Knee pain is a common complaint that requires medical attention.What causes pain and how can you help yourself if it occurs?There is no clear answer because the knee joints can suffer from different types of changes that arise from many causes.One of these reasons (and very common) is incipient arthrosis.Today we will tell you in detail about arthrosis 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
Arthrosis or gonarthrosis of the knee joint is predominantly a non-inflammatory change that eventually leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage, deformation of the knee and limited movement in it.The disease has two main forms:
- primary - occurs due to a congenital defect of the joint;
- secondary - occurs as a result of other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by improper development of joint surfaces or ligaments.When walking, such a joint is exposed to a disproportionate load compared to its capabilities, which causes degenerative changes in it.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: breaking the bones of the lower leg, bruising and dislocation of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bone and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Surgeries to remove the meniscus, as they lead to disruption of the integrated structure of the knee and rapid wear and tear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs, which athletes are often exposed to.
- Excessive fatness also provokes arthrosis, as body weight exerts excessive pressure on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Long-term arthritis is accompanied by the formation of fluid in the joint cavity, and over time it is complicated by arthrosis.
- Metabolic disorders that lead to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases that are associated with spasms of the leg muscles or blood vessels in the long term.
- Postponed surgeries.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of the injury, one-sided arthrosis will most likely develop (for example, in the right knee), and in case of obesity, bilateral arthrosis will develop.
Typical symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by an initial period of months and years, when there are no obvious symptoms (for example, severe pain and visible deformation), but from time to time an unpleasant feeling appears in the knee.
It most often affects overweight women over the age of 40, and especially those with varicose veins as an aggravating factor.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can last for months, sometimes years.A person experiences intermittent knee pain, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, and when going up and down the stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with every movement, accompanied by a characteristic screeching sound.Fluid can accumulate in the joint cavity, and deformation can be detected during the examination.The range of motion of the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even with rest.The discomfort often increases before the weather changes.By this time, the joints have largely lost their function: the legs barely bend at the knees or do not fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes "ducked" or stands on half-bent legs.Deformation of the knee is severe: the legs bend and assume an O or X shape.
The symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop faster.The injury causes pain and swelling in the knee area.Such pain accompanies a person constantly and increases after physical activity.It is gradually 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.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The amount of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion.But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is long-term remission (a period of rest when the manifestations of the pathology are minimal or absent).At the same time, if the cause of arthrosis of the knee joint can be eliminated in the early stages (for example, by reducing body weight), almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of gonarthrosis treatment:
- relieves pain
- if possible, restore damaged cartilage and ligaments,
- increases the range of motion of the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- restorative therapy (physical therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only the doctor can choose the right medicines;under no circumstances should you prescribe them to yourself.Their main activities are aimed at:
- Elimination of the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relief of pain and inflammation.For this purpose, appropriate drugs are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improving blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by agents that relieve spasms of blood vessels and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue.For this purpose, drugs are prescribed that nourish and restore the cartilage tissue.
Manual manipulation and massage can reduce pain, relax tight muscles near the affected knee, increase range of motion, correct bone alignment, and increase blood circulation.
In case of advanced, irreversible damage, arthrosis of the knee joint is treated with a radical method - prosthesis, i.e. by implanting a metal prosthesis to replace the damaged joint.So far, this is the only method that gives a chance for a full recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited lifespan, after which they must be replaced.Since the cost of such operations is very high, this method of treatment has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesiotherapy (exercises with special loads and machines), physiotherapy and sanatorium-resort treatment.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at relieving the burden on the painful knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc., which facilitate walking (if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for making ointments and poultices based on various herbs, medical bile, and warming bandages made of natural wool.Basically, the effect of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Preventive measures
Prevention of arthrosis of the knee involves several factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet must contain sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins and microelements.
- Fighting against an unhealthy lifestyle and getting rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and heavy lifting.
When identifying such a pathology as knee arthrosis, the most important thing is not to let the disease progress, as its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you direct all your efforts to treatment and prevention in time - before time is lost and the symptoms become insignificant - then there is a chance to completely get rid of the disease.