Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which consists of deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint, as a result of the cartilage's structure and functions being disturbed.The disease has several names - gonarthrosis, deforming osteoarthritis.Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint does not have a clear scheme or a single medicine that can equally help everyone who suffers from this problem.Since osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, it is more often seen in women who are overweight, venous disease and the elderly.The treatment is carried out and prescribed individually for each patient.

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 appropriate treatment, since ignoring this problem can lead to the final destruction of cartilage and exposure of the bone and, as a result, human disability.

There are three stages of the disease:

1. The initial stage of knee osteoarthritis is characterized by a loss of shock-absorbing properties, and as a result, the cartilage rubs against each other when moving, causing severe discomfort to the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dries out and in advanced stages of the disease it is even covered with cracks.
2. Due to reduced depreciation, bone deformation begins, which leads to the formation of osteophytes (growth on the surface of the bones) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new membrane of the joint and capsule is also subject to deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to stiffness in movement.There is also a change in the density of the synovial fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poor circulation and a deterioration in the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.The thinning of the mucous membrane between the cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articulating bones.
3. The disease progresses rapidly and moves quite quickly into the third stage, where the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global and irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue, leading 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 hampers his movements.

Reasons for the development of osteoarthritis

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

1. Genetic predisposition.
2. Injuries: dislocations, bruises, 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 the deterioration of blood circulation, which most 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, leading to injuries or microtraumas, as well as hypothermia of the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squatting is not recommended for older people, since during these exercises there is a significant pressure 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, the damage of which provokes the development of osteoarthritis in 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 cartilage tissue of the knee, leading to 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.Incorrect foot structure 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 has the following symptoms:

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, these are weak lumbago, which a person usually does not pay much attention to.Periodic mild pain can be observed for months, and sometimes years, until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible knee deformity.This symptom appears in the 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. Crushing of joints.Sharp crunching sounds, which are accompanied by pain, are observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
5. Inflammatory reactions in the articular 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 phase, the knee may be completely immobilized.A person's movement becomes difficult or completely impossible (some patients move on bent legs).

Treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint

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

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

1. Eliminate or reduce pain;
2. Establish supply of nutrients to the knee joint and thereby increase its recovery function;
3. Activate 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 articulated bones.

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

Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint

Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs

To relieve or reduce pain, the patient is usually prescribed a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.Among the most common pain relievers 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 heat patches.The effect of these painkillers does not occur immediately, but 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 pain, since it is impossible to start treatment for pain.

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

Hormones

Sometimes, in the treatment of osteoarthritis 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 develop.Most often, hormonal drugs are used to treat this disease 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.

Chondroprotectors

To restore and nourish cartilage tissue in the initial stages of the disease, a course of glucosamine and chondroitin 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 spasms of small vessels, improve blood circulation and supply nutrients to the knee joint, as well as eliminate vascular pain, vasodilators are prescribed.They are crushed together with chondroprotectors.If knee osteoarthritis is not accompanied by fluid retention, it is also recommended to use warming ointments, gels and liquids.

Therapeutic exercise

A course of exercise therapy can be very useful and give good results only when prescribed by a doctor and carried out under the supervision of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous for 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.During periods of exacerbation, exercise therapy is contraindicated.A course of special individual exercises, which takes into account not only the stage of the disease and the condition where the cartilage is located, but also the patient's age, should be developed by a specialist who is competent in this area.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as one of the methods of conservative therapy - electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, diadynamic currents, UHF.A course of local massage also gives positive results.Physiotherapy methods work in several directions - relieve pain, reduce inflammation, normalize the metabolism inside the joint and restore its usual functions.The method and duration of physiotherapy treatment is determined by the patient's medical history and is only prescribed after a thorough diagnosis and examination of the condition of the joints.

Pain-relieving physical therapy includes:

1. Medium wave ultraviolet irradiation (SUV irradiation).Contact of ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until a slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissues that dull the sensitivity of the nerve fibers, due to which the pain-relieving effect is achieved.The duration of the treatment course is prescribed by the doctor depending on the symptoms, frequency and severity of pain.On average, the course of treatment is approximately 7-8 sessions.
2. Local magnetic therapy aimed at the overall 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 approximately 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.

Hygienic treatment is of no small importance.This treatment is prescribed for deformity and dystrophic osteoarthritis.This treatment, as they mentioned earlier, has its contraindications, so the attending physician carefully examines the patient's medical history before recommending the sanitary resort method.

Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint

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

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

There are several types of surgical intervention for osteoarthritis of the knee joint:

Prevention of rickets

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

1. Correct nutrition and the fight against obesity.It is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods from your diet - fatty food, fried food, alcohol, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will individually help you choose a suitable diet.
2. When playing sports, monitor the load 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 back diseases, development of correct posture.
5. Sports activities (cycling, swimming, walking, special gymnastic exercises for joints).
6. No self-medication!At the first symptoms of knee joint, go to the clinic.
7. Avoid stress, sleep well.
8. Increase your immunity systematically (harden yourself or at least take a course of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
9. Avoid hypothermia in the body, especially the lower extremities.

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