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 cartilaginous tissue of the joint, which leads to disruption of the structure and functions of the cartilage.The disease has several names - gonarthrosis, deforming osteoarthritis.The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee does not have an unambiguous scheme or a single medication that could also help everyone who suffers from this problem.Since osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, it is more often seen in overweight women, those with venous diseases and the elderly.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).From the first symptoms it is necessary to resort to adequate treatment, since ignoring this problem can lead to the permanent destruction of the cartilage and the exposure of the bones and, consequently, to 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 cartilages rub against each other during movements, causing severe discomfort for the patient.The cartilage becomes rough, deformed, dries out and, in advanced stages of the disease, even becomes covered with cracks.
2. Due to reduced depreciation, bone deformation begins, which leads to the formation of osteophytes (growths on the surface of the bones) - this is the second stage of the disease.The new joint membrane and capsule are also subject to deformation, the knee joint gradually atrophies due to the stiffness of movements.There is also a change in the density of the joint fluid (it becomes thicker, more viscous), poor circulation and deterioration in the supply of nutrients to the knee joint.Thinning of the lining between cartilaginous joints reduces the distance between the articulating bones.
3. The disease progresses rapidly and quite quickly passes into the third stage, when the patient is practically unable to move due to constant pain in the knee.Global, irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue, leading to disability in humans.

Most often, osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis develops after an injury or bruise, while a person experiences constant and severe pain in the knee, which significantly hinders movement.

Reasons for the development of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the treatment of which takes a long time, can manifest itself 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 while.This leads to a deterioration in blood circulation, which most often provokes the development of post-traumatic gonarthrosis.
3. Removal of the meniscus.
4. Excessive physical activity, inappropriate for a person's age, leading to injuries or microtrauma, as well as hypothermia of the joints.For example, running on asphalt or squatting is not recommended for older people, since during these exercises significant pressure is exerted 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, injuries to which cause the development of osteoarthritis of 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 cartilage tissue in the knee to be destroyed, 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 tissues in the human body.
9. Flat feet.Poor foot structure shifts the center of gravity and the load on the joint becomes greater.
10. Stress and nervous tension.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee

The clinical picture of the disease presents the following symptoms:

1. Painful sensations.The pain occurs suddenly, depending on the physical load placed on the knee joint.Painful sensations can be of different nature.At the initial stage, these are weak lumbagos, to which a person usually does not pay much attention.Periodic mild pain may be seen for months or even years until the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage.
2. Visible knee deformity.This symptom appears in later stages.At first, the knee appears swollen or swollen.
3. Accumulation of joint fluid in the joint cavity or Baker's cyst.This is a dense formation on the back wall of the knee joint.
4. Creaking of joints.Sharp cracking sounds, accompanied by pain, are observed in patients in the second and third stages of the disease.
5. Inflammatory reactions of the joint synovium, leading to swelling and an increase in volume of the cartilage.
6. Joint mobility decreases.Observed in later stages.Bending the knee becomes almost impossible and is accompanied by severe pain.In the final stage, the knee can be completely immobilized.A person's movement becomes difficult, if not completely impossible (some patients move on bent legs).

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

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

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

1. Eliminate or reduce pain;
2. Establish the supply of nutrients to the knee joint and thus 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 its stage of development, can be conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Analgesics, anti-inflammatories

To relieve or reduce pain, the patient is generally prescribed a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These can be tablets, ointments and injections.Some of the most common pain relievers include 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 warming patches.The effect of these painkillers does not occur immediately, but after a few days (about 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 pain treatment.

Painkillers should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor;they should only be used in cases of severe pain, as prolonged and frequent use can cause side effects and even accelerate the destruction of articular cartilage.In addition, with long-term use of these drugs, the risk of adverse reactions increases, including stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, disruption of the normal functioning 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 progress.Most often, hormonal drugs for the treatment of this disease are used in the form of injections.

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 about once every ten days.

Chondroprotectors

To restore and nourish cartilage tissue in the early stages of the disease, a course of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, called chondroprotectors, is prescribed.It is by far the most effective treatment for osteoarthritis.They have practically 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 with chondroprotectors.If knee osteoarthritis is not accompanied by fluid accumulation, it is also recommended to use warming ointments, gels and liquids.

Therapeutic exercise

A course of exercise therapy can be very useful and bring good results only if it is prescribed by a doctor and carried out under supervision, on the recommendation of a specialist or trainer.Self-medication is dangerous for your 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 special individual exercise program, taking into account not only the stage of the disease and the state in which the cartilage is, but also the age of the patient, should be developed by a competent specialist in this area.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as one of the methods of conservative therapy - electrophoresis, laser therapy, acupuncture, diadynamic currents, UHF.A local massage treatment also gives positive results.Physiotherapeutic methods act in several directions: relieving pain, reducing inflammation, normalizing metabolism inside the joint and restoring its usual functions.The method and duration of physiotherapy treatment is determined by the patient's medical history and is prescribed only after a thorough diagnosis and study of the condition of the joints.

Pain physiotherapy includes:

1. Medium-wave ultraviolet irradiation (SUV irradiation).Contact of ultraviolet light with the skin of the knee continues until slight redness appears.Substances are formed in the tissues that dull the sensitivity of nerve fibers, due to which the analgesic effect is achieved.The duration of treatment is prescribed by the doctor based on the symptoms, frequency and intensity of pain.On average, the treatment duration is approximately 7 to 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 osteoarthritis of the knee joint in the early stages.The duration of treatment is usually limited to 20-25 procedures, each of which lasts about half an hour.
3. Infrared laser therapy, low intensity UHF therapy, centimeter therapy (SMV therapy).
4. Ultrasound, darsonvalization, therapeutic baths, interference therapy, prescribed to improve blood circulation in the joint.

Sanitary treatment in the resort is not negligible.This treatment is prescribed for deforming and dystrophic osteoarthritis.This treatment, like those listed earlier, has its contraindications, therefore the attending physician carefully examines the patient's medical history before recommending the sanitary station method.

Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

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

Late osteoarthritis of the knee joint can only be treated surgically - the knee joint is completely or partially replaced with an endoprosthesis.Surgical treatment not only improves well-being, but also restores the patient's working capacity in the late stages of knee osteoarthritis.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:

Knee Arthritis Prevention

In order to avoid this disease, people at risk (athletes, elderly people, overweight people, company workers) must follow certain instructions:

1. Good nutrition and the fight against excess weight.It is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods from your diet - fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, and it is better to consult a nutritionist who will help you individually 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, preventing them from becoming chronic.
4. Timely and adequate treatment of spinal diseases, if any, 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 arthritis, go to the clinic.
7. Avoid stress, sleep well.
8. Systematically increase your immunity (harden yourself or at least take a course of vitamins 2-3 times a year).
9. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially the lower limbs.

A healthy lifestyle and prompt treatment are the best ways to prevent knee arthritis.