hyaluronic acid

Sodium hyaluronate is a natural moisturizing component produced in the human body.With intra-articular injections, hyaluronic acid deeply nourishes dry and thinned cartilage, restores joint mobility and functions as an effective natural lubricant.The disadvantages of the method include inconvenience of use in periods of exacerbation, inflammation and high price.At the same time, a well-designed course of hyaluronic acid can replace surgical intervention, which can be even more expensive.

Ointments

Gels and ointments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are not able to affect the cause of the disease, but they can greatly alleviate the patient's condition.Warming preparations improve blood circulation, improve nutrition in the diseased area and help with general treatment.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are widely used to relieve pain, despite the relatively small amount of active substance that can penetrate the skin to the joint.

Diet therapy

Scientists have been studying the link between eating certain foods and joint osteoarthritis for many years.It has been suggested that the increased risk of morbidity is influenced by the consumption of meat, processed foods and excess salt, but these assumptions have not been confirmed.The only thing that has to do with diet and osteoarthritis is being overweight.Therefore, the principles of diet therapy for this diagnosis are based on the general rules of healthy eating, as well as reducing and controlling body weight.

Recommendations for patients with knee osteoarthritis:

• Limit the consumption of ready-to-eat foods and fast food and give preference to homemade dishes made with simple products.
• Stay within the healthy norm of salt intake - no more than 1 teaspoon per day.
• Limit sweets, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and flour products.
• The diet should be varied, the majority of which should consist of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, nuts, eggs (mainly proteins) and lean meats.
• On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take a complex of vitamins and dietary supplements.

If a patient with knee osteoarthritis is already overweight, he or she needs to consult a nutritionist.The specialist will be able to give advice based on the patient's age, lifestyle and other indicators.

Folk remedies for the treatment of arthrosis

In folk medicine, infusions, decoctions, compresses from medicinal herbs and other components are used to treat joints.With the doctor's authorization, these medications can complement the main treatment, or be used to prevent gonarthrosis, at the first signs of discomfort and osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Several popular recipes:

• Rub with turpentine.Mix the yolk, a teaspoon of turpentine and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.Rub the mixture into the affected area overnight, wrapping it in a woolen cloth.Use 1-2 times a week.
• Honey and mumiyo.For 100 g of honey you need to add 3-4 g of mumiyo.Rub it on your knees before bed.
• Dandelion infusion.To prepare half a liter of alcohol or vodka, place it in a dark glass container.Fill with yellow heads and leave in a cool place for at least a month.Rub the strained product into the painful area before going to bed.

These recipes help relieve pain and inflammation in complex treatments, but do not replace them.Illiterate self-medication can worsen your condition.

Massage

Manual and hardware massage, manual therapy are perfect for overweight, sedentary people and people with arthrosis.If there is excessive fluid accumulation in the joint, lymphatic drainage is indicated.All types of massage go well with physical therapy and are used to relax muscles after training.Contraindications to massage are acute inflammation.

Physiotherapy

Various types of procedures using heat, cold, electric current, ultrasound and laser beams slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, improve blood circulation in the diseased area and have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Most often, the doctor prescribes:

1. Shock wave therapy.The method involves special directing of sound waves to the area of the diseased joint.This effect relieves swelling, improves cartilage nutrition and destroys salt deposits.The most effective method of physiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
2. Myostimulation.The electrical impulses relieve muscle spasms and tension and maintain the mobility of the knee joint.
3. Phonophoresis.This therapy combines the local effects of ointments and gels with ultrasound.This increases the penetration of beneficial substances into the skin.

Less commonly used are cryotherapy, paraffin wax, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other techniques.

Kinesiotherapy

Popular techniques include physical therapy and joint traction.The exercise therapy complex is prescribed individually by a rehabilitation doctor.May include exercises with weights, medical devices, and gymnastics for independent performance.Some exercises need to be done in the morning, while still in bed, others - 3-4 times a day.The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises largely depends on the patient's responsibility and desire for recovery.When done correctly, this physical training helps stop deterioration and prevent surgery.

A special orthopedic device is used for traction.The method allows you to expand the space between the joints, reduce friction and the load on the painful knee.

Surgical treatment

Surgery for osteoarthritis is a method of influencing the cause of the disease, and not just the symptoms.It is used in stages 2-3 of arthrosis, when other methods are ineffective.There are several intervention options:

1. Arthroscopy.Modern methods make it possible to perform the operation through small incisions with thin instruments under the supervision of a video camera.This type of surgery is easier to tolerate and recovery is faster.During the operation, the surgeon removes pieces of destroyed cartilage and tissue fibers.
2. Puncture.Refers to low-traumatic interventions.It involves pumping excess fluid out of the joint with a syringe.Allows you to relieve swelling, inflammation and increase mobility.
3. Endoprostheses.If in the last stage of osteoarthritis the joint is already seriously damaged, it can be replaced with a titanium joint compatible with the body.This is the most extensive intervention, followed by long-term rehabilitation.They resort to it in the most difficult cases, when there are no other options.

To avoid surgery, you need to monitor your health and start treating illnesses early.There is no need to endure years and stifle pain in the knee joint and other signs of osteoarthritis with painkillers.

Preventive measures for arthrosis of the knee joint

You need to start taking care of the health of your knee joints from an early age.The older you are, the more preventative measures you need to take.Athletes and overweight people should pay special attention to the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent arthrosis of the knee joint, you must:

• Choose sports and loads correctly, based on your capabilities.
• Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with low heels.
• Swimming, which evenly tenses and relaxes all muscles and joints.
• Avoid joint injuries and complete your treatment.
• Avoid excessive weight gain and keep it normal.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, timely treatment of congenital features of joint development, for example, various deformities and dislocations, is important.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur not only in elderly people, but also in young patients.The disease takes a long time to develop and, with the right approach, it is possible to recover and avoid serious health consequences.