From this article, you will learn everything about arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, what causes it, what are the manifestations at different stages.How to treat it, how to prevent the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint in which cartilage is destroyed, muscles and ligaments are damaged, and bones are deformed.
The disease mainly occurs after the age of 40 (12-16% of people of this age are affected).Women get sick twice as often as men.Athletes and people engaged in heavy physical labor are susceptible to the disease.
Gonarthrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by pain in the joint:
- joint mobility decreases;
- bone and cartilage tissue grows, which interferes with the normal functioning of the joint.
Over time, this leads to complete immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease causes disability.
Conservative therapy for arthrosis of the knee joint is possible only in the initial stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), which allows to slow down and stop the development of the pathology.
As the disease progresses, treatment is only surgical.You can get rid of pathology completely (100%) only with endoprosthetic - knee replacement.
Diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is carried out by orthopedic traumatologists and other doctors.According to the indications, a rheumatologist's consultation is appointed.A sports doctor can also identify the symptoms of the disease.
Causes and types of the disease
Depending on the factor causing the disease, 2 types of knee arthrosis are distinguished:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of arthrosis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The initial stages are diagnosed after the age of 40, and gonarthrosis is detected in 60% of people over the age of 70.Often 2 joints are affected at the same time.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to age-related changes in the body, deterioration of blood circulation and slowing of metabolism.The risk of development increases with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - can appear in a person of any age and can affect both 2 joints and 1 at the same time.
The reasons are:
- Strong stress on the legs.
- Damage to ligaments, knee meniscus, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are disturbed (parathyroid gland disorders, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases).
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (infectious and non-infectious synovitis and arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with blood clotting disorders).
After that, we will consider in more detail what it is - arthrosis of the knee joint, its degree, what changes in the tissues begin during the pathology.
Symptoms and three stages of the disease
As the disease progresses, the cartilage begins to thin due to heavy loads or lack of nutrients.This causes friction between the bones that make up the knee joint.
Erosion in bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body - growths begin to form on it.All these factors cause deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Stage | Clinical signs | Processes occurring in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
May be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, climbing stairs, after long exercise and hypothermia Stiffness in the knees in the morning Synovitis can develop - accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed using a puncture (puncture of the cavity with fluid and its collection). |
The cartilage surface becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcers form on it |
| 2 |
The pain is caused by even the slightest tension and is more prominent with active walking. The leg does not bend completely, the joint flaps from time to time The knee visually expands The risk of synovitis increases further |
In response to increased joint loads, it becomes flat Formation of osteophytes - bone growth begins Synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Destructive processes in the cartilage are accelerated |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and haunts the patient even at rest. The knee cannot be fully flexed or fully extended Joint volume increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a cane Valgus deformity of the feet (X-shaped foot position) or varus deformity (O-shaped foot position) may be seen. |
Cartilage tissue is almost absent The bones are deformed and "pressed" together, which causes limited mobility in the joint |
Sharp shape
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is a period when the disease progresses faster and is more clinically expressed.
Exacerbation can be caused by:
- excessive stress on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- failure to follow a prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins abruptly, as if passing the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnostics
If you feel stiffness in the joint in the morning or after sitting for a long time, as well as pain when going down stairs or squatting, this may be a sign of stage 1 gonarthrosis.
Make an appointment with a general practitioner who will refer you to an orthopedist or other doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will conduct an initial examination and palpation of the joint, as well as:
- x-ray - will help to assess the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine whether there is an accompanying inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
Arthrosis of the knee joint and its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, as many therapeutic measures are specifically aimed at eliminating disturbing symptoms and improving a person's quality of life.
Medication, diet and exercise therapy:
- slow down further destructive processes in the cartilage;
- prevents the disease from progressing to a more advanced stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to stop and slow down the development of the pathology.
Diet
The goal of following a diet is to slow down the further progression of the disease.
What to add to the menu and what to exclude:
| Healthy Products | Prohibited Products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products, eggs (no more than 3 per day and preferably without yolk) - serve as a source of protein. |
Fatty meat, sausage, sausage - leads to weight gain, which creates additional stress on the joint and prevents the normal formation of synovial fluid. |
| Fish, especially red varieties, are rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food - foods that contribute to weight gain |
| Jelly meat made from bone broth, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which help the formation of new cartilage tissue. |
White cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin, which are the "building blocks" for cartilage tissue. However, some studies refute their harm in arthrosis |
| Rice, millet and buckwheat contain complex carbohydrates that promote the formation of synovial fluid |
Egg yolk, cod liver - increases the risk of developing gout |
| Cottage cheese, cheese - sources of calcium |
Coffee – leaches calcium from the body, which is good for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, squash, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumber, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds are the healthiest plant-based foods. It is rich in beneficial substances |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) - helps to normalize metabolism in the body and especially in the joints. Juices (fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt - can cause aggravation |
Physical education
If you develop knee arthrosis, therapeutic exercises should be performed daily.Special exercises help to stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further destructive processes in the cartilage.Exercise therapy will also increase mobility of the affected knee and prevent pain.However, in acute cases of the disease, any gymnastics is contraindicated.
Therapeutic gymnastics for knee joints by Dr. Evdokimenko
The purpose of this complex of therapeutic exercises is to work without loading the muscles surrounding the joints.Gymnastics using the Evdokimenko method show very good results for arthrosis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs and arms by your sides.Raise your straight leg to a height of 15 cm from the floor, squeeze the muscles of the hip and thigh.Hold this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Put it down.Repeat the movement 1 time with each leg.
- Raise your straight leg 15 cm above the floor and hold for 1-3 seconds.Return to original state (IP).Do 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise your bent leg 10 cm above the floor and hold for 30-40 seconds.Do this movement 1 time with each leg.Then repeat the same exercise, but hold each leg for 1-3 seconds.Do 10-12 repetitions on each leg.
- Raise two straight legs 10-15 cm above the floor.Spread them to the sides and bring them back.Without lowering your legs, perform the movements 8 times.At this time, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Sleep next to you.Bend your lower leg at the knee.Lay the top flat and raise it 45 degrees above the floor.Hold this way for 30-40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit in the chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Stand up.Lean back in the chair.Stand on your toes.Hold for 30-60 seconds.Return to IP page.
- Stand on your toes and hold this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to IP page.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Place your right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the toe of your left foot.Step up smoothly onto your toes with your right foot and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10-12 times.
This author's physical training is more intense than before.This is possible only at the first signs of gonarthrosis.Be sure to consult your doctor before starting to exercise on your own.
If you feel severe pain while doing the movements, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to treat arthrosis of the knee joint with completely conservative methods, in severe cases, doctors resort to surgical methods.
One of the most effective is knee replacement, i.e.replacing the friction surfaces of the joint with artificial ones.
The recovery period after endoprosthetics is from 3 to 6 months.
The following surgical interventions are also performed:
- arthroplasty - plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- corrective osteotomies - correction of valgus or varus deformities of the legs, which can occur with advanced forms of arthrosis.
Folk treatment
Homemade remedies can serve as a wonderful addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee arthrosis using folk methods, consult your doctor, as some natural substances may have contraindications or may not be combined with your prescribed medications.
Here are some effective, time-tested recipes:
- Cattle nails and knees - helps restore cartilage tissue.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar - relieves swelling and pain.Mix the components in a ratio of 3 to 1.Make compresses in the evening and apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke - helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed leaves and stems of Jerusalem artichoke into 2 liters of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Soak a gauze bandage in the infusion and apply it to the painful joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Exercise, but don't put too much strain on your knees.Never run on asphalt.Special roads or dirt roads are suitable for jogging.
- Avoid or treat knee injuries immediately.In case of bruises and sprains, immediately contact a traumatologist and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat right.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not despair.If you strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can prevent complications, relieve pain and improve the range of motion in the joint.
Do not postpone a visit to a specialist, because in the later stages, the disease can cause deformation of the legs and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.