From this article, you will learn everything about the osteoarthritis of the knee joint: What arises, what are the manifestations in different stages?How to treat it, how to prevent disease.
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint, in which the destruction of the cartilage occurs, the damage to the muscles and ligaments, and the deformation of the bones.
The disease occurs mainly after 40 years (12-16% of people at this age are sick).Women get sick 2 times more often than men.Diseases are subject to athletes and people involved in great physical work.
Gonarrosis is gradually developed and accompanied by the appearance of articulation pain:
- Joint mobility decreases;
- The bone and cartilage grow, which interfere with the normal functioning of the joint.
Over time, this leads to the complete immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease leads to disability.
The conservative therapy of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint is only possible in the initial stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), allows it to reduce speed, suspend the development of the pathology.
With the progression of the disease, treatment is only surgical.Completely (100%) getting rid of the pathology can only with endoprothetic, replacing the knee joint.
The traumatologist-organist and other doctors are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.According to the testimony, a rheumatologist consultation is assigned.The symptoms of the disease can also be detected by a sports doctor.
Causes of the disease and types
Depending on the factor caused by the disease, 2 varieties of knee osteoh are distinguished:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of osteoarthritis affects medium and older people.The initial stages are diagnosed after 40 years, and at the age of more than 70, gonarrosis is detected in 60% of people.Often, 2 joints are affected simultaneously.
Primary osteoarthritis occurs due to changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration in blood circulation and deceleration in metabolism.The development risk increases with obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary: It can appear in a person of any age and hit both joints at the same time and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong legs on the legs.
- Ligament lesions, knee meniscus, intra -articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes (parathyroid gland disorders, diabetes, hemochromatosis, vilson disease, gout, mucopolysaccharides and other diseases) are interrupted.
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (synovitis and infectious and non -infectious arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with a deteriorated blood coagulation).
Next, we will analyze in more detail what it is: osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its degree, which begin the changes in the tissues during the pathology.
Symptoms and three stages of the disease
With the development of the disease, cartilage begins to be thinner due to strong loads or lack of nutrients.This causes the friction of the bones to the knee joint.
Erosion on bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body: the formation of growth begins in it.All these factors lead to the deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Scenery | Clinical signs | Processes that occur in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It can flow asymptomatic Poyality on the knees of the morning, during the squatillas, when the stairs climb, after long loads and hypothermia, it is possible Rigidity appears in the knees The synovite can develop: an accumulation in the joint of a liquid, which must be eliminated using a puncture (a puncture of the cavity with a liquid and its fence) |
The cartilage surface becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcerations are formed |
| 2 |
The pain even appears as a result of a slight load and becomes more pronounced with the active walk The leg is not completely folded, the joint is periodically covered The knee expands visually The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to the increase in articulation loads, it seems to be flat Osteophyte formation begins: bone growth The synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Destructive processes are accelerated in cartilage |
| 3 |
Pain acquires chronic nature and persecute the patient even at rest Both the complete flexion and the complete extension of the knee are impossible The volume of the joint increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a cane The deformation of the leg valgo may appear (adjustment of the legs in the form of X) or the deformation of the diverse (adjustment in the form of the legs) |
There is almost no cartilage cloth The bones deform and "press" each other, which leads to limiting mobility in the joint |
Acute form
Acute osteoarthritis of knee joint is the time when the disease progresses faster and clinically manifests clinically.
They can lead to exacerbation:
- load too strong in the joint;
- hypothermia;
- not complex with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes, gonarrosis begins acutely, as if omitting the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnosis
If you notice a articulation restriction in the morning or after a long session, as well as pain down the stairs or squatting, this may be a sign of 1 stage of gonarrosis.
To make a precise diagnosis, come to an appointment with a therapist who will direct him to an orthopedist or other doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarrosis, the doctor will perform an initial exam and the sensation of the joint, and also directs to:
- Radiography: It will help evaluate the condition of the articulation;
- Ultrasound: It will allow us to establish whether the concomitant inflammatory process is present.
Treatment methods
With the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, since many therapeutic measures are with precision to eliminate disturbing characteristics and improve the quality of human life.
Reception of drugs, diet and physiotherapy exercises:
- Reduce more destructive processes in cartilage;
- Prevent the transition from the disease to a more careless stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it can suspend, slow the development of pathology.
Diet
The purpose of observing the diet is to slow down the additional progression of the disease.
What needs to add to the menu and what to exclude:
| Useful products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products, eggs (no more than 3 pieces per day and preferably without yolks): they serve as protein sources |
Fat meat, sausages, sausages: leads to an increase in body weight, which creates an additional load in the joint and also prevents normal synovial fluid formation |
| Fish, especially red varieties, are rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweet, mayonnaise, fast food - products that contribute to a set of excess weight |
| Gelatin, broth soldie |
White cabbage, tomatoes, Bulgarian pepper However, some studies refute their damage to osteoarthritis |
| Rice, millet, Sarracene wheat have complex carbohydrates that contribute to synovial fluid formation |
Egg yolks, cod liver: increases the risk of developing droplets |
| Becoming cottage cheese - cheese - calcium sources |
Coffee: body lenses useful for bones and calcium joints |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, curb Saturated with substances that benefit the joints |
Alcohol: Viola normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5–2 liters per day) - helps normalize metabolism in the body and in the particular joints Juices (those fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt: can lead to exacerbation |
Physical training
If you have developed knee osteoarthritis, medical exercises must become daily.Special exercises help stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will avoid more destructive processes in the cartilage.Physical education will also increase the mobility of the affected knee and avoid pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in the acute course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for the knee joints of Dr. Evdokimenko
The purpose of this therapeutic gymnastics complex is to force the muscles that surround the joint without loading it.Gymnastics according to the Evdokimenko method shows very good results with the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Ceremonies:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs, arms on the seams.Lift on the floor at a height of 15 cm straight leg, tighten the buttocks and muscles of the thigh.Keep this foot position for 30-40 seconds.Find it.Repeat the movement with each foot 1 time.
- Lift your leg straight on the floor by 15 cm, keep it for 1-3 seconds.Return to your original position (IP).Make 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Fold the knee 90 degrees.Raise the folded leg at a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it for 30-40 seconds.Make this movement with each foot 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but with a delay in each leg for 1-3 seconds.Make 10-12 repetitions of each of the legs.
- Lift two straight legs on the floor 10-15 cm.Dilute them to the sides and retire them.Without lowering the legs to the floor, perform movements 8 times.In this case, the muscles of the thigh should work as much as possible.
- Lie on side.Fold the bottom of the leg in the knee.Leave the upper straight part, lift 45 degrees on the floor.Keep it in this way for 30-40 seconds.Perform an exercise at 1 time in each leg.
- Sit in a chair.Raise the maximum set in the knee.Keep it for 30 seconds.Lift every leg 2-4 times.
- Stand up.Be alleged on the back of the chair.Stop in socks.I lie for 30-60 seconds.Back to IP.
- Stand in socks, keep out in this position for 1-3 seconds.Back to IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Put your right foot on the floor.Stop on the left leg sock.Gently rise the sock with the right foot and lower the left heel to the floor.Enrolle thus 10-12 times.
The physical education of this author is more intensity than the previous one.It is only possible in the first signs of gonarrosis.Before starting to do it yourself, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain when making movements, stop them immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to cure the osteoarthritis of the knee joint with completely conservative methods, in severe cases, doctors resort to operational methods.
One of the most effective endoprothetic of the knee joint, that is, replace the rubbing surfaces of the artificial joint.
The recovery period after endoprothetics is 3 to 6 months.
Such surgical interventions are also carried out:
- Artroplasty: Plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- Corrective osteotomy: the correction of the deformations of Valgo or Varus of the legs, which could occur with advanced forms of osteoarthritis.
Popular remedies
Housing products can serve as a wonderful addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating the osteoarthritis of the knee joint with the use of popular remedies, consult your doctor, because some natural ingredients may have contraindications or not combined with the medications that you have prescribed.
Here are some effective recipes, tested time:
- Meat and knee helmets contribute to cartilage restoration.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple vinegar: relieve swelling and pain.Mix the components in the proportion of 3 to 1. at night, make compresses, apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem Alcoke: Help to relieve an attack of pain.Pour 350 g of crushed leaves and topnamic stems 2 l of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Moisten a gauze bandage in the infusion and put a painful joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Participate in physical education, but not overload your knees.Never run in asphalt.Special routes or primers are suitable for running.
- Avoid knee injuries or bring them on time.For bruises and sprains, communicate immediately with the traumatologist and follow all your recommendations.
- Eat correctly.
- Reject bad habits.
Forecast
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not hopeful.Whenever fulfilling all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the amplitude of joint movements.
Do not postpone the visit to the specialist, since in the posterior stages the disease can lead to deformations of the legs and disability.Modern medicine treats them quickly.