Have you been diagnosed with arthrosis of the knee joint, are you experiencing severe pain and are you starting to cramp?Where are you looking for treatment?Contact a medical center, it will help to relieve pain, find the causes of the disease and provide the necessary treatment.We have a joint recovery method in our arsenal.
The disease is also known as gonarthrosis (from the Latin genu - knee), osteoarthrosis (as it was called before the disease) and osteoarthritis (reflecting the mechanism of development of the term and the mechanism of modern understanding).Deforming Knee Joint Osteoarthritis has a chronic course and develops over several years.Most of the patients are over 50 years old.Women dominate 2/3 of women.
How does the disease develop?
Under the influence of external and internal factors, the blood supply and nutrition of the tissues are disturbed, degenerative-dystrophic damage to the underlying cartilage develops, with subsequent involvement of the underlying bones in the inflammatory process.Destruction of artizal surfaces leads to loss of joint function, limits movement and interferes with the patient's quality of life.
Causes and risk factors
The main reasons for the development of osteoarthritis:
- Hard physical labor.Constant loads on the legs cause microtrauma of the cartilage and the development of the inflammatory process.At risk are loaders, installers, miners and quarry workers.Often deforming osteoarthritis affects professional athletes (weightlifters, cyclists, tennis players, football players, basketball players, hockey players, etc.).
- Injuries.Damage to ligaments, tendons, menisci, contusions and fractures leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the joint.If treated incorrectly, it leads to the development of traumatic arthrosis.
- Surgical operations on the knee can lead to the development of pathology of the articular cartilage and surrounding tissues.
- Excess weight increases the stress on the joints of the lower extremities.Up to 80-90% of all osteoarthritis progression is associated with joint overload.
- Old age.In people over 50-60 years old, regenerative processes slow down, collagen production decreases, and hormonal levels suffer.It causes the development of pathology.
- Hormonal changes in women.During menopause, estrogen production decreases, which impairs calcium absorption, weakens the musculoskeletal system, and makes bones brittle.The risk of developing osteoporosis increases.
- Problems with the thyroid gland.Thyroid hormones are involved in the metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus in the body.Their lack or excess can provoke knee arthrosis.
- Genetic predisposition.Collagen mutation can cause disturbances in the connective tissue elements, leading to a deterioration in the shock absorption function of the articular cartilage.
- Hereditary.If relatives of the patient's family, mainly in the female line, have been diagnosed with gonarthrosis, there is a possibility of developing the disease.
- Inflammatory diseases.Synovitis caused by infectious arthritis, bursitis, bacterial or viral infection is often complicated by the development of gonarthrosis.
- Vascular diseases.Tissues do not receive proper nutrition, blood supply is disturbed, and this leads to the development of ischemia and degenerative-dystrogenic changes in articular cartilage.
- Malnutrition and metabolic disorders.Eating foods high in purines (proteins), for example, contributes to the deposition of salts in gouty arthritis.
- Specific diseases Gonorrhea, tuberculosis, syphilis, chlamydia and influenza can seriously damage the joint.
- Intoxication of the body with various chemicals, including some drugs.
- Autoimmune disorders are associated with a disruption of the body's immunity when antibodies are produced against its own cells, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptoms of gonarthrosis:
- Pain in the joint, sometimes at night, sometimes at night, violent stabbing in the joint, sometimes at night;
- Tapping and clicking during movement, the presence of articular surfaces, osteophytes and cartilage defects;
- Swelling and swelling are associated with the development of an inflammatory process in the primary and surrounding soft tissues;
- Deformation of the joint space and the axis of the extremity indicate the progression of the disease;
- Atrophy and weakness of the thigh muscles, quadriceps and biceps muscles decrease in size;
- Limitation of joint mobility and stiffness results from pain, the development of adhesions, and the formation of osteophytes (bone threads).
The first signs of osteoarthritis to watch out for are pain during or after exercise.The pain goes away with rest and does not require medication.Morning stiffness in the knee, starting pain, walking before getting up and after sleeping, it takes some time for the joint to develop.
Signs of ecrancation
With the development of the pathology, the symptoms of arthrosis become more vivid: the knees arise at rest and at night, during flexion and stretching of the joint, extraneous sounds - creaking, crushing, clicking.Lumpiness, stiffness of movement develops and soft tissue swelling appears.
The following facts indicate the progression of the disease:
- the appearance of the deformation of the axis of the limbs in the form of o-shaped legs;
- constant nature of pain, pain at night and when the weather changes (meteosensitivity);
- Worsening of joint mobility, development of flexion contracture;
- weakness and atrophy of thigh muscles.
Types and forms of the disease
There are:
- Primitive.It develops as an independent disease.More often, this type of knee gonarthrosis is associated with age-related changes and heredity.
- Medium.For example, the injury occurs against the background of injuries, for example, after traumatic osteoarthritis.
Depending on the causes, the following types of arthrosis are distinguished:
- Ischemic associated with problems with blood supply to tissues and vascular disorders;
- Infectious post is caused by infections, viruses, autoimmune processes;
- The idiopathic nature of the development of the pathology is not clear;
- Associated with metabolic metabolic disorders - gout, hemochromatosis, chondrocalcinosis;
- It is mandatory as a result of age-related changes in the body;
- Traumatic, history of trauma;
- Dihormonal - the result of hormonal imbalances in the body.
Stages of development
I. arthrosis of the 1st degree - the initial stage, synovial fluid (articular fluid, feeding the cartilage, has shock-absorbing properties, promotes sliding of the articular surfaces).Malnutrition causes wear and tear of the cartilage tissue and the appearance of the first signs of inflammation.Actions are not devalued at the initial stage.Patients may experience some pain, tingling, and sometimes cracking when the joints move.Symptoms occur during and after physical activity.Externally, the knee looks quite healthy.
II.Grade 2 osteoarthritis - thinning of the cartilage by 1.5-2.0 mm (normal 2.5-3.0 mm), narrowing of the joint space is observed, and small single bone growths (osteophytes) appear.The inflammatory process is wave-like in nature, alternating between stages of remission.Grade 1-2 gonarthrosis is accompanied by swelling and weakness of thigh muscles.The pain also makes me feel tired when resting, when the weather changes, and after walking.Movements are stiffer, morning stiffness and throbbing in the joint.It is at this stage that most patients consult a doctor.
III.3rd degree gonarthrosis is manifested by external deformation of the joint, curvature of the axis of the extremity.Cartilage tissue is severely damaged, thin to 1-1.5 mm and exposed bone is visible in some places.Bony growths can be easily felt under the skin and the range of motion is significantly reduced.2-3 degrees of osteoarthritis, the joint space narrows, the joints bend and do not loosen, all movements are accompanied by pain and feeding, and morning stiffness increases.A characteristic joint contract develops.I am worried about sharp pain in the knee, even at rest.Patients often suffer from insomnia due to the fact that they cannot take a comfortable position that does not cause pain and feel changes in the weather.
Iv.Grade 4 gonarthrosis is characterized by complete destruction of articular surfaces, exposed bone is visible and cartilage is represented by rare "islands".The joint is almost invisible.A pronounced o-shaped deformation of the lower extremities and swelling is noticeable.Mobility is almost completely lost.At this stage, treatment with non-surgical methods is ineffective;Joint replacement with an endoprosthesis is indicated.
Opinions of an orthopedic doctor: In order to accurately determine the degree of arthrosis of the knee joint, in addition to examining the patient, it is extremely important to have an instrumental examination (ultrasound, x-ray, x-ray or thousand).Bilateral gonarthrosis is very common, so it is recommended to examine both the left and right knee joints.This will help to choose the optimal treatment and therefore prevent further progression of the disease.
Diagnostics
To make a diagnosis, it is usually enough to perform an X-ray or an ultrasound of the knee joint.In difficult cases, laboratory examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are prescribed.If pathological fluid accumulates in the joint, this may require a puncture and further examination.
Ultrasound diagnostics
It helps to identify the disease at an early stage.It allows to measure the thickness of the cartilage layer, the presence of joint, joint fluid, the size of osteophytes and ossifications, the remains of joint fluid.
Radiography
Perform to assess the degree of damage, the condition of bone and cartilage tissue.It will indicate the presence of osteophytes, joint space narrowing and joint deformation.In the early stages of the disease, the examination is not informative.
Analyzing
General blood and urine tests, blood biochemistry show signs of inflammation, presence of infection and disorders in bone and cartilage tissue.It allows you to assess the general condition of the body, determine the causes of the disease, the causes of gonarthrosis, and exclude pathologies with similar symptoms.
Mini
Visible magnetic resonance imaging is a very accurate diagnostic method that helps to visualize the smallest changes.It will help to diagnose complex cases both at an early stage and before surgical treatment.
Which doctor treats you?
The following specialists treat gonarthrosis of the knee:
- Orthopedic doctor - Provides disease diagnosis, articular injections, plasma therapy, high-tech assistance and surgical treatment.
- Physiotherapist - Responsible for instrumental physiotherapeutic treatment.
- RomeMatologist - will help if the disease is associated with autoimmune disorders.
- Sports doctor - will be required if there is a medical history.
- If the patient is overweight, a nutritional requirement is necessary.
During the recovery phase, the attending physician may involve other specialists:
- Masseur - massages the lower extremities, restores muscle tone, thereby stimulating blood circulation and helping to restore joint mobility.
- Doctor of Physiotherapy - Selects specific exercises and directs their implementation.
- Rehabilitation specialist - helps the patient's social adaptation;The specialist is especially in demand after severe reconstructive surgery on the knee.
What treatment is prescribed?
If the disease is detected earlier and treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms is started, the chances of recovery are greater.Otherwise, the disease can cause irreversible consequences and significantly worsen the quality of life.
Thus, the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint has a good chance of completely restoring the function of the knee joint by 1-2 degrees.Unfortunately, patients do not always seek medical help in the initial stages.
How to relieve pain and how to treat it?
First, you need to eliminate pain and inflammation.Appointed:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers.Medicines help to quickly remove inflammation in arthrosis and reduce pain and swelling.
- Corticosteroids NSAIDS and analgesics are used, for example, when they do not help in the treatment of 3-4 degree arthrosis of the knee joint.The patient is given a drug blockade - drugs are injected directly into the joint cavity.This helps to relieve pain and provide relief for a few minutes after the injection.
- Special ointments and pain relief patches.
Reviews of an orthopedic doctor: the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint of 2-3 degrees is always complex, as a rule, more than 15 (!) Recommendations are included in the prescription sheet.It's not just medicine and injections.This is a whole series of rehabilitation measures aimed at correcting the biomechanics of the joint and the patient's lifestyle.Only this approach will help protect the joint and stop the progression of the disease.
Preparations that strengthen bone and cartilage tissue:
- Chondroprotectors based on chondroitin and glucosamine are the nutritional basis of chondrocytes.
- Hyaluronic acid preparations serve as an analogue of synovial fluid.
- Medicines that increase blood supply to microcirculation and articular cartilage.
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements strengthen the bones that make up the knee joint.
- Hyaluronic acid preparations, an artificial analogue of synovial fluid, help lubricate articular surfaces.
- Drug blockades help to quickly relieve swelling, pain and inflammation.As a rule, the effect is noticeable the next day.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint Physiotherapy includes:
- Electrophoresis.Using an electric current, the drug penetrates the affected area.Electrophoresis is used to treat knee pain due to gonarthrosis.
- Phonophoresis.The drug enters the inflamed area under the influence of sound waves.An additional advantage of the method in the treatment of deforming gonarthrosis is the thermal effect.
- Shock wave therapy.The procedure improves blood circulation, stimulates tissue nutrition and is used to destroy osteophytes and scar tissue.
- Traction therapy (joint traction) - helps to free the joint space, stretch it by a few millimeters, thereby reducing the mutual pressure of the articular surfaces.
- Electromyostimulation - using electric current stimulates blood flow and muscle function, restores muscle tone.
- The architecture facilitates the development of joint and combat contract movements using special robot simulators.
- Laser therapy creates deep tissue heat and reduces the inflammatory response.
- Magnetotherapy.The therapeutic effect is based on the properties of the magnetic field to reduce pain, inflammation and tissue swelling.
Orthriological methods are aimed at stimulating regeneration and replacing defects with defective tissue:
- Plasmolifting is a plasma-based drug made from the patient's own blood, which is made from the patient's own blood and contains growth factors.
- PRP Therapy - Plasma taken from the patient's blood is used as a medicine.Platelet-rich plasma stimulates the regeneration of chondrocytes and alleviates the inflammatory process.
- SVF therapy is based on the use of a stromal vascular fraction obtained from the patient's own transitional tissue.
- SVF Therapy + PRP Therapy - The simultaneous use of concentrated plasma and progenitor cells allows for the best results.
- Stem cell therapy.The method is based on the use of bone marrow cells and is currently under development.
Each case is individual and requires the development of a separate rehabilitation program for the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint.
You do not know where to treat arthrosis?Do you want to get professional help and treatment without surgery?Sign up for a health center.We suggest you get tested and start recovering your health the day you visit us.Benefit from modern treatment for knee arthrosis at competitive prices.