Knee pain is a common ailment with which they seek medical attention. What causes the pain and how to help if it occurs? There is no definitive answer, because the knee joints can suffer from different types of injuries that arise for many reasons. One of these (and very common) reasons 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 methods of treatment and prevention.
Types and causes of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a predominantly non-inflammatory injury that ultimately leads to the destruction of the joint cartilage, deformity of the knee and the limitation of its range of motion. The disease has two main forms:
- primary - arises from a congenital joint defect;
- secondary - arises from other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or young age and is caused by an incorrect formation of the joint surfaces or the ligament apparatus. When walking, such a joint is exposed to a disproportionate load in relation 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 cartilage parts of the joint and its ligament apparatus. In this case, post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops.
- Operations to remove the meniscus, as they lead to a violation of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionate load on the legs that athletes often undergo.
- Excessive obesity also causes osteoarthritis, as it leads to excessive pressure of body weight on the joint 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 can be complicated by osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic disorders leading to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases accompanied by a long-term spasm of the leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Transactions transferred.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral. As a result of trauma, one-sided osteoarthritis (for example, of the right knee) is more likely to develop, and from obesity - bilateral.
Typical symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes it is preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are still no noticeable symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformities), but from time to time there is a sensation of discomfort in the knees.
Most often, women over 40 who are overweight are sick and, most importantly, as an aggravating factor, suffer from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can last for months and sometimes years. A 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 walking up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and already occurs with any movement accompanied by a characteristic crunch. Accumulation of fluid is possible in the joint cavity and, on examination, an incipient deformation can be noted. The range of motion in the sore knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even at rest. Discomfort is often worse before the weather changes. By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs may almost not bend at the knees or not bend to the end. The gait changes: it becomes "swaying" or on bent legs. The deformation of the knees is very pronounced: the legs are bent and take an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop faster. Against the background of the injury, pains appear in the knee region and its swelling. Such pain constantly accompanies a person and increases after physical exertion. Gradually, a feeling of tightness and stiffness joins the knee. Sometimes, with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from the initial signs to irreversible changes.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The purpose 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 (resting 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 of the knee joint (for example, reduce body weight), an almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of the treatment of gonarthrosis:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore the destroyed cartilage and ligament apparatus,
- increase range of motion in the joint.
Methods of treatment:
- pharmacological therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- Surgery,
- rehabilitation therapy (physical therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right drug - in no case do not prescribe them yourself. Their main action is aimed at:
- Elimination of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint: relieve pain and inflammation. For this, appropriate drugs 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 the muscles.
- Cartilage restoration. For this, drugs are prescribed that nourish and restore cartilage.
Manual impact and massage reduce pain, relax spasmodic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
With far-reaching and irreversible injuries, osteoarthritis of the knee is treated by a radical method - prostheses, that is, the implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint. So far, this is the only way that offers the possibility of a full recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited life, after which they must be replaced. Since the cost of such operations is very high, this method of treatment has not yet spread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesitherapy (exercises with special loads and simulators), physiotherapy and spa treatments.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at relieving the sore knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc. , Which facilitate walking (used if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various herbal ointments and compresses, medical bile and warming bandages made of natural wool. Basically, the action of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Prevention measures
Prevention of knee osteoarthritis includes many factors:
- Balanced nutrition: the diet should have a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
- Fight against the wrong lifestyle and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports, weight lifting.
The most important thing in identifying a pathology such as osteoarthritis of the knee is not to initiate the disease, as its far-reaching stages lead to disability. But if all efforts are directed in time to treatment and prevention - until time is lost and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a possibility of a complete cure of the disease.