Knee pain is a common complaint for which doctors are consulted.What causes pain and how can you help if it occurs?There is no definitive answer because knee joints can suffer from different types of injuries that occur for many reasons.One of these reasons (and very common) is the onset of 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 lesion of a predominantly non-inflammatory nature, which over time leads to the destruction of articular cartilage, deformation of the knee and limited range of movement.The disease presents in two main forms:
- primary – occurs due to a congenital abnormality of the joint;
- secondary – occurs as a result of other illnesses or injuries.
The primary form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by improper formation of the joint surfaces or ligamentous apparatus.When walking, such a joint is subjected to a load disproportionate to its capabilities, which causes degenerative changes.
The development of a secondary form of pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: fractures of the leg bones, bruises and dislocations of the knee, accompanied by damage to the bony and cartilaginous parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops.
- Surgeries aimed at removing the meniscus, as they lead to disruption of the integral structure of the knee and its rapid wear.
- The disproportionate load on the legs that athletes are often subjected to.
- Excess fat also causes osteoarthritis because it puts excessive pressure from body weight on the articular cartilage of the knee.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Long-term arthritis is accompanied by the formation of fluid in the joint cavity and over time can be complicated by osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic disorders leading to the deposition of salts in the joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases are accompanied by long-term spasms of the leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Operations postponed.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.As a result of injury, unilateral arthrosis (for example, of the right knee) will most likely develop, and in case of obesity, bilateral arthrosis.
Characteristic symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops gradually, sometimes preceded by months and years of initial period, when there are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and visible deformation), but from time to time a feeling of discomfort in the knees appears.
Most often, overweight women over 40 are affected, and especially, as an aggravating factor, those suffering from varicose veins.
The development of knee osteoarthritis goes through several stages:
- The initial phase can last months or even years.A person experiences periodic knee pain, especially when taking the first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, as well as when going up and down the stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes stronger and occurs with any movement accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.Fluid may accumulate in the joint cavity and, upon examination, you may notice the beginnings of deformation.The range of motion of the affected knee begins to decrease.
- The third stage is characterized by pain that does not go away even when resting.Often the discomfort increases before the weather changes.At this point, the joints have largely lost their functions: the legs can barely bend at the knees or fail to fully extend.The gait changes: it becomes “waddled” or on half-bent legs.The deformity of the knees is severe: the legs bend and take on an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop more quickly.Following the injury, pain and swelling appear in the knee.Such pain constantly accompanies a person and intensifies after physical activity.Gradually, it is accompanied by a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the knee.Sometimes with this form of the disease, only a few months pass between the first symptoms and irreversible changes.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis
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 (a phase of rest when the manifestations of the 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, by reducing body weight), then almost complete recovery is possible.
Goals of treatment for knee osteoarthritis:
- eliminate pain,
- if possible, restore damaged cartilage and ligamentous apparatus,
- increase the range of motion of the joint.
Treatment methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgery,
- restorative therapy (physiotherapy, physiotherapy and other methods).
Only a doctor can choose the right medications;under no circumstances prescribe them to yourself.Their main action aims to:
- Elimination of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint: relief of pain and inflammation.For this purpose, appropriate medications are prescribed, including hormones, which are injected into the joint cavity.
- Improve blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by agents that relieve vascular spasms and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilaginous tissue.For this purpose, drugs are prescribed to nourish and restore cartilage.
Manual manipulation and massage reduce pain, relax spastic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase blood circulation.
In the case of advanced and irreversible lesions, osteoarthritis of the knee is treated by a radical method: prosthesis, that is to say the implantation of a metal prosthesis to replace the destroyed joint.This is so far the only method that gives a chance of complete recovery, however, stents have a limited lifespan, after which they must be replaced.The cost of such operations being very high, this treatment method is not yet widespread.
Rehabilitation therapy includes physiotherapy, physiotherapy (exercises using special loads and machines), physiotherapy and sanatorium treatment.
Orthopedic methods are aimed at relieving the painful knee - these are canes, orthotics, etc., which make walking easier (used if necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various ointments and compresses made from herbs, medical bile and natural wool warming bandages.Basically, the effect of these methods is aimed at relieving pain and eliminating the main symptoms.
Prevention measures
Prevention of knee osteoarthritis includes many factors:
- Balanced diet: the diet should contain a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and microelements.
- Fight an unhealthy lifestyle and get rid of bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevention of injuries during sports and heavy lifting.
The most important thing when identifying a pathology such as osteoarthritis of the knee is not to let the disease progress, because its advanced stages lead to disability.But if you devote all your efforts to treatment and prevention in time - before time is wasted and the symptoms are insignificant - there is a chance of complete relief from the disease.