Knee pain is a common complaint for which they seek medical attention. What causes pain and how can you help if it occurs? There is no definitive answer because knee joints can suffer from different types of injuries that arise for various reasons. One of these reasons (and very common) is incipient arthrosis. Today we will talk in detail about arthrosis of the knee joint: what are its causes, types, symptoms and signs, we will talk about methods of treatment and prevention.
Types and Causes of Disease
Arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a predominantly non-inflammatory lesion that ends up leading to the destruction of the articular cartilage, deformity of the knee and limitation of the range of motion in it. The disease has two main forms:
- IM - arises from a congenital joint defect;
- secondary - arises as a result of other illnesses or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or early age and is caused by inadequate formation of the joint surfaces or ligamentous apparatus. When walking, this joint is exposed to a load that is 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 ligamentous apparatus. In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Meniscus removal operations, as they lead to violation of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs that athletes are often subjected to.
- Excessive obesity also causes osteoarthritis, as it leads to excessive pressure from the body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Long-term arthritis is accompanied by fluid buildup in the joint cavity and, over time, can be complicated by arthrosis.
- Metabolic disorders that lead to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases accompanied by a prolonged spasm of leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Transferred operations.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral. As a result of trauma, unilateral arthrosis (eg of the right knee) is more likely to develop, and obesity - bilateral.
typical symptoms
Arthrosis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are still no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformity), but occasionally there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees. .
Most of the time, overweight women over 40 years old are sick and, mainly, as an aggravating factor, varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial phase can last for months and sometimes years. The person is concerned about periodic pain in the knees, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, as well as when going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and already occurs with any movements accompanied by a characteristic snap. It is possible for fluid to accumulate in the joint cavity and, on examination, an incipient deformity can be noted. Range of motion in the painful knee starts to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even at rest. Discomfort usually gets worse before climate change. At this point, the joints have largely lost their function: the legs barely bend at the knees or don't bend all the way. The gait changes: it becomes "waving" or with bent legs. The deformation of the knees is very pronounced: the legs are bent and assume the shape of an O or X.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop more quickly. In the context of the injury, pain and swelling appear in the knee region. This pain constantly accompanies the person and increases after physical exertion. Gradually, a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee joins it. Sometimes, with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from initial signs to irreversible changes.
treatment of gonarthrosis
The scope 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 (rest phases when 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 arthrosis in the knee joint (for example, to reduce body weight), then almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of gonarthrosis treatment:
- eliminate the pain,
- if possible, restore the destroyed cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increase range of motion in the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- rehabilitation therapy (exercise therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medication - in no case, do not prescribe them yourself. Its main action aims to:
- Elimination of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relieves 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 means that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Cartilage restoration. For this, drugs that nourish and restore cartilage are prescribed.
Manual impact and massage reduce pain, relax cramping muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
With long-range irreversible injuries, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - the prosthesis, that is, the implantation of a metallic prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint. So far, this is the only form that gives the chance of a full recovery, however, stent grafts have a limited service life, after which they must be replaced. As the cost of these operations is very high, this method of treatment has not yet spread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises with special loads and simulators), physiotherapy and spa treatment.
Orthopedic methods aim to relieve the painful knee - walking sticks, orthotics, etc. , which facilitate walking (used if necessary).
There are many popular recipes for various herbal ointments and compresses, medical bile, and warming bandages made from natural wool. Basically, the action of these methods aims to relieve pain and eliminate the main symptoms.
prevention measures
Prevention of knee arthrosis includes many factors:
- Balanced nutrition: the diet must contain sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Fight the wrong way of life and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Appropriate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports, weight lifting.
The most important thing in identifying a pathology such as arthrosis of the knee is not to start the disease, as its far-reaching stages lead to disability. But if all efforts are directed in time towards treatment and prevention - until time is lost and the symptoms are negligible - there is a chance of a complete cure for the disease.