The gradual destruction of the joint structures of the knee, followed by the deformation of the bone tissue of the caps and the femur, is called arthrosis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment, as well as the disease development mechanism are similar to other arthrosis (Pelvic, Ankle). It can be a side or bilateral side. In the latter case, the disease proceeds even more hard, since the possibility of recovery is reduced by half and a faster person loses his expanse.
The second name of the disease is gonartrosis (for localization). Unlike arthritis, which is characterized by an acute inflammatory process, gonartrosis develops chronically and leads to the complete immobility of the joint, which only occasionally shows signs of inflammation.
Causes of the disease
Very often, the arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment) is not caused by a single cause, but by their combination.
The most common:
- repeated microtrauma of joint structures associated with a large load on the knee (professional characteristics, professional sport);
- knee injuries, damage to the meniscus (after an accident, serious blow);
- The consequence of arthritis, especially in combination with other factors;
- Congenital defects in the development of the knee joint;
- flat feet;
- skeletal deformations (curvature of the spine);
- overweight;
- hormonal changes (menopause, diabetes);
- Long -term stress and others.
You can find out what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis in this article.
All about arthralgia of the knees joints to be here.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the development of the disease is divided into 3 phases. The symptoms of early development of gonartrosis vary considerably and have no details. In the first phase of the pathology, the following signs are possible:
- Knee pain during the squat, climbing the stairs;
- pain in the joint after a long load or cooling;
- The knee can hurt at the end of the day or in the morning;
- Stocks and pain in the morning pass after daily work.
In the future, the characteristic symptoms of 2 and 3 phases appear (for growth):
- The pain becomes acute and prolonged;
- swelling in the joint;
- The appearance of the liquid in the joint is possible;
- Among the joint surfaces, it is possible to an infringement of cartilage particles, meniscus, synovial villi, due to which there is a strong immobility (it can also pass abruptly);
- It is difficult to step on the leg;
- The movement of the joint develops.
The development rate of dystrophic processes and the degree of severity of the symptoms depend on the presence or absence of further traumatic factors.For example, stress or inflammatory processes in the body will speed up the destructive process.
Diagnosis of pathology
For the diagnosis of Gonartrosi, they use:
- blood tests (general and biochemical);
- X -ray;
- arthroscopy;
- Ultrasound;
- Mri.
The most important diagnostic method to confirm Gonartrosis's diagnosis is radiography. Although it is not possible to consider the initial phases of the disease and the conditions of the cartilage tissue in X -rays, however, bone changes in the 2nd and third stadiums are clearly visible. This:
- Close joint gap;
- Located along the outline of the bones, the edges of the edge of the edges of the ears - osteophytes;
- changes in the periosteum;
- Changing the height of one of the condille and others.
However, it is possible to consider changes in more detailed way using arthroscopy. With its help, you can determine the condition of the cartilage, Menisci, synovial membrane. It is less common due to the possibility of a serious trauma of the joint, since, in fact, it is a mini-operation, consisting of different punctures. Sometimes arthroscopy is used to treat the knee joint (if you need to remove a piece of broken or meniscus cartilage).
The ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are helping to detect changes in the soft tissues of the knee joint with early arthrosis. These methods also show well the conditions of the cartilage, the synovial membrane and the liquid.
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
The symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are well lent to conservative treatment in the early stages. This leads to a long -term remission. Pharmacological therapy, physio, therapy for exercises, massage, popular remedies in the form of distracted ointments and distracted are used. If the methods do not yet give a result and the deformation of the joint continues to develop, the pain intensifies, then use the surgery.
The result of the treatment depends largely on the person himself, since only the daily implementation of therapeutic methods will help maintain performance and quality of life for a long time.
Physiotherapy treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint according to the identified symptoms
Physiotherapy methods have a multidirectional action:
- Alleviate/reduce pain;
- restore the altered metabolism in joint structures;
- stimulate the activity of the chondrocytes;
- Stop the inflammatory process and more.
Below are the most common physical methods for the treatment of the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint.
In addition to the list, paraffin therapy in the form of applications, radon baths and sulfur hydrogen and dirt are widely used to treat gonartrosis.
Operating therapy as a means of treating the arthrosis of the knee joint
The LFK classes with gonartrosis are performed in such a way as to provide the joint with the smallest load, for this you can sit or lie down. The simplest but effective exercise will be the swing of the shank suspended like a pendulum. It is possible to obtain a greater effect if the load is linked to the foot. In this case, tension or muscle relaxation will be clearly felt.
In a horizontal position, you can simulate a bicycle by lifting your legs and "pedaling". If the physical condition allows (symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint), it is recommended to use a training bike. These movements act not only on the knee, but also on the hip, as well as on the articulation of the ankle, strengthening all muscle groups.
Treatment of massage with symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint
With gonartrosis, massage is prescribed to prevent or eliminate muscle atrophy. The massage movements act on the muscle tissue changed in a three -to -three tower.
- From prolonged in the muscles, they glue shapes. The massage movements destroy them, acting mechanically.
- The stretching movements irritate sensitive receptors in muscle cells. As a result, their innervation is restored and the tone increases.
- In muscle tissue, blood circulation is restored. This improves metabolic processes in joint structures.
The knee massage is performed in the following sequence: first they massage the thigh (caressing, trembling, kneading, caressing). Each movement must be performed 3-4 times. Then proceed to the joint. On the sides, caressing and rubbing is used 3-5 times. The attack is performed with circular movements and rubbing in a straight line.
Once again they massage the thigh, the articulation still and again - the thigh. In the next phase, careful flexion and extension in the joint (5-7 times) are performed, as well as a rotation ordered with shank and outward (5-7 times). The massage is completed by stroking the knee in the most painful places.
This technique is more effective in hot water - about 38 degrees or after the bathroom. The intensity depends on the presence/absence of pain.
Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
The indications for the operation are damage to the meniscus, a binding apparatus, serious damage to joint structures. Very often, this occurs in 3 phases of gonartrosis, when the therapy becomes ineffective. Although the operation will not take care of the arthrosis of the knee joint, the symptoms and the treatment significantly reduce its intensity: the pain disappears, it becomes the possibility of support on the leg. Subsequently, long and regular conservative therapy is necessarily prescribed.
Treatment methods mainly choose:
- osteotomy;
- arthroplasty;
- arthrodesis;
- Endopropostetic.
Treatment of the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint with popular remedies
The symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are treated with popular remedies. Of course, they cannot completely stop the process and eliminate existing deformation, but, using them as an additional tool, it is possible to eliminate pain, remove swelling, improve mobility. To do this, use creams, rubbing, ointments, infusions and other external products and inside.
- Take the 5th table. the. Fina (you can grind on a grinder), pour 500 ml of water and boil for 10-15 minutes. From the resulting decoction, make impatient to the knee joint lasting about an hour.
- Mix a part of the hops of hops on the ground with 4 parts of the oil jelly and rubs the knee 3-4 times a day for 2-3 weeks. So you have to take a break, going to another tool.
- Mix the crushed hop grass, a bunker and the San Giovanni grass on a part (for example, 10 g each). Draise a mixture with 5 parts of the oil jelly and rubs in the joint 2 times a day.
- During the day, drink a decoction of pines. For a glass of water, you need 10 g of kidneys. Boil for 5-10 minutes, filter.
Characteristics of nutrition and water consumption with arthrosis of the knee joint
Speaking of the characteristics of a disease such as the arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment), popular remedies can also be considered compliant with diet and water consumption. All symptoms are a consequence of metabolic disorders and the metabolism depends directly on the food consumed and fluid.Therefore, no conservative treatment will bring benefits if you do not review the diet.
Particular attention to food should be paid to full people who are at risk. Reduce the calorie content of dishes, fractional nutrition, a change in cooking technology - all this contributes to a gradual weight loss. In addition, salt should be limited, refined products, fast food and semifinated products should be eliminated.
The use of fluid is also important. Since arthrosis occurs due to the loss of water in the cartilage, people with a diagnosis of gonartrosis must drink many liquids. In order not to form swelling, you should take care of the timely removal of the excess fluid from the body. You can use diuretics or drugs. You have to drink about 2 liters per day of clean water, avoiding carbonated drinks, coffee or tea.
If you have symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint, start the treatment immediately. First he begins the struggle, more possibility to stop destruction. There should be all the methods in service to influence the disease from different sides. About 20% of people with this diagnosis was possible, thanks to perseverance and patience. Be healthy!