Arthrosis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease of intra -articular cartilage, with progressive degenerative disorders of its structure and functions.This disease is very common among older women, as well as professional athletes, even at a young age.
Many believe that the development of osteoarthritis is associated with an excess of salt, but in fact, salt deposits have nothing to do with arthrosis of the knee joint.
Reasons
If arthrosis occurs for no reason, then it is called idiopathic or primary.But if the development of arthrosis was influenced by pathological processes in the body or illness, then this form is called secondary.The following factors can affect its development:
- Elderly age.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Traumatic damage to the knee.
- Excessive knee load.
- Constant squeezing and repeating microtraumas - shots and so on.
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints and muscles - arthritis, synovitis, bursitis, myositis, tendonitis, lymphadenitis.
- Inflammatory processes in the body.
- Viral, fungal and infectious diseases.
- Metabolism disorders.
- Excess weight.
- Calcium deficiency in the body.
- Hypothermia.
- Congenital deformations of the knee joint.
Athletes and people who are often subjected to strong physical activity and subject it to the knee joint are subject to arthrosis.These are teachers, movers, builders, teachers and so on.
Peculiarities
Before the treatment or detection of specific symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint, it is necessary to understand the features of this disease.
The joint surfaces of the human bones are covered with cartilage.In some joints, as well as in the knees, the menisci are the layers of cartilage that act as shock absorbers.Interior lubricant is a synovial fluid that is produced in our body.
When the knee joint is affected, there is a change in the development of interspassed lubrication.The cartilage partially or completely abrasion.The body is trying to cope with this violation, as well as reduce pain.When the disease progresses, the joint is deformed, the bones begin to expand due to osteophytes.This condition occurs only in advanced cases.The surface of the bones is uneven and does not fit each other.The result is limited mobility.
Symptoms
The first symptom with arthrosis of the knee joint is the pain that can occur after prolonged physical activity or constantly stress.Its nature is diverse, often the pain intensifies in the evening or at night, preventing a person from falling asleep, which leads to a violation of normal life.At this stage, you should visit a doctor.
There are three levels of arthrosis of the knee joint, each of which has its own characteristics.At the first stage, the pain is not easy, and in many people it passes on its own.In addition, there is discomfort and insignificant recurrent edema.This will require a certain treatment: laser therapy and other physiotherapeutic procedures.
At the second stage, the symptoms are complicated, a deterioration in mobility is added to all of the above, and pain intensifies.A slight bleeding may also occur.
In this case, laser therapy and prescribing drugs by a doctor can help.If this does not, the pain will constantly intensify, and the third degree of the disease will come.At the third stage, the integrity of the cartilage is radically violated, up to destruction.Painful feelings are constant, a person cannot normally go for a walk.Climbing the stairs is a real problem, the joints swell.Various pathologies are observed during movement, trembling of the limbs.
In addition, with arthrosis, redness of the skin appears on the knee, and by touching them you can find an inflammatory process.This occurs due to internal bleeding caused by the rupture of blood vessels or veins.If this cosmetic defect is greatly noticeable, then remove it with a laser.
In the last stages, a person becomes unstable due to muscle weakness and other defects.Walking is possible only with a stick and only at short distances.This ends with deformation of the knee, which even the laser cannot fix.The person becomes motionless.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joint may include:
- Analysis of clinical symptoms.
- General and biochemical blood tests.
- X -ray.
- Computer tomography, magnetic resonance.
- Sonography (ultrasound of the joint).
- Arthroscopy, biopsy and biochemical studies of synovial fluid.
Treatment
Many people are puzzled by the treatment of this disease.The arsenal of drugs is very large, their uncontrolled use is impossible.
If you abuse medicines for arthritis, you can purchase a stomach ulcer.You can also aggravate the arthrosis of the knee joint.
The doctor first prescribes to patients non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, which, together with inflammation, also relieve pain.But the treatment does not end there.Extensive physical exercises, physiotherapy.Special therapeutic gymnastics is chosen by a doctor who provides the maximum therapeutic effect.
Using drugs
The main treatment lies in non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs.Other means are used to improve the power of cartilage and contribute to their gradual restoration.The most proven in this regard are drugs based on glucosamine and chondroitin.To accelerate treatment, you can use special creams and ointments that have a local effect.
It is worth noting that painful and antipyretic drugs without a doctor’s prescription is very dangerous.Such treatment can negatively affect the condition of the stomach, liver and heart.Recently, drugs are produced with minimal negative effects, according to some manufacturers, such medications can be used for several months.
Gymnastics and physiotherapy
Other treatment methods can improve blood flow and, therefore, nutrition of cartilage.To strengthen the ligaments and muscles, special exercises are prescribed.But the effect of gymnastics will be only in the early stages, when the joint has changed a bit.Exercises are selected strictly individually, depending on the severity of the disease and physical abilities of the patient.
Such exercises are complemented by physiotherapeutic procedures in large quantities.Magnetotherapy and laser therapy, UHF, electrophore, ultrasound are used and much more.
Injections
In the final phase, where physiotherapy and laser do not help relieve pain, resort to injection in the joint cavity.Hyaluronic acid -based preparations increase the regenerative properties of cartilage.Nevertheless, often such treatment leads to the complete uselessness of the cartilage.
Endoprosthetics
Endoprosthetics of the knee joint is an extreme measure that is carried out when you cannot sleep normally and move.
Prevention
Arthrosis most often occurs in old age, so its prevention needs to be engaged in younger, especially after 30 years.For this you need:
- Do not overload the knee joint and provide a rational load on the feet.
- Do not wear weights.
- Eat right.
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- In time, cure all inflammatory and infectious diseases in the body.
- To control the weight of the body, since due to excess weight to the knee joint is a very strong load.
- Do not overcool joints.
- Avoid the injuries of the knee.
- When playing sports, put on special knee pads.
- With a constant load on the knees, do self -massage regularly.
