From this article you will learn everything about arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, why it happens, what are the manifestations in different stages.How to treat it, how to prevent the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint in which cartilage is destroyed, muscles and ligaments are damaged and bones are deformed.
The disease appears mainly after the age of 40 (12–16% of people of this age are affected).Women get sick 2 times more often than men.Athletes and people engaged in heavy physical work are susceptible to the disease.
Gonarthrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by joint pain:
- joint mobility decreases;
- bone and cartilage tissue 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 disability.
Conservative therapy for arthrosis of the knee joint is possible only in the initial stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), it allows you to slow down and stop the development of the pathology.
As the disease progresses, the treatment is only surgical.You can get rid of pathology completely (100%) only with endoprosthetics - knee replacement.
Diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist and other doctors.According to the indications, a consultation with a rheumatologist is scheduled.A sports doctor can also identify the symptoms of the disease.
Causes and types of the disease
Depending on the factor that provokes the disease, 2 types of knee arthrosis are distinguished:
primary (idiopathic)
This type of arthrosis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The initial stages are diagnosed after 40 years and over 70 years, gonarthrosis is detected in 60% of people.Often 2 joints are affected at the same time.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration of blood circulation and slowing of metabolism.The risk of development increases with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - can appear in a person of any age and affect both joints at the same time and 1.
The reasons are:
- Heavy stress on the legs.
- Ligament injuries, knee menisci, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are interrupted (disorders of the parathyroid glands, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases).
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (synovitis and infectious and non-infectious arthritis), hemophilia (rare hereditary disease associated with blood coagulation disorders).
Next, we will look in more detail at 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
As the disease progresses, the cartilage begins to thin due to heavy loads or lack of nutrients.This provokes friction between the bones that articulate in the knee joint.
Erosion in bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body - growths begin to form in it.All these factors lead to deformation of the knee joint and its limited movement.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| scenes | Clinical signs | Processes that occur in nodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It may be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, when walking up the stairs, after long exercise and hypothermia Stiffness in the knees in the morning Synovitis may develop - an accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed using a bur (bur of the cavity with fluid and its collection) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcers are created on it |
| 2 |
The pain also appears as a result of light exertion and becomes more pronounced with active walking. The leg does not fully bend, the joint jumps periodically The knee visually expands The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to the increased loads on the joint, it seems to become flat The formation of osteophytes - bone growths - begins The synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Destructive processes in the cartilage are accelerated |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and haunts the patient even at rest. Both full flexion and full extension of the knee are impossible The joint volume increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a stick Valgus deformity of the feet (X-shaped foot position) or varus deformity (O-shaped foot position) may occur. |
There is almost no cartilage tissue The bones deform and "push" into each other, which leads to limited movement at the joint |
Acute form
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is a time when the disease progresses faster and is more pronounced clinically.
Aggravation can result from:
- excessive stress on joints;
- hypothermia;
- non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if skipping the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnosing
If you notice stiffness in your joint that occurs in the morning or after sitting for a long time, as well as pain when walking down stairs or sitting, this may be a sign of stage 1 gonarthrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, go to an appointment with a general practitioner, who will refer you to an orthopedist or another doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will perform an initial examination and palpation of the joint, as well as refer to:
- x-ray - will help to assess the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine if there is an accompanying inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
With arthrosis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, as many therapeutic measures are specifically aimed at eliminating disturbing symptoms and improving the quality of life of a person.
Taking medications, diet and exercise therapy:
- slow down further destructive processes in cartilage;
- prevent the disease from progressing to a more advanced stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to stop and slow down the development of the pathology.
diets
The purpose of following a diet is to slow the further progression of the disease.
What to add to the menu and what to exclude:
| Healthy products | Prohibited Products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products, eggs (no more than 3 pieces per day and preferably without yolks) - serve as a source of protein |
Fatty meat, sausages, sausages - lead to weight gain, which creates additional stress on the joints and also interferes with the normal formation of synovial fluid |
| Fish, especially the red variety, are rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food - foods that contribute to excessive weight gain |
| Jelly meat made from bone broth, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue |
White cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - "building blocks" for cartilage tissue. However, some studies refute their harm in arthrosis |
| Rice, millet and buckwheat contain complex carbohydrates that promote the formation of synovial fluid |
Egg yolks, cod liver - increase the risk of developing gout |
| Cottage cheese, cheese - sources of calcium |
Coffee – removes calcium from the body, which is good for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, fennel, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, whole grains, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds - the healthiest foods of plant origin Rich in beneficial ingredients for joints |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) - helps to normalize the metabolism in the body and in the joints in particular Juices (those fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt - can lead to deterioration |
Physical education
If you have developed knee arthrosis, therapeutic exercises should be done every day.Special exercises help stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further destructive processes in the cartilage.Exercise therapy will also increase the mobility of the affected knee and prevent pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in acute cases of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for knee joints by Dr.Evdokimenko
The purpose of this complex of therapeutic exercises is for the muscles surrounding the joint to work without loading it.Gymnastics with the Evdokimenko method shows very good results for arthrosis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs, arms at your sides.Raise the straight leg above the floor at a height of 15 cm, tighten the back and thigh muscles.Hold this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Place it.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise the straight leg above the floor by 15 cm and hold for 1-3 seconds.Return to original position (IP).Do 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise your bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold for 30-40 seconds.Do this movement with each leg 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but hold each leg for 1-3 seconds.Perform 10-12 repetitions on each leg.
- Raise two straight legs above the floor by 10-15 cm.Spread them to the side and turn them again.Without putting your feet on the floor, perform the movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Lie on your side.Bend the lower leg at the knee.Keep your upper body straight and lift it off the floor at 45 degrees.Hold this way for 30-40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit in a chair.Raise the leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Stand up.Lean against the back of the chair.Stand on your toes.Hold for 30-60 seconds.Return to IP.
- Stand on your toes and hold this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Place the right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the toe of the left foot.Lift your right foot slightly onto your toes and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10-12 times.
The physical education of this author is more intensive than the previous one.It is possible only at the first signs of gonarthrosis.Before you start practicing on your own, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain while performing the movements, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint using completely conservative methods, in severe cases doctors use surgical techniques.
One of the most effective is knee replacement, i.e. replacing the friction surfaces of the joint with artificial ones.
The recovery period after endoprosthetics is from 3 to 6 months.
The following surgical interventions are also performed:
- arthroplasty - plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- corrective osteotomies – correction of valgus or varus foot deformities that may occur with advanced forms of arthrosis.
Folk remedies
Home remedies can serve as a wonderful complement to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee arthrosis using folk remedies, consult your doctor, because some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not be combined with the medications prescribed to you.
Here are some effective, time-tested recipes:
- Calf's hooves and knees - help restore cartilage tissue.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar – relieve swelling and pain.Mix the ingredients in a ratio of 3 to 1. In the evening, make compresses and apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke - helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed Jerusalem artichoke leaves and stems into 2 liters of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Soak a gauze pad in the infusion and apply it to the sore joint.
Preventing
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Exercise, but don't stress your knees too much.Never run on asphalt.Special tracks or dirt roads are suitable for jogging.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them right away.In case of bruises and sprains, immediately contact a traumatologist and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat properly.
- Give up bad habits.
PREDICTION
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not despair.If you carefully follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the range of motion in the joint.
Do not delay a visit to a specialist, as in the later stages the disease can lead to deformities and disabilities in the legs.Modern medicine treats them surgically.