From this article you will learn everything about the arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, for what reasons it presents itself, what are the events in different phases.How to treat it, how to prevent a disease.
The arthrosis of the knee joint (gonartrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint, in which the destruction of the cartilage occurs, the damage to the muscles and ligaments and on the deformation of the bones.
The disease occurs mainly after 40 years (12-16% of people at this age is sick).Women get sick 2 times more often than men.Diseases are subject to athletes and people engaged in strong physical work.
Gonartrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by the appearance of pain in the joint:
- Joint mobility decreases;
- Bone and cartilage grow, which interfere with the normal functioning of the joint.
Over time, this leads to the complete immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease leads to disability.
Conservative therapy of arthrosis of the knee joint is possible only in the initial stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), allows you to slow down, suspend the development of the pathology.
With the progression of the disease, the treatment is only surgical.Completely (100%) to get rid of the pathology can only with end -of -the -proposal, the replacement of the knee joint.
The traumatologist-orthopedics and other doctors are engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint.According to the testimony, a rheumatologist consultation is assigned.The symptoms of the disease can also be detected by a sports doctor.
Causes of disease and types
Depending on the factor that causes the disease, 2 varieties of knee arthrosis are distinguished:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of arthrosis affects medium -redity and elderly people.The initial phases are diagnosed after 40 years and at the age of over 70 years, gonartrosis is detected in 60% of people.Often, 2 joints are affected simultaneously.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration of blood circulation and slowdown of the metabolism.The risk of development increases with obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - may appear in a person of any age and affect both 2 joints simultaneously and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong loads on the legs.
- Ligal injuries, knee meniscus, intra -articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes (Parathyroid glands disorders, diabetes, bloodocromatosis, Vilson, Gotta, mucopolysaccharosis and other diseases disease are interrupted.
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (synovitis and infectious and non -infectious arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with a compromised blood coagulation).
Subsequently, we will analyze in more detailed way what it is: arthrosis of the knee joint, its degree, what changes begin in the tissues during the pathology.
Symptoms and three phases of the disease
With the development of the disease, cartilage begins to become thinner due to strong loads or lack of nutrients in it.This causes the friction of the bones to the knee joint.
Erosion on bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body: the formation of growths on it begins.All these factors lead to the deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 phases:
| Stage | Clinical signs | Processes that occur in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
ASINTOMATIC can flow Polygity in the morning knees is possible, during the squats, when the stairs rises, after long loads and hypothermias, it is possible The rigidity appears in the morning on the knees Sinovite can develop: an accumulation in the articulation of a liquid, which must be removed using a puncture (a bitter puncture with a liquid and its fence) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcerations are formed on it |
| 2 |
Pain also appears due to a slight load and becomes more pronounced with an active walk The leg does not fold completely, the joint creaks periodically The knee expands visually The risk of synovite increases even more |
In response to the increase in loads on the joint, it seems to become flat The formation of osteophytes begins The synovial fluid becomes more often and less nutritious The destructive processes in the cartilage are accelerated |
| 3 |
Pain takes on chronic nature and pursue the patient even at rest They are impossible both full flexion and the complete extension of the knee The volume of the joint increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a rod Valgus of the legs of the legs may appear (setting of the X -shaped legs) or the VARINA deformation (setting in the shape of or legs) |
There is almost no cartilage fabric The bones are deformed and "pressed" each other, which leads to limiting mobility into the articulation |
Acute form
The acute arthrosis of the knee joint is the moment when the disease progresses faster and manifests itself in a clinical way.
They can lead to exacerbation:
- too strong load on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- non -compliance with the prescribed diet;
- accident.
Sometimes Gonartrosis begins highly, as if bypass the first stage.This is possible due to knee injuries.
Diagnostics
If you notice a constraint in the joint in the morning or after a long seat, as well as the pain when you go down the stairs or crouches - this can be a sign of 1 stadium of gonartrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, come to an appointment with a therapist who will direct you to an orthopedist or another doctor.
Before treating arthrosis or gonartrosis, the doctor will lead an initial exam and sensation of the joint and also direct to:
- X -ray - will help to evaluate the conditions of the joint;
- Ultrasound: it will allow us to establish if the concomitant inflammatory process is present.
Treatment methods
With the arthrosis of the knee joint, its symptoms and its treatment are interconnected, since many therapeutic measures aim precisely to the elimination of the disturbing characteristics and the improvement of the quality of human life.
Reception of drugs, diet and physiotherapy exercises:
- Slow further destructive processes in the cartilage;
- Prevent the transition of the disease in a more neglected phase.
It is impossible to completely treat the disease, but you can suspend, slow down the development of the pathology.
Diet
The purpose of observing the diet is to slow down the further progression of the disease.
What you need to add to the menu and what to exclude:
| Useful products | Forbidden products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products -caseari, eggs (no more than 3 pieces per day and preferably without yolks) - act as sources of protein |
Fatty meat, sausages, sausages - lead to an increase in body weight, which creates an additional load on the joint and also prevents the normal formation of the synovial fluid |
| Pisces, in particular red varieties, are rich in omega-3 |
Flour, sweet, mayonnaise, fast food - products that contribute to a series of excess weight |
| Gelatin, welded by broth on bones, jelly - contain chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage fabric |
White cabbage, tomatoes, Bulgarian pepper, aubergines, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - "construction bricks" for the cartilage tissue However, some studies confuse their damage to osteoarthritis |
| Rice, millet, buckwheat have complex carbohydrates that contribute to the formation of synovial liquid |
Egg yolks, cod liver - increases the risk of gout development |
| Cheese Cottage, Cheese - Football sources |
Coffee - Body lenses useful for bones and calcium joints |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, courgettes, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, grenade, papaia, almonds - the most useful products of vegetable origin Saturated with substances for the benefit of the joints |
Alcohol - Viola normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) - helps to normalize metabolism in the body and in the joints in particular Juices (those fruits and vegetables that are listed above) |
Salt: can lead to exacerbation |
Physical training
If you have developed the arthrosis of the knee, medical exercises should become daily.Special exercises help to stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further destructive processes in the cartilage.Physical education will also increase the mobility of the interested knee and prevents pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in the acute course of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for the knee joints of Dr. Evdokimenko
The purpose of this therapeutic gymnastics complex is to force the muscles surrounding the articulation without loading it.The gymnastics according to Evdokimko's method shows excellent results with the arthrosis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on the stomach, it straightens your legs, arms on the seams.Lift over the floor to a height of a 15 cm straight leg, tighten the buttocks and muscles of the thigh.Keep this position of the foot for 30-40 seconds.Lower it.Repeat the movement with every foot 1 time.
- Raise the straight leg over the 15 cm floor, keep it for 1-3 seconds.He returns to his original position (IP).Make 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Fold the knee of 90 degrees.Lift the leg folded to a height of 10 cm from the floor and keep it for 30-40 seconds.Make this movement with every foot 1 time.So repeat the same exercise, but with a delay in every 1-3 second leg.Perform 10-12 repetitions of each of the legs.
- Lift two straight legs over the floor of 10-15 cm.Dilute them on the sides and take them back.Without lowering the legs on the floor, perform movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Lie on the side.Fold the lower part of the leg in the knee.Leave the top straight, raises 45 degrees over the floor.Keep it in this way for 30-40 seconds.Perform an exercise at 1 time on each leg.
- Sit on a chair.Raise the maximum set in the knee.Keep it for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Standing.Leaning on the back of the chair.Stands on socks.Minding for 30-60 seconds.Return to the IP.
- Put on socks, resist this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to the IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Put the right foot on the floor.Stay on the foam of the left leg.Go up without hitches the sock with the right foot and lower the left heel on the floor.I revolve 10-12 times.
The physical education of this author is more intensity than the previous one.It is possible only to the first signs of Gonartrosi.Before starting to do it alone, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain when performing movements, stop them immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to treat the arthrosis of the knee joint with completely conservative methods, in serious cases, doctors resort to operational methods.
One of the most effective: endoprothetic of the knee joint, that is, by replacing the rubbing surfaces of the joint artificial.
The recovery period after endoprothetics is 3 to 6 months.
These surgical interventions are also performed:
- Arthroplasty - Plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- Corrective osteotomy - the correction of the Valgus or varus of the legs deformations, which could occur with advanced forms of arthrosis.
Popular remedies
Domestic production products can serve as a wonderful addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating the arthrosis of the knee joint with the use of popular remedies, consult the doctor, because some natural ingredients may have contraindications or not be combined with the drugs you have prescribed.
Here are some effective, temporal recipes:
- Beef and one knee clogs - contribute to the restoration of the cartilage.Boil for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar - relieves swelling and pain.Mix the components in the proportion from 3 to 1. In the evening, make compresses, apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke - helps to relieve an attack of pain.Pour 350 g of crushed leaves and topnamic stems 2 l of boiling water.Cool at room temperature.Moisten a gauze bandage into the infusion and put on a painful joint.
Prevention
The preventive measures are very simple:
- Engaged in physical education, but not overload the knees.Never run on asphalt.Special paths or primer are suitable for the race.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them in time.For bruises and distortions, contact the traumatologist immediately and follow all its recommendations.
- Eat correctly.
- Reject bad habits.
Forecast
Arthosis is a disease that cannot be completely treated with conservative methods.
However, don't despair.Provided to respect all the doctor's recommendations, it is possible to avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the size of the movements in the articulation.
Do not postpone the visit to the specialist, since in the following phases the disease can lead to deformations of the legs and disabilities.Modern medicine treats them quickly.