Arthrosis is the most common among all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The knees are especially vulnerable to it, as they support the bulk of the load. Let's take a closer look at what arthrosis of the knee joint is and how to deal with it.
Characteristics of the disease
Arthrosis of the knee joints is a pathology associated with the development of degenerative dystrophic processes in the cartilaginous tissue of these joints. As the disease progresses, it affects not only the cartilage itself, but also other tissues, including ligaments and periarticular muscles, and over time, processes that contribute to bone destruction can develop.
Risk groups
As we age, the body goes through difficulties that lead to tissue malnutrition and accelerated wear. Under the influence of mechanical, biochemical and other factors, the cartilaginous tissue begins to deteriorate gradually, later evolving to arthrosis of the right or left knee joint.
With age, the frequency of diagnoses of this pathology increases. Women are especially prone to the development of gonarthrosis, which is due to the characteristics of their body and hormonal changes.
Athletes and people whose work is associated with weight lifting and constant load on the legs are also at risk.
In general, the following risk groups can be distinguished:
- elderly people;
- athletes;
- people with knee injuries;
- patients who have undergone surgery on the knee joint; sedentary
- ; obese
- ;
- associated with heavy physical work or the need to be constantly standing;
- patients with endocrine diseases;
- people with hormonal disorders;
- leading an unhealthy lifestyle;
- with congenital pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
When entering a risk group, you should regularly monitor the condition of your joints, as well as take preventive measures.
Reasons for development
If we talk about the specific causes of dystrophic processes in cartilaginous tissue, they are largely associated with a person's daily life. Existing health problems also play a role.
The main causes of gonarthrosis are:
- Injuries. Any damage to the knee and surrounding tissues, ie bruises, dislocations, tears and sprains, cracks, fractures, etc. The consequences may appear some time after the injured area is completely healed.
- Congenital diseases. This includes, for example, joint instability, curvature and other developmental and functional disorders associated with the structural characteristics of the human skeleton.
- Age changes. Gradually, the cartilaginous tissue wears out and calcium is removed from the bones. The older the person, the more pronounced these processes are.
- Obesity. Excess weight slows down metabolic processes and contributes to excessive strain on the limbs. Obese people almost always have foot problems.
- Endocrine diseases.A diseased state of the endocrine system leads to hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders.
- Operational interventions. Surgical manipulations on the meniscus have a particularly strong effect. When removed, gonarthrosis develops in 90% of cases.
- Tension. Strong emotional experiences negatively affect the state of the entire organism, including the elements of the musculoskeletal system.
- Tissue malnutrition. Most of the time, these processes are associated with impaired blood circulation, since it is through the tissue vessels that all necessary nutrients are provided.
- Heavy loads.Lifting and carrying weights, improper running and jumping, violation of physical exercise technique, standing for a long time - all of this is an excessive load on a person's legs.
If you fail to take measures to prevent the influence of these causes, the cost of such negligent treatment of your health will be represented by several problems with the musculoskeletal system and other systems of the body.
Symptoms of manifestation
At first, the disease is asymptomatic or anxiety occurs only occasionally. Especially the knees start to hurt after a long stay in the same position or an intense day at work. As these signs are not bothersome and disappear completely after rest, the person does not immediately realize that he has serious health problems.
Gradually, the discomfort intensifies, the intense pain appears. They are painful in nature, but when they move, they can be sharp and abrupt. As the disease progresses, the discomfort increases.
Other symptoms of gonarthrosis are:
- deterioration of the knee's motor capacity;
- the appearance of a dull noise when moving;
- edema and tissue hyperemia;
- curvature of the limbs.
It is the desire to relieve pain that most of the time is the main stimulating factor for the referral of a person to the clinic. The sooner you do this, the more chances you have of interrupting the pathological process. Otherwise, the changes will be irreversible and it will not be possible to solve the problem by conservative methods.
High temperature is observed in some cases. This phenomenon is rarely observed, indicating an intense inflammatory process. It may have been caused by an infection, for example, if you have recently suffered a leg injury.
Types of pathology
In medical practice, the disease has a special classification.
There are the following types of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- Left or Right. It is located only on one side, that is, it affects the left or right knee. Most of the time, this situation occurs after injury to a limb.
- Front and back. At the same time, pathological processes develop in both legs. The symmetrical development of the disease is typical for most cases, since the internal processes of the human body have a great influence.
- Primary. It develops as an independent disease. The factors that trigger it are the wrong lifestyle, stress, age-related changes, etc.
- Secondary. Gonarthrosis becomes a consequence of another disease of the musculoskeletal system and systems closely associated with it. Also included in this category are traumatic injuries to the limbs.
It is also worth distinguishing between periarthrosis. This disease involves the muscles and ligaments, thanks to which the joint is set in motion.
Another important category is knee hyperarthrosis. This is the name of progressive degenerative processes in cartilage. In the latter stages, there is a pronounced deforming gonarthrosis. It is worth talking in more detail about the stages of development of the pathology.
Stages of progression
There are four main stages in knee arthrosis. Each of them is distinguished by a more pronounced manifestation of the disease and the emergence of new negative processes.
- Stage 1. Occasionally, discomfort occurs, but after resting and working out the leg, it disappears. There are still no changes in the structure of tissues that are noticeable to the diagnostician, but the nutrition of the cartilage has already been disrupted, which gradually causes the progression of the pathology.
- Stage 2. The pain becomes uncomfortable, the cartilage becomes significantly thinner, which leads to a narrowing of the joint space. A characteristic crunch appears, the movements are also accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
- 3rd - 4th phase. The X-ray photo clearly shows the changes that have occurred in the joint. The cartilage tissue is worn out, the bone begins to deform at the points of friction, some areas are covered with osteophytes and there are salt deposits. All of this blocks the movement of the leg and causes the strongest incessant pain.
If the first degree of gonarthrosis is perfectly possible to eliminate with preservation methods and completely restore the health of the extremities, the third - fourth stages are irreversible and practically not subject to conservative treatment. That is why it is important to seek help from a medical institution as soon as possible.
Consequences and possible complications
Regarding the consequences of gonarthrosis, there are initially no special risks to human health if the appropriate measures are taken in a timely manner. Of course, inflammation of the knee causes some discomfort, but the symptoms and the dystrophic process itself can still be eliminated.
The more the patient ignores the problem, the more neglected it becomes. In the second stage, the cartilage begins to deteriorate and can hardly be restored. Severe pains disrupt a person's normal way of life and exert psychological pressure.
The main consequences of progressive gonarthrosis are:
- persistent pain;
- blocking leg mobility;
- the formation of bone salt growths;
- complete destruction of hyaline cartilage;
- dissemination of the pathological process to other areas;
- involvement of the muscular system;
- disability.
The main question: is it possible to walk with knee arthrosis? The movement contributes to the healing of the whole organism, but this rule only works if the disease is detected early.
In the later stages, the movement can only aggravate the destructive process, therefore, the patient is recommended to rest in bed and use special orthoses. With the deformation and blocking of the mobility of the legs, walking is impaired, that is, the person is disabled. This is the main risk in the development of gonarthrosis.
Diagnostic rules
To avoid these complications and not be disabled, you should seek help immediately. An orthopedic surgeon can advise on the treatment of gonarthrosis.
The success of further treatment depends largely on the degree of detail of the diagnosis and, therefore, it is not necessary to ignore the specialist's prescriptions regarding the need to undergo certain examination procedures.
Comprehensive diagnosis of arthrosis can include the following methods:
- Laboratory blood tests. Required to identify deviations from the norm for baseline indicators. The presence of violations indicates an inflammatory process or other problems that can directly or indirectly speak of joint diseases. A rheumatic test can be done separately, if necessary. It is also important to assess the level of glucose in the blood, as its increase can indicate problems of the endocrine system, which also affects the state of the musculoskeletal system and the metabolic processes of the body.
- Radiography. This is a mandatory procedure that allows you to consider the condition of the diseased area. The image shows bone areas. The degree of cartilage wear is assessed by the size of the joint space, the position of the individual joint elements, the presence of foreign formations and other indicators. ultrasound
- . Ultrasound waves allow a more detailed examination of the condition of the soft tissues themselves, including cartilage. Ultrasound detects inflammatory processes, solid inclusions, as well as tumor formations.
- MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best method for examining the condition of the joints. The image clearly shows all the elements of the joint and adjacent soft tissues, as well as the blood vessels. The image contains a layer-by-layer structure, and the process itself takes place dynamically, so that the doctor sees everything he needs to make a diagnosis. If MRI is contraindicated, CT can be used as an alternative.
- Arthroscopy. A more detailed study of the knee is possible by inserting an arthroscope in its cavity. The procedure is less traumatic, so it can be performed without fear of your health. The camera clearly demonstrates the condition of the cartilage and other tissues.
Treatment methods
To get rid of gonarthrosis and its consequences, it is necessary to properly address the solution to this problem. Only the attending physician can choose the most effective remedy for each specific case.
Most of the time, a variety of drugs are used, as well as popular methods. Some of the techniques closely overlap, for example, several compresses.
If done correctly, it will be possible to significantly weaken the manifestations of the disease and restore the health of your legs to a certain extent. In no case should he hesitate with treatment, otherwise, it will not be possible to do without drastic measures.
Medical therapy
The first thing to start treatment is drug therapy. It can be divided into several areas, depending on the objectives to be achieved:
- Pain relief. In arthrosis, it is the need to relieve pain that leads most patients to seek help from a specialist to obtain a list of medications. Painkillers are necessary for severe discomfort, for example, injections are made in the third stage of gonarthrosis.
- Removal of inflammation. Since it is possible to relieve pain in osteoarthritis of the knee joint by interrupting the inflammatory process, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed without fail.
If the situation is neglected, short courses of glucocorticoids may be prescribed to increase the effect. - Restoration of cartilage. It is necessary to stimulate the regeneration of hyaline cartilage and improve its nutrition, in addition to protecting it from future destruction. For this, different groups of chondroprotectors are used. If we consider the question of whether the drug helps in osteoarthritis of the knee joint, pay attention to the composition of the drug. The combination of important ingredients is one of the most effective products in this category.
- Better tissue nutrition. To speed up the recovery process and strengthen the joint, several drugs and additives are prescribed to improve metabolism, stimulate blood circulation and saturate cells with vitamins and minerals.
Only the attending physician has the right to prescribe and correct drug therapy for knee arthrosis. Independent use of medications is undesirable, only the use of vitamin supplements and the use of some chondroprotectors are allowed.
Diet and lifestyle
An important step in the treatment process is to change your lifestyle, in particular, your eating habits. Much depends on the severity of the disease, for example, riding a bicycle early in development can be beneficial and stimulate recovery processes.
At the same time, when problems with flexion-extension movements appear, this load can only worsen the patient's condition and aggravate the destructive processes.
In general, activity is encouraged because movement contributes to the treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In this case, it is extremely important to observe the rest regime, so as not to overload the legs and avoid sudden movements.
In particular, the question of whether it is possible to run with arthrosis of the knee joint is being considered. It is best to replace this type of physical activity with a brisk walk.
If we talk about nutrition, the contraindications for gonarthrosis are related to alcohol and junk food intake. It is especially important to exclude fatty and salty foods.
Food should be as healthy as possible, that is, include vegetables and fruits, whole grains, milk and cheese, lean meats and fish. Products that help restore hyaline cartilage are very useful: seafood, offal, jelly, apples, seaweed, etc.
Physiotherapy and other procedures
Physiotherapy is a mandatory component of treatment. In addition, modern medicine actively uses a variety of manual and non-traditional methods to influence the body. It is recommended to pay attention to such procedures.
- Magnetotherapy. This is one of the techniques of physical therapy. The magnetic effect stimulates the recovery processes, enhances the effect of drugs. Electrophonophoresis can also be used as an alternative.
- Massage. Various types of manual interventions must be performed by a qualified specialist based on the results of the diagnoses and prescriptions of the attending physician. Massage stimulates metabolic processes in tissues, improves mobility of the legs, relieves discomfort.
- Hirudotherapy. This is a treatment for leeches. Leeches are known for their safe blood purification. They sting the patient's skin, substances that prevent blood clotting come with saliva. A small bleed of this type helps to eliminate the inflammatory process, improves tissue nutrition and has a general effect on the health of the body.
- Acupuncture. This is one of the reflexology methods, the essence of which is to influence the hotspots located not only in the diseased area, but throughout the body. The doctor inserts special needles into the skin at exactly the points that need to be used to solve the problem of gonarthrosis.
Corrective Gymnastics
If we take a closer look at the treatment with the help of physical exercises, first of all it should be noted that the permissible loading standards are established by a specialist. It is best to attend group exercise therapy classes. The sport for knee arthrosis is a mandatory program, even during rehabilitation after surgery.
We will highlight the main directions used for gonarthrosis:
- Swimming pool. Swimming relieves stress and tension in the legs and helps to gently develop the problem area. In particular, water aerobics is useful for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, especially for overweight people and elderly patients.
- Walk. There is no doubt that walking is useful for gonarthrosis, but at the same time, walking should be short and regular. But running is not recommended as a treatment method.
- Training with simulators. They can be special sneakers or, for example, a exercise bike, if you have no contraindications. They are useful for strengthening the muscle and ligament system.
- Corrective gymnastics. Orthopedic doctors and professional rehabilitation therapists develop special sets of exercises that help to gently train all groups of joints and restore your health.
Physical activity in osteoarthritis of the knee joint must be regular and strictly dosed. If you overload your legs or skip classes, there will be no beneficial effect. It is also important to choose the right exercises for your specific situation. Check this point in advance with the healer, for example, it is possible to squat with arthrosis in your case.
Traditional medicine
In addition, the treatment of knee arthrosis at home is closely related to the use of traditional medicine recipes. It is worth remembering that before using this or that remedy prepared on your own, you must make sure that there are no allergies and other contraindications, in addition to consulting your doctor.
Otherwise, the effect may be reversed or the effect of home remedies may excessively increase the effect of pharmacy medicines. However, popular methods are still in demand, since their price is much lower than that of most purchased drugs.
For gonarthrosis, the following remedies are used most often:
- Herbal teas. Infusions and decoctions of laurel leaves, chamomile, St. John's wort, milleft and other medicinal plants are actively used for external and internal use. They are able to relieve inflammation, relieve pain, remove salts and also nourish the body with vitamins and other useful substances.
- Bee products. Propolis, perga, bee pest, wax and honey have an omnidirectional healing effect. That is why treating knee osteoarthritis with honey is such a popular direction. However, it must be kept in mind that bee products can cause severe allergies, so first make sure they are safe to use.
- Alcohol tinctures. It is an excellent remedy to warm up and stimulate blood flow, relieve inflammation and improve mobility of the legs. For the joints, white lilac is especially useful, it should be cleaned of vegetables and served with vodka for two weeks. In addition, the infusion is used to rub the affected area.
- Fresh plants. You can also use natural gifts from nature. For example, a burdock leaf or white cabbage should be lightly mashed and then tied to the knee for at least 10 hours. You can use prefabricated compresses, for example, add medicinal bile, unrefined sunflower oil, honey, etc.
- Animal fats. They are added to homemade creams. To create an ideal consistency, the fat must be mixed with beeswax, decoctions of herbs and other components can be added.
Surgical intervention and rehabilitation
Most patients are concerned with the question: is arthrosis of the knee joint curable, if it has already passed to the 2nd - 3rd stage? Unfortunately, it will not be possible to restore the health of the cartilaginous lining, but there is still a way out.
If you have advanced knee joint arthrosis, treatment options are divided into conservative surgery and auxiliary techniques. If the cartilage is completely worn out, only with an operation can the damaged limb's functions be restored.
The best option is to use endoprostheses. In this case, the damaged elements of the joint are removed partially or completely, and special prostheses are installed in place with screws and surgical cement. Over time, they will be covered with bone tissue and assume all the necessary load.
As it is not always possible to treat arthrosis of the knee joints in this way, the arthrodesis method is used as an alternative to reduce pain and prevent new deformities of the limb.
If in the first case the motor ability of the leg is restored to the maximum, with arthrodesis the opposite effect appears - the limb is fixed in a certain position and, after the bone incision, the elements fuse. Thus, the movement will be available only in one direction.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of the disease, it is supposed to prevent osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
To do this, follow these guidelines:
- avoid injury;
- don't overload your knees;
- be less nervous;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- give up bad habits;
- eat right;
- note your weight;
- Treat other illnesses in a timely manner.
In the first concern, consult your doctor to start fighting the disease in time.