Knee pain is a common complaint for which doctors are consulted.What causes pain and how to help yourself if it occurs?There is no definitive answer, because the knee joints can suffer different types of injuries that arise for many reasons.One of these reasons (and a very common one) is incipient osteoarthritis.Today we will tell you in detail about osteoarthritis of the knee joint: what are its causes, types, symptoms and signs, we will talk about treatment and prevention methods.
Types and causes of the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is an injury of predominantly non-inflammatory nature, which over time leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage, deformation of the knee and limited range of motion in it.The disease has two main forms:
- primary – occurs due to a congenital defect of the joint;
- Secondary: occurs as a consequence of other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by inadequate formation of the articular surfaces or the ligamentous apparatus.When walking, this joint is exposed to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which causes degenerative changes in it.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: fractures of the bones of the legs, bruises and dislocations of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bone and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops.
- Surgeries to remove the meniscus, since they cause alteration of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs to which athletes usually submit.
- Excessive fat also causes osteoarthritis, since it causes excessive pressure of body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Prolonged arthritis is accompanied by the formation of fluid in the joint cavity and over time can be complicated by osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic disorders that lead to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and long-term diseases are accompanied by spasms of the leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Postponed surgeries.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of injury, unilateral osteoarthritis (for example, of the right knee) is most likely to develop, and due to obesity, bilateral osteoarthritis.
Characteristic symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformities), but from time to time a feeling of discomfort appears in the knees.
Most of the time, overweight women over 40 years of age are affected and, especially, as an aggravating factor, those who suffer from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can last months and sometimes years.A person experiences periodic knee pain, especially when taking the first steps after getting up in the morning, as well as when going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with any movement that is accompanied by a characteristic crunch.Fluid may accumulate in the joint cavity and, upon examination, an incipient deformation may be noted.The range of motion of the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not disappear even with rest.Often the discomfort increases before the weather changes.By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs may barely bend at the knees or may not fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes “wiggled” or with the legs half bent.The knee deformity is severe: the legs bend and take on an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop more quickly.As a result of the injury, pain and swelling appear in the knee area.This pain constantly accompanies the person and intensifies after physical exertion.Little by little it is accompanied by a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee.Sometimes with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from the initial symptoms to irreversible changes.
Gonarthrosis treatment
The extent of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the injury.But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is long-term remission (a resting phase in which the manifestations of the pathology are minimal or absent).At the same time, if in the early stages it is possible to eliminate the cause of osteoarthritis of the knee joint (for example, by reducing body weight), then almost complete recovery is possible.
Objectives of the treatment of gonarthrosis:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore damaged cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increase the range of motion in the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massages and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- Restorative therapy (physiotherapy, physical therapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medications;Under no circumstances prescribe them to yourself.Its main action is aimed at:
- Elimination of osteoarthritis symptoms of the knee joint: relief from pain and inflammation.For this, appropriate medications are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improve blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by agents that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue.For this, medications are prescribed that nourish and restore cartilage.
Manual manipulation and massage reduce pain, relax spastic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
In case of advanced and irreversible damage, knee osteoarthritis is treated with a radical method - prosthesis, that is, the implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.This is so far the only method that offers the possibility of a complete recovery;However, stents have a limited lifespan, after which they must be replaced.Since the cost of this type of operation is very high, this treatment method has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises with special loads and machines), physiotherapy and treatment in a sanatorium.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at relieving a sore knee: canes, orthoses, etc., which facilitate walking (used if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various herbal ointments and compresses, medicinal bile and warm bandages made of natural wool.Basically, the effect of these methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Preventive measures
Prevention of knee osteoarthritis includes many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet must contain a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and microelements.
- Fight against an unhealthy lifestyle and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and lifting heavy objects.
The most important thing when identifying a pathology such as knee osteoarthritis is not to let the disease progress, since its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you direct all your efforts to treatment and prevention in time, before time is wasted and the symptoms become insignificant, there is a chance for complete relief from the disease.