In this article you will learn everything about osteoarthritis of the knee joint: what it is, why it occurs, 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 appears mainly after the age of 40 (between 12% and 16% of people at this age are affected).Women get sick 2 times more than men.Athletes and people who do heavy physical work 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 leads to disability.
Conservative therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is possible only in the initial stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), it allows you to slow down and stop the development of pathology.
As the disease progresses, treatment is only surgical.You can completely (100%) get rid of pathology only with endoprostheses - knee replacement.
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist and other doctors.According to indications, a consultation with a rheumatologist is scheduled.A sports doctor can also identify the symptoms of the disease.
Causes of the disease and types
Depending on the factor causing the disease, there are 2 types of knee osteoarthritis:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of osteoarthritis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The initial stages are diagnosed at age 40, and from the age of 70, gonarthrosis is detected in 60% of people.Two joints are often affected at the same time.
Primary osteoarthritis arises due to changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration of blood circulation and slowdown in metabolism.The risk of development increases with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
secondary form
Secondary: it can appear in a person of any age and affect 2 joints at the same time and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong tension in the legs.
- Ligament injuries, knee menisci, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are disturbed (disorders of the parathyroid glands, 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 coagulation disorders).
Below we will consider in more detail what it is: arthrosis of the knee joint, its degree, what changes begin in the tissues during 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 articulate in the knee joint.
Erosion of bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body: the formation of growths on it begins.All these factors cause deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| stage | Clinical signs | Processes that occur in the joint. |
|---|---|---|
1 |
May be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, when climbing stairs, after prolonged exercise, and hypothermia. Stiffness in the knees in the morning. Synovitis may develop - an accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed by puncture (puncture of a cavity with fluid and its collection). |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry. Cracks and ulcerations form. |
| 2 |
The pain appears even as a result of light exertion and becomes more pronounced during active walking. The leg does not bend completely, the joint periodically creaks. The knee expands visually. The risk of synovitis increases further |
In response to increased loads on the joint, it appears to become flat. The formation of osteophytes: bone growth begins. The synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious. Destructive processes in cartilage are accelerated. |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and torments the patient even at rest. Both full flexion and extension of the knee are impossible. Increases joint volume Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a cane. A valgus deformity of the legs (X-shaped position of the legs) or a varus deformity (O-shaped position of the legs) may appear. |
There is almost no cartilaginous tissue. The bones become deformed and “pressed” together, causing limited mobility in the joint. |
acute form
Acute osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a time when the disease progresses faster and is more clinically pronounced.
Exacerbation may result from:
- too much stress on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if bypassing the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnosis
If you notice stiffness in the joint that appears 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.
To make an accurate diagnosis, make an appointment with a primary care doctor, who will refer you to an orthopedist or another doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will perform an initial examination and palpation of the joint, and will also consult:
- x-ray - will help assess the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine if there is a concomitant inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
In osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, since many therapeutic measures are specifically aimed at eliminating disturbing signs and improving a person's quality of life.
Taking medications, diet and exercise therapy:
- slow down further destructive processes in cartilage;
- prevent 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 pathology.
Diet
The goal of following a diet is to slow the 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 pieces per day and preferably without yolks) - serve as sources of protein. |
Fatty meats, sausages and sausages - cause weight gain, which creates additional stress on the joint and also interferes with the normal formation of synovial fluid. |
| Fish, especially red varieties, are rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food: foods that contribute to excessive weight gain |
| Jellied meat made from bone broth, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue. |
White cabbage, tomatoes, bell peppers and eggplants, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin, "building components" of cartilage tissue. However, some studies refute its harm in osteoarthritis. |
| Rice, millet and buckwheat contain complex carbohydrates that promote the formation of synovial fluid. |
Egg yolks, cod liver: increase the risk of developing gout |
| Cottage cheese, cheese: sources of calcium |
Coffee: removes calcium from the body, which is beneficial for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds - the healthiest plant foods. Rich in ingredients beneficial for the joints. |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints. |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day): helps to normalize the metabolism of the body and, in particular, the joints. Juices (those fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt: can cause aggravation |
physical education
If you have developed knee osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercises should be performed daily.Special exercises help stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further destructive processes in the cartilage.Exercise therapy will also increase the mobility of the affected knee and prevent pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in acute cases of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for knee joints by Dr. Evdokimenko
The goal of this complex of therapeutic exercises is to make the muscles surrounding the joint work without loading it.Gymnastics with the Evdokimenko method shows very good results for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your legs and arms to your sides.Raise the straight leg above the floor to a height of 15 cm, tighten the muscles of the buttocks and thighs.Hold this leg position for 30 to 40 seconds.Leave it.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise your straight leg 15 cm above the floor and hold for 1 to 3 seconds.Return to the original position (IP).Do 10 to 12 repetitions with each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise your bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it for 30-40 seconds.Do this movement with each leg 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but hold each leg for 1-3 seconds.Perform 10 to 12 repetitions with each leg.
- Raise two straight legs above the ground 10 to 15 cm.Extend them to the sides and bring them back.Without lowering your feet to the ground, perform the movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Lie on your side.Bend your leg at the knee.Leave the top one straight and raise it 45 degrees above the ground.Hold it for 30 to 40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit in a chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold it for 30 seconds.Raise each leg 2 to 4 times.
- Stand up.Lean on the back of the chair.Stand on tiptoe.Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.Return to IP.
- Stand on tiptoe and hold this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to IP.Repeat the movement 10 to 12 times.
- Place your right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the balls of your left foot.Gently stand on tiptoe with your right foot and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10 to 12 times.
This author's physical education is more intense than the previous one.This is only possible at the first signs of gonarthrosis.Before you start practicing on your own, be sure to consult with your doctor.
If you feel severe pain when performing movements, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to cure osteoarthritis of the knee joint with completely conservative methods, in severe cases doctors resort to surgical techniques.
One of the most effective is knee replacement, that is, the replacement of the friction surfaces of the joint with artificial ones.
The recovery period after stenting is 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 that could occur with advanced forms of osteoarthritis.
Folk remedies
Home remedies can serve as a wonderful complement to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee osteoarthritis with home remedies, consult your doctor, as some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not combine with the medications you have been prescribed.
Here are some effective and time-tested recipes:
- Beef hooves and knees: help 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. At night, make compresses and apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke: helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed Jerusalem artichoke leaves and stems into 2 liters of boiling water.Let cool to room temperature.Soak a gauze bandage in the infusion and apply it to the sore joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Exercise, but don't put too much pressure on your knees.Never run on asphalt.Special tracks or dirt roads are suitable for running.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them quickly.In case of bruises and sprains, immediately contact a traumatologist and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat well.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Osteoarthritis is a disease that cannot be completely cured with conservative methods.
However, don't despair.If you strictly follow all your doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain, and improve the range of motion of the joint.
Do not postpone visiting a specialist, since in the later stages the disease can lead to leg deformities and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.