From this article, you will learn everything about arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, why it occurs, 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 joint pathology in which cartilage is destroyed, muscles and ligaments are damaged, and bones are deformed.
The disease appears mainly after 40 years (12-16% of people at this age are affected).Women get sick twice as often as 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 grows, which interferes 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 completely (100%) get rid of the pathology 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 was scheduled.A sports doctor can also identify the symptoms of the disease.
Disease causes and species
Depending on the factor that causes the disease, there are 2 types of knee arthrosis:
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 is caused by changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration of blood circulation and slowing of metabolism.The risk of developing it increases with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - can appear in a person of any age and affect both joints simultaneously and 1.
The reasons are:
- Severe stress on the legs.
- Injuries of ligaments, knee meniscus, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are disturbed (parathyroid gland disorders, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases).
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (infectious and non-infectious synovitis and arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with blood clotting disorders).
Then we will take a closer look 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 become thinner due to heavy loads or lack of nutrients.This causes friction between the bones that meet in the knee joint.
Erosion on the bone tissue occurs as a protective reaction of the organism - growths begin to form on it.All these factors lead to deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Internship | Clinical signs | Processes that take place in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It can be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, when walking up the stairs, after prolonged exercise and hypothermia Stiffness in the knees in the morning Synovitis can develop - accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed by puncture (killing the cavity with fluid and collecting it) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcerations form on it |
| 2 |
The pain occurs even as a result of light exertion, and becomes more pronounced during active walking. The leg does not fully bend, the joint occasionally creaks The knee visually expands The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to the increased load on the joint, it appears 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 volume of the joints increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a cane Valgus deformity of the legs (X-shaped leg position) or varus deformity (O-shaped leg position) may occur. |
There is almost no cartilage tissue The bones are deformed and "pressed" into each other, which leads to limited mobility in the joint |
Acute form
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is the time when the disease progresses faster and is clinically more pronounced.
Exacerbation can be a consequence of:
- excessive stress on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if bypassing the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnostics
If you notice stiffness in the joint that appears in the morning or after sitting for a long time, as well as pain when walking down stairs or squatting, this may be a sign of stage 1 gonarthrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, visit 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, and will also refer to:
- radiography - will help to assess the state of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine whether there is an accompanying inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
With arthrosis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, because many therapeutic measures are aimed precisely at removing disturbing signs and improving the quality of a person's life.
Medication, diet and exercise therapy:
- they slow down further destructive processes in the cartilage;
- prevent the disease from progressing to an advanced stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to stop and slow down the development of the pathology.
Diet
The goal of following a diet is to slow down 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 sources of protein |
Fatty meat, sausages, sausages - lead to weight gain, which creates additional stress on the joint and interferes with the normal formation of synovial fluid |
| Fish, especially the red variety, is rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food - foods that contribute to weight gain |
| Gelatin from bone broth, gelatin - contain chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue |
White cabbage, tomato, pepper, eggplant, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - the "building block" of 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 yolk, cod liver - increase the risk of developing gout |
| Fresh cheese, cheese - sources of calcium |
Coffee - expels calcium from the body, which is beneficial for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds - the healthiest foods of plant origin Rich in ingredients useful for joints |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) – helps to normalize metabolism in the body, especially in the joints Juices (fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt - can lead to deterioration |
Physical education
If you have developed knee arthrosis, therapeutic exercises should be done daily.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 dr.Evdokimenko
The aim of this complex of therapeutic exercises is for the muscles surrounding the joint to work without load.Gymnastics using the Evdokimenko method shows very good results in arthrosis of the knee joint.
exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs, arms at your sides.Raise the straight leg above the floor to a height of 15 cm, tighten the muscles of the buttocks and thighs.Hold this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Put it down.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise your straight leg 15 cm above the floor and hold it for 1-3 seconds.Return to original position (IP).Do 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise the bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it 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 sides and put them back.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.Leave the top straight and raise it above the floor by 45 degrees.Hold it like this for 30-40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit on the chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold it for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Get up.Lean back on the back of the chair.Stand on your toes.Hold for 30-60 seconds.Go back to the IP.
- Stand on your toes and hold this position for 1-3 seconds.Go back to the IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Place your right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the toe of your left foot.With your right leg, gently rise on 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 exercising on your own, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain while performing the movement, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since arthrosis of the knee joint cannot be cured by completely conservative methods, in severe cases doctors resort to surgical techniques.
One of the most effective is knee replacement, i.e. replacing the rubbing 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 leg deformities that can occur in advanced forms of arthrosis.
Folk remedies
Home remedies can serve as an excellent complement to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee arthrosis with folk remedies, consult your doctor, as some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not be combined with the medications prescribed to you.
Here are some effective, time-tested recipes:
- Beef hooves and knees - help restore cartilage tissue.Cook them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar - relieve swelling and pain.Mix the components in a ratio of 3 to 1. In the evening, make compresses and leave for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke - helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed artichoke leaves and stems with 2 liters of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Soak a gauze bandage in the infusion and apply to the painful joint.
Prevention
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 running.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them immediately.In case of bruises and sprains, contact a traumatologist immediately and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat right.
- Get rid of bad habits.
Forecast
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not despair.Provided you strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the range of motion in the joint.
Do not delay visiting a specialist, because in the later stages the disease can lead to leg deformity and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.