Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists in deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint, as a result of which the structure and function of the cartilage are disrupted.The disease has several names – gonarthrosis, deforming arthrosis.For the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, there is no clear scheme or a single drug that could equally help everyone suffering from this problem.Because osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, it is more commonly seen in women who are overweight, have venous disease, and the elderly.The treatment is carried out and prescribed individually for each patient.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur on one or both sides (depending on whether the disease develops in one or both legs).At the first symptoms, it is necessary to resort to appropriate treatment, since ignoring this problem can lead to the final destruction of the cartilage and the exposure of the bone and, as a result, to human disability.

There are three stages of the disease:

1. The initial stage of knee osteoarthritis is characterized by the loss of shock-absorbing properties and the cartilages rubbing against each other during movements, which causes severe discomfort for the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deforms, dries out and, in the advanced stages of the disease, is even covered in cracks.
2. Due to reduced wear and tear, bone deformation occurs, leading to the formation of osteophytes (growths on the bone surface) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new joint membrane and capsule are also subject to deformation, and the knee joint gradually atrophies due to the stiffness of movement.There is also a change in the density of the synovial fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poorer blood circulation and a deterioration in the nutrient supply to the knee joint.The thinning of the lining between the cartilage joints reduces the distance between the articular bones.
3. The disease progresses rapidly and quite quickly passes into the third stage, during which the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global and irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissue, which lead to human disabilities.

Most often, osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis develops after an injury or bruise, while a person constantly feels severe pain in the knee, which significantly hinders his movements.

Reasons for the development of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the treatment of which takes quite a long time, can be manifested by the following factors:

1. Genetic predisposition.
2. Injuries: dislocations, bruises, fractures.When treating an injured knee, the joint is immobilized and the person cannot bend or straighten the leg for a period of time.This leads to a deterioration in blood circulation, which most often leads to the development of post-traumatic gonarthrosis.
3. Removal of the meniscus.
4. Excessive physical activity that does not correspond to a person's age and leads to injuries or microtraumas, as well as hypothermia of the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squats are not recommended for older people, as these exercises put considerable pressure on the knee joint, which wears out with age and can no longer withstand such stress.
5. Overweight and obesity.This factor leads to damage to the menisci, injuries to which lead to the development of arthrosis of the knees.
6. Loose ligaments or weak ligaments.
7. Arthritis or other acquired joint diseases.The inflammatory process can lead to a buildup of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or swelling.This leads to the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the knee, resulting in osteoarthritis of the knee joints.
8. Metabolic disorders in the human body.An insufficient amount of calcium significantly worsens the condition of bone and cartilage tissue in the human body.
9. Flat feet.An incorrect foot structure shifts the center of gravity and increases the load on the joint.
10. Stress and nervous tension.

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

The clinical picture of the disease has the following symptoms:

1. Painful sensations.Depending on the physical strain on the knee joint, the pain occurs suddenly.Pain sensations can be of different nature.In the early stages it is a weak lumbago that is usually not paid much attention to.Intermittent mild pain may be observed for months and sometimes years until the disease reaches a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible knee deformity.This symptom occurs in later stages.At first, the knee appears swollen or swollen.
3. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or Baker's cyst.This is a dense formation on the back wall of the knee joint.
4. Crunching of the joints.In patients in the second and third stages of the disease, sharp crunching sounds are observed, which are accompanied by pain.
5. Inflammatory reactions in the synovial membrane, causing the cartilage to swell and increase in volume.
6. The mobility of the joints decreases.Observed in later stages.Bending the knee becomes almost impossible and is accompanied by severe pain.In the final stage, the knee can be completely immobilized.A person's movement becomes difficult or completely impossible (some patients move on bent legs).

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint should be comprehensive.To date, there is no medication that alleviates this disorder.One of the most important prerequisites for successful treatment is a timely diagnosis.The earlier treatment of knee osteoarthritis is started, the greater the chance of extending the duration of remission and preventing destruction and deformation of cartilage and bone tissue.

During treatment, doctor and patient face several tasks:

1. eliminate or relieve pain;
2. Provide the knee joint with nutrients, thereby increasing its recovery function;
3. Activate blood circulation in the knee joint.
4. Strengthen the muscles around the joint;
5. Increase joint mobility;
6. Try to increase the distance between the joint bones.

Treatment of the disease can be conservative and surgical, depending on the stage of development.

Conservative treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs

To relieve or relieve pain, the patient is usually prescribed treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.The most common painkillers include the following.These medications can be used in two ways – orally or topically.

Typically, patients prefer local treatment in the form of gels, ointments and warming plasters.The effect of these painkillers does not occur immediately, but only after a few days (approx. 3-4 days).The maximum effect is achieved after a week of regular use of the drug.Such drugs do not treat the disease as such, but only relieve the pain, since pain treatment cannot be started.

Painkillers should be taken strictly as prescribed by a doctor;They should only be used for severe pain, as prolonged and frequent use can lead to side effects and even accelerate the destruction of articular cartilage.In addition, with long-term use of these drugs, the risk of side effects increases, including gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, disruption of normal liver and kidney function, and allergic manifestations in the form of dermatitis.

Hormones

Sometimes in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, taking hormonal drugs is prescribed.They are prescribed when NSAIDs are no longer effective and the disease itself progresses.Most often, hormonal drugs are used to treat this disease in the form of injections.

Treatment with hormonal drugs is usually short and is prescribed during a period of severe exacerbation, when inflammatory fluid accumulates in the joint.The hormone is injected into the joint about every ten days.

Chondroprotectors

To restore and nourish cartilage tissue in the initial stages of the disease, a course of glucosamine and chondroitol sulfate, the so-called chondroprotectors, is prescribed.This is by far the most effective osteoarthritis treatment.They have almost no contraindications and side effects occur in rare cases.

Vasodilators

To relieve spasms of small vessels, improve blood circulation and provide nutrients to the knee joint, and eliminate vascular pain, vasodilators are prescribed.They are crushed together with chondroprotectors.If knee osteoarthritis is not accompanied by fluid accumulation, the use of warming ointments, gels and liquids is also recommended.

Therapeutic exercise

Exercise therapy can be very useful and bring good results only if it is prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, on the recommendation of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous to your health.Exercise therapy is used to further prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue, slow the development of stiffness, and relax muscle spasms that cause pain.Exercise therapy is contraindicated during periods of exacerbation.A special individual exercise routine, taking into account not only the stage of the disease and the condition of the cartilage, but also the patient's age, should be developed by a specialist competent in this field.

Physiotherapy

As one of the methods of conservative therapy, physiotherapy is used – electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, diadynamic currents, UHF.Local massage also produces positive results.Physiotherapeutic methods work in several directions: they relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize metabolism in the joint and restore its usual functions.The type and duration of physiotherapy treatment depends on the patient's medical history and is prescribed only after a thorough diagnosis and examination of the joint condition.

Pain-relieving physiotherapy includes:

1. Medium wave ultraviolet irradiation (SUV irradiation).Contact of ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissue that dampen the sensitivity of the nerve fibers, thereby achieving the analgesic effect.The duration of treatment is prescribed by the doctor depending on the symptoms, frequency and severity of the pain.On average, the treatment lasts about 7-8 sessions.
2. Local magnetic therapy aimed at the general recovery of the patient's body.This procedure relieves inflammation, eliminates pain and neutralizes muscle spasms.Effectively used for arthrosis of the knee joint in the initial stages.The course of treatment is usually limited to 20-25 procedures, each lasting about half an hour.
3. Infrared laser therapy, low-intensity UHF therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
4. Ultrasound, darsonvalization, therapeutic baths, interference therapy, which is prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joint.

Sanitary spa treatment is of no small importance.This treatment is prescribed for deforming and dystrophic arthrosis.This treatment, like those previously listed, has its contraindications, so the attending physician carefully reviews the patient's medical history before recommending the treatment method.

Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

This is a radical method of treating arthrosis of the knee joint, partially or completely restoring the function of the joint.Methods and forms of surgical intervention depend on the degree of joint damage as well as the patient's medical history.

Late osteoarthritis of the knee joint can only be treated surgically - the knee joint is completely or partially replaced with an endoprosthesis.Surgical treatment allows not only to improve well-being, but also to restore the patient's ability to work in the final stages of knee arthrosis.Many consider the long recovery time due to the use of exercise therapy, mechanotherapy and other means to be a significant disadvantage of the operation.

There are several types of surgical interventions for arthrosis of the knee joint:

Prevention of knee arthritis

To avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, the elderly, obese people, workers in companies) must follow certain instructions:

1. Proper nutrition and fight against excess weight.It is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods - fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol - from your diet, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will help you individually choose a suitable diet.
2. When exercising, pay attention to the strain on your joints and reduce it if necessary.
3. Monitor your health and treat infectious diseases in a timely manner to prevent them from becoming chronic.
4. Timely and appropriate treatment of any spinal diseases, development of correct posture.
5. Sports activities (cycling, swimming, walking, special gymnastic exercises for the joints).
6. No self-medication!Go to the clinic at the first symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
7. Avoid stress, sleep well.
8. Systematically increase your immunity (harden yourself or at least take a course of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
9. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially the lower extremities.

A healthy lifestyle and timely treatment are the best ways to prevent knee osteoarthritis.