The osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a serious dystrophic disease of the bone joints, which is associated with damage to the tissue of the cartilage covering the entire surface of the joints.
Such destruction of the cartilage fabric is caused by violations of the blood circulation of small bone vessels.The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is generally made by people over the age of 50, and most of them are women.At the same time, the cracks in the articular cartilage, it becomes thinner and loses its amortization properties and its fiberity, which does not soften the periodic blows of the body and the joint of the knee.
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms
The main symptom of knee osteoarthritis is intense pain in the knee area, whose nature and intensity change over time.As a rule, pain simply becomes unbearable during movement, in a rest position, they can intensify or withdraw.The patient can have deformations and severe edema in the area of the affected joint, and there is also a characteristic crunch by walking.In addition, the patient has an inflammatory reaction in the synovial joint membrane, which causes swelling of cartilage and an increase in the cartilage of volumes.The pathology of this disease is a decrease in the mobility of the joint, a limitation of mobility and the appearance of a feeling of stiffness of the joints.
It should be noted that the arthritis of the joints can affect the most different areas of the patient's body, but the most common are species such as osteoarthritis of the knee joint, lumbosacus osteoarthritis disease and cervical spaces, as well as osteoarthritis of the humeruste, complex osteoarthritis of the articulation and brushes of the ankle, as well asosteoarthritis of hip joint.Each form of osteoarthritis is associated with the deformation of the bone tissue, it can therefore be called distorting osteoarthritis of the knee joint or a split control.In general, the name distorting osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis is considered to be synonymous by international classification.It should be noted that the deformation of osteoarthritis of the hip joint can cause very serious disorders in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.Therefore, the early diagnosis of this disease helps preserve the patient's physical capacity.With osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the notable deformation of the leg occurs, its curvature, the deviation of the axis of the leg of the straight line, which always leads to the impossibility of working the joint and difficulties in its work.
Knee's distorting osteoarthritis
Osteoarthrosis or distorting osteoarthritis of one or two knee joints is a dystrophic degenerative disease.As a rule, the main development factor of this disease is the constant load on knee joints.In addition, women suffer from this disease twice more often than men.In general, osteoarthritis of the knee joint progresses very slowly and its frequent symptoms are pronounced pain.At the start of the disease, the pain only appears after prolonged the walk, during lifting, the weight authorization or when the stairs are descended.The increase in pain in wet and cold weather is also characteristic.In the future, pain only intensifies and acquires a constant character.In the inner shell of the joint, a reactive and wandering inflammatory process develops and a sudden exacerbation of pain can also occur.Consequently, the knee joint increases in size and swelling.In addition, the process adapts, then resumes again in unfavorable conditions.
The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint includes the restriction of physical effort on the joint, however, it is necessary to carry out physiotherapy exercises, as the movements of the joint make it possible to maintain joint mobility and to improve the nutrition of its elements.All exercises are selected using the treatment of physiotherapy exercises or an exercise therapy doctor.Such exercises are performed every day.The only condition for the exercises is the unloading of the knee joint, that is to say that all the exercises are carried out in a sitting and lying position.It is always very useful to swim and perform exercises in the pool.Despite which articulation is surprised, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed in the two joints.Patients are recommended by massage in the knee joint area, lower legs and hip muscles.This allows you to improve the blood circulation of the joint, and also helps support leg muscles in excellent condition.
To eliminate pain syndrome, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.Different analgesic and irritating ointments are also prescribed.To improve blood supply, Venotonia and vasocoregulant drugs are prescribed.For a long time, the patient is prescribed by drugs that improve the state of joint cartilage - they are chondroprotectors.When conservative therapy methods become ineffective, they use surgical treatment.If the main function of the joint has been preserved and there are no contractures, then a small surgery is possible, that is to say arthroscopy using endoscopic technology.During the operation, the joint is washed, then all the destroyed fragments of the cartilage are removed, the osteophytes are removed.Such an operation is palliative, however, with a slight trauma, it allows you to improve the articulation for 2-3 years.And if there is a great defeat from the outside or inside the joint, a slight curvature of the lower leg, then the doctor can prescribe an underlying underlying osteotomy and valued for the tibia with serious lesions of the inner part of the knee joint.
The causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The main causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are associated with increased physical activity of people of average age, due to which there is a violation of blood supply and the nutrition of the cartilage joints, which leads to the functional failure of the joints.The osteoarthritis of the knee joints is developing as a result of factors such as the lack of collagen of the second type, joint injuries of various types of origin, acquired joint diseases, a genetic factor, that is to say a predisposition to a congenital bone and joint disease.The cause of this disease can be overweight, which always causes increased load on the joints, the general overload of the leg joints, as well as the violations of metabolism.For the joints to work successfully and osteoarthritis does not cause drawbacks during work activity, you must take care of your health, prevent diseases and protect your joints.To obtain good treatment results, it is necessary to obtain a precise diagnosis, which is obtained using several methods of examining the disease.
The degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
During clinical radiological research, several stages of osteoarthritis can be identified.For example, osteoarthritis of the 1st degree is characterized by a small narrowing of the gap in the articulation itself, a restriction in the movement and the score of the edges of the surface of the joint.If the patient has a second degree, he then has significant traffic restrictions, as well as a strong crisis in the articulation.And during the exam, the doctor discovers osteophytes, narrowing in the joint deviation and a cyst.When the patient has a 3rd degree of osteoarthritis, he has a complete restriction in motion, as well as the deformation of the joints and seals, osteophytes, epiphysis and subchondral cysts appear on their surface.
In an arthroscopic examination, the doctor reveals: with the first degree osteoarthritis, the patient is felt the softening of the cartilage, in the second stage, small tears and cracks are observed on the surface of the joint, with the third degree of disease, the patient reveals characteristic changes in the tissue of the cartilage in the thickness, but there is no possibility of considering the bone tissue.At the fourth stage of osteoarthritis, the surface of the joint is all filled with areas where there is no cartilage.And to unload the sick joint, great physical effort must be avoided and motor activity must be reduced.And with the help of special orthotics, rods, crutches, you can considerably reduce the effect on the painful joint.
Knee osteoarthritis treatment
In the treatment of osteoarthritis, tablets and ointments are prescribed which relieve pain and also counteract inflammatory processes, prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures which slow down the process of destruction of the joints.In more serious cases, joint endoprosthetics are prescribed, after which conservative treatment and rehabilitation will be necessary.A diet is also necessary for patients who suffer from excess body weight, as well as disorders of metabolic processes.In addition, food nutrition should be rich in micro-elements and nutrients, which will be sufficient for the process of creating new tissues and new cells on the patient's body.Only a dietetic doctor selects a diet that will take into account the patient's state of health.It is very important to know that restriction and overeating in food harm the joints.In treatment, you can use special orthotics, crutches and canes that will unload the patient from additional physical activity.
The treatment complex includes gymnastics for knee joint, which occupies a very important place.Gymnastics is prescribed to the patient in order to prevent their contractures, improve blood circulation, as well as increase muscle tone.Therefore, it is necessary to make morning gymnastics, which will prepare the painful joint for home loads.To strengthen all steps in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint, the doctor recommends treatment to the SPA.
It should be noted that knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases found in many former athletes.This is due to the fact that in his youth, these people have subjected to enormous stress, injuries, a microtraumator of the joints, to ruptures of ligaments and to several bruises.And as muscle mass can repair joints, the very first symptoms of osteoarthritis become invisible.However, the departure of the sport begins to cause the weakening of the muscle frame of the athlete, so that the microtraumas become painful and the joints begin to be spaced.The complex exercises that must be obtained in the physiotherapy room, as well as strictly carry out these exercises 3 to 4 times a day, are also very useful.Of course, these exercises should be taken seriously, especially while rising from a lie of lie.And after a hard day, the patient is recommended for rest and peace, for 30 to 40 minutes.
Even the treatment of knee osteoarthritis includes general recommendations such as wearing shoes only on a high practice, the patient should lead a mobile lifestyle, and he should not bend his feet on each other when seated.It is advisable to unload the joints of the legs after the end of the work day, it can be "bicycle" exercises, thanks to which the legs are paraded in the air, which perfectly relieves the static tension which appeared in the joints.In addition, aquaérobie is very useful, which is an excellent remedy to eliminate fatigue in the legs, which has accumulated all day, and it also increases mood and becomes a good way to lose weight.In addition, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be supplemented by special warming compresses which contain alcohol, you can use hot baths with the addition of coniferous oils in the absence of allergies.These procedures should only be performed in the evening or before bedtime.In addition, other treatment methods, for example, treatment with popular methods that depend completely on the patient himself, become effective.However, before using folk treatment methods in the treatment of osteoarthritis, it is necessary to consult the attending physician and follow all his recommendations and advice.
At the most advanced stages of osteoarthritis in the knee joint, surgical treatment methods are authorized, as a conservative treatment in this situation will no longer provide results.When the patient has constant spasms of pain and serious restrictions in the movement, the doctor's testimony becomes surgery.In most cases, these symptoms are already diagnosed with 2-3 stages of the disease.Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis includes cork osteotomy, that is to say that it is a correction of joint deformations, as well as improving the functionality of the joint.A similar operation is only carried out if it is possible to save the joint, in this case, the expected effect will become positive and can remain for ten years.In more advanced situations in the last stages, the endoprosthetics of the affected joint are prescribed, that is to say that the joint is replaced.This is the most appropriate solution to replace the articulation already very affected by a special implant.This method of treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint can have a second name - "Golden Standard".
When the signs of osteoarthritis of the knee joints have not yet been felt and are very bad and rare, this does not become the reason for the doctor's visit to an orthopedic traumatologist, therefore, the forces of the person can prevent such a joint disease.First of all is good nutrition, moderate physical activity, maintaining the normal exchange process and the whole body index, as well as special exercises that can support the musculoskeletal system in good working order.However, if there are suddenly suspicions of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, you should immediately ask for professional help in medicine, as well as the necessary treatment, which is generally complex.
Popular treatment for knee joint osteoarthritis
There are many folk methods to process osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which differ in their effectiveness and contribute only to the initial stages of the disease.
A compress with horseradish, helping from joint pain
For many years, many people cannot cure osteoarthritis, they therefore use all the available methods and one of them, it is a compress with horseradish, thanks to which you can cure distorting osteoarthritis, relieve inflammation and reduce acute pain.
To prepare this compress, you need to dig or buy a root of fresh horseradish, then grind it on a very thin grater.All the content obtained must be lowered in the water and left to steam over low heat, but the water should not reach boiling.After 15 minutes, cool the broth and the resulting composition must be placed on canvas fabric, but first this fabric must be wet in the resulting decoction.The healed fabric should be placed in an affected area.It is advisable to fill up on the roots of the horseradish for the winter and to use it if necessary.
Compress the treatment of osteoarthritis
Many elderly people suffer from osteoarthritis pain and use all available treatment methods.One of them is special compresses which give good results and differ significantly in force from drug treatment.To prepare the compress, 5% medical iodine, 10% ammonia, glycerin, bile medical floral honey is necessary.All these components must be taken in equal and well -mixed proportions.Then they should prepare for 10 days in a dark place.Before use, the mixture must be shaken and compressed with it.Previously, the mixture should be heated in a double boiler, then moisten a towel and put it on a sore joint at night.Above the joint, you must put cellophane, then cover with wool with a cloth.Such treatment should be carried out every day until the pain disappears.