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Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists in the deformation and destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint, as a result of which the structure and functions of the cartilage are disrupted.The disease has several names: gonarthrosis, deforming osteoarthritis.The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint does not have a single scheme or a single medicine that can equally help all those who suffer from this problem.Since osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, it is most often observed in overweight women, with venous diseases and in the elderly.Treatment is carried out and prescribed individually for each patient.

arthrosis what is it

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

There are three stages of the disease:

  1. The initial stage of knee arthrosis is characterized by a loss of shock-absorbing properties, and as a result, the cartilages rub against each other during movement, causing severe discomfort to the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dry and in the advanced stages of the disease it even becomes covered with cracks.
  2. Due to reduced depreciation, bone deformation begins, which leads to the formation of osteophytes (growths on the surface of bones) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new joint membrane and capsule are also subject to deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to stiffness of movements.There are also changes in the density of the joint fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poor circulation and a deterioration in the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.The thinning of the lining between the cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articular bones.
  3. The disease progresses rapidly and passes quite quickly into the third stage, when the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global and irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue that lead to human disability.

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

Reasons for the development of arthrosis

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the treatment of which takes a long time, can occur due to the following factors:

  1. Genetic predisposition.
  2. Injuries: dislocations, contusions, fractures.When treating an injured knee, the joint is fixed and the person cannot bend or straighten the leg for a certain time.This leads to deterioration of blood circulation, which very often provokes the development of post-traumatic gonarthrosis.
  3. Removal of the meniscus.
  4. Excessive physical activity that is not appropriate for a person's age, which leads to injuries or microtraumas, as well as hypothermia of the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squats is not recommended for older people, since during these exercises significant pressure is placed on the knee joint, which wears out with age and is not able to withstand such loads.
  5. Overweight and obesity.This factor leads to damage to the menisci, lesions of which provoke the development of arthrosis of the knees.
  6. Loose ligaments or weak ligaments.
  7. Arthritis or other acquired joint diseases.The inflammatory process can cause accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity or swelling.This causes the destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the knee, which leads to arthrosis 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.Improper structure of the foot shifts the center of gravity and the load on the joint becomes greater.
  10. Stress and nervous tension.

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

The clinical picture of the disease presents the following symptoms:

symptoms of osteoarthritis

  1. Painful sensations.The pain occurs suddenly, depending on the physical load on the knee joint.Painful sensations can be of a different nature.In the initial stage, this is a weak low back pain, to which a person usually does not pay much attention.Periodic mild pain may be observed for months and sometimes years, until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
  2. Visible deformity of the knee.This symptom appears in later stages.Initially the knee appears swollen or swollen.
  3. Accumulation of joint fluid in the joint cavity or Baker's cyst.This is a dense formation on the back wall of the knee joint.
  4. Creaking of the joints.High-pitched, creaking sounds, accompanied by pain, are observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
  5. Inflammatory reactions in the joint synovium, as a result of which the cartilage swells and increases in volume.
  6. Joint mobility 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 with bent legs).

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint should be comprehensive.To date, there is no drug capable of alleviating this disorder.One of the most important conditions for successful treatment is a timely diagnosis.The earlier treatment of knee osteoarthritis is started, the greater the chance of prolonging the remission period and preventing the destruction and deformation of cartilage and bone tissue.

During treatment, the doctor and the patient are faced with several tasks:

  1. Eliminate or reduce pain;
  2. Establish the supply of nutrients to the knee joint and thus increase its recovery function;
  3. Activates blood circulation in the knee joint;
  4. Strengthen the muscles around the joint;
  5. Increase joint mobility;
  6. Strive to increase the distance between the jointed bones.

The treatment of the disease, depending on the stage of its development, can be conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs

To relieve or reduce pain, the patient is usually prescribed a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.Among the most common painkillers are 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 heating patches.The effect of these painkillers does not appear immediately, but after a few days (about 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 pain, since it is impossible to begin treatment of pain.

Painkillers must be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor;they should be used only in case of severe pain, since 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 adverse reactions increases, among which stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, disruption of the normal functioning of the liver, kidneys and allergic manifestations in the form of dermatitis are also possible.

Hormones

Sometimes in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint a course of hormonal drugs is prescribed.They are prescribed if NSAIDs are no longer effective and the disease itself begins to progress.Most often, hormonal drugs for the treatment of this disease are used in the form of injections.

The course of 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 approximately once every ten days.

treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Chondroprotectors

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

Vasodilators

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

Therapeutic exercise

A course of physical therapy can be very useful and bring good results only if prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, on the recommendation of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous for your health.Physical therapy is used to further prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue, slow the development of stiffness, and relax muscle spasms that cause pain.During periods of exacerbation, physical therapy is contraindicated.A competent specialist in this field should develop a course of special individual exercises, which take into account not only the stage of the disease and the state in which the cartilage is located, but also the age of the patient.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as one of the methods of conservative therapy: electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, diadynamic currents, UHF.A local massage course also gives positive results.Physiotherapeutic methods act in several directions: they relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize the metabolism within the joint and restore its normal functions.The method and duration of physiotherapy treatment depend on the patient's medical history and are prescribed only after a thorough diagnosis and study of the condition of the joints.

Pain relief physiotherapy includes:

  1. Medium wave ultraviolet irradiation (SUV irradiation).The contact of ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until a slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissues that attenuate the sensitivity of the nerve fibers, thanks to which the analgesic effect is achieved.The duration of the treatment course is prescribed by the doctor based on the symptoms, frequency and severity of pain.On average, the course of treatment is approximately 7-8 sessions.
  2. Local magnetotherapy aimed at the global 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 of which lasts about half an hour.
  3. Infrared laser therapy, low intensity UHF therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
  4. Ultrasound, darson evaluation, therapeutic baths, interferential therapy, prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joint.

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

Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

This is a radical method of treating arthrosis of the knee joint, which partially or completely restores the functioning of the joint.The methods and forms of surgical intervention depend on the degree of joint damage and the patient's medical history.

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

There are several types of surgery for arthrosis of the knee joint:

prevention of arthrosis

Prevention of knee osteoarthritis

To avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, elderly people, overweight people, business workers) must follow some instructions:

  1. Proper nutrition and the fight against excess weight.It is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods from your diet: fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will help you individually choose a suitable diet.
  2. When playing sports, monitor the load on the joints and reduce it if necessary.
  3. Monitor your health and treat infectious diseases promptly, preventing them from becoming chronic.
  4. Timely and adequate 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!At the first symptoms of knee arthritis, go to the clinic.
  7. Avoid stress, sleep well.
  8. Systematically increase your immunity (strengthen yourself or at least take a course of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
  9. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially of the lower extremities.

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