Knee joint osteoarthritis - Causes, symptoms and treatment

The progressive destruction of the joint knee structures, followed by a deformation of the bone tissue of the berets and the femur, is called osteoarthritis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment, as well as the mechanism for the development of the disease are similar to another osteoarthritis (pelvic, ankle). He can be an actor or bilateral. In the latter case, the disease takes place even stronger, because the possibility of recovery is reduced by half, and a person loses their extent more quickly.Osteoarthritis of the knee jointThe second name of the disease is gonarthrosis (by location). Unlike arthritis, which is characterized by an acute inflammatory process, gonarthrosis develops in a chronically and leads to a complete immobility of the joint, showing only from time to time signs of inflammation.

Causes of the diseaseMost often, osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment) is not caused by a single cause, but by their combination.The most common:Repeated microtraumas of joint structures associated with a large load on the knee (characteristics of the profession, professional sport);knee injuries, damage to the meniscus (after an accident, hard blow);The consequence of arthritis, in particular in combination with other factors;Congenital defects in the development of the knee joint;flat feet;deformations of the skeleton (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 osteoarthritis in this article. Everything about the arthralgia of the knee joints here.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee jointDepending on the severity of symptoms, the development of the disease is divided into 3 steps. Symptoms of early development of gonarthrosis vary considerably and have no details. At the first stage of pathology, the following signs are possible:Knee pain during the squat, amounts to the stairs;pain in the joint after long load or cooling;The knee can hurt at the end of the day or in the morning;The stock and the pain in the morning pass after daily work.In the future, the characteristic symptoms of 2 and 3 steps (per growth) appear:The pain becomes acute and prolonged;swelling in the joint;The appearance of the liquid in the joint is possible;Between the joint surfaces, the violation of cartilage particles, the meniscus, the synovial villi is possible, consequently, there is a clear immobility (it can also pass strongly);It is difficult to walk on the leg;Knee painThe movement of the joint develops.The rate of development of dystrophic processes and the degree of severity of symptoms depend on the presence or absence of additional traumatic factors.For example, stress or inflammatory processes in the body will accelerate the destructive process.

Pathology diagnosisFor the diagnosis of gonarthrosis, they use: blood tests (general and biochemical);radiography;Arthroscopy;Ultrasound;MRI.The most important diagnostic method to confirm the diagnosis of gonarthrosis is radiography. Although it is not possible to consider the initial stages of the disease and the state of the cartilaginous tissue on the X -rays, nevertheless, the bone changes in the 2nd and 3rd steps are clearly visible. This:Narrow joint deviation;Located along the bone outline, the edges of the ball joint prank - osteophytes;changes in periosteum;Change the height of one of the condyle and others.However, you can consider changes in more detail using arthroscopy. With its help, you can determine the condition of the cartilage, the meniscus and the synovial membrane. It is less common due to the possibility of severe trauma of the joint, because, in fact, it is a mini-operation, composed of several perforations. Sometimes arthroscopy is used to treat the knee joint (if it is necessary to remove a piece of broken or meniscus cartilage).Ultrasound and MRI help detect changes in the soft tissue of the knee joint with early osteoarthritis. These methods also show the state of cartilage, synovial membrane and liquid.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee jointSymptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint lend themselves well to conservative treatment in the early stages. This leads to long -term remission. Pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, folk remedies in the form of ointments and distracting compresses are used. If the methods still do not give a result and the deformation of the joint continues to develop, the pain intensifies, then use surgery. The result of the treatment depends largely on the person himself, because only the daily implementation targeted with therapeutic methods will help maintain performance and quality of life for a long time.Inflammation of the knee joint

Physiotherapeutic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint according to identified symptomsPhysiotherapeutic methods have a multidirectional action:Relieve / reduce pain;Restore the metabolism altered in joint structures;Stimulate the activity of chondrocytes;Stop the inflammatory process and more.You will find below the most common physical methods of treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms of the knee joint.UV exposure
Eliminate pain4-6 irradiationUHFReduces the permeability of capillaries, stimulates exchange in cells, eliminates inflammation8–12 ProceduresMagnetotherapyStimulates cellular immunity and tissue regeneration12 sessionsUltrafonophoresisImproves blood circulation, reduces swelling, stimulates the regeneration of chondrocytes10-12 procedures
In addition to paraffin therapy listed in the form of applications, radon sulfide and hydrogen baths, and dirt is widely used to treat gonartrosis.

Exercise therapy as a means of treating osteoarthritis on knee jointThe LFK classes with gonarthrosis are carried out so as to provide the smallest load joint, because you can sit or lie down. The simplest, but effective exercise will be the swing of the tibia suspended like a pendulum. A greater effect can be obtained if the load is linked to the foot. In this case, the tension or muscle relaxation will be clearly felt.In a horizontal position, you can simulate a bicycle by increasing your legs and "pedaling". If physical condition allows it (symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint), then for treatment, it is recommended to use an exercise bike. Such movements act not only on the knee, but also on the hip, as well as the ankle joint, strengthening all muscle groups.

Massage treatment with symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee jointWith gonarthrosis, massage is prescribed to prevent or eliminate muscle atrophy. The massage movements act on the muscle tissue modified in a height with three.According to the prolonged inaction inside the muscles, sticking the forms. Massage movements destroy them, acting mechanically.Knee massageStretch movements irritate sensitive receptors in muscle cells. As a result, their innervation is restored and the tone increases.In muscle tissues, blood circulation is restored. This improves metabolic processes in joint structures.The knee massage is done in the following sequence: they massage the thigh first (caressing, trembling, kneading, caressing). Each movement must be carried out 3 to 4 times. Then go to the joint. On its sides, the frames and friction are used 3 to 5 times. The frames are carried out in circular movements and rub in a straight line.They still massage the thigh, the joint again and again - the thigh. At the next stage, a careful flexion and extension in the joint (5 to 7 times), as well as a neat rotation with tibia and outwards (5-7 times), are carried out. The massage is completed by caressing the knee in the most painful places.Such a technique is more effective in hot water - about 38 degrees - or after the bath. The intensity depends on the presence / absence of pain.

Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee jointThe indications of the operation are damage to the meniscus, to the ligament apparatus, to serious damage to the joint structures. Most often, this occurs at 3 stages of gonarthrosis, when therapy becomes ineffective. Although the operation does not heal the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment considerably reduce its intensity: pain disappears, the possibility of support on the leg becomes. After that, long and regular conservative therapy is necessarily prescribed. Treatment methods mainly choose:osteotomy;Arthroplasty;Arthrodesis;Endoprosthetics.

Treatment of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with folk remediesSymptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are treated with folk remedies. Of course, they cannot completely stop the process, as well as to eliminate existing deformation, but, by using them as an additional tool, you can eliminate the pain, eliminate swelling, improve mobility. To do this, use creams, friction, ointments, infusions and other external and inside products.Take the 5th table. L. Oat (you can grind it on a coffee mill), pour 500 ml of water and boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Since the resulting decoction, make compresses at the knee joint duration of about an hour.Mix part of the hop cones on the ground with 4 parts of the oil jelly and rub the knee 3-4 times a day for 2-3 weeks. Then you have to take a break, go to another tool.Mix the crushed grass of hop, a bunker and a thousandpertuis on a part (for example, 10 g each). Discuss a mixture with 5 parts of the oil jelly and rub in the joint twice a day.PineDuring the day, drink a pine decoction. For a glass of water, you need 10 g of kidneys. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes, tender.

Characteristics of nutrition and water consumption with osteoarthritis of knee jointSpeaking of the characteristics of a disease such as osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment), popular remedies can also be considered to be compliance with food and water consumption. All symptoms are a consequence of metabolic disorders, and metabolism depends directly on consumed and fluid foods. Therefore, no conservative treatment will provide advantages if you do not revise the diet.Particular attention to food should be paid to full -fledged people. Reduce the calorie content of dishes, fractional nutrition, a change in cooking technology - all this contributes to progressive weight loss. In addition, salt should be limited, refined products, fast food and semi-finished products should be eliminated.The use of fluid is also important. Since osteoarthritis occurs due to the loss of water in cartilage, people with a gonartrose diagnosis must drink a lot of liquids. In order not to form a swelling, you must take care of the timely elimination of excess liquid of the body. You can use diuretics or drugs. You should drink about 2 liters per day of clean water, avoiding carbonated drinks, coffee or tea.If you have symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, start the treatment immediately. The sooner you start the fight, the more likely it is to stop destruction. There should be all methods in service to affect the disease on different sides. About 20% of people with such diagnosis were possible, thanks to perseverance and patience. Be healthy!