If a crunch is heard in the knee joint during movement, this is the first sign of gonarthrosis. Conservative methods of traditional and alternative medicine will help prevent the destruction of cartilage and maintain normal motor function. Treatment should begin immediately - only in this case rheumatologists give a favorable prognosis.
What is gonarthrosis?
A non-inflammatory, degenerative-dystrophic disease that affects the largest joint, the knee, is called gonarthrosis. Quite an unusual medical definition, there is a simpler "folk" concept - "salt deposition". Although the clinical picture of gonarthrosis of the joints has little to do with the excess of calcified salts in the knee joint. They have no effect on the pathology and are a side effect of impaired metabolism.
The development of gonarthrosis of the knee joint is facilitated by negative processes in hyaline cartilage, mainly poor blood circulation in small bone vessels. The lack of nutrients and oxygen carried by the lymph flow leads to the destruction of the outer cartilage layer of the knee.
In the early stages, the disease is extremely difficult to diagnose. Deformation of the joints occurs slowly until the hyaline cartilage of the vitreous is removed in the process. The anatomical structure of the ligament has changed. Turbidity appears, the tissue thickens, thins, cracks in all directions. The result of the pathology can be the complete disappearance of cartilage, which leads to neoplasms on the bone tissue and irreversible curvature of the knee.
Classification of the disease
The International Classification of Diseases divides gonarthrosis into seven clarifying subheadings:
- Primary gonarthrosis bilateral. Most often the diagnosis is made in women aged 70 to 74 years and men aged 60 to 64 years. This puts the disease in the category of "elderly people".
- Another primary gonarthrosis. Pathology of one knee joint due to natural wear and tear or on the background of other diseases.
- Post-traumatic gonarthrosis bilateral. People of different ages with serious leg injuries are affected.
- Other post-traumatic gonarthrosis. One-sided, against the background of injuries and bruises on the limb.
- Other secondary gonarthrosis is bilateral. They are the result of chronic, completely unhealed bruises, fractures or sprains. It is most often diagnosed in athletes who have heavy loads on both legs - football players, athletes, figure skaters.
- Other secondary gonarthrosis. Unilateral development of pathology related to the profession. For example, miners, metallurgists, fishermen.
- Gonarthrosis, unspecified. It is set with an unclear etiology of the disease, after excluding age, occupational and genetic predisposition.
According to medical statistics, more than 10 million people of different ages suffer from one or another type of gonarthrosis. About 3, 000 people die each year with a diagnosis.
Reasons
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops due to impaired metabolism in the knee joint, which leads to loss of softness and elasticity of cartilage.
Destructive processes are caused by various reasons:
- Diseases of the thyroid gland that disrupt the hormonal background;
- Decreased patency of blood vessels in the knee joint;
- genetic conditioning;
- natural aging;
- Past or current knee injuries of various origins;
- Obesity (more than 20% of normal), which puts great pressure on the knee joint;
- Inflammatory joint diseases (polyarthritis, purulent arthrosis);
- Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis);
- Specific infectious pathologies (syphilis, tuberculosis, encephalitis);
- Living in environmentally unfavorable areas, poor quality of food and water.
Also, rheumatologists have identified several additional causes leading to the development of gonarthrosis. Dysplasia in newborns. With this diagnosis, the joint wears out faster. Changes in the structure of collagen lead to disorders of the protein located in the connective tissue.
Symptoms depending on the degree of gonarthrosis
It is difficult to diagnose the initial stage of osteoarthritis of the knee. Only a description of the symptoms by the patients themselves and external examinations by rheumatologists make it possible to prepare a clinical picture that differs for each degree of progression of gonarthrosis:
- gonarthrosis I degree.Pulling pain in the knee, a feeling of some stiffness, partial loss of sensitivity, difficulty bending the legs, especially after prolonged immobility, inability to walk or run for a long time, the appearance of mild swelling. As a rule, the symptoms disappear after rest or general anesthesia.
- gonarthrosis II degree.At this stage, it is now possible to determine the pathology by X-ray examination. The pain becomes stronger and appears after each physical activity. Discomfort can still be alleviated by rest. In the morning it becomes more difficult to straighten your legs, it takes some time to restore motor function. The discomfort is complemented by frequent cramps in the calf, especially at night. A squeak is heard during the movement. Swelling of the knee joint is pronounced. There are visible signs of limb deformity.
- III degree of gonarthrosis.There are irreversible changes in the knee joint. Cartilage abnormalities can be unmistakably detected on an X-ray. Knee pain becomes constant, sharp. The leg stops bending at the knee. The patient cannot walk without a cane or crutches. The swelling is significant. The anatomical shape of the knee is smoothed and acquires a solid appearance. There is a primary curvature of the spine.
Diagnosis
A combination of clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis of the knee and patient complaints is used to make a correct diagnosis. To clarify or rule out the causes of the disease, research is conducted in different ways.
The standard diagnosis is as follows:
- Preparation of anamnesis of the disease. History of concomitant diseases, genetic predisposition, past traumas and surgical interventions, professional activities, etc.
- External assessment of musculoskeletal deformation. Gait, posture, condition of the knee joint, curvature of the legs.
- Overview. Palpation of the lower leg, thigh, damaged joint, determining the location of the disease.
- Laboratory researches. The general blood test gives no evidence of an inflammatory process. If the process is present against the background of other diseases, then in the blood will be found increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The level of protein, globulin and fibrinogen will differ from the normative indicators. The biochemical composition will remain within standard limits. If the development of the pathology is in the final stages, then a biopsy of the synovial fluid of the knee joint is performed.
- Instrumental research. X-rays are the main and most common method of diagnosing suspected gonarthrosis. As a rule, the rheumatologist can easily determine the changes in the structure of the bone tissue from a photo, which is already at the beginning of stage 2 of the disease. The presence of side diseases and the reasons for their occurrence are diagnosed with the help of more modern and precise equipment - MRI, CT, ultrasound, osteoscintigraphy, thermography.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Like all joint diseases, gonarthrosis requires systemic treatment, which is desirable to begin at the first symptoms. In this case, the prognosis of therapy becomes favorable and guarantees a return to normal life in a very short time.
Comprehensive treatment is aimed at eliminating the main signs of the disease:
- Discomfort, pain syndrome and muscle tone;
- Improving the motor function of the knee joint;
- Stopping the process of cartilage destruction;
- Strengthening the connective muscles;
- Restoration of normal blood circulation in the knee joint.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory drugs
They help to cope with pain, relieve swelling caused by inflammation of muscle tissue.
Chondroprotectors
Regeneration and recovery of cartilage tissue is impossible without chondroprotectors. They are the main component of conservative treatment.
Vasodilators
They are used to improve the patency of intra-articular blood vessels.
Hormonal drugs
Reduce the production of the hormone cortisone to prevent the development of inflammatory processes.
Hyaluronic acid injections
It is used to restore intra-articular synovial fluid. As a result, friction between the joints is reduced, motor function is normalized and the elasticity of cartilage tissue is restored.
Antienzymes
They inhibit trypsin activity, thus preventing further destruction of the joint. Appointed in the complex.
Physiotherapy
Physiological treatments have been used successfully for decades to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. It can be as a separate type of therapy, for prevention or during the rehabilitation period. This is the integrated approach to the disease.
The following types of procedures are most often prescribed by a rheumatologist:
- Electrophoresis with analgesics;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Magnetic therapy;
- Laser exposure;
- Paraffin applications;
- Mud treatment;
- Therapeutic gymnastics (exercise therapy);
- Manual therapy, massage with healing ointments.
Surgery and prosthetics
If gonarthrosis is advanced, the knee joint and cartilage tissue are destroyed, it is impossible to do without surgery. Otherwise, the person will remain disabled for life.
Modern medicine offers several ways to solve the problem:
- Arthrodesis. Complete removal of affected tissues and knee joint. The body is freed from the source of the disease, but the motor function of the limb is completely lost. It is used extremely rarely if the patient has additional joint diseases.
- Arthroscopy. Destroyed hyaline cartilage is removed. The operation is low-traumatic, has a short period of rehabilitation. It is indicated for patients whose progress has not affected the knee joint itself.
- Periarticular osteomy. A complex operation, the essence of which is to saw deformed bones and growths, with subsequent connection in the necessary anatomical structure.
- Endoprosthesis. The completely destroyed knee joint is removed and a titanium prosthesis is placed in its place. An effective method that allows you to forget about gonarthrosis forever. Requires careful preparation and long rehabilitation.
Traditional Medicine
The use of folk recipes in combination with conservative treatment can relieve external symptoms (pain, swelling). Recipes based on bay leaf, burdock root, St. John's wort, malt and hay have proven themselves well. Ointments, creams, tinctures and decoctions are made from them.
These plants have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Requires regular and prolonged use to achieve visible results.
Ointments and compresses made on the basis of honey, with the addition of alcohol or apple cider vinegar, relieve swelling and have a calming effect on the affected tissues.
Prepare a nutritious mixture of lemon and garlic, which is taken orally by one teaspoon after breakfast and dinner. Such a recipe has a general strengthening effect on the body, increases the patency of blood vessels and nourishes the joints with beneficial trace elements.
It should be remembered that home treatments do not eliminate the main problem - the pathological destruction of the knee joint.
Diet
Adherence to the diet is an integral part of the complex treatment. Adjusting your diet will not only help control your weight, but will also provide your bones and joints with essential vitamins.
For a patient diagnosed with gonarthrosis is contraindicated:
- Fried, spicy, salty, pickled food;
- Greasy broths;
- Sweet pastries;
- Fruits high in acid enzymes;
- Alcoholic beverages.
The menu should be supplemented with raw vegetables, fruits and herbs, low-fat dairy products, bone broths and dishes that contain gelatin (jelly, jelly).
Additional methods
For the treatment of gonarthrosis it is necessary to undergo regular spa treatment, at least once a year, as often as possible. Procedures of hydrotherapy, mud therapy and manual therapy are able to preserve the disease for a long time and prevent the destruction of the joint.
It will take you the rest of your life to keep a sore knee stable. But it can be quite useful for the body as a whole. Review of nutrition, elimination of bad habits, sports, visiting resorts - the quality of life can be significantly improved.
It should be remembered that self-medication, ignoring the primary symptoms and unbearable stress on the inflamed knee joint can very quickly turn a healthy person into a helpless person with disabilities.