Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonartrose, osteoarthrosis) is the deformation and destruction of cartilage, which is accompanied by pain.This condition can cause loss of functionality and even handicap.The disease more often affects women over the age of 40, especially subjects to fullness.At a young age, osteoarthritis occurs due to injuries received during sports or hard physical work.The disease may be at an act or bilateral if both legs are affected.It is necessary to treat pathology in depth.
Development reasons
There are two forms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, according to the causes of the disease:
- primary;
- Secondary.
The primary form develops in childhood and is associated with poor formation of ligaments or joints, which are even more distorted during physical activity.
The secondary form is caused by the reasons described in the table:
| Reasons | Description |
| Wounds | Fractures, dislocations, damage to the meniscus.These factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis at a young age.In the presence of injuries, it becomes impossible to fold and fold the member.The treatment consists of a temporary fixation of the leg, which worsens the blood circulation process.This becomes the reason for the formation of osteoarthritis.When a meniscus is removed, conditions develop in 9 out of 10 cases |
| Increased loads | They must correspond to the age of a person.With excessive loads, microtrauma and stretching occur, which are not always felt, but cause significant damage to the state of the joints.All movements during sports should be smooth.Knee joints are the most surprised during the race and squats |
| Overweight | This factor causes damage to the meniscus.In full -fledged people, the restoration of the knee joint occurs longer, because the additional load of an excess weight is precisely on the knees.The severe form of osteoarthritis due to obesity occurs in conjunction with varicose veins |
| The weakness of the ligament apparatus | This condition is most often combined with the mobile joints if called.In this case, a person has a flexible body and can sit on the string without hot ups, which leads to the microtramat, then to osteoarthritis, if there is more damage.The mobility of the joints can also be associated with an altered sensitivity to the legs, so a person does not feel pain in the damage |
| Joint diseases | Osteoarthritis often occurs in the presence of arthritis (rheumatoid, reactive or psoriatic).In this case, the accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity occurs, which leads to the destruction of the tissue and osteoarthritis |
| Metabolic processes violation | If disturbances in the fabric occur, do not receive the minerals and the substances required.Calcium deficiency negatively affects the cartilage condition.This condition also leads to a salt deposit |
| Stress | With constant nervous stress and mood swings, deterioration in blood circulation occurs in the legs, swelling and inflammation occur |
The disease can occur in a form to an act (right or left) or bilateral:
- The injury is the cause of osteoarthritis on a back;
- Obesity - bilateral.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint differ depending on the stage of the disease.The classic order of their occurrence is described in the table:
| Symptom | Description |
| Cracker and click on the joints | This symptom often remains unnoticed, although the tightening indicates the start of the process.To determine its presence, you should put your hand on the knee cup and look slowly and relax the knee.Crunch or clicks are feeling quite easy |
| Pain | At the very beginning of degenerative changes, it is almost not noticeable and intensified after static loads (weight lifting).The dynamic load, on the contrary, improves the nutrition of cartilage.Pain is associated with exposure of nerve endings when erasing the cartilage fabric.With the progression of the disease, pain intensifies because the inflammatory process and edema are also produced.The development of pronounced inflammation signals pain that even appears at rest |
| Moving station | This condition generally occurs after night sleep and lasts 30 to 60 minutes.The fibrin film is formed during the inaction of the joint and after sleep mechanically prevents its movement until it is partially erased.The stiffness of the movements that lasts more than an hour indicates another disease |
| Reduce the amplitude of movements | It manifests itself in the impossibility of folding the leg at the knee until the end.The patient, striving to minimize the pain, tries to move the foot less.The ligaments are adjusted to a small volume of movements over time and shorten |
| Increase in the volume of the joint | It occurs due to the swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the articulation and the point -shaped growth along its edge, which, with the progression of the disease, merge into a single network |
| Joint joint in a single position | In this case, the joint is blocked in a certain position and with any movement causes pain.This occurs due to changes in the articular surface, in which the interior ligaments go beyond the natural edges of the bones, which leads to its stretching.The seal is fixed in a certain position and can return to that initial can only with the reverse ligament of the ligament.In rare cases, the scrambling occurs due to foreign bodies (for example, parts of the meniscus) in the joint gap |
| Dislocation and subluxation | These conditions are with advanced osteoarthritis.With a dislocation, the axis of the legs moves on the side and the insertion of the joint is quite difficult.The subluxation is associated with the partial displacement of the surface of the joint in relation to the normal position.In this case, the pain is pronounced, but the difference in the lower leg towards the light |
Degree and type of disease
There are 3 degrees of diseases that depend on the severity of the symptoms.
First of all
The 1st degree osteoarthritis takes place almost asymptomatic.In this case, they are characterized by:
- fatigue in the legs;
- A little pain after the load that goes to rest;
- slight decrease in mobility after sleep;
- Rarely - the accumulation of synovial fluid, which leads to the formation of the cyst of a baker;
Externally, joint deformation is not noticeable.On X -rays, the disease is not visible, or small irregularities manifest itself on the tissue of the cartilage and the surface of the bone.Additional studies are needed without fault.
The second
In this case, the symptoms will be more pronounced:
- The pain occurs from the minimum load, but after rest, it passes;
- A crunch occurs during movement;
- It becomes impossible to fold the leg;
- The bones of joint change;
- Synovitis is progressing;
- The shape of the changes, which is associated with the accumulation of liquid.
In the X -ray, the growth of the bone is noticeable.
The third
For 3rd degree osteoarthritis, the characteristics are:
- pain that is not linked to the load (the joint even disturbs the night);
- fully disturbed mobility;
- Sensitivity of the joint to change weather conditions.
The radiography shows changes in the cartilage and the surface of the joint.The curvature of the legs leads to a handicap.
Deforming osteoarthritis (DOA) is caused by the bone deposit.Most often, women have an excess weight suffer from it.The main symptoms are acute pain and crunching it in the joint.The treatment should be started even at the initial stage - in this case, the possibility of preserving the cartilage fabric is quite high.
Depending on the location, osteoarthritis can be:
- knee;
- hip (coksartrose);
- cervical;
- shoulder;
- Lotar;
- ankle;
- vertebrates.
Complete treatment
The therapy of this disease is quite long.In medicine, there are 3 main steps of treatment depending on the degree of disease:
| The degree of osteoarthritis | Therapeutic measures |
| 1st |
|
| 2nd |
|
| 3rd |
|
Drugs
Medicines are based on 3 groups of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Chondroprotectors.
NSAID
It is a group of drugs that have an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effect.They are divided into two groups:
- Non -elegant.The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug manifests itself on all the tissues of the body, including healthy tissues.
- Selective.Act directly on the objective of inflammation.
The most common side effect of these drugs is the formation of ulcers and the erosion of the stomach and the intestine of 12 parameters.In addition, it is recommended to take funds to protect the mucosa.At the same time, local NSAIDs do not cause such negative consequences, so that they can have been used for a long time.
To obtain rapid pain relief and an anti-inflammatory effect, intramuscular injections with NSAIDs are prescribed.
Glucocorticosteroids
These drugs are prescribed if the effect of NSAIDs is insufficient.
Hormonal compounds for osteoarthritis are only used local - in the form of ointments or intra -articular injections.ONGUENTS with glucocorticosteroids cannot be used for more than 7 to 10 consecutive days.A longer course leads to skin atrophy instead of application.
Intra-articular injections are necessary when pain relievers and anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs and hormone ointments are not enough.
The effect of injections in the joint occurs fairly quickly: the patient feels relief in the first half hour.The duration of the injection depends on the duration of the drug in the joint cavity.This is influenced by two factors - the volume of the medication administered and its consumption.The stronger the cartilage damage, the more the drug is consumed.
Chondroprotector
The action mechanism of this group of drugs is based on the delivery of substances necessary for its restoration to joint cartilage.During therapy with chondroprotectors:
- There is no anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect;
- The therapeutic effect is gradually occurring;
- It turns out that prevention is due to the prevention of additional destruction of cartilage.
These drugs include substances that form the cartilage of the joint:
- the construction substance of the cartilage, which is necessary to maintain its structure;
- The basis of the production of intra-articular fluid.
It is necessary to take medication for a long time (3-5 months).
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy of osteoarthritis is a method of physical influence, which has a beneficial effect on the state of the knee joint.The main condition for achieving a positive result is the right choice of the necessary procedures.
Physiotherapy is just a auxiliary tool.
The table describes the procedures used for osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
| Name | Effect | The duration of treatment |
| Electrophoresis using drugs | Under the influence of direct electric current, certain drugs can be delivered to the deep tissue of the joint.Anesthetics and chlorinated drugs are most often prescribed | Half an hour a day for 2 weeks |
| Ultrafonophoresis | Using ultraviolet waves, the active substances of drugs penetrate deep into the fabric.Hormonal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic pain relievers are used together | No more than 10 minutes a day for 10-14 days |
| Laser radiation | Under the influence of the light radiation beam, specific molecules are activated, contributing to the restoration of metabolic and regenerating processes in the fabric | 7-10 minutes a day for 2 weeks |
| Infrared radiation | A deep fabric heating occurs, as a result of which substances are formed which launch recovery reactions in the joint | 10 minutes.Treatment course - 1 week |
| Impulsive magnetotherapy | Under the influence of a high frequency magnetic field, changes occur in cells and tissues - membranes are reinforced, metabolic processes are normalized | By joint - 5-8 minutes for 7 days |
| Local cryotherapy | Under the influence of low temperatures (a cold air flow at -30 degrees), there is an increase in the functions of all basic systems, which stimulates the restoration of the tissues | 10 minutes per seal for 10 days |
Certain methods, when they are inappropriate, can worsen the state of the knee joint.
Surgery
The medical treatment method aims at the maximum delay at the time when the only means of therapy is the replacement of the sick joint with a single artificial joint.Most often, such a decision is made at the last stage of osteoarthritis.
The main methods of surgical intervention are:
- Arthroscopy.A special needle is introduced by the puncture, which eliminates bone growth that causes pain, as well as cartilage and fragments.
- Prostheses.In this case, the damaged joint is removed and replaced by an artificial joint.Modern prostheses are rarely rejected by the body.
Exercise therapy
A set of exercises for osteoarthritis helps restore joint function and strengthen it.They must be done slowly so as not to stretch the ligaments.
Description:
- Lying on the stomach, slowly lift the legs alternately until a right corner forms.The main emphasis is on the hip muscles and the lower leg.Stress at the back should not be authorized.
- Lie on the stomach, lift the straight legs, as much as possible.In this position, reduce and generate them alternately.This exercise is not suitable for everyone, because the draft muscles are necessary.It is not recommended to execute it to people with high blood pressure.
- Lying on the side, fold the leg below.Lift the upper leg and wait for a few seconds at the top.
- Go up to the socks, standing at the back of the chair.Ampile at the top, while stretching the leg muscles.
- Move a heel leg gently to the toe.The other foot must perform the opposite - toe -toe -toe action.
- Rinse on the back of the chair and stand on the heels, raise socks, gradually increasing time.
- Standing, put your legs vigorously in the knee to the thigh.
Diet
There is no special diet for osteoarthritis.The correction of power aims to reduce body weight, reducing the inflammatory process and the strengthening of joint structures.
The diet must be balanced, with a high content of vitamins and minerals.
Basic principles:
- Restriction of salt consumption (up to 5-8 g per day) and all salt products (canned food, fries, salting).
- Exclusion of fried dishes.It is recommended to cook food, simmer, cook or steam.
- Increase in liquid consumption (up to 2 to 2.5 liters of water per day).
- Transition to fractional nutrition.
- Daily use of 2-3 fruits.
It is recommended to use the following dishes:
- fish and seafood;
- nut;
- Sunflower, olive and linseed oil;
- Low meat and chicken in fat;
- fresh berries and fruits;
- Vegetables - beets, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage;
- whole grain bread;
- Milk and dairy products.
Folk methods
Before using folk remedies, it is recommended to clarify the diagnosis and consult a doctor.The most effective recipes are described in the table:
| Ingredients | Application method |
| Nettle leaves and juniper berries in an equal amount, honey in a report of 1: 3 |
|
| Black roots, flowers or branches |
|
| Bay Leaf - 10 g, 250 ml of water |
|
| Dry mustard and honey (2 tablespoons), egg |
|
| Cabbage |
|
| Chamomile, Calendula, Bardane in equal quantities, oil jelly |
|
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a serious disease that cannot be completely healed.If the first symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor and follow all your recommendations so as not to bring the disease to the last step.