From this article you will learn all about the arthrosis of the knee joint: what is it, for what reasons it arises, what are the manifestations of different stages.How to treat it, how to prevent disease.
Knee arthrosis (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint, which occurs the destruction of cartilage, muscle damage and bones and bone deformity.
The disease occurs mainly after 40 years (12-16% of people of this age are ill).Women become ill 2 times more than men.Diseases are the subject of athletes and people involved in heavy physical labor.
Gonarthrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by the onset of joint pain:
- Joint mobility decreases;
- Bones and cartilage grow, which interfere with the normal functioning of the joint.
Over time, this leads to complete immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease leads to damage.
Conservative therapy of knee arthrosis is only possible in the initial stages of process development (1 and 2) allows you to slow down, stop the development of pathology.
With the progression of the disease, treatment is only surgical.Completely (100%), to get rid of pathology, can only with endoprothetic - replacement of the knee joint.
The orthopedist traumatologist and other doctors are engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of knee arthrosis.According to the testimony, consultation with a rheumatologist was appointed.The symptoms of the disease can also be detected by a sports doctor.
Causes of illness and species
Depending on the factor provoking the disease, there are 2 varieties of knee arthrosis:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of arthrosis affects middle and elderly.The initial stages are diagnosed after 40 years, and at the age of 70 years, gonarthrosis is detected in 60% of people.Often 2 joints are influenced simultaneously.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to changes occurring in the body with age, worsening of blood circulation and slowing metabolism.The risk of development is increased with obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - can appear in a person of any age and hit both 2 joints at the same time and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong loads on the legs.
- Ligament injuries, knee meniscus, intraiortic fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes (disorders of the parathyroid glands, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases) are impaired.
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (infectious and non -infectious synovitis and arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with impaired blood coagulation).
Then we will analyze more detailed what it is - arthrosis of the knee joint, its degree, what changes begin in the tissues during the pathology.
Symptoms and three stages of the disease
With the development of the disease, cartilage begins to become smoother due to severe loads or lack of nutrients in it.This provokes the friction of the bones to the knee joint.
Erosion on bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body - the formation of growths on it begins.All these factors lead to deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis in 3 stages:
| Stage | Clinical signs | Processes that take place in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Can run asymptomatic Knee -knees in the morning, during squats, when walking up the stairs, after long loads and hypothermia, it is possible Stiffness appears in the morning in the knees Synovitis can develop - accumulation in the joint of fluid to be removed by puncture (drilling the cavity with fluid and its fence) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcers form on it |
| 2 |
The pain occurs even as a result of a slight load and becomes more pronounced with active walking The leg did not bend completely, the joint periodically disintegrates Knee visually expands The risk of synovitis is increasing further |
In response to increased joint loads, it seems to be flat The formation of osteophytes begins - bone growth The synovial fluid becomes more childish and less nutritious Destructive processes in cartilage are accelerated |
| 3 |
Pain acquires a chronic nature and pursues the patient even at rest Both complete bending and complete knee extension are impossible The volume of the joint increases Walking is hard, many people start using crutches or cane Valgus deformation may occur (leg setting) or variant deformation (O-shaped leg setting) |
There is almost no cartilage tissue Bones are deformed and “pressed” into each other, leading to limiting mobility in the joint |
Acute form
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is the time when the disease progresses more quickly and brightly manifests itself clinically.
They can lead to exacerbation:
- too heavy joint load;
- hypothermia;
- discrepancy with the prescribed diet;
- Injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis starts sharply, as if surrounding the first stage.This is possible due to knee injury.
Diagnostics
If you notice a restriction in the joint in the morning or after a long sitting, as well as pain when descending the stairs or squatting, this can be a sign of the 1 stage of gonarthrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, go to a meeting with a therapist who will refer you to an orthopedist or other doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will conduct an initial examination and a feeling of the joint, and also refers to:
- Radiography - will help evaluate the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound - will allow us to determine if there is an accompanying inflammatory process.
Methods of treatment
With the arthrosis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, as many therapeutic measures are focused on eliminating disturbing characteristics and improving the quality of human life.
Taking medicines, diet and physiotherapy exercises:
- Slowing down the more destructive processes in cartilage;
- Preventing the transition of the disease to a more refurbished stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but you can stop, slow down the development of pathology.
Diet
The purpose of monitoring the diet is to slow down the more progression of the disease.
What you need to add to the menu and what to turn off:
| Useful products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products, eggs (no more than 3 pieces a day and preferably without yolks) - serve as sources of protein |
Fatty meat, sausages, sausages - lead to weight gain, which creates an additional strain on the joint and also prevents the normal formation of synovial fluid |
| Fish, especially red varieties, are rich in omega-3 |
Flour, sweet, mayonnaise, fast food - products that contribute to a set of excess weight |
| Jelly welded by broth on bones, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue |
White cabbage, tomatoes, Bulgarian pepper, eggplant, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - "building bricks" for cartilage tissue However, some studies refute their harm from arthrosis |
| Rice, millet, buckwheat have complex carbohydrates that contribute to the formation of synovial fluid |
Egg yolks, cod liver - Increase the risk of developing gout |
| Cottage cheese, cheese - sources of calcium |
Coffee - Body lenses useful for bones and joints of calcium |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currant, grapefruit, papaya, almonds - the most useful products of vegetable origin Saturated with substances that are beneficial for the joints |
Alcohol - disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) - helps to normalize metabolism in the body and more special in the joints Juices (those fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt - can lead to exacerbation |
Physical
If you have developed knee arthrosis, medical exercises should be done daily.Special exercises help to stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent more destructive processes in the cartilage.Physical physical education will also increase the mobility of the affected knee and prevent pain.However, every gymnastics is contraindicated in the acute course of the disease.
Therapeutic Gymnastics for the knee joints of Dr Eudokimenko
The purpose of this complex of therapeutic gymnastics is to force the muscles that surround the joint without charging it.Gymnastics according to the Evdokimenko method shows very good results with knee arthrosis.
Exercise:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your feet, your hands on the seams.Raise over the floor to a height of 15 cm straight leg, tighten your ass and thigh muscles.Hold this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Lower it.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise a straight leg over the floor by 15 cm, keep it for 1-3 seconds.Return to your original position (IP).Do 10-12 reps for each leg.
- Bend the knee 90 degrees.Lift the bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and keep it for 30-40 seconds.Do this movement with each leg 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but with a delay in each leg with 1-3 seconds.Perform 10-12 reps each of the feet.
- Lift two straight legs over the floor by 10-15 cm.Dilute them from the side and take them back.Without lowering your feet to the floor, perform movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Lie on the side.Bend the lower legs at the knee.Leave the top straight, lift 45 degrees above the floor.Hold it this way for 30-40 seconds.Exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit in a chair.Lift the maximum kit in the knee.Keep it for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Stand up.Lean on the back of the chair.Stand on socks.It lies in 30-60 seconds.Return to IP.
- Stand on socks, pull in this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Place your right foot on the floor.Stand on the left leg sock.Smoothly climb the sock with your right leg and lower your left heel to the floor.Wrap yourself 10-12 times.
The physical education of this author is a greater intensity than the previous one.It is only possible at the first signs of gonarthrosis.Before you start doing it yourself, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you experience severe pain when performing movements, stop them immediately.
Surgical methods
As it is impossible to cure knee arthrosis with completely conservative methods, in severe cases doctors resort to the methods of work.
One of the most effective - knee joint endoprotetos, that is, replacing the rubbing surfaces of the joint artificial.
The recovery period after endoprothetics is 3 to 6 months.
Similar surgery is also performed:
- Arthroplasty - plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- Corrective Osteotomy - Correction of Valgus or Varus deformities that can occur with advanced forms of arthrosis.
Folk remedies
Homemade products can serve as a wonderful addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating arthrosis of the knee joint using folk remedies, consult your doctor, as some natural ingredients may have contraindications or not combine with the medicines you have prescribed.
Here are some effective recipes, Time -teted:
- Beef hooves and knee contribute to the restoration of cartilage.Boil them for a few hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar - relieve swelling and pain.Mix the components in a ratio of 3 to 1. In the evening, make compresses, apply 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem Artichoke - Helps relieve the attack of pain.Pour 350 g of crushed leaves and top 2 l boiling water.Cooling to room temperature.Make a gauze dressing in the infusion and place on an inflamed joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Participate in physical education, but do not overload your knees.Never run on asphalt.Special paths or primer are suitable for running.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them on time.For bruising and sprains, contact a traumatologist immediately and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat properly.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not despair.Provided to follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the amplitude of movement in the joint.
Do not delay the visit to the specialist, as in the short stages the disease can lead to deformities of the legs and damage.Modern medicine treats them quickly.