Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists in the deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint, as a result of which the structure and functions of the cartilage are destroyed.The disease has several names - gonarthrosis, deforming osteoarthritis.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint does not have a clear scheme or a single drug that can equally help all those who suffer from this problem.Since arthrosis is a progressive disease, it is more often observed in overweight women, venous diseases and the elderly.Treatment is carried out and prescribed individually for each patient.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be unilateral or bilateral (depending on whether the disease develops in one or both legs).At the first symptoms, it is necessary to resort to adequate treatment, as ignoring this problem can lead to the final destruction of cartilage and bone exposure and, as a result, to human disability.

There are three stages of the disease:

1. The initial stage of knee arthrosis is characterized by a loss of shock-absorbing properties and, as a result, the cartilage rubs against each other when moving, causing severe discomfort to the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dry, and in advanced stages of the disease is covered with cracks.
2. Due to the reduction of damping, bone deformation begins, which leads to the formation of osteophytes (growths on the bone surface) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new joint membrane and capsule also undergo deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to the stiffness of the movement.There is also a change in the density of the joint fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poor circulation and a deterioration in the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.Thinning of the lining between cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articulating bones.
3. The disease progresses rapidly and quickly moves to the third stage, when the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global and irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue, leading to human disability.

Most often, arthrosis or gonarthrosis develops after an injury or bruise, while a person feels constant severe pain in the knee, which significantly hinders his movements.

Reasons for the development of arthrosis

Arthrosis of the knee joint, the treatment of which takes a long time, can appear due to the following factors:

1. Genetic predisposition.
2. Injuries: dislocations, bruises, fractures.When the injured knee is treated, the joint is fixed and the person cannot bend or straighten the leg for a certain time.This leads to deterioration of blood circulation, which most often provokes the development of post-traumatic gonarthrosis.
3. Removal of the meniscus.
4. Excessive physical activity that is not appropriate for a person's age, leading to injuries or microtraumas, as well as joint hypothermia.For example, running on asphalt or squats is not recommended for the elderly, as during these exercises there is considerable pressure on the knee joint, which wears out with age and is not able to withstand such loads.
5. Overweight and obesity.This factor leads to damage to the meniscus, the injuries of which provoke the development of knee arthrosis.
6. Loose ligaments or weak ligaments.
7. Arthritis or other acquired joint diseases.The inflammatory process can cause accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or swelling.This provokes the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the knee, which leads to arthrosis of the knee joints.
8. Metabolic disorders in the human body.An insufficient amount of calcium significantly worsens the condition of bones and cartilage tissue in the human body.
9. Flat feet.The incorrect structure of the foot shifts the center of gravity and the load on the joint becomes greater.
10. Stress and nervous tension.

Symptoms of knee arthrosis

The clinical picture of the disease has the following symptoms:

1. Painful sensations.The pain appears suddenly, depending on the physical load on the knee joint.Painful sensations can be of a different nature.In the initial stage, these are weak lumbago, which a person usually does not pay much attention to.Mild periodic pain can be observed for months, and sometimes years, until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible deformity of the knee.This symptom appears in later stages.At first, the knee appears swollen or swollen.
3. Accumulation of joint fluid in the joint cavity or Baker's cyst.This is a dense formation on the back wall of the knee joint.
4. Crackling joints.Sharp crackling sounds, accompanied by pain, are observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
5. Inflammatory reactions in the articular synovium, as a result of which the cartilage swells and increases in volume.
6. Joint mobility is reduced.Observed in later stages.Bending the knee becomes almost impossible and is accompanied by severe pain.In the final stage, the knee may be completely immobile.A person's movement becomes difficult or completely impossible (some patients move with bent legs).

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint should be comprehensive.To date, there is no medical drug that alleviates this disorder.One of the most important conditions for a successful treatment is a timely diagnosis.The earlier the treatment of knee arthrosis is started, the greater the possibility of extending the remission period and preventing the destruction and deformation of the cartilage and bone tissue.

During the treatment, the doctor and the patient face several tasks:

1. Eliminate or reduce pain;
2. Place the supply of nutrients in the knee joint and thereby increase its recuperative function;
3. Activate blood circulation in the knee joint;
4. Strengthen the muscles around the joint;
5. Increased joint mobility;
6. Try to increase the distance between the articulated bones.

Treatment of the disease, depending on the stage of its development, can be conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Painkillers, anti-inflammatory

To relieve or reduce pain, the patient is usually prescribed a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.Among the most common pain relievers are the following.These medications can be used in two ways - orally or topically.

Typically, patients prefer local treatment in the form of gels, ointments and heating patches.The effect of these sedatives does not occur immediately, but after several days (approximately 3-4 days).The maximum effect is achieved after a week of regular use of the drug.Such medications do not treat the disease as such, but only relieve the pain, since it is impossible to start treatment for the pain.

Painkillers should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor;they should only be used for severe pain, as prolonged and frequent use can lead to side effects and even accelerate the destruction of joint cartilage.In addition, with long-term use of these drugs, the risk of side reactions increases, including stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, disruption of the normal functioning of the liver, kidneys, and allergic manifestations in the form of dermatitis are also possible.

Hormones

Sometimes, in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, a course of hormonal drugs is prescribed.They are prescribed if NSAIDs are no longer effective and the disease itself begins to progress.Most often, hormonal drugs for the treatment of this disease are used in the form of injections.

The course of treatment with hormonal drugs is usually short and is prescribed during a period of severe irritation, when inflammatory fluid accumulates in the joints.The hormone is injected into the joint approximately once every ten days.

Chondroprotectors

To restore and nourish cartilage tissue in the initial stages of the disease, a course of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin, the so-called chondroprotectors, is prescribed.This is the most effective treatment for arthrosis.They have almost no contraindications, and side effects occur in rare cases.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators are prescribed to relieve spasm of small vessels, improve blood circulation and deliver nutrients to the knee joint, as well as eliminate vascular pain.Crush together with chondroprotectors.If knee arthrosis is not accompanied by fluid accumulation, the use of warming ointments, gels and fluids is also recommended.

Therapeutic exercises

A course of exercise therapy can be very useful and bring good results only when prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, according to the recommendations of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous to health.Exercise therapy is used to prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue, slow the development of stiffness, and relax muscle spasms that cause pain.During periods of exacerbation, exercise therapy is contraindicated.A course of special individual exercises, which take into account not only the stage of the disease and the condition in which the cartilage is located, but also the age of the patient, should be developed by a competent specialist in this field.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as one of the methods of conservative therapy - electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, diadynamic current, UHF.A course of local massage also gives positive results.Physiotherapy methods act in several directions - relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize metabolism within the joint and restore its usual functions.The method and duration of physiotherapy treatment is determined by the patient's medical history and is prescribed only after a complete diagnosis and study of the condition of the joints.

Physiotherapy for pain relief includes:

1. Medium-wave ultraviolet radiation (SUV radiation).The contact of the ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until a slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissues that weaken the sensitivity of nerve fibers, due to which the analgesic effect is achieved.The duration of the treatment course is determined by the doctor depending on the symptoms, frequency and severity of the pain.On average, the course of treatment is approximately 7-8 sessions.
2. Local magnetic therapy aimed at the general recovery of the patient's body.This procedure relieves inflammation, eliminates pain and neutralizes muscle spasms.It is effectively used for arthrosis of the knee joint in the initial stages.The course of treatment is usually limited to 20-25 procedures, each of which takes about half an hour.
3. Infrared laser therapy, low intensity UHF therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
4. Ultrasound, darsonvalization, therapeutic baths, interference therapy, which is prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joints.

Treatment at a health resort is of no small importance.This treatment is prescribed for deforming and dystrophic osteoarthritis.This treatment, like those listed before, has its contraindications, so the attending physician carefully examines the patient's medical history before recommending the sanitary-resort method.

Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

This is a radical method of treating arthrosis of the knee joint, which partially or completely restores the functioning of the joint.Methods and forms of surgical intervention depend on the degree of joint damage, as well as on the patient's medical history.

Late arthrosis of the knee joint can only be treated surgically - the knee joint is completely or partially replaced with an endoprosthesis.Surgical treatment allows not only to improve well-being, but also to restore the patient's ability to work in the last stages of knee arthrosis.Many consider the long recovery period with the use of exercise therapy, mechanotherapy and other means as a significant disadvantage of the operation.

There are several types of surgical interventions for knee arthrosis:

Prevention of knee arthritis

To avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, the elderly, overweight people, enterprise workers) should follow some guidelines:

1. Proper nutrition and the fight against excess weight.It is necessary to exclude from your diet unhealthy foods - fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will help you individually choose a suitable diet.
2. When playing sports, monitor the load on your joints and reduce it if necessary.
3. Monitor your health and treat infectious diseases in a timely manner, preventing them from becoming chronic.
4. Timely and adequate treatment of spine diseases, if any, development of correct posture.
5. Sports activities (cycling, swimming, walking, special gymnastic exercises for joints).
6. No self-medication!At the first symptoms of knee arthritis, go to the clinic.
7. Avoid stress, sleep well.
8. Systematically increase your immunity (harden yourself or at least take a course of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
9. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially of the lower extremities.

A healthy lifestyle and timely treatment are the best ways to prevent knee arthritis.