Signs of osteoarthritis of the knee joint: causes, stages of the disease, how to treat

Signs of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are often found in older people.Athletes and obese patients are also at risk.

Why does osteoarthritis of the knee joint occur?

Osteoarthritis is a deformation of the cartilage of the joints.Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and facilitates the movements of the human body.When they are destroyed, mobility gradually decreases and any load leads to pain.Over time, the knee becomes completely immobilized and the person can become disabled.

All cartilage thins and wears out with age, so the disease occurs in different stages in 70-85% of people over 60 years old.First of all, they are overweight women.Other common causes of osteoarthritis:

• Intense sports and physical overload contribute to premature wear of cartilage from a young age.
• Injuries, fractures, dislocations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Congenital disorders, lack of intra-articular fluid.
• A circulatory disorder in which the cartilage receives little oxygen and nutrients.
• Joint diseases accompanied by inflammation.
• Violation of hormonal production and metabolism.

A type of osteoarthritis that affects the knee joint is called gonarthrosis, from the ancient Greek “goni” – knee.

Classification of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

In this condition, there are 3 stages, depending on the degree of development of osteoarthritis.The earlier the disease is detected, the more effective and simple the treatment will be.Characteristics of the different stages of osteoarthritis:

1. At this stage, the bone deformation is not pronounced.Deviations are visible on x-rays, but few people pay attention to minor symptoms and consult the doctor.
2. Changes and thickening of the bones are visible on x-rays with the naked eye.Quality of life decreases due to constant discomfort.
3. The patient is considerably limited in his movements.Ligaments and cartilage are completely destroyed.

Many older people suffer until the last moment and suffer from illnesses because they become accustomed to age-related illnesses and consider these symptoms normal.However, at the initial stage you can get by with conservative methods, and at the last stage only surgery will help.

Main symptoms

The disease does not start suddenly, but develops over several years.Mild knee pain is initially felt only under heavy loads, when going up and down stairs.If osteoarthritis is not treated, over time the painful symptom becomes permanent, the knee joint takes on an unnatural shape and contour, and the leg may bend to the right or left.

At stage 1

Long before osteoarthritis seriously develops, a person may begin to experience mild knee discomfort after walking.Sometimes stiffness of movements and crunching occurs.These symptoms should not be ignored, because with a timely examination, treatment can be started and serious consequences can be avoided.

At stage 2

At this stage, the patient feels almost constant pain.It is more pronounced in the morning, disappears after a short walk, but the condition worsens in the evening.The patient's gait slows, accompanied by a constant crunching sound.Often, redness and swelling of the skin appear in the knee area, which indicates an inflammatory process.The x-ray shows pronounced changes.

Diagnosis

An orthopedist examines and identifies osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Diagnostics includes laboratory and instrumental research methods.These include:

• Blood and urine tests.Show the level of hormones in the body and the presence of inflammation.
• X-ray.Helps assess joint type and stage disease.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Shows the condition of soft tissues, meniscus, cartilage, which is impossible with x-ray.
• Ultrasound of joints.Like MRI, it shows the condition of the cartilage and surrounding tissues.This is a more subjective method, the result depends on the qualifications of the specialist.Therefore, ultrasound must be performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging.
• Personal inspection.Sometimes the doctor completely trusts the result of an X-ray or MRI and does not consider it necessary to recheck it himself.At the same time, manual examination can reveal missed details and identify concomitant diseases that also require treatment.

If you suspect knee osteoarthritis, it is better to carry out all examinations and be observed by a doctor from a specialized orthopedic clinic.

How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint

All treatment methods are selected individually and used in combination.You cannot use ordinary joint ointment for self-medication, since its effect will be temporary and will not eliminate the cause of the disease.It is optimal to combine medications, physiotherapy, proper nutrition and physiotherapy.

Hormonal drugs

Steroid medications have a wide range of effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.These drugs are used in the form of injections into the joint at the time of an exacerbation of the disease to quickly relieve pain and swelling.The disadvantages of the method include side effects and limited frequency of use (preferably no more than once every 2 weeks).In addition, hormone injections do not eliminate the causes of the disease, but alleviate the symptoms in combination with other methods and cannot be considered a complete treatment.

Chondroprotectors

This is a group of drugs that act on cartilage tissue, restoring and nourishing it, thereby improving the quality of the lubricating fluid.

Preparations based on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are most effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.These substances are included in several medications.

The attitude towards chondroprotectors among doctors and patients is ambiguous.Some patients, thanks to advertising, expect rapid and unrealistic results from treatment.Not finding them, they become disappointed and begin to consider this group of drugs useless.

In fact, chondroprotectors require long-term use in combination with other treatment methods.

These drugs are much more effective at stages 1 and 2 of the disease, and not when the cartilage tissue is already seriously damaged.

Hyaluronic acid

Sodium hyaluronate is a natural moisturizing component produced in the human body.Thanks to intra-articular injections, hyaluronic acid deeply nourishes dry and thinned cartilage, restores joint mobility and acts as an effective natural lubricant.The disadvantages of the method include the undesirability of its use during periods of exacerbation, inflammation and high price.At the same time, a well-designed hyaluronic acid course can replace surgery, which can be even more expensive.

Ointments

Gels and ointments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are not able to influence the cause of the disease, but can greatly alleviate the patient's condition.Heating preparations improve blood circulation, improve nutrition of the diseased area and facilitate overall treatment.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are widely used to relieve pain, despite the relatively small amount of active substance capable of penetrating the skin to the joint.

Diet therapy

Scientists have been studying the link between the consumption of certain foods and joint osteoarthritis for many years.It has been suggested that the increased risk of morbidity is influenced by the consumption of meat, processed foods and excess salt, but these assumptions have not been confirmed.The only thing that has to do with diet and osteoarthritis is being overweight.Therefore, the principles of diet therapy for this diagnosis are based on the general rules of healthy eating, as well as reducing and controlling body weight.

Recommendations for patients with knee osteoarthritis:

• Limit the consumption of cooked meals and fast food, and favor homemade dishes based on simple products.
• Adhere to the norm of healthy salt consumption - no more than one teaspoon per day.
• Limit sweets, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and flour products.
• The diet should be varied, consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, nuts, eggs (especially proteins) and lean meat.
• On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take a complex of vitamins and dietary supplements.

If a patient with knee osteoarthritis is already overweight, he or she should consult a nutritionist.The specialist will be able to give advice based on the patient's age, lifestyle and other indicators.

Folk remedies for the treatment of osteoarthritis

In traditional medicine, infusions, decoctions, compresses of medicinal herbs and other components are used to treat joints.With the permission of the doctor, these drugs can complement the main treatment, or be used to prevent gonarthrosis, at the first signs of discomfort and osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Several folk recipes:

• Rubbing with turpentine.Mix the yolk, a teaspoon of turpentine, a tablespoon of cider vinegar.Rub the mixture onto the affected area overnight, wrapping it in a woolen cloth.Use 1 to 2 times a week.
• Honey and mumiyo.For 100 g of honey, add 3-4 g of mumiyo.Rub your knees before going to bed.
• Dandelion infusion.To prepare half a liter of alcohol or vodka, pour it into a dark glass container.Fill it with yellow heads and leave it in a cool place for at least a month.Rub the filtered product on the painful area before going to bed.

Such recipes help relieve pain and inflammation during complex treatment, but do not replace them.Illiterate self-medication can worsen your condition.

Massage

Manual and equipment massage, manual therapy is perfect for people who are overweight, sedentary and suffering from osteoarthritis.If there is excessive fluid accumulation in the joint, lymphatic drainage is indicated.All types of massage go well with physiotherapy and are used to relax muscles after training.Contraindications to massage are acute inflammation.

Physiotherapy

Many types of procedures using heat, cold, electric current, ultrasound and laser beams slow the progression of osteoarthritis, improve blood circulation in the diseased area and have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Most often, the doctor prescribes:

1. Shock wave therapy.The method involves specially directing sound waves to the area of the diseased joint.This effect relieves swelling, improves cartilage nutrition and destroys salt deposits.The most effective method of physiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
2. Myostimulation.Electrical impulses relieve muscle spasms and tension and maintain mobility of the knee joint.
3. Phonophoresis.This therapy combines the local effects of ointments and gels with ultrasound.Due to this, the penetration of beneficial substances into the skin increases.

Cryotherapy, paraffin therapy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other techniques are less commonly used.

Physiotherapy

Popular techniques include physiotherapy and joint traction.The exercise therapy complex is prescribed individually by a rehabilitation doctor.This may include exercises using weights, medical devices and gymnastics for independent performance.Some exercises should be done in the morning, in bed, others - 3-4 times a day.The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises largely depends on the patient's responsibility and desire to recover.When done correctly, such physical training can stop deterioration and avoid surgical interventions.

A special orthopedic device is used for traction.The method allows you to widen the gap between the joints, reduce their friction and the load on the sore knee.

Surgical treatment

Osteoarthritis surgery is a method of influencing the cause of the disease, not just the symptoms.It is used in stages 2-3 of osteoarthritis, when other methods are ineffective.There are several intervention options:

1. Arthroscopy.Modern methods make it possible to perform the operation through small incisions with thin instruments under the surveillance of a video camera.This type of surgery is easier to tolerate and recovery is faster.During the operation, the surgeon removes pieces of destroyed cartilage and tissue fibers.
2. Puncture.Refers to low-traumatic interventions.This involves pumping excess fluid from the joint using a syringe.Allows you to relieve swelling, inflammation and increase mobility.
3. Endoprostheses.If in the late stage of osteoarthritis the joint is already seriously damaged, it can be replaced with a body-compatible titanium joint.This is the most extensive intervention, followed by long-term rehabilitation.They resort to it in the most difficult cases, when there are no other options.

To avoid surgery, you need to monitor your health and start treating diseases from their onset.There is no need to endure for years and muffle pain in the knee joint and other signs of osteoarthritis with painkillers.

Preventive measures against osteoarthritis of the knee joint

You need to start taking care of the health of your knee joints early.The older you are, the more preventive measures you need to take.Athletes and overweight people should pay special attention to the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent osteoarthritis of the knee joint, you must:

• Choose sports and loads correctly, based on your capabilities.
• Use comfortable, high-quality shoes with low heels.
• Swimming, which evenly uses and relaxes all muscles and joints.
• Avoid joint injuries and complete their treatment.
• Avoid excessive weight gain and keep it normal.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, it is important to promptly treat congenital features of joint development, for example, various deformities and dislocations.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur not only in elderly patients, but also in young patients.The disease develops for a long time, and with the right approach, it is possible to recover and avoid serious health consequences.