From this article you will learn everything about arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, why it occurs, what are the manifestations of the different stages.How to treat, how to prevent the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative pathology of the joint, in which the cartilage is destroyed, the muscles and ligaments are damaged, and the bones are deformed.
The disease occurs mostly after the age of 40 (12–16% of people of this age are affected).Women get sick 2 times more often than men.Athletes and people engaged in heavy physical work are susceptible to the disease.
Gonarthrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by joint pain:
- joint mobility decreases;
- bone and cartilage tissue grows, which interferes with the normal functioning of the joint.
Over time, this leads to complete immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease leads to disability.
Conservative therapy for arthrosis of the knee joint is possible only in the initial stages of development of the process (1 and 2), it allows you to slow down and stop the development of the pathology.
As the disease progresses, the treatment is only surgical.You can completely (100%) get rid of the pathology only with endoprosthetics - replacement of the knee joint.
The diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist and other doctors.According to the indications, a consultation with a rheumatologist is appointed.A sports doctor can also identify the symptoms of the disease.
Causes of the disease and types
Depending on the factor that provokes the disease, there are 2 types of knee arthrosis:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of arthrosis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The initial stages are diagnosed after 40 years, and over the age of 70, gonarthrosis is detected in 60% of people.Often 2 joints are affected at the same time.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to changes that occur in the body with age, deterioration of blood circulation and slowing of metabolism.The risk of development increases with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary form
Secondary - can appear in a person at any age and affect both 2 joints at the same time and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong stress on the legs.
- Ligament injuries, knee meniscus, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are disturbed (diseases of the parathyroid glands, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases).
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (infectious and non-infectious synovitis and arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with blood coagulation disorders).
Then we will consider in more detail what it is - arthrosis of the knee joint, its degree, what changes begin in the tissues during the pathology.
Symptoms and three stages of the disease
As the disease progresses, the cartilage begins to thin due to heavy loads or lack of nutrients.This provokes friction between the bones that articulate in the knee joint.
Erosion on the bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body - the formation of growths on it begins.All these factors lead to deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Stage | Clinical signs | Processes occurring in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It may be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, when walking up the stairs, after prolonged exertion and hypothermia Stiffness in the knees in the morning Synovitis may develop - accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed by puncture (piercing a cavity with fluid and collecting it) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcers form on it |
| 2 |
The pain occurs even with light exertion and becomes more pronounced with active walking. The leg does not bend completely, it periodically becomes creaky The knee visually expands The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to the increased load on the joint, it appears flat The formation of osteophytes - bone growths - begins The synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Destructive processes in the cartilage are accelerated |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and haunts the patient even at rest. Both full flexion and full extension of the knee are impossible Joint volume increases Walking is difficult, many people start using crutches or a cane Valgus deformity of the feet (X-shaped foot position) or varus deformity (O-shaped foot position) may occur. |
There is almost no cartilage tissue The bones are deformed and "pressed" into each other, which leads to limited mobility in the joint |
Sharp shape
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is a time when the disease progresses faster and is more pronounced clinically.
Exacerbation can result from:
- too much load on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if bypassing the first stage.This is possible due to knee injury.
Diagnosis
If you notice stiffness in your joint that occurs in the morning or after prolonged sitting, as well as pain when going down stairs or squatting, this may be a sign of stage 1 gonarthrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, visit a general practitioner who will refer you to an orthopedist or another doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will conduct an initial examination and palpation of the joint, as well as refer to:
- radiography - will help to assess the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine if there is an accompanying inflammatory process.
Methods of treatment
In knee arthrosis, its symptoms and treatment are interrelated, as many therapeutic measures are aimed specifically at eliminating alarming signs and improving the quality of life of the person.
Medication, diet and exercise therapy:
- slow down further destructive processes in the cartilage;
- preventing the progression of the disease to a more advanced stage.
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to stop and slow down the development of the pathology.
diet
The goal of following a diet is to slow down the further progression of the disease.
What to add to the menu and what to exclude:
| Healthy products | Prohibited products |
|---|---|
| Rabbit, turkey, chicken, dairy products, eggs (no more than 3 pieces per day and preferably without yolks) - serve as sources of protein |
Fatty meat, sausages, sausages - lead to weight gain, which creates additional stress on the joint and also interferes with the normal formation of synovial fluid |
| Fish, especially red varieties, are rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food - foods that contribute to excess weight |
| Jellied meat from bone broth, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue |
White cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - "building blocks" for cartilage tissue However, some studies refute their harm in arthrosis |
| Rice, millet and buckwheat contain complex carbohydrates that promote the formation of synovial fluid |
Egg yolks, cod liver - increase the risk of developing gout |
| Cottage cheese, cheese - sources of calcium |
Coffee – extracts calcium from the body, which is good for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds - the healthiest foods of plant origin Rich in ingredients beneficial for the joints |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5-2 liters per day) - helps to normalize the metabolism in the body and in particular the joints Juices (those fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt - can cause deterioration |
Physical education
If you have developed arthrosis of the knee, therapeutic exercises should be done daily.Special exercises help to stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further destructive processes in the cartilage.Exercise therapy will also increase mobility in the affected knee and prevent pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in acute cases of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for knee joints by Dr. Evdokimenko
The purpose of this complex of therapeutic exercises is to make the muscles around the joint work without straining it.Gymnastics according to Evdokimenko's method shows very good results in arthrosis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your legs, arms at your sides.Raise your right leg above the floor at a height of 15 cm, tighten the muscles of the buttocks and thighs.Hold this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Put it down.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise a straight leg above the floor 15 cm and hold for 1-3 seconds.Return to the original position (IP).Do 10-12 reps for each leg.
- Bend your knee to 90 degrees.Raise your bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it for 30-40 seconds.Do this movement with each leg 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but hold each leg for 1-3 seconds.Perform 10-12 repetitions on each leg.
- Raise two straight legs above the floor by 10-15 cm. Spread them to the side and bring them back.Without lowering your feet to the floor, perform the movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles should work as much as possible.
- Lie on your side.Bend the lower leg at the knee.Leave the upper straight and raise it above the floor at 45 degrees.Hold for 30-40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit in a chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold it for 30 seconds.Lift each leg 2-4 times.
- Stand up.Lean back on the back of the chair.Stand on your toes.Hold for 30–60 seconds.Return to IP.
- Stand on your toes and hold this position for 1-3 seconds.Return to IP.Repeat the movement 10-12 times.
- Place your right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the toes of your left foot.Gently rise up on your toes with your right leg and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10-12 times.
The physical education of this author is more intense than the previous one.It is possible only at the first signs of gonarthrosis.Before you start practicing on your own, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain while performing movements, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint with completely conservative methods, in severe cases doctors resort to surgical techniques.
One of the most effective is knee replacement, i.e.replacing the friction surfaces of the joint with artificial ones.
The recovery period after endoprosthesis is from 3 to 6 months.
The following surgical interventions are also performed:
- arthroplasty - plastic surgery to restore the normal structure of the joint;
- corrective osteotomies – correction of valgus or varus deformities of the legs, which may occur in advanced forms of arthrosis.
People's funds
Home remedies can serve as a great addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee arthrosis with folk remedies, consult your doctor, as some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not combine with prescribed medications.
Here are some effective, time-tested recipes:
- Beef hooves and knees - support the restoration of cartilage tissue.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar - relieve swelling and pain.The components are mixed in a ratio of 3 to 1. Compresses are made in the evening and applied for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke - helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed Jerusalem artichoke leaves and stems into 2 liters of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Soak gauze in the infusion and apply to the affected joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Do exercises, but don't put too much stress on your knees.Never run on asphalt.Special tracks or dirt roads are suitable for running.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them immediately.In case of bruises and sprains, immediately contact a traumatologist and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat right.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Arthritis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, don't despair.By strictly following all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the range of motion in the joint.
Do not delay the visit to a specialist, because in the later stages the disease can lead to deformation of the legs and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.