Knee arthrosis

The following factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joints:

• Excessive physical activity that does not meet the age requirements, leading to joint damage;
• A lifeless lifestyle;
• Received injuries to the knee joints - knee dislocations, fractures, ligament rupture and crying, meniscus injury, severe fall to the knee, bruises;
• Increased body mass index, leading to increased joint stress, meniscus rupture;
• Heredity;
• Arthritis or other diseases of the joints (inflammation can cause swelling or accumulation of large amounts of synovial fluid in the joints, provoking the destruction of cartilage tissue);
• Metabolic disorders that lead to the expulsion of calcium from the body;
• Any type of diabetes mellitus, hormonal disorders and other pathologies of the endocrine system;
• Chronic or past diseases of inflammatory and infectious nature;
• Blood flow disorders;
• Lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid, gout and psoriatic pathologies, ankylosing spondylitis;
• Flat feet, causing the center of gravity to shift and the load on the joint to increase;
• Nervous overload and stressful situations.

Why does knee arthrosis occur

Most often, people themselves become the culprits of the development of such an incurable disease. Often, when pain occurs in the knee joint, people ignore the painful sensations, preferring to go to the doctor to use any medication that simply masks the pain.

After a few years you will still have to consult a specialist, because self-medication with such a diagnosis will not bring results. However, the severity of the arthrosis will still be moderate. There are no longer enough ointments, intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid and prophylactic physical education as it can be done in the early stages of the disease. Radical action is likely to be required, including sometimes using surgical intervention.

Symptoms and diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joints

The disease can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

• Pain syndrome. Painful sensations usually occur suddenly, but most often with physical exertion, even minor ones. The pain can be of a different nature. At first, it will be a weak lumbago (unfortunately few people pay attention to them). Mild pain, which only occurs periodically, can last for months, or even years, until the disease progresses to a more severe stage.
• Pronounced knee deformity. A similar symptom is characteristic of the later stages. And at the onset of osteoarthritis the knee is swollen and slightly swollen.
• Appearance of dense formations in the posterior wall of the knee joints. Accumulation of large amounts of joint fluid in the cavity of the Baker cyst or in the joint itself.
• Acute spasm of the joints accompanied by pain.
• Decreased mobility of funds. This is especially pronounced in the later stages of osteoarthritis. In this case the bending and extension of the knee causes severe pain, and in the last stages the movement becomes almost impossible.

Reference! Gait in a patient with osteoarthritis is variable: characterized by tilt and lameness of the legs.

Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the knee joints

Specialists distinguish between primary and secondary arthrosis.

Primary arthrosis of the knee joints

Primary gonarthrosis is characterized by the following processes:

1. Articular cartilage can constantly deteriorate and at the same time rapidly renew. Under normal circumstances, these two processes must balance each other. Cartilage is destroyed at the same rate with age, but its recovery is slowed down. The human mass plays an important role here. Indeed, if a person weighs 70 kg, then in 10 steps on one foot he will carry 700 kg, and those who weigh 120 kg will carry 1200 kg, which will be a significant load on the joints and cartilage, which will expire faster because of this. .
2. It is important to remember: the joint is nourished with useful elements only when moving. A sedentary lifestyle causes a slowdown in metabolic processes, due to which the necessary nutrients do not reach their destination.
3. The likelihood of developing gonarthrosis increases in people whose parents suffer from this disease.

Secondary arthrosis of the knee joint

It develops for the following reasons:

• Multiple injuries. In people of any age, they cause excessive stress on the cartilage. When a cartilage-covered bone is broken, there are irregularities, so-called "steps. "
• Development of rheumatoid arthritis, Koenig's disease, the appearance of purulent inflammation in the joint area.
• Vascular dysfunction.

Classification and developmental stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joints

Orthopedists divide gonarthrosis into stages, on which further treatment of the disease depends. Of course, the course of treatment will depend on other factors as well, for example, the causes of the development, localization and nature of the arthrosis.

ᲛᲜᲘᲨᲕᲜᲔᲚᲝᲕᲐᲜᲘ! Qualitative treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the picture of the disease. Self-medication can only worsen your health.

The main classification divides gonarthrosis into four stages of development:

1. Initial stage. At this point the disease is just being revealed. External symptoms are hardly noticeable or completely absent, the shape of the joint is in a satisfactory condition. Symptoms include only moderate discomfort or heaviness after a long walk in the knee, as well as strenuous physical activity. X-ray examination will have little information: X-ray may show only slight narrowing of the joint space. Unfortunately, at this stage the person does not seek medical help due to the insignificance of the symptoms.
2. The second stage is characterized by noticeable pain syndrome, especially when walking and climbing stairs, as well as at night. The severity of the pain decreases during rest. Joint movement becomes difficult. You can hear the cracking or creaking of the knees while walking. Narrowing of the joint space as well as osteophytes are noticeable on X-ray. The patient begins to limp.
3. When osteoarthritis progresses to the third stage, the pain syndrome is constantly felt, even in the absence of movement. The processes of deformation and degeneration go into an irreversible stage. Joint deformity occurs sharply, the distance between the joint surfaces is noticeably reduced, the size of many osteophytes increases. Painful sensations now bother the patient even in a state of complete relaxation. People become dependent on outside support (walkers, crutches) and need help from other people. Conservative treatment is less effective at this stage.
4. The fourth stage is characterized by constant excruciating pain. Osteophyte formations increase in number and size, cartilage is completely destroyed, joint space is barely traced or completely absent, bones are severely deformed. Even weak movements cause the patient to be tortured. At this stage of gonarthrosis the patient is recognized as disabled. In the absence of surgery, the disease can lead to disability.

Complications of osteoarthritis of the knee joints

Advanced arthrosis can lead to dislocation and subluxation of the knee joint. In dislocation, the epiphysis of the femur extends completely out of the joint, making movement in the joint impossible and the foot axis essentially moving sideways. Fortunately, such a negative variant of disease development is quite rare.

Subluxations are more common. They are characterized by partial displacement of the joints relative to each other and a slight deviation of the thigh axis. In this case subluxation is accompanied by severe pain and joint dysfunction.

Neglect of the disease can lead to complete loss of lower limb function.

Attention! The habit of saving foot pain sometimes leads to deformity of the intervertebral discs and the appearance of hernias.

Consequences of neglected gonarthrosis

The advanced stage of gonarthrosis is almost always characterized by the following unfavorable symptoms:

• Round-the-clock pain from which no painkiller can save;
• Loss of limb support (impossible to stand on a sore foot or even lean on);
• Joint block immobilization;
• Pronounced curvature of the bones around the knee;
• Severe swelling around the affected area.

Methods of treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The prescribed treatment depends on the degree of disease development. There are several options for therapy.

Hormones

These drugs are prescribed for severe exacerbations accompanied by synovitis and severe pain. Normally, hormones are prescribed by injection. The following drugs are most often used:

• Flosterone;
• Diprospan;
• Hydrocortisone.

The course of hormone treatment is usually short, with injections only being given during periods of severe exacerbation. Hormones are prescribed at an average frequency of once every 10 days.

Chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors are prescribed at an early stage of disease development. This therapy is currently considered the most effective and safe: there are virtually no contraindications and side effects are manifested in rare cases.

The drugs are aimed at restoring cartilage, improving metabolic processes, nourishing cartilage tissue and protecting it from further destruction. But in the last stage of arthrosis, chondroprotectors are also powerless.

Medicines of this group are produced in the form of injections, ointments, gels, tablets.

Vasodilator preparations

These funds are necessary to eliminate small blood vessel spasms, increase blood circulation, and supply nutrients to the affected joint area. It is prescribed to take vasodilators with chondroprotectors.

If joint fluid does not accumulate during gonarthrosis (not synovitis), the use of warming ointments is recommended.

ალHyaluronic acid

Otherwise, this device is called an intra-articular prosthesis because the composition of the acid is similar to that of an intra-articular fluid. When introduced into the joint, the acid forms a membrane that prevents strong cartilage friction during movement, acts on the extracellular matrix, improves metabolic processes in the joint, and also causes the joint to produce its own hyaluronic acid - e. g. ი. Restores joint function to normal, stops pathological processes that destroy cartilage. . . .

Acid treatment is prescribed only for the exacerbation of synovitis.

Physiotherapy

A course of physiotherapy exercises will bring positive results only if it is prescribed by a doctor after a thorough study of medical history and all exercises are conducted under the supervision of a specialist.

Self-medication often leads to a deterioration in the condition of the joints. Exercise therapy is prescribed for the following purposes:

• Slowing down the development of stiffness;
• Prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue;
• Eliminate muscle spasm that causes pain.

Physiotherapy

Various procedures can be prescribed as adjunctive therapy: electrophoresis, acupuncture, laser therapy, UHF, as well as diadynamic currents. Local massage will also bring good results.

Physiotherapy aims to reduce the severity of pain, eliminate inflammation, normalize metabolic processes inside the injured joint and restore its normal function.

ᲛᲜᲘᲨᲕᲜᲔᲚᲝᲕᲐᲜᲘ! It is important for the patient to control their diet and avoid strenuous physical activity.

Forecast. Prevention

In the advanced stages of the disease, the prognosis is disappointing. It is therefore recommended that you seek medical advice for even the slightest symptoms of osteoarthritis.

People at risk (elderly, athletes, as well as overweight people) should follow the doctor's recommendations and follow the following rules:

1. Eat right and control your weight. Follow a weight loss diet as needed.
2. Reduce the load on the joints during sports, constantly control it.
3. Timely treatment of infectious diseases, preventing their transition to a chronic stage.
4. Relax adequately, avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
5. Increase the body's protective functions (periodically take vitamins, temperament).
6. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially the lower extremities.