When you move, do you feel the sharp pain forming in the knee joint? Do you see the same signs if you bend or straighten your leg? Doctors diagnose a disease such as osteoarthritis. At the same time, it is impossible to delay the treatment of the disease.
Take note that the earlier you start taking effective measures, the faster you will cope with the disease and the outcome of the disease will not be as dramatic. It is impossible to start the disease itself, because with it the intra-articular cartilage wears out.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is also called gonarthrosis. In terms of the incidence of the disease, it occupies a leading position. Statistics have shown that there are more patients with this diagnosis in clinics than people with other serious illnesses. As for the treatment, it takes an impressive amount of time. An integrated approach and drug use are important here.
The disease is characterized by calcification in the soft tissues and ligaments, as well as in the places where the tendons are attached. Salt deposits are limited. The process is characterized by an imbalance in optimal blood circulation in the bone vessels, which causes changes in the cartilage tissues.
Causes of occurrence
Pathological microtraumas that form on the cartilage. The main causes of the onset of the disease include excessive mechanical stress on the surface of the cartilage.
In other words, osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops rapidly in those who are subject to frequent physical exertion and overload of the joints. Osteoarthritis can develop in those who often squat. The magnitude of the load increases rapidly if a person is overweight.
The main causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint should be highlighted:
- Chronic defects. Dysplasia affects the formation of chronic cartilage microtrauma. This factor leads to an imbalance in the correct load on the joints. Keep in mind that the risk of developing a terrible disease increases in people with defects in the musculoskeletal system.
- Obesity. This factor is the main reason for the development of arthrosis. It has been clinically proven that overweight people are more likely to get sick. So, every 6 kg. weight increases the chance of developing osteoarthritis by 45%.
- Genetic predisposition. Osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints has been shown to occur much more often in women than in men. This indicator is explained by autosomal dominant inheritance.
- Inflammation. The fact is that infectious and chronic arthritis provokes the formation of arthrosis. The emergence of immunoglobulins indicates the role of similar factors in the development of arthrosis.
- Neurogenic disorders. Violations provoke a decrease in the tone of the muscles located near the joint. Thus, the load on the joints only increases.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis include sharp pains that are observed in the knee joint. They appear during exertion and then disappear again, provided the patient is at rest.
With nodular arthrosis, dense formations the size of a pea appear. In addition, seals in the form of cysts, viscous liquids may appear near the nail bed.
If the knee joints are affected during the development of the disease, the pain increases with prolonged walking or climbing stairs. The main symptom of osteoarthritis is crunching when moving. With hip osteoarthritis, pathologies associated with the development of the hip joint are observed.
Signs of disease:
- knee pain that does not go away for a long time
- if you undergo an X-ray examination, osteophytes are detected.
- during the analysis of synovial fluid, it is confirmed that the composition is indeed characteristic of the disease.
- The disease is characterized by the fact that the joint space is restricted.
- joint stiffness in the morning
- changes in soft tissue, osteoporosis and calcification of cartilage.
Optional signs: These are subluxations or dislocations, as well as various erosions and cysts. In total, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is divided into three stages of development, which we will consider below.
1 degree
Recognizing the first degree is rather problematic. An interesting fact is that a person also moves as usual for him, however, sometimes the disease can manifest itself in the form of pain and stiffness.
But these signs are often attributed to a change in the weather or an awkward position. And even if you go through the study by means of an x-ray, the imperfection cannot be immediately noticed. Here you will need qualified help, as well as palpation and a comprehensive examination, which will help detect an uneven surface in the affected joint area.
People with disabilities turn to traditional medicine as first aid. And this is a competent approach to solving the problem, because at the initial stage the disease is difficult to treat.
2nd degree
In the event that, having noticed the first signs of the disease, you have not intervened, then it tends to enter the second. In this case, osteoarthritis is chronic and the cartilage begins to deteriorate rapidly.
These signs are especially noticeable with increased physical exertion. However, there is no point in giving preference to traditional medicine. However, it can be used as an effective adjunct to conventional treatments.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint and its symptoms begin to manifest itself more and more: unreasonable fatigue appears, the joints of the legs begin to "ache", and after a while crunches occur. If the disease is not treated, it leads to joint deformation.
3rd degree
It also happens that, observing the obvious changes, the patient continues not to act, while the mechanisms that work against him begin to actively activate. Meanwhile, inaction causes irreparable consequences.
It is also noteworthy that severe pain occurs in the joint. This factor does not depend on whether you are in action or at rest. There are also cases where the joints do not allow a person to move.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Therapy for osteoarthritis is a very long process and will mainly depend on the degree to which the disease is found.
Basically, the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is based on the following stages:
- Anesthetizes the affected joint. As a rule, the doctor prescribes painkillers - analgesics.
- Inflammation should be eliminated. In the event that inflammation is indicated on the affected area, as well as swelling, this defect should be immediately eliminated. In this case, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue. This is considered the most important factor in the treatment. In the event that it cannot be reconstructed, it is imperative to stop the degenerative course. You should not expect immediate action from drugs, but they must be taken based on individual characteristics.
If the joint is affected by the absence of symptoms, then the patient will be prescribed effective ointments with a warming effect in this case. Their main purpose is to increase blood circulation to the affected area.
These include warming ointments which have no side effects. The treatment is accompanied by a pleasant sensation of warmth.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
It is divided into secondary and primary.
The first focuses on weight control and injury prevention. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis can be reduced by wearing the right footwear and doing regular exercises that work to strengthen muscles and support joints.
Secondary prevention involves the consumption of healthy foods and red meat and foods of animal origin are best replaced with lean fish and poultry. Try eating lots of fruits and vegetables and, as a preventative measure, capsules containing fish oil. Drink at least 8-9 glasses of water.
Focus on minerals and vitamins that promote optimal bone function. Also recognized as your allies are antioxidants, which actively fight cartilage-destroying free radicals. Osteoarthritis is a disease that does not tolerate amateurs, so it is necessary to seek the help of an experienced doctor.