Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists of the deformation and destruction of joint cartilage tissue, as a result of which the structure and function of the cartilage is disturbed.This disease has several names - gonarthrosis, deformation of osteoarthritis.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint does not have a clear scheme or a single drug that can equally help all people with this problem.Since arthrosis is a progressive disease, it is observed more often in overweight women, venous disease, 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 on one or both legs).At the first symptoms, it is necessary to use adequate treatment, because ignoring this problem can lead to the final destruction of cartilage and bone exposure and, as a result, human disability.

There are three stages of the disease:

1. The initial stage of knee arthrosis is characterized by the loss of shock-absorbing properties and, as a result, the cartilage rubs against each other when moving, causing severe discomfort to the patient.Cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dry, and in advanced stages of the disease is also covered with cracks.
2. Due to the reduced depreciation, 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 membrane of the joint and capsule is also subject to deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to the stiffness of the movement.There are also changes in the density of joint fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poor circulation, and deterioration in the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.Thinning of the layer between the cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articulating bones.
3. The disease develops rapidly and quite 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 the cartilage tissue, which leads to human disability.

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

Reasons for the development of arthrosis

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

1. Genetic predisposition.
2. Injuries: sprains, bruises, broken bones.When treating an injured knee, the joint is fixed and the person cannot bend or straighten the leg for a certain time.This leads to the deterioration of blood circulation, which most often provokes the development of gonarthrosis after trauma.
3. Meniscus removal.
4. Excessive physical activity that is not suitable for a person's age, leads to injuries or microtraumas, as well as hypothermia in the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squatting is not recommended for older people, because during these exercises there is significant pressure on the knee joints, which wear out with age and cannot withstand such a load.
5. Overweight and obesity.This factor leads to damage to the menisci, an injury that triggers the development of knee arthrosis.
6. Loose ligaments or weak ligaments.
7. Arthritis or other acquired joint disease.The inflammatory process can cause the accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or swelling.This causes the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the knee, which leads to arthrosis of the knee joint.
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.Incorrect foot structure shifts the center of gravity, and the load on the joints becomes greater.
10. Stress and nervous tension.

Symptoms of knee arthrosis

The clinical picture of this disease has the following symptoms:

1. A painful sensation.The pain occurs suddenly, depending on the physical load on the knee joint.Painful sensations can be of a different nature.In the early stages, this is a weak lumbago, to which a person usually does not pay much attention.Periodic mild pain can be observed for months, and sometimes years, until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible knee deformity.These symptoms appear in the final stage.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. Crispy joints.A sharp crackling sound, which is accompanied by pain, is observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
5. An inflammatory reaction in the articular synovium, as a result of which the cartilage swells and increases in volume.
6. Joint mobility is reduced.Observed at the next stage.Bending the knee becomes almost impossible and is accompanied by severe pain.In the final stage, the knee may not move completely.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 relieves this disorder.One of the most important conditions for successful treatment is timely diagnosis.The earlier treatment for knee arthrosis is started, the greater the chance to prolong the period of remission and prevent the destruction and deformation of cartilage and bone tissue.

During treatment, doctors and patients face several tasks:

1. Eliminate or reduce pain;
2. Creates a supply of nutrients to the knee joint and thus improves its recovery function;
3. Activate blood circulation in the knee joint;
4. Strengthens the muscles around the joints;
5. Improve joint mobility;
6. Strive to increase the distance between the articulating 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 drugs

To relieve or reduce pain, patients are 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 as follows.These drugs can be used in two ways - orally or topically.

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

Painkillers should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor;they should be used only for severe pain, because prolonged and frequent use can lead to side effects and also accelerate the destruction of joint cartilage.In addition, with long-term use of these drugs, the risk of adverse reactions increases, including stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, disturbances in 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 develop.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 prescribed during periods of severe exacerbation, when inflammatory fluid accumulates in the joints.The hormone is injected into the joint about once every ten days.

Chondroprotectors

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

Vasodilators

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

Therapeutic exercise

Exercise therapy courses can be very useful and bring good results only when prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, on the recommendation of a specialist or trainer.Medicines themselves are dangerous to health.Exercise therapy is used to prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue, slow the progression of stiffness, and relieve muscle spasms that cause pain.During the exacerbation period, exercise therapy is contraindicated.A special individual training course, which takes 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.Local massage courses also give positive results.Physiotherapy methods act in several directions - relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize metabolism in the joints, and restore normal function.The method and duration of physiotherapy treatment is determined by the patient's medical history and is only prescribed after a comprehensive diagnosis and examination of the condition of the joints.

Pain relief physiotherapy includes:

1. Medium wave ultraviolet radiation (SUV radiation).The contact of ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until a slight redness appears.A substance is formed in the tissue that dulls the sensitivity of nerve fibers, which causes an analgesic effect to be 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 treatment course is about 7-8 sessions.
2. Local magnetic therapy aims to restore the patient's entire body.This procedure relieves inflammation, relieves pain, and neutralizes muscle spasms.Effectively used for arthrosis of the knee joint in the early stages.The course of treatment is usually limited to 20-25 procedures, each of which lasts about half an hour.
3. Infrared laser therapy, low intensity UHF therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
4. Ultrasound, darsonvalization, therapeutic baths, distraction therapy, prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joints.

Hygiene resort treatment is not important.This treatment is prescribed for deforming and dystrophic osteoarthritis.This treatment, as listed before, has 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 function of the joint.The method and form of surgical intervention depends 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 stage 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 intervention for arthrosis of the knee joint:

Prevention of knee arthritis

To avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, the elderly, overweight people, company workers) must follow certain instructions:

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

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