Knee pain is a common complaint with which they seek medical attention. What causes the pain, and how to help yourself if it occurs? There is no definite answer, because knee joints can suffer from different types of lesions that arise for many reasons. One of these reasons (and very common) is incipient arthrosis. Today we will tell you in detail about arthrosis 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
Arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a predominantly non-inflammatory lesion that eventually leads to the destruction of articular cartilage, deformity of the knee and limitation of the 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 young age and is caused by improper formation of articular surfaces or ligamentous apparatus. When walking, 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, bruises and dislocations of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bone and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligamentous apparatus. In this case, post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develops.
- Operations to remove the meniscus, as they lead to a violation of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionately high load on the legs to which athletes often put themselves.
- Excessive obesity also provokes arthrosis, as it leads to excessive pressure from the body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Long-term arthritis is accompanied by the formation of fluid in the articular cavity and over time can be complicated by arthrosis.
- Metabolic disorders leading to the deposition of salts in the articular cavities.
- Other factors and diseases accompanied by a long-term spasm of the muscles of the legs or blood vessels.
- Transferred operations.
The pathological process can be one- or two-sided. As a result of trauma, one-sided arthrosis (for example, of the right knee) is most likely to develop, and from obesity - bilateral.
Typical symptoms
Arthrosis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes it is preceded by months and years of the initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformity) yet, but from time to time there is a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
Most often, women over 40 years old who are overweight are ill, and especially, as an aggravating factor, suffering from varicose veins.
The development of gonarthrosis goes through several stages:
- The initial stage can last for months and sometimes years. A person is worried about periodic pain in the knees, 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 occurs already with any movements that are accompanied by a characteristic crunch. The accumulation of fluid is possible in the articular cavity, and on examination, you can notice incipient deformation. The range of motion in the sore knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even at rest. The discomfort is often worse before the weather changes. By this time, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs may almost not bend at the knees or not bend to the end. The gait changes: it becomes "waddling" or on bent legs. The deformation of the knees is very pronounced: the legs are bent and take an O- or X-shape.
The symptoms of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint develop faster. Against the background of the injury, pains appear in the knee region and its swelling. Such pain constantly accompanies a person and increases after physical exertion. Gradually, a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee joins it. Sometimes, with this form of the disease, only a few months pass from the initial signs to irreversible changes.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The scope 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 phases 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 arthrosis of the knee joint (for example, to reduce body weight), then almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of gonarthrosis treatment:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore the destroyed cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increase the range of motion in the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- rehabilitation therapy (exercise therapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Medicines can only be selected correctly by a doctor; in no case should you prescribe them yourself. Their main action is aimed at:
- Elimination of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint: relieve pain and inflammation. For this, appropriate drugs are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the articular cavity.
- Improving blood supply to the affected area. It is provided by means that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Cartilage restoration. For this, drugs are prescribed that nourish and restore cartilage.
Manual impact and massage reduce pain, relax the spasmodic muscles near the affected knee, help increase the range of motion, correct the position of bones, and increase blood circulation.
With far-reaching, irreversible lesions, knee arthrosis is treated with a radical method - prosthetics, that is, 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 must be replaced. Since the cost of such operations 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 unloading the sore knee - these are canes, orthoses, etc. , which facilitate walking (used if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various ointments and compresses based on herbs, medical bile, and warming bandages made of natural wool are used. Basically, the action of such methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Prevention measures
Prevention of knee arthrosis includes many factors:
- Balanced nutrition: the diet should have a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Fighting wrong lifestyles and getting rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries when playing sports, lifting weights.
The most important thing in identifying a pathology such as arthrosis of the knee is not to start the disease, since its far-reaching stages lead to disability. But if all efforts are directed in time to treatment and prevention - until the time is lost and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a chance for a complete cure of the disease.