Osteoarthritis of the knee: why the knees hurt and how to deal with it

Osteoarthritis is the most common of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The knees are especially sensitive to it, because they carry most of the load themselves. Let's take a closer look at what osteoarthritis of the knee is and how to deal with it.

Features of the disease

Osteoarthritis of the knee joints is a pathology associated with the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the cartilage tissue of these joints. As the disease progresses, the disease affects not only the cartilage itself, but also other tissues, including ligaments and periarticular muscles, and over time, processes that contribute to bone destruction may develop.

Risk Groups

As you get older, your body faces problems that lead to tissue nutrition and accelerated wear and tear. Under the influence of mechanical, biochemical and other factors, cartilage tissue gradually begins to deteriorate, which leads to arthrosis of the right knee joint or left joint.

The frequency of diagnosis of this pathology increases with age. Women are especially prone to the development of gonarthrosis, which is due to the characteristics of their bodies and hormonal changes.

Both athletes and people involved in work, lifting weights and carrying a constant load on the legs.

In general, the following risk groups can be distinguished:

• older people;
• athletes;
• people with knee injuries;
• patients undergoing knee surgery;
• sitting;
• obez;
• due to heavy physical labor or the need to be constantly on our feet;
• patients with endocrine diseases;
• people with hormonal disorders;
• lead an unhealthy lifestyle;
with congenital pathologies of the musculoskeletal system
• .

When joining a risk group, you should regularly monitor the condition of your joints, as well as take preventive measures.

reasons for development

If we talk about the specific causes of dystrophic processes in cartilage tissue, in many ways it is associated with a person's daily life. Existing health problems also play a role.

The main causes of gonarthrosis are:

1. Injuries. Damage to the knee and adjacent tissues, ie bruises, cuts, tears and sprains, cracks, fractures, etc. Results may appear after the victim has fully recovered.
2. Congenital diseases. These include, for example, joint instability, curvature, and other developmental and functional disorders associated with the structural features of the human skeleton.
3. Age changes. Gradually, the cartilage tissue wears out and the calcium is washed away from the bones. The older a person is, the clearer these processes become.

4. Obesity. Being overweight slows down metabolic processes and contributes to excessive stress on the muscles. Obese people almost always have foot problems.
5. Endocrine diseases.An unhealthy condition of the endocrine system leads to hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders.
6. Operational Interventions. Surgical manipulations of the meniscus have a particularly strong effect. When removed, 90% of cases develop gonarthrosis.
7. Stress. Strong emotional experiences negatively affect the condition of the whole organism, including elements of the musculoskeletal system.
8. Tissue nutrition. Often these processes are associated with circulatory disorders, because all the necessary nutrients are supplied through the blood vessels in the tissue.
9. Heavy loads.Lifting and carrying weights, improper running and jumping, violation of exercise techniques, standing for long periods of time - all this is an excessive burden on the human foot.

If you do not take measures to prevent the effects of these causes, the cost of such negligent treatment of your health will be represented by numerous problems with the musculoskeletal system and other body systems.

symptoms

Initially, the disease is asymptomatic or anxiety occurs only occasionally. Often, knees ache after a long stay in a position or after a busy day at work. Because such symptoms are not annoying and disappear completely after rest, a person does not immediately realize that he has a serious health problem.

Gradually the anxiety increases, severe pain occurs. They hurt in nature, but can be sharp and sharp when moving. Anxiety increases as the disease progresses.

Other symptoms of gonarthrosis are:

• Deterioration of the motor ability of the knee;
• the appearance of a sound crisis while moving;
• swelling and hyperemia of tissues;
• curvature of limbs.

The desire to relieve pain is the most motivating factor for a person to go to the clinic. The sooner you do this, the better your chances of stopping the pathological process. Otherwise, the changes will be irreversible and the problem will not be solved conservatively.

In some cases, there is an increased temperature. This phenomenon is rarely observed, indicating an intense inflammatory process. For example, if you have recently injured one of your legs, it can be caused by an infection.

Pathological types

In medical practice, the disease has a special classification.

There are the following types of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:

1. Left or Right. It is localized on one side only, ie it affects the left or right knee. This condition is often seen after a joint injury.
2. Two-sided. At the same time, pathological processes develop in both legs. Symmetrical development of the disease is typical in most cases, because the internal processes in the human body are greatly affected.
3. Initial. It develops as an independent disease. Motivational factors include improper lifestyle, stress, age-related changes, and so on.
4. Secondary. Gonarthrosis is the result of another disease of the musculoskeletal system and closely related systems. Traumatic injuries of the symptoms also fall into this category.

It is also necessary to distinguish periarthrosis. The disease affects the muscles and ligaments, which activates the joint.

Another important category is knee hyperaarthrosis. This is the name of the progressive degenerative processes in cartilage. In the last stages there is a deformity gonarthrosis. It is worth talking in more detail about the stages of development of the pathology.

stages of development

There are four main stages of osteoarthritis of the knee. Each of them is characterized by a clearer manifestation of the disease and the emergence of new negative processes.

1. Stage 1. Anxiety sometimes occurs, but disappears after resting and using the foot. For the diagnosis, there is still no change in the structure of the tissue, but the nutrition of the cartilage is already impaired, which gradually leads to the development of pathology.
2. Stage 2. The pain becomes dull, the cartilage becomes significantly thinner, which leads to narrowing of the joint space. There is a characteristic crisis, and the actions are accompanied by unpleasant feelings.
3. 3 - 4 stages. An X-ray clearly shows changes in the joint. Cartilage tissue wears out, bone begins to deform in areas of friction, some areas grow with osteophytes, and salt deposits are present. All this impedes the movement of the foot and causes sharp, incessant pain.

While it is possible to eliminate the first degree of gonarthrosis with cost-effective methods and completely restore the health of the limbs, the third and fourth stages are irreversible and practically unsuitable for conservative treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek help from a medical facility as soon as possible.

Consequences and possible complications

As for the consequences of gonarthrosis, there is no special risk to human health in the first place if appropriate measures are taken in a timely manner. Of course, inflammation of the knee causes some discomfort, but the symptoms and the dystrophic process itself can still be eliminated.

The more the patient ignores the problem, the more he becomes indifferent. In the second stage, the cartilage begins to deteriorate and is difficult to repair. Severe pain disrupts a person's normal lifestyle, exerts psychological pressure.

The main consequences of progressive gonarthrosis are:

• constant pain;
• prevent foot movement;
• formation of bone-salt growths;
• complete destruction of hyaline cartilage;
• spread of the pathological process to other areas;
• seizure of the muscular apparatus;
• disability.

The main question: is it possible to walk with knee osteoarthritis? Action helps the whole organism to recover, but this rule only works when the disease is detected early.

Movement in the later stages can only aggravate the destructive process, so it is recommended that the patient lie in bed and wear special orthoses. Deformation and obstruction of foot movement impair walking, ie a person becomes disabled. This is the main risk in the development of gonarthrosis.

Diagnostic rules

You should seek help immediately to prevent such complications and not to become disabled. An orthopedic surgeon can advise on the treatment of gonarthrosis.

The success of additional treatment depends largely on the degree of detail of the diagnosis, and therefore it is not necessary to ignore the advice of a specialist on the need to undergo certain examination procedures.

A comprehensive diagnosis of osteoarthritis can include the following methods:

1. Laboratory blood tests. It is necessary to identify deviations from the norm in terms of preliminary indicators. The presence of abnormalities indicates an inflammatory process or other problems that may directly or indirectly indicate joint disease. A rheumatic test can be taken separately if needed. It is also important to assess blood glucose levels, because an increase can indicate endocrine system problems, which affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system and metabolic processes in the body.
2. Radiography. This is a mandatory procedure that allows you to take into account the condition of the diseased area. The figure shows the bone areas. The degree of cartilage wear is assessed by the size of the joint space, the position of the individual articulatory elements, the presence of extraneous formations and other indicators.
3. ultrasound. Ultrasound allows more detailed examination of the condition of soft tissues, including cartilage. Ultrasound detects inflammatory processes, solid infiltrates and tumors.
4. MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best way to examine the condition of the joints. The image clearly shows all the elements of the articulation and the adjacent soft tissues, as well as the veins. The image is in a layer-by-layer structure, and the process itself takes place in dynamics, so the doctor can see everything needed to make a diagnosis. If MRI is contraindicated, CT may be used as an alternative.
5. Arthroscopy. A more detailed examination of the knee is possible by applying an arthroscope to its cavity. The procedure is less traumatic, so it can be performed without fear for your health. The camera clearly shows the condition of cartilage and other tissues.

Treatment methods

To get rid of gonarthrosis and its consequences, it is necessary to approach this problem correctly. Only the attending physician will be able to choose the most effective drug in each case.

In addition to folk remedies, various medicines are often used. Some techniques overlap, such as different compressors.

If done correctly, it will be possible to significantly reduce the manifestations of the disease and to some extent restore the health of your feet. Under no circumstances should he hesitate to seek treatment, otherwise it will not be possible to do so without drastic measures.

Drug treatment

The first thing to start treatment is medication. Depending on the goals you plan to target, it can be divided into several areas:

1. Painkiller. Most patients with osteoarthritis need to seek help from a specialist for a list of medications to relieve the pain. Analgesics are required for severe discomfort, such as injections in the third stage of gonarthrosis.
2. Eliminate inflammation. Since it is possible to relieve pain by stopping the inflammatory process in osteoarthritis of the knee joint, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed. If the condition is neglected, short courses of glucocorticoids may be prescribed to increase the effect.
3. cartilage repair. Hyaline cartilage needs to be stimulated to regenerate and improve nutrition, while also preventing future destruction. Different chondroprotective groups are used for this purpose. Considering the question of whether the drug helps with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, pay attention to the composition of the drug. The combination of essential ingredients is one of the most effective products in this category.
4. Improved tissue nutrition. Various drugs and additives are prescribed to speed up the recovery process and strengthen the joints, improve metabolism, stimulate blood circulation and saturate the cells with vitamins and minerals.

Only the attending physician has the right to prescribe and correct medication for knee osteoarthritis. Independent use of drugs is undesirable, only the use of vitamin supplements and some chondroprotectants is allowed.

Diet and Lifestyle

An important step in the treatment process is to change your lifestyle, especially your eating habits. Much depends on the severity of the disease, for example, cycling can be beneficial in the early stages of development and stimulate recovery processes.

At the same time, when there are problems with flexion extension movements, such a load can only worsen the patient's condition and aggravate destructive processes.

In general, activity is encouraged because movement helps treat many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, it is extremely important to follow a rest regime, not to overload the legs and avoid sudden movements.

In particular, the question of whether it is possible to escape with osteoarthritis of the knee joint is considered. It is better to replace such physical activity with brisk walking.

If we talk about nutrition, the contraindications of gonarthrosis are related to alcohol and junk food. It is especially important to exclude fatty and salty foods.

The diet should be as close to health as possible, ie vegetables and fruits, whole grains, milk and cheese, lean meat and fish. Products that help restore hyaline cartilage are very useful: seafood, by-products, gels, apples, algae, etc.

Physiotherapy and other procedures

Physiotherapy is a mandatory part of treatment. In addition, modern medicine actively uses various manual and non-traditional methods to influence the body. It is recommended to pay attention to such procedures.

1. Magnetotherapy. This is one of the methods of physiotherapy. Magnetic effect stimulates recovery processes, increases the effect of drugs. Alternatively, electrophonophoresis can be used.

2. Massage. Different types of manual interventions should be performed by a qualified professional based on the diagnosis and prescriptions of the attending physician. Massage stimulates metabolic processes in tissues, improves foot mobility, relieves anxiety.
3. Hirudotherapy. This is a leech treatment. Leeches are known for their safe blood purification. They bite the patient's skin, saliva contains substances that prevent blood clotting. Such a small amount of blood helps to eliminate the inflammatory process, improve tissue nutrition and have an overall health effect on the body.
4. Acupuncture. This is one of the methods of reflexology, the essence of which is to affect the active points located not only in the diseased area, but throughout the body. The doctor injects special needles into the skin at the points that need to be used to solve the problem of gonarthrosis.

Healing gymnastics

If we take a closer look at the treatment with the help of physical exercises, it should be noted that the permissible load norms are set by a specialist. It is best to attend group therapy classes. Sports for knee osteoarthritis are included in the mandatory program, including during postoperative rehabilitation.

Let's highlight the main directions used for gonarthrosis:

1. Swimming pool. Swimming relieves stress and tension in the legs and helps to develop the problem area smoothly. Water aerobics is especially useful for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, especially for overweight people and elderly patients.
2. Walking. There is no doubt about the benefits of walking for gonarthrosis, but walks should be short and regular. However, running is not recommended as a treatment.
3. Trainings with simulators. If you do not have contraindications, these can be special block trainers or, for example, sports bikes. Useful for strengthening muscles and joints.
4. Healing gymnastics. Orthopedic doctors and professional rehabilitation therapists develop special exercises that help to train all joint groups delicately and restore their health.

For osteoarthritis of the knee joint, physical activity should be dosed regularly and seriously. If you overload your legs or skip classes, it will not have a beneficial effect. It is also important to choose the right exercises for your specific situation. Check this point with a curator in advance, for example, in your case it is possible to squat with osteoarthritis.

Traditional medicine

In addition, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee at home is closely linked to the use of traditional medical prescriptions. Remember that before using any of the products you have prepared, you should make sure that there are no allergies and other contraindications, as well as consult your doctor.

Otherwise, the effect may be reversed, or the effect of home treatment may increase the effectiveness of pharmacy drugs. However, traditional methods are still required because the prices are lower than most purchased drugs.

The following remedies are most commonly used for gonarthrosis:

1. Herbal teas. Infusions and decoctions of bay leaves, chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow and other medicinal plants are actively used for both external and internal use. They have the ability to eliminate inflammation, soothe pain, remove salts and nourish the body with vitamins and other nutrients.
2. Beekeeping Products. Propolis, perga, bee plague, beeswax and honey have a multifaceted healing effect. Therefore, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with honey is such a popular direction. However, we must not forget that bee products can cause severe allergies, so make sure they are safe to use first.
3. Alcohol tinctures. It is an excellent tool for warming and stimulating blood flow, eliminating inflammation and improving foot mobility. For joints, white lilacs, which should be cleaned of greens and filled with vodka for two weeks, are especially useful. In addition, the infusion is used to rub the affected area.
4. Fresh Plants. You can also use the gifts of raw nature. For example, burdock or white cabbage leaves should be kneaded a little and then tied to the knee for at least 10 hours. You can use prefabricated compresses, for example, medical bile, unrefined sunflower oil, honey, etc. Add
5. Animal fats. They are added to homemade creams. To create an optimal consistency, the oil should be mixed with beeswax, herbal solutions and other components can be added.

Surgery and Rehabilitation

Most patients are concerned about the question: is osteoarthritis of the knee joint treated if it has already progressed to stage 2-3? Unfortunately, it will not be possible to restore the health of the cartilage lining, but there is still a way out.

If you have advanced osteoarthritis of the knee, treatment options are divided into surgical and conservative auxiliary techniques. If the cartilage is completely worn out, only one operation can restore the function of the damaged joint.

The best option is to use endoprostheses. In this case, the damaged elements of the joint are partially or completely removed and replaced with special prostheses using bolts and surgical cement. Over time, they will grow with bone tissue and will take all the necessary loads completely.

Since it is not always possible to treat osteoarthritis of the knee in this way, the method of arthrodesis is used as an alternative to reduce pain and prevent further deformation of the joint.

In the first case, if the motor ability of the foot is restored to the maximum, the opposite effect occurs with arthrodesis - the limb is fixed in a certain position, and after the bone is cut, the elements are joined. Thus, the movement will be in only one direction.

Disease prevention

Prevents osteoarthritis of the knee joint to prevent the development of the disease.

To do this, follow the instructions below:

• Do not damage;
• Don't overload your knees;
• Be less nervous;
• lead an active lifestyle;
• to give up bad habits;
• eat right;
• look at your weight;
• Treat other diseases in time.

To fight the disease in time, first consult your doctor.