The gradual destruction of the knee joint structures, followed by a deformation of the bone tissue of the bass plates and the femur, is referred to as osteoarthritis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment and the mechanism of the development of the disease, similar to other arthrosis (pelvis, ankle). It can be one -seven or bilateral. In the latter case, the disease is even more difficult because the possibility of recovery is reduced by half and a person loses their area faster.
The second name of the disease is gonarthrosis (by localization). In contrast to arthritis, which is characterized by an acute inflammatory process, gonarthrosis develops chronically and leads to a complete immobility of the joint, which only occurs occasionally signs of inflammation.
Causes of the disease
Most of the time, arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment) is not caused by a cause, but by its combination.
Most frequently:
- Repeated microtraumas of joint structures associated with a large load on the knee (characteristics of the profession, professional sport);
- Knee injuries, meniscus damage (after an accident, severe blow);
- The result of arthritis, especially in combination with other factors;
- Congenital defects in the development of the knee joint;
- flat feet;
- Skeleton deformations (curvature of the spine);
- Obesity;
- hormonal changes (menopause, diabetes);
- Long -term stress and others.
In this article you can find out what the difference between arthritis and arthrosis is.
Everything about arthralgia of the joints of the knees here.
Symptoms of the arthrosis of the knee joint
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the development of the disease is divided into 3 levels. The symptoms of the early development of gonarthrosis vary greatly and have no details. The following signs are possible in the first phase of the pathology:
- Knee pain during the squat, go up the stairs;
- Pain in the joint after long load or cooling;
- The knee can hurt at the end of the day or in the morning;
- The warehouse and disgust in the morning fit after the daily work.
In the future, symptoms appear that are characteristic of 2 and 3 stages (after growth).
- The pain is acute and extended;
- Swelling in the joint;
- The appearance of liquid in the connection is possible;
- Between the common surfaces, violations of cartilage particles, meniscus and synovial potting are possible, which is why there is a sharp immobility (it can also pass sharply);
- It is difficult to step on the leg;
- The movement of the joint develops.
The development rate of dystrophic processes and the severity of the symptoms depend on the presence or lack additional traumatic factors.For example, stress or inflammatory processes in the body accelerate the destructive process.
Diagnosis of pathology
For the diagnosis of gonarthrosis, use:
- Blood tests (general and biochemical);
- Radiography;
- Arthroscopy;
- Ultrasonic;
- MRI.
The most important diagnostic method to confirm the diagnosis of gonarthrosis is radiography. Although it is not possible to take into account the initial stages of the disease and the disease of the cartilaginous tissue in X rays, bone changes in the 2nd and 3rd stage are clearly visible. The:
- narrow joint column;
- is along the contour of the bones and the edges of the patella of the edge spikes - osteophytes;
- Changes in the periosteum;
- Change the height of one of the condyl and others.
However, you can take a closer look at the changes using arthroscopy. With your help you can determine the condition of the cartilage, the Meniski, the synovial membrane. Due to the possibility of severe trauma of the joint, it is less common because this is actually a mini-surgery that consists of several failures. Sometimes arthroscopy is used to treat the knee joint (if a piece of broken cartilage or meniscus has to remove).
Ultrasound and MRI helps to determine changes in the soft tissue of the knee joint with early osteoarthritis. These methods also show the condition of the cartilage, the synovial membrane and the liquid.
Treatment of the arthrosis of the knee joint
The symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are well suited for conservative treatment in the early stages. This leads to long -term remission. Pharmaceutical therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, folk remedies in the form of distractions and compresses are used. If the methods still do not deliver a result and the deformation of the joint develops, the pain exacerbates and use surgical intervention.
The result of the treatment largely depends on the person itself, since only the daily implementation of therapeutic methods will help to maintain performance and quality of life for a long time.
Physiotherapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint according to the identified symptoms
Physiotherapeutic methods have a multidirectional effect:
- Relieve/reduce pain;
- Restore metabolism in joint structures;
- stimulate the activity of chondrocytes;
- Stop the inflammatory process and much more.
In the following you will find the most common physical methods for the treatment of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
| UV exposure | Eliminated pain | 4-6 radiation |
| UHF | Reduces the permeability of capillaries, stimulates the exchange in cells, eliminated inflammation | 8–12 procedures |
| Magnetotherapy | Stimulates cellular immunity and tissue regeneration | 12 sessions |
| Ultrafonophoresis | Improves blood circulation, reduces swelling, stimulates the regeneration of chondrocytes | 10-12 procedures |
In addition to the listed paraffin therapy in the form of applications, radon and hydrogen sulfide baths and dirt, gonar rose are often used.
Training therapy as a means of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint
LFK classes with gonarthrosis are carried out so that the joint is supplied with the smallest load. You can sit down or lie down. The simplest but effective exercise will be the rocking shin like a pendulum. A larger effect can be achieved if the load is bound to the foot. In this case, voltage or muscle relaxation will be clearly felt.
In a horizontal position, you can simulate a bike by lifting your legs and raising "pedaling". If the physical illness (symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint) permits, it is recommended to use a training bike for the treatment. Such movements work not only on the knee, but also on the hip and on the ankle joint, which strengthens all muscle groups.
Massage treatment with symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
With gonarthrosis, the massage is prescribed to prevent or eliminate muscle atrophy. Massage movements affect the changed muscle tissue in a threesome.
- From a long inactivity in the muscles, they glue shapes. Massage movements destroy them and act mechanically.
- Stretching movements irritate sensitive receptors in muscle cells. As a result, your innovation is restored and the sound increases.
- The blood circulation is restored in the muscle tissue. This improves the metabolic processes in joint structures.
The knee massage takes place in the following order: First massage the thigh (stroke, shake, knead, stroke, stroke). Each movement must be carried out 3-4 times. Then go to the joint. Stroking and rubbing is used 3-5 times on the sides. Strokes are carried out in circular movements and rubbing in a straight line.
Again, massage the thigh, the joint again and again - the thigh. In the next stage, careful bending and extensions are carried out in the connection (5–7 times) as well as a decent rotation with a shin and outside (5-7 times). The massage is completed by stroking the knee in the most painful spots.
Such a technique is more effective in warm water - about 38 degrees - or after the bathroom. The intensity depends on the presence/absence of pain.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Signs for the operation are damage to meniscus, band apparatus, serious damage to the joint structures. Most of the time this occurs in 3 stages of gonarthrosis when the therapy becomes ineffective. Although the surgery does not heal the arthrosis of the knee joint, the symptoms and treatment significantly reduce intensity: the pain of support on the leg. After that, long and regular conservative therapy is necessarily prescribed.
Mainly choose treatment methods:
- Osteotomy;
- Arthroplasty;
- Arthrodesis;
- Endoprosthetics.
Treatment of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with folk remedies
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are treated with folk remedies. Of course, you cannot completely stop the process and remove the existing deformation. However, if you use it as an additional tool, you can remove pain, remove swelling and improve mobility. To do this, use creams, rubbing, ointments, infusions and other products externally and inside.
- Take the 5th table. l. Oats (you can grind it on a coffee grinder), pour 500 ml of water and cook for 10-15 minutes. Make compressing the resulting decoction to the knee joint, which takes about an hour.
- Mix part of the ground hop cones with 4 parts of the oil and rub 3-4 times a day for 2-3 weeks. Then you have to take a break and switch to another tool.
- Mix the crushed grass of hops, a bunker and St. John's spice (for example 10 g). A mixture with 5 parts of the oil gel jell and rub it into the joint twice a day.
- During the day a decoction of pine buds. You need 10 g kidneys for a glass of water. Let it cook for 5-10 minutes, strain.
Features of nutrition and water consumption with osteoarthritis of the knee joint
If you talk about the characteristics of an illness such as arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment), folk remedies can also be regarded as a compliance with nutrition and water consumption. All symptoms are a result of metabolic disorders, and the metabolism depends directly on the foods and liquid used. Therefore, no conservative treatment will bring advantages if you do not revise the diet.
Particular attention should be paid to full people who are at risk. The reduction of the calorie content of dishes, fractional nutrition, a change in cooking technology - all of this contributes to a gradual weight loss. In addition, salt should be limited, refined products, fast food and semi-financed products should be removed.
The use of liquids is also important. Since arthrosis occurs in the cartilage due to the water loss, people with gonar rose have to drink a lot of liquids. In order not to form a swelling, you should take care of the timely removal of the excess liquid from the body. You can use diuretics or drugs. You have to drink clean water about 2 liters per day and avoid carbonated drinks, coffee or tea.
If you have symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, start the treatment immediately. The earlier you start fighting, the more chances to stop the destruction. There should be all methods on duty to influence the disease from different sides. About 20% of people with such a diagnosis were possible thanks to perseverance and patience. Be healthy!