The deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint is called gonarrosis in medicine, this is a degenerative-dystophical disease in the knee hyaline cartilage, which covers the femoral and lukewarm condiles.
With the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the symptoms are gradually developed, for years, the main manifestation of the disease is pain, stiffness during movement. It is gonarrosis that is considered the most common disease between the osteoarthritis of other joints, such as hip osteoarthritis, the osteoarthritis of the elbow joints or shoulders, and the phalanges of the fingers.
Most of the time, the disease affects the faces of more than 40 years, women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis. Sometimes it develops in young people in the context of injuries or in excessive load athletes.
Knee osteoarthritis: symptoms, causes, stages of the disease
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
There may be several symptoms of severe disease (bone arthritis, joints), and not all occur at the same time, but cartilaginous tissues are gradually destroyed.
Consider the symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint at all stages (stages) of the disease.
In the initial stage, the patient has a minimum of discomfort, but even a slight but quite acute pain in the knee joint begins to appear. A problem to become a trip or a long hiking becomes problematic. In addition, the pain that supports the body begins to worsen and the person already becomes uncomfortable on the knees, after physical effort or when rising from the sedentary positions, when there is a load in the lower part of the limbs. In such cases, they feel acute pain in the cartilage or in the knee joint. Such pain goes quickly, but every time he returns.
In the next stage of the disease, not only painful sensations are improved, but also begins to modify the knee. Due to the liquid accumulated in the cartilaginous tissue, the knees can become spherical and slightly swollen.
In addition, everything is worse. If the disease is not treated, the blood circulation process is altered in the knee, the area of the hyaline cartilage dries and the cartilage itself can be broken, after which it will begin to collapse, and several types of growth will begin to appear in the bone structure. At this stage, the cartilage movement is already very difficult, and each step is given to a person with difficulty. Walking causes severe pain, which practically does not end, and discomfort, cartilage degeneration occurs.
The last stage of the disease is when the knee joint is already completely affected, there is no cartilage cloth in the knee, and a person without support simply cannot sit and stand up, cannot move completely, without experiencing severe pain in its such movements.
- Symptoms that must react. A person must react even when the pain that occurs in the knee begins with the slightest stress and stress in the leg, when walking or squatting, there is a crunch of knees, when the movements are disgusted, their legs get tired quickly, the swelling appears on the knees.
- What to do if the joints hurt? If the joints of the knees began to hurt or there was acute pain in the cups when you get up and sit down, consult a doctor immediately. Do not wait until the osteoarthritis of the knee joint hit the joint and the knee cartilage completely, go to the doctor as soon as he felt the first symptoms of the disease. Remember, when the disease has already completely impressed the cartilage tissue, the deformation of the bone occurs and the pain does not decrease per day, at night, or when walking, or without it.
- When to contact a rheumatologist? A person must go to a rheumatologist in the first manifestations (symptoms) of the disease.
- The main symptoms of osteoarthritis. The main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, in which you must develop your attention: the pains of any intensity and strength on the knees or a knee, which a person feels when lifting a sitting or lying position, when walking; the pain that manifests in the knee glasses during the elevators on the stairs; The appearance of pain syndrome immediately after a person leaves a state of rest, for example, rises after sitting and begins to move.
The causes of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint can hit a person for several reasons: this is the age (over the years, the cartilage wears out), and an intense physiotherapy in the leg or leg, and several types of knee injuries, and much more.
The main reasons for the development of osteoarthritis:
- Overweight.
- Elderly age.
- Inheritance.
- Osteoporosis.
- The deficiency in the body of vitamins and useful trace elements necessary for the bones.
- Specific work with constant loads in the cups of the knees.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Sports (intensive training, load in one leg or both legs).
- Knee injuries.
To avoid disability, you must consult a rheumatologist in time for qualified assistance.
What happens to the articulation with osteoarthritis.
At each stage of the disease, its modifications occur in the cartilage, in the joints and bones of the knees.
Then, at the beginning of the development of the disease, the cartilage softens hard, becomes very vulnerable. In addition, microcks and small tears, which gradually increase, appear on the surface of the joints. The next stage: the cartilage begins to grow and increase in thickness. The last stage is the complete destruction of the cartilage in a specific section or some individual of the joint.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, degree of disease
All rheumatologists reveal the three degrees of osteoarthritis of the human knee.
First. It is characterized by a slight narrowing of the slots directly between the joints themselves, which leads to slight discomfort and there are no movements restrictions.
The second. In it, doctors indicate pronounced narrowing of cracks between the joints, the formation of osteophones and cysts, the appearance of a strong crunch on the knees.
The third and the last. In it there is a change in the forms of osteophytes, there is a partial or complete change (destruction) of the bones, the movement of the legs on the knees becomes impossible.
The degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 1 grade. At this stage, the ailment is only emerging, the cartilage is almost complete and the bones are not deformed. At this time, people feel rare pain in knee cups with some frivolous loads in their legs. These pains pass, but then they arise again and again, they pass and appear again, they become more frequent, the swelling can begin, which, according to the observation of the patients, takes place without taking pills and the use of ointments.
- Surrosy of the knee joint 2 degrees. This stage is already characterized by slightly large pains compared to the initial stage. The pain occurs not only if there is an intensive load, but also with ordinary walk, when raising gravity, when it rises from a sitting position. A different crunch of knees begins to listen. Already in the indicated stage begins gradually, slowly or intensely (depending on the individuality of the body), the joint is deformed, human movements are limited.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 3 degrees. In the end, and this is the third, the degree of our disease, the symptoms are already very expressed, the pain in the knee joints is regular and the modification of the bones is already remarkable by the eye. Human mobility is almost completely limited, it is very difficult for the patient to choose a convenient position for himself, pain does not decrease.
Surlest articulation osteoarthritis: symptoms and treatment
General symptoms include:
- the feeling of pain in the cups of the knees when a person moves (the beginning of the disease);
- pain in the affected areas, which is strengthened every day;
- Night pain in knee joints;
- edema in areas affected by the disease;
- Rough Rough Dry Runned on Knees;
- Deformation of bones in places affected by the disease.
The main symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis (the main one, according to doctors-russia) are four.
These include:
- pain during the movement of the knees;
- Dry crunch in affected places;
- reduction in the ability to move sick legs;
- Changes of external affected areas (complete or partial).
- Diagnosis and treatment for the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Having carefully examined the patient, the rheumatologist evaluates the situation, turning his gaze to the changes visible by the eye in the areas of a knee or both and their direct mobility. The survey method establishes places of pain and crunch, as well as the intensity of these pains.
In addition to an X line for the patient, the doctor prescribes computerized tomography and (O) magnetic resonance. These studies are necessary to establish a precise diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis, treatment methods
The treatment of osteoarthritis of any stage of the knee joint includes:
- Treatment methods using medications;
- Treatment methods using exercise therapy and special physiotherapy;
- Treatment methods using the most ordinary massage;
- Surgical intervention.
Which gives effective therapy.
Effective therapy prescribed by a doctor contributes to:
- elimination of acute pain;
- The restoration of the destroyed cartilaginous tissue (if possible, the result depends on the degree of disease);
- Increased joint mobility.
In the elimination of knee osteoarthritis, exercise therapy plays a special role, a special diet based on legumes and dairy products and massages. If the therapy prescribed for one reason or another did not show the desired result, an operation was prescribed to the patient to install a special prosthesis that replaces the joint.
Knee joint osteoarthritis: treatment, drugs
A competent treatment with osteoarthritis of the cartilaginous tissues of the knee joint (violations of the cartilage composition) prescribed by the rheumatologist includes a whole drug complex. This treatment complex generally includes:
- Nesteroid, aimed at eliminating inflammation, drugs.
- Condroprotectors.
- Special creams or ointments.
- Therapeutic agents on the basis of the compresses.
Most of the time, for the treatment of the osteoarthritis of the knee cartilage, doctors recipe ibuprofen of any manufacturer, also production indomethacin, ketoprofen, diclofenaco, pyroxics and others.
The appointment of these medications contributes to the rapid elimination of pain, as a result of which the patient can begin a fruitful treatment in other ways: the massage method, medical exercises, etc.
As for the ointments, more frequently for the patient the use (rubbing with massage movements in the painful area) of such drugs in the form of dense ointments (creams) and gels, such as Diclofenaco, Fastum, Fededon, Transivazin, Dolgit and others.
The list of gels and special ointments: external preparations for the joints in the modern pharmacological market is very wide and diverse and, therefore, on the recommendation of a doctor, the patient can choose between the total number the most appropriate and effective specifically in his case.
Some of the most popular recipes for traditional medicine against osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Treatment with a gross or the most ordinary gross. For the treatment, it is necessary (it is necessary to take three Burdock sheets (it is better to take young leaves), join them to the sore knee and wrap them with gauze, which is sold in any pharmacy or bandage. In addition to Marley, it is also better to use a heating scarf. The procedure must be repeated daily before bedtime, leaving gross leaves in a painful place throughout the night.
- With osteoarthritis and plant juice, Ceandine will help. You need to buy or get Celandine juice yourself. Having saturated with said juice a linen or any other natural fabric, apply it to a painful point for 45-55 minutes. Having eliminated the bandage, the joint immediately grease with any vegetable oil. Repeat the treatment for at least 10 days, then take the same break and repeat the course again.
- Treatment of osteoarthritis by a lion tooth. For such therapy, it will be necessary to make a collection of flowers of a flourishing lion tooth. To obtain the proper effect, folk healers recommend that patients eat daily five lion tooth flowers with an empty stomach, previously lowered in boiled and launched warm water. In addition, from the lion tooth flowers, you can make a special grinding infusion. To do this, a bank is taken, which is previously treated with boiling water, half full of lion tooth flowers and is poured (second half of the jar) by any conventional colony. The product is placed in a dark place and closes under the lid. After 30 days, infusion can be used to rub painful stains. The rubbing movements are carried out in a schedule for 20-30 seconds per knee.
After using these compresses, approximately 75% of patients indicate a significant improvement in their condition, a decrease in pain and almost complete disappearance of a characteristic cortex of the knees.
OughtRemember that recipes for traditional medicine do not deal with the disease, they can only complement the therapeutic course of drug treatment, which makes this course more effective.
If you prepare any of the media of traditional medicine or correctly prepare the raw materials for said tool, it cannot be independent, it is better to buy such components in a pharmacy or ask to collect plants of knowledgeable people (healers, grandmothers).
Therapeutic gymnastics
A special place in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knees is occupied by special therapeutic gymnastics (exercise therapy). Patients are prescribed, regardless of the treatment process to improve the flow and exit of blood in an affected area, increase muscle strength and prevent contractures. It is shown together with the use of special drugs.
LFK for osteoarthritis is not at all a specific treatment, it is an auxiliary method to combat the disease that is prescribed in combination with a special medication course.
Several therapeutic gymnastics exercises for treatment and prevention:
- It is necessary to go to a hard place (floor). Fold and immediately extend the knees immediately with both legs. It is recommended to repeat the exercises for 3-5 minutes with the highest possible frequency in one day. The load in both legs must be the same.
- Lying on the back, on the floor, cross the legs with scissors (foot on the leg, first the right leg from above, then from below), holding the knees in a state exposed. It is recommended to repeat such movements every day. The exercises should not cause discomfort, with pain, it is better to abandon such exercise.
- Lying face up, in a solid place, pushing it in turn towards the stomach, folding another leg in the knee. These movements, made daily, will help exclude it from the risk zone. It is recommended that the exercises be repeated every day for 3-4 minutes with the highest possible frequency. The load on both legs, as in the first case, should be the same.
An exercise therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint cartilage will bring more benefits if it combines therapeutic exercises with a special massage.
Visible changes in the condition with the use of physiotherapy exercises in the patient can occur in 7-10 days.
If you cannot perform an exercise therapy yourself, it is better to reject the exercises.
Outrosis of the knee joint: the first symptoms, treatment, prevention and diet
In short, they would like to realize that after having discovered the first symptoms of the disease, and these are pain in the knee joints and a characteristic crunch, go to the doctor immediately and start a special treatment with medications.
A diet that will help with osteoarthritis.
Immediately if you find osteoarthritis or to prevent the disease, check the diet of your usual diet. In the daily diet, there must be a steam or boil. It is better if foods that have a beneficial effect on bones, ligaments, joints and cartilage are used in food. These products include: all legumes, cottage cheese, hard varieties of cheese, soup, baked fish, baked fish, hazelnuts, almonds, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, prepared depending on the bones.
A diet described above is not a specific method of treatment, for effective treatment it should be used in combination with medications, medical exercises and massages.
The first group of reasons: hereditary and age factors
Inheritance
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease in which a hereditary predisposition is quite pronounced. So, if you are a woman, and your mother suffered from osteoarthritis in any form (not on all knees), then the probability of obtaining this disease is 2-3 times greater than on average in the population. If you have sisters and are also sick of osteoarthritis, then the probability of their appearance is even more.
In addition, there are diseases with a hereditary predisposition in which the connective tissue is affected, the qualified SO collagenosis, which include, for example, a sticler syndrome. In the presence of such defects by the collagen, a substance that is part of the ligaments, the probability of developing the disease also increases.
In part to this group of knee osteoarthritis causes, endocrine system diseases are adjacent: diabetes mellitus, lack of female sex hormones in menopause and a series of other conditions.
Age
Unfortunately, the greater the person, the higher the risk of osteoarthrosis. This is due to the fact that with the age of cartilage for regeneration and restoration falls, and metabolism in the joints deteriorates.
So, if at the age of 45, this ailment suffers from 1, 5 to 3-4% of the population (American data), then almost every third person is sick in the interval of 45 to 65 years (30%). And at the age of 65 to 85, the frequency of disease development increases to 80 percent or more!
In addition, in mature age patients, the development of the disease is influenced not only by age in itself, but also by hormonal changes. Then, in women in menopause, the probability of the development of osteoarthritis increases abruptly. This is due to the fact that estrogen (female sex hormones) regulate metabolism processes in joints, cartilage, bones and ligaments. When they become smaller (when menopause), metabolism in these tissues worsens and the risk of osteoarthrosis increases considerably.
Second group of causes: congenital and acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Inflammation of the joint
The inflammation of the knee joint (arthritis, with greater precision, units) is one of the most common causes of gonarrosis. Unfortunately, most microorganisms that penetrate the joint and cause their inflammation contribute to the fact that the delicate cartilage is deformed. At the same time, its nutrition worsens significantly, the shape of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones changes, etc.
Due to all these reasons, the normal sliding of the cartilage in the articular bones is altered. This leads to additional cartilage trauma, worsens the volume of movements in the joint and, until the end, creates a very fertile terrain for the development of osteoarthrosis.
Knee operations and injuries
Another common cause of the disease is the presence of knee injuries and surgical interventions. Very often there is one and the other, for example, when, as a result of a sports injury, an operational meniscus elimination is carried out. The normal function of the joint is affected, the load in the cartilage changes, intensifies in atypical places and, as a result, the knee osteoarthrosis is formed.
Metabolic disorder in the body
The cartilage tissue in the joints is one of the few, whose nutrition does not occur through the supply of nutrients through blood vessels. The cartilage is "eats" by the diffusion of nutrients from the synovial fluid, as well as directly from the pineal glands according to the same principle.
This is a fairly subtle and fragile mechanism, therefore, if several metabolic disorders occur in the body, it can break and stop working. Therefore, some diseases in which metabolism in the body is very disturbed can contribute to osteoarthrosis.
These diseases include primary and secondary gout, joint chondromatosis, hemochromatosis, oconosis, as well as Wilson-Konovalov's disease and a series of other diseases. In addition, endocrine diseases can also be added to this group that also affects metabolism throughout the body: diabetes mellitus and the lack of female sex hormones (estrogen) in old age due to menopause.
Third group of reasons: greater loads and microtraum cartilage
Sports and hard physical work at work
As already mentioned, cartilage nutrition is a very subtle mechanism that can interrupt not only metabolism problems, but also increase loads in the knee joint.
This happens quite frequently with intensive sports, as well as when a person's work implies high physical activity, as well as a prolonged position on their feet without the ability to sit and relax.
At the same time, certain muscle groups (for example, muscles at the bottom of the leg and thigh) are excessive. This worsens nutrition in muscles and joints, which means that there are problems with metabolism inside the cartilage, when cartilage simply do not have time to recover after such a strong physical effort in the joint.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint should be differentiated (distinguishing) from rheumatic, inflammatory diseases and some others with similar symptoms.
For this, a standard exam standard has been adopted, which includes a general biochemical blood analysis, radiographic examination, magnetic resonance and ultrasound.
With osteoarthritis, a blood analysis does not reveal significant deviations from the norm. A change in blood composition, an increase in the level of immune cells and antibodies generally indicates another disease.
Since osteoarthritis is not manifested in the analysis in any way, the only reliable way to diagnose it is a hardware exam.
X -Ray, as the most common and cheap exam method, is able to identify with relative precision the osteoarthritis and its stage.
In the image, structural changes in the joints and bones are clearly distinguished. The x -ray exam allows detecting structural deformations, determining defects on articular surfaces.
For a reliable determination of gonarrosis and the stage of its development, an additional exam is used together with X -Ray: in ultrasound, magnetic resonance or CT.
The methodology for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is designed to guarantee the precise detection of the disease in the early stages of development, which will effectively treat it.
Unfortunately, due to the details of the disease, the effectiveness of this approach is small: patients are inclined not to pay attention to weak pain and light chroma, and are already taken to the doctor in the second or third stage of gonarrosis.
Additional recommendations: prevention
Preventive measures aim to eliminate risk factors that lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
It is recommended to participate in moderate physical activity. In this case, the possible injury, overwhelming and hypothermia of the joints should be avoided.
As noted above, no connection between the diet and the risk of developing osteoarthritis has been established.
However, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of salty and spicy foods, alcohol and cigarettes: this will improve the general condition of the body and reduce the load in the joint.
In the presence of a family history, which indicates a genetic predisposition, a physical examination should be regularly received. In general, the prevention of osteoarthritis is to lead a moderate lifestyle. It is important not to start the disease and consult a doctor with the slightest suspicion of osteoarthritis.