The osteoarthritis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease of the intra -articular cartilage, with progressive degenerative disorders of its structure and functions.This disease is very common among older women, as well as professional athletes, even at an early age.
Many believe that the development of osteoarthritis is associated with excess salt, but in fact, salt deposits have nothing to do with the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Reasons
If osteoarthritis occurs for no reason, then it is called idiopathic or primary.But if the development of osteoarthritis was influenced by pathological processes in the body or disease, then this form is called secondary.The following factors can affect their development:
- Elderly age.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Traumatic damage to the knee.
- Excessive knee load.
- Microtraumas of constant compression and repetition - shots, etc.
- Inflammatory diseases of joints and muscles: arthritis, synovitis, bursitis, myositis, tendonitis, lymphadenitis.
- Inflammatory processes in the body.
- Viral, fungal and infectious diseases.
- Metabolism disorders.
- Overweight.
- Calcium deficiency in the body.
- Hypothermia.
- Congenital deformations of the knee joint.
Athletes and people who are often subject to strong physical activity and submit it to the knee joint are subject to osteoarthritis.These are teachers, engines, builders, teachers, etc.
Peculiarities
Before the treatment or detection of specific symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of this disease.
The articular surfaces of human bones are covered with cartilage.In some joints, as well as on the knees, the meniscus are the cartilage layers that act as shock absorbers.The interior lubricant is a synovial fluid that occurs in our body.
When the knee joint is affected, there is a change in the development of interspersed lubrication.Partial or completely abrasion cartilage.The body is trying to deal with this rape, as well as reduce pain.When the disease progresses, the joint is deforms, the bones begin to expand due to osteophytes.This condition occurs only in advanced cases.The surface of the bones is unequal and does not fit with each other.The result is limited mobility.
Symptoms
The first symptom with osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the pain that can occur after prolonged physical activity or stress constantly.Its nature is diverse, often the pain intensifies at night or at night, preventing a person from falling asleep, leading to a violation of normal life.At this stage, you must visit a doctor.
There are three levels of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, each of which has its own characteristics.In the first stage, pain is not easy, and in many people it passes on their own.In addition, there are discomfort and insignificant recurring edema.This will require a certain treatment: laser therapy and other physiotherapeutic procedures.
In the second stage, the symptoms are complicated, a deterioration of mobility is added to all of the above, and pain intensifies.A slight bleeding can also occur.
In this case, laser therapy and prescription of medications by a doctor can help.If it does not, the pain will constantly intensify, and the third degree of the disease will come.In the third stage, the integrity of the cartilage is violated radically, until destruction.Painful feelings are constant, a person normally cannot go walking.Going up the stairs is a real problem, the joints swell.Several pathologies are observed during movement, trembling from the limbs.
In addition, with osteoarthritis, skin redness appears in the knee, and when touching it can find an inflammatory process.This occurs due to internal bleeding caused by the rupture of blood vessels or veins.If this cosmetic defect is very remarkable, retain it with a laser.
In the last stages, a person becomes unstable due to muscle weakness and other defects.Walking is only possible with a stick and only at short distances.This ends with the deformation of the knee, which even the laser cannot fix.The person becomes motionless.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can include:
- Clinical symptom analysis.
- General and biochemical blood analysis.
- X -Ray.
- Computer tomography, magnetic resonance.
- Ultrasound (ultrasound of the joint).
- Arthroscopy, biopsy and biochemical studies of synovial fluid.
Treatment
Many people are perplexed by the treatment of this disease.Drug arsenal is very large, its unofficial use is impossible.
If you abuse arthritis medications, you can buy a stomach ulcer.It can also aggravate the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
The first doctor prescribes patients with non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs, who, together with inflammation, also relieve pain.But the treatment does not end there.Extensive physical exercisas, physiotherapy.Special therapeutic gymnastics is chosen by a doctor who provides the maximum therapeutic effect.
Drug use
The main treatment is found in non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs.Other means are used to improve cartilage power and contribute to its gradual restoration.The most proven in this regard are drugs based on glucosamine and chondroitin.To accelerate treatment, you can use special creams and ointments that have a local effect.
It is worth noting that painful and antipyretic medications without a medical recipe are very dangerous.Such treatment can negatively affect the condition of the stomach, liver and heart.Recently, medications occur with minimal negative effects, according to some manufacturers, such medications can be used for several months.
Gymnastics and physiotherapy
Other treatment methods can improve blood flow and, therefore, cartilage nutrition.To strengthen ligaments and muscles, special exercises are prescribed.But the effect of gymnastics will be only in the early stages, when the articulation has changed a bit.The exercises are strictly selected individually, depending on the severity of the disease and the physical skills of the patient.
These exercises are complemented with physiotherapeutic procedures in large quantities.Magnetotherapy and laser therapy, UHF, electrophore, ultrasound are used and much more.
Injections
In the final phase, where physiotherapy and laser do not help relieve pain, they resort to injection into the joint cavity.Preparations based on hyaluronic acid increase the regenerative properties of the cartilage.However, often such treatment leads to the complete uselessness of the cartilage.
Endoprotetics
Endoprothetics of the knee joint is an extreme measure that is carried out when it cannot sleep normally and move.
Prevention
Arthosis occurs more frequently in old age, so their prevention must participate in younger, especially after 30 years.For this you need:
- Do not overload the knee joint and provide a rational load on the feet.
- Do not use weights.
- Eat well.
- Direct an active lifestyle.
- Over time, heal all inflammatory and infectious diseases in the body.
- Controlling body weight, since due to excess weight to knee joint is a very strong load.
- Do not overload the joints.
- Avoid knee injuries.
- When practicing sports, put on special knees.
- With a constant load on the knees, perform self -standing regularly.
