knee arthrosis

The following factors can contribute to the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:

• excessive physical activity that does not meet age requirements, which leads to damage to the joints;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• injuries suffered in the area of \u200b\u200bthe knee joint - dislocations, fractures, ruptures and tears of ligaments, damage to the body of the meniscus, severe falls on the knee, bruises;
• increased body mass index, which causes increased stress on the joints, meniscus rupture;
• inheritance;
• Arthritis or other joint diseases (inflammation can lead to the appearance of edema or accumulation of a large amount of synovial fluid in the joints, provoking the destruction of cartilage tissue);
• metabolic disturbances for the excretion of calcium from the body;
• any type of diabetes mellitus, hormonal disruptions and other pathologies of the endocrine system;
• chronic or previous diseases of an inflammatory and infectious nature;
• violation of blood flow;
• lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid, gouty and psoriatic pathology, ankylosing spondylitis;
• flat feet, due to which the center of gravity shifts and the load on the joint increases;
• Nervous overload and stressful situations.

Why does arthrosis of the knee joint occur?

Most often, people themselves become the culprits of the development of such an incurable disease. Often, when pain appears in the knee joint, people ignore the pain, preferring to go to the doctor so that theyCan use any medicine that only hides the pain.

After a few years, you still have to consult a specialist, because with such a diagnosis, self-medication will not give results. However, the severity of arthrosis will be at least average. Here, ointments, intra- of hyaluronic acid. Articular administration and preventive physical education is no longer enough, as can be done in the initial stages of the disease. Most likely, it will be necessary to act radically, sometimes including the use of surgical intervention.

Symptoms and diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joint

The disease can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• Pain syndrome. Painful sensations usually occur suddenly, but often with physical exertion, even slight. The pain can be of a different nature. First of all, these will be debilitating lumbago (unfortunately, very few people on themNote.
• Marked deformity of the knee. A similar symptom is typical for later stages. And at the beginning of the development of arthrosis, the knee swells and swells slightly.
• The presence of dense formations in the back wall of the knee joint. The accumulation of a large amount of joint fluid in the cavity of the Baker's cyst or in the joint itself.
• A sharp crunch of the joints, which is accompanied by pain.
• Decreased joint mobility. This is especially pronounced in the late stages of arthrosis. In this case, flexion and extension of the knee causes severe pain, and in the final stages, movement becomes almost impossible.

Reference! In a patient with arthrosis, the gait changes: it is characterized by falling of the legs and becoming limp.

Pathogenesis of arthrosis of the knee joint

Specialists distinguish primary and secondary arthrosis.

primary arthrosis of the knee joint

For primary gonarthrosis, the following processes are characteristic:

1. Articular cartilage is capable of continuously deteriorating and renewing rapidly at the same time. Under normal circumstances, these two processes must balance each other. With age, the destruction of cartilage occurs at the same rate, but its recovery is slower. Here the mass of the person plays an important role. Actually, if a person weighs 70 kg, then in 10 steps on one leg he will transfer 700 kg, and a 120 kg weight will transfer 1200 kg, which will move the jointsA significant load will be formed on and cartilage, which because of this will rapidly deteriorate.
2. It is important to remember: the joint feeds on useful elements only when walking. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a slowdown in metabolic processes, which is why the necessary nutrients do not reach their destination.
3. People whose parents are suffering from this disease are more likely to develop gonarthrosis.

secondary arthrosis of the knee joint

It develops for the following reasons:

• Multiple injuries. In a person at any age, they will cause excessive stress on the cartilage. When any bone covered by cartilage breaks down, irregularities, so-called "steps", appear. With movement, the joint will wear out, leading to arthrosis.
• The development of rheumatoid arthritis, Koenig's disease, the appearance of purulent inflammation in the joint area.
• Vascular dysfunction.

Classification and stage of development of arthrosis of the knee joint

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

Necessary! Qualitative treatment can be prescribed by a doctor only after a complete study of the picture of the disease. Self-administered therapy can only aggravate the state of health.

The main classification divides gonarthrosis into four stages of development:

1. Early stage. At this stage, the disease is still emerging. External symptoms are hardly noticeable or completely absent, joint size is in satisfactory condition. Symptoms include only mild discomfort or heaviness in the knee after a long walk, withas well as vigorous physical exertion. An X-ray examination will be of little information: an X-ray may show only a slight narrowing of the joint space. Unfortunately, at this stage, a person seeks medical attention due to the insignificance of the symptoms. does not take
2. The second stage is characterized by a noticeable pain syndrome, especially when walking and climbing stairs, as well as at night. The severity of pain subsides at rest. Joint movement becomes difficult. Crunch or creak of knees heard when walkingGives. On X-ray, a narrowing of the joint space becomes noticeable, as well as osteophytes. The patient begins to limp.
3. When arthrosis has passed to the third stage, the pain syndrome will be felt continuously, even in the absence of movement. The process of deformation and degeneration goes into an irreversible state. The deformity of the joint becomes apparent, the articular surfacesThe distance between them decreases significantly, many osteophytes increase in size. Even in a state of complete rest, the patient now experiences pain. A person becomes dependent on external support (walker, cane)And he requires the help of other people. Conservative treatment is less effective at this stage.
4. The fourth stage is characterized by persistent debilitating pain. Osteophytic growth increases in number and size, cartilage is completely destroyed, joint space is barely detected or completely absent, bones severelyare deformed. Even weak movements become torture for the patient. At this stage of gonarthrosis, the patient is recognized as disabled. In the absence of surgery, the disease can lead to disability.

Complications of arthrosis of the knee joint

Advanced arthrosis can lead to dislocation and subluxation of the knee joint. With dislocation, the epiphysis of the femur extends completely outside the joint, making movement in the joint impossible, and the leg axis is largely dislocated to the side. Fortunately, such a negative form of development of the disease is rare.

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

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

Meditation! The habit of expelling a sore throat sometimes leads to deformation 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 adverse symptoms:

• round-the-clock pain, from which no pain reliever can save;
• loss of support for a limb (it is impossible to stand or at least bend over on a sore leg);
• stabilization of the articular block;
• pronounced curvature of the bones around the knee;
• Severe swelling around the affected area.

Methods of treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

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

hormones

These drugs are prescribed for severe exacerbations, with synovitis and severe pain. Hormones are usually given by injection. The following drugs are most commonly used:

• flusterone;
• Diprosphan;
• Hydrocortisone.

The course of treatment with hormones is usually short, with injections made only during periods of severe exacerbation. Hormones are administered at an average frequency of once every 10 days.

chondroprotectors

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

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

This group of drugs is produced in the form of injections, ointments, gels, tablets.

vasodilator drugs

These funds are necessary to eliminate spasm of small vessels, increase blood circulation and supply nutrients to the area of \u200b\u200bthe affected joint. Prescribed to take vasodilators along with chondroprotectors.

If the articular fluid does not accumulate during gonarthrosis (there is no synovitis), it is recommended to use warming ointments.

hyaluronic acid

In another way, this device is called an intra-articular fluid prosthesis, because the structure of the acid is similar to the composition of the intra-articular fluid. When acid is injected into the joint, it forms a film that allows movement of the joint. Inhibits strong friction of cartilage during, affects the extracellular matrix, improves metabolic processes in the joint, and also triggers the production of its own hyaluronic acid in the joint - ie. Pathological processes that destroy cartilageReturns the functioning of the joint to normal, inhibiting the. . . .

Acid treatment is prescribed only when exacerbations - synovitis are eliminated.

physical treatment

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

Self-medication often leads to a worsening of the joint condition. Exercise therapy is appointed for the following purposes:

• slowing down the development of stiffness;
• prevention of further destruction of cartilage tissue;
• Elimination of muscle spasm, which causes pain.

physical treatment

As an additional therapy, various procedures can be prescribed: electrophoresis, acupuncture, laser therapy, UHF, as well as diadynamic currents. Local massage will also give a good result.

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

Necessary! It is important for the patient to monitor his diet and avoid strenuous physical exertion.

Forecast. Prophylaxis

With an advanced stage of the disease, the prognosis is dismal. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor for advice, even if there are minor symptoms of arthrosis.

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

1. Eat right and control your weight. Follow the weight loss diet as per the requirement.
2. Reduce the load on the joints while playing sports, monitor it constantly.
3. Treat infectious diseases in a timely manner, prevent their infection from progressing to a chronic stage.
4. Get enough rest, avoid stressful situations if possible.
5. Increase the protective functions of the body (periodically take vitamins, tempera).
6. Avoid hypothermia of the body, especially of the lower extremities.