Knee pain is a common complaint with which they seek medical attention. What causes the pain and how to help yourself if it appears? There is no definitive answer because knee joints can suffer from different types of lesions that arise for many reasons. One of these (and very common) reasons is initial 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 lesion that eventually leads to destruction of the articular cartilage, deformity of the knee, and restriction of range of motion in it. The disease has two main forms:
- primary - arises from a congenital joint defect;
- secondary - arises as a result of other diseases or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or at a young age and is caused by improper formation of articular surfaces or ligament apparatus. When you walk, such a joint is exposed to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which provokes degenerative changes in it.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: fractures of the bones of the legs, bruising and dislocation of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bones and cartilaginous parts of the ankle and its ligament apparatus. In this case, post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops.
- Meniscus removal surgeries, as they lead to a violation of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the feet to which athletes are often subjected.
- Excessive obesity also provokes osteoarthritis, as it leads to excessive pressure from body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Long-term arthritis is associated with the formation of fluid in the articular cavity and over time can be complicated by osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic disorders leading to the deposition of salts in the articular cavities.
- Factors and other diseases accompanied by a long-term spasm of the muscles of the legs or blood vessels.
- Transferred operations.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral. As a result of trauma, unilateral osteoarthritis (for example, the right knee) is more likely to develop, and from obesity - bilateral.
Typical symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are still no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and obvious deformities), but occasionally there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Most often, women over 40 who are overweight are ill, and especially, as an aggravating factor, suffer from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can take months and sometimes years. A person is concerned about recurring knee pain, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, as well as when going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and already appears with every movement that is accompanied by a characteristic crack. Fluid accumulation is possible in the articular cavity, and on examination, you may notice initial deformation. The range of motion in the injured knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not pass even at rest. Anxiety is often worse before the weather changes. By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs can hardly bend at the knees or not bend to the end. The gait changes: it becomes "driving" or on bent legs. The deformity 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 more rapidly. Against the background of the injury, pain appears in the knee region and its swelling. Such pain constantly accompanies a person and increases after a physical exertion. Gradually, a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee joins her. Sometimes, with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from the initial signs to irreversible changes.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The extent of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesion. But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is long-term remission (resting stages when the manifestations of pathology are minimal or absent). At the same time, if in the early stages it is possible to eliminate the cause of osteoarthritis of the knee joint (for example, to reduce body weight), then almost complete cure is possible.
Goals of gonarthrosis treatment:
- pain elimination,
- if possible, restore the damaged cartilage and ligament apparatus,
- increase the range of motion in the joints.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- Surgical intervention,
- rehabilitation therapy (training therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medicine - in no case do not prescribe them yourself. Their main action is aimed at:
- Eliminate the 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.
- Improving blood supply to the affected area. Provided with tools that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Cartilage Restoration. For this, drugs that nourish and restore cartilage are prescribed.
Manual impact and massage reduce pain, soothe spasmodic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
With extensive, irreversible lesions, knee osteoarthritis is treated with a radical method - prosthesis, ie implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint. So far, this is the only way that gives a chance for a full recovery, however, endoprostheses have a limited service life, after which they need to be replaced. Since the cost of such surgeries is very high, this method of treatment has not yet become widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, kinesitherapy (exercises using special loads and simulators), physiotherapy and spa treatment.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at discharging the injured knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc. , Which facilitate walking (used if necessary).
There are many popular recipes for various oils and compresses based on herbs, medicinal bile and warming compresses made of natural wool. Basically, the action of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Preventive measures
Prevention of knee osteoarthritis involves many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet should have a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Fight the wrong way of life and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports, lifting weights.
The most important thing in identifying a pathology such as osteoarthritis of the knee is not to start the disease, as its extensive stages lead to disability. But if all efforts are made in time for treatment and prevention - until time is lost and symptoms are insignificant - there is a chance for a complete cure of the disease.