Arthrosis of the knee joint (osteoarthritis) is a complex degenerative-dystrophic disease that develops processes that affect the bone-cartilage tissues of the knee.
Pathological lesions in joint tissues that negatively affect the locomotor potential of the lower extremities. Progression of knee arthrosis causes difficulties in mobility, loss of stability, and a significant decrease in motor and shock-absorbing abilities.
What should be done to maintain the mobility of one's body for many years to come, and what should be done if physical activity and quality of life have decreased due to knee arthrosis? Let's try to understand this difficult question.
Characteristics of the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Knee arthrosis- It is a common pathology that falls into the category of the most common diseases that have an extremely negative impact on the quality of human life.
Degenerative-dystrophic processes are most clearly manifested in the form of physical dysfunction of the legs, accompanied by severe pain syndrome. Depending on how strongly the pathological process progresses, further predictions are made about the course of the disease.
One disappointing prognosis is paralysis of the lower extremities. Due to the severity of the consequences of pathological processes, professional medical care is required.
What causes knee arthrosis?
Identifying the causes of knee arthrosis required a lot of research. Long-term examination of patients and a thorough study of the clinical picture of the pathology allowed professionals to conclude that the effects of a number of negative factors are the underlying cause of joint tissue death, causing severe pain and inflammation.
Among the main reasons leading to degenerative-dystrophic processes are worth highlighting:
- injuries suffered - bruising, moving or breaking the knee automatically puts a person at risk and can cause the disease. Damage to the joint means its fixation, and long-term immobility is a direct pathway to the development of arthrosis;
- strong physical activity - strenuous knee stress (especially in the elderly) leads to microtraumas, which also leads to the development of negative pathological processes;
- not strong enough tape apparatus - abnormal joint mobility also negatively affects their condition, which manifests itself mainly in old age;
- overweight - the extra pounds can cause irreparable damage to the knee joints because the likelihood of meniscus injury in this case is incredibly high. If high weight is accompanied by varicose veins, there is a high probability of developing severe forms of arthrosis of the joints of the lower extremities;
- metabolic disorders - failure of the metabolism of nutrients and elements in the body leads to the development of various diseases due to insufficient supply of various tissues, especially bones and cartilage;
- increased stress levels - concerns and experiences negatively affect not only people’s mood but also their level of physical well-being.
Typical symptoms of knee arthrosis
The symptomatic manifestation of the disease allows for the timely monitoring of the onset and development of pathological processes, allowing all patients to recover.
Before deciding who to seek help from and how to treat knee arthrosis, it is important to become familiar with the symptoms of the disease.
Only a person competent in this matter can identify its presence and confirm the diagnosis by prescribing treatment for knee arthrosis. However, all patients should be aware of the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, among which it is customary to distinguish:
- pain - the discomfort that gradually turns into painful feelings does not appear immediately. Their insignificant manifestation in the knee can disturb a person for many years, but at one point they may become stronger and not stop at rest;
- crunch - "clicks" during the bending / extension of the joint, an alarm that manifests itself in the second, third stage of the disease;
- synovitis - inflammation of the articular membrane in which fluid accumulates, leading to local swelling;
- deformity is a characteristic feature that manifests itself in the last stage of the disease, with pronounced inflammation and swelling.
Diagnosis of knee arthrosis
Diagnosis and treatment of knee arthrosis is performed by an orthopedist or rheumatologist. If you want to take part in a diagnostic test, any patient can turn to a therapist who will refer you to a narrow-profile specialist or buy a ticket for one of them on their own.
The main diagnostic tool for professionals is, of course, the X-ray machine. Thanks to the image taken, you can monitor not only the presence of pathology but also the extent of development.
It is important to note that X-rays eliminate the likelihood of the presence of other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
X-ray examination allows the practitioner to:
- to monitor the narrowing of the joint gap;
- detection of seal in joint tissues.
The combination of clinical symptoms and image information provides a high standard of diagnosis and diagnosis by defining further treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.
The degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Modern medicine divides knee arthrosis into several stages, depending on the nature of the development of the pathological processes.
First, it is worth noting that observations have shown that the disease may be of a different nature:
- one-sided (right-handed / left-handed);
- bilateral.
In addition, the pathological process has three stages of development, each with its own clinical picture.
1 degree knee arthrosis
The initial stage of the development of the pathology, the successful diagnosis of which is an incredible success not only for the patient but also for the treating physician.
The peculiarity of the stage of development of arthrosis at this stage is the absence of clinical symptoms and vivid symptoms. Disease identification can be performed in a clinical trial or other disease study.
Evidence of grade 1 knee arthrosis may include:
- local discomfort in the knee area during prolonged walking;
- mild pain that resolves at rest.
It is important to note that the pain is felt in one or both joints of the lower extremities.
It is interesting to note that left gonarthrosis is often diagnosed in left-handed people, while right gonarthrosis is common in people involved in various sports.
2 degree knee arthrosis
Symptoms of the second stage of development of the pathology are accompanied by the extent of the signs, which usually include:
- pronounced pain syndrome;
- stiffness and severe discomfort in the knee joint;
- atrophy of muscles near the knee joint caused by tissue damage;
- increased pain;
- visually noticeable deformation of the joint;
- restrictions on mobility.
Extending symptomatology simplifies the diagnostic process. Lesions characteristic of grade 2 arthrosis of the knee joint are easily palpable. During the clinical examination, one skilled in the art will readily detect abnormal mass in the knee area.
3 degree knee arthrosis
It is almost impossible not to notice the third degree of pathology because the patient is in constant pain. In addition, the progression of the disease reaches a critical level, manifested in the strongest deformity of the joint, in which the limb completely loses its ability to bend / stretch.
Lack of proper treatment leads to complete destruction of the cartilage and, as a result, ankylosis (fusion of the articular bones).
The only solution to the final stage of the disease is a costly surgical procedure that involves the removal of cartilage tissue remnants or joint replacement.
How to treat knee arthrosis?
The level of modern medicine is high enough to ensure the successful treatment of different types of diseases. Knee arthrosis is no exception.
Today, there are several methods for treating knee arthrosis.
In the early stages of pathology, conservative treatments are used predominantly. Conservative therapy includes:
- physiotherapy procedures;
- physiotherapy exercises (gymnastics);
- visiting various massages.
In addition, progressive treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee are being actively used. Examples of modern effective methods for treating dangerous pathologies include:
- ozone therapy - the local effect of ozone on the affected joint tissues. It helps reduce pain and stop inflammation. improves blood circulation in the problem area;
- Kinesitherapy is a series of exercises for knee arthrosis that aims to increase mobility and blood flow.
Treatment of knee arthrosis with physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the most popular treatments for knee inflammation.
Methods of physical influence have the most positive effect on the zone of localization of different types of pathologies under certain conditions.
Physiotherapy includes procedures such as:
- electrophoresis;
- ultrophorophoresis;
- laser / infrared radiation;
- pulse magnetic therapy.
The effectiveness of the procedures is individual and depends on the quality of the development of the patient's main treatment plan.
Massage to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Massage is a useful adjunct to the treatment of knee arthrosis.
Most experts in the world are of the opinion that massage is a mandatory component of the treatment of the symptoms of knee arthrosis, which has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes and helps speed up healing.
Knee massage can be done at home or inside the hospital. During the massage, the most important thing is to preheat the joint in good quality and to observe the optimal duration of the process (10-15 minutes).
Treating osteoarthritis of the knee with a massage should include techniques such as caressing, rubbing, and kneading.
Gymnastics and exercise therapy in knee arthrosis
The practice of knee arthrosis is an effective way to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and treat the disease.
The process of treating knee arthrosis is a rather complicated and lengthy process, and physiotherapy practices are excellent assistants in achieving the desired result.
The type of gymnastics and knee arthrosis practices are selected individually by the practitioner depending on the stage of development of the pathology and the general condition of the patient's physical fitness.
In arthrosis of the knee joint, the main principle of gymnastics is this: there is no increased load on the affected joint, only rational, calm actions.
Drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Medical treatment for knee arthrosis is used to relieve symptoms such as pain and swelling and to activate regenerative processes.
Formulations for the treatment of knee arthrosis may have different forms of release (ointments / gels, tablets or injections, gypsum).
Important! All medications should be prescribed by a professional as part of an existing treatment plan designed for the symptoms of knee arthrosis.
Self-medication is unacceptable and can have extremely negative consequences, especially for paralysis and disability of the lower extremities.
Analgesics for knee arthrosis
They are used to relieve the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint.
Painkillers play an important role in the treatment of knee arthrosis because their use improves the patient’s well-being and provides an opportunity for a good night’s rest.
Pain relief is achieved by the active ingredients.
Anticonvulsantswith knee inflammation
Assigned as active help. A key area of activity is the fight against seizures.
The active ingredients in the preparations help to relax the musculoskeletal system and relieve pain.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with this type of drug not only ensures the elimination of pain, but also the slowing down and complete elimination of the progression of pathological processes.
Regular administration of drugs allows the monitoring of constant concentrations of active ingredients, which guarantees a positive effect.
Chondroprotectors for knee arthrosis
Chondroprotectors are the main helpers in the pharmacological treatment of knee arthrosis.
The active effect of chondroprotectors in the arthrosis of the knee joint is to restore motor ability due to the microelements in the composition, which are organic components in the process of cartilage tissue formation.
The specificity of the drug's action is quite long, but at the same time it presupposes an effective process for getting rid of knee arthrosis.
Diet and general nutritional recommendations for knee arthrosis
A diet for arthrosis of the knee joint is required for overweight patients. A low-calorie diet and a wealth of nutrients ensure weight loss and accelerate the healing of affected joints.
Above all, the diet for knee arthrosis should be balanced. The daily diet should include foods fortified with useful vitamins and trace elements to regenerate joint tissue and maintain balance throughout the body.
It is recommended to give up not only bad habits (alcoholism and smoking), but also foods such as:
- storage of semi-finished products;
- fatty, spicy and overly salty foods;
- sweet carbonated drinks.
For the convenience and skillful compilation of a diet, it is recommended to keep a diet diary for the treatment of knee arthrosis that disciplines and aids in the process of changing your usual lifestyle.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee
The full range of preventive measures can be divided into two groups:
- primary- are intended to reduce the risk of pathology;
- secondary- are intended to reduce the rate at which an existing disease develops.
The primary ones are:
- increased attention to the joints of the lower extremities;
- sports to strengthen the periarticular muscles;
- maintaining optimal body weight;
- swimming.
Secondary prevention includes:
- systematic treatment with chondroprotectors;
- consult a qualified physician in time if signs of arthritis appear.
Keep in mind that early detection of the disease significantly increases the likelihood of complete recovery.
Do not ignore seeing a doctor if you have the slightest symptom of knee arthrosis.