From this article you will learn everything about osteoarthritis of the knee joint: what it is, for what reasons it occurs, what its manifestations are at different stages.How to treat it, how to prevent the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative joint pathology in which cartilage is destroyed, muscles and ligaments are damaged, and bones are deformed.
The disease mainly occurs after the age of 40 (12 to 16% of people at this age are affected).Women get sick twice as often as men.Athletes and people doing heavy physical labor 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 total immobility of the joint.Without treatment, the disease causes disability.
Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is possible only at the early stages of the development of the process (1 and 2), it allows you to slow down and stop the development of the pathology.
As the disease progresses, treatment is only surgical.You can completely (100%) get rid of the pathology only with endoprostheses - knee replacement.
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist and other doctors.According to indications, a consultation with a rheumatologist is planned.A sports doctor can also identify symptoms of the disease.
Causes of the disease and types
Depending on the factor that provokes the disease, there are 2 types of knee osteoarthritis:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of osteoarthritis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The first stages are diagnosed after the age of 40, and over the age of 70, knee osteoarthritis is detected in 60% of people.Often, 2 joints are affected at the same time.
Primary osteoarthritis is caused by 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 of any age and affect both 2 joints and 1.
The reasons are:
- Strong stress on the legs.
- Ligament injuries, knee menisci, intra-articular fractures.
- Diseases in which metabolic processes are disrupted (parathyroid gland disorders, diabetes, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, gout, mucopolysaccharidosis and other diseases).
- Connective tissue diseases.
- Inflammatory pathologies (infectious and non-infectious synovitis and arthritis), hemophilia (rare hereditary disease associated with blood clotting disorders).
Next, we will consider in more detail what it is - osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its degree, the changes that 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 causes friction between the bones that fit together in the knee joint.
Erosion of bone tissue is formed as a protective reaction of the body - the formation of growths begins on it.All these factors lead to deformation of the knee joint and its limited mobility.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Scene | Clinical signs | Processes occurring in the joint |
|---|---|---|
1 |
May be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, climbing stairs, after prolonged exercise and hypothermia Stiff knees in the morning Synovitis may develop - an accumulation of fluid in the joint, which must be removed by puncture (puncture of a cavity with fluid and its collection) |
The surface of the cartilage becomes rough and dry Cracks and ulcerations form on it |
| 2 |
The pain appears even following slight effort and becomes more pronounced with active walking. The leg does not bend completely, the joint periodically cracks The knee expands visually The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to increased loads on the joint, it appears to become flat Osteophyte formation - bone growth begins Synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Cartilage destructive processes accelerate |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and haunts the patient even at rest. 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 legs (X-shaped leg position) or varus deformity (O-shaped leg position) may occur. |
There is almost no cartilaginous tissue The bones are deformed and “pressed” against each other, resulting in limited mobility of the joint. |
Acute form
Acute osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a period when the disease progresses more rapidly and is more clinically pronounced.
Exacerbation may result from:
- too much stress on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- non-compliance with prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if bypassing the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnosis
If you notice stiffness in your joint that appears in the morning or after sitting for a long time, as well as pain when going down stairs or squatting, this may be a sign of stage 1 knee osteoarthritis.
To make a precise diagnosis, come and make an appointment with a general practitioner, who will refer you to an orthopedist or another doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, the doctor will carry out an initial examination and palpation of the joint, and will also refer to:
- x-ray - will help assess the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine whether there is a concomitant inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
With osteoarthritis of the knee, its symptoms and treatment are interrelated, since many therapeutic measures are aimed specifically at eliminating worrying signs and improving a person's quality of life.
Taking medications, diet and exercise therapy:
- slow down other destructive processes in cartilage;
- prevent the disease from progressing 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 pathology.
Diet
The goal of the diet is to slow the 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 excessive weight gain |
| Jellied meat made from bone broth, gelatin - contains chondroitin and collagen, which contribute to the formation of new cartilage tissue |
White cabbage, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - “building blocks” of cartilage tissue. However, some studies refute their harm in osteoarthritis |
| 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 – removes calcium from the body, which is beneficial for bones and joints. |
| Apples, broccoli, beans, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds - the healthiest plant foods Rich in joint-beneficial ingredients |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5 to 2 liters per day) – helps normalize the metabolism of the body and joints in particular Juice (the fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt – may cause aggravation |
Physical education
If you suffer from knee osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercises should be performed daily.Special exercises help stimulate blood circulation in the joint, which will prevent further cartilage-destructive processes.Exercise therapy will also increase mobility of 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 goal of this set of therapeutic exercises is to work the muscles surrounding the joint without loading it.Gymnastics according to the Evdokimenko method gives very good results in osteoarthritis of the knee.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs, arms alongside your body.Raise your right leg above the floor to a height of 15 cm, contract the muscles of your buttocks and thighs.Hold this leg position for 30 to 40 seconds.Put it down.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise your right leg 6 inches above the floor and hold for 1 to 3 seconds.Return to initial position (IP).Do 10 to 12 repetitions for each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise your bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it for 30 to 40 seconds.Do this movement with each leg 1 time.Then repeat the same exercise, but hold each leg for 1 to 3 seconds.Perform 10 to 12 repetitions on each leg.
- Raise two straight legs above the floor 10 to 15 cm.Spread them to the sides and bring them back.Without lowering your feet to the ground, perform the movements 8 times.In this case, the thigh muscles must work to the maximum.
- Lie on your side.Bend your lower leg at the knee.Leave the top one straight and raise it above the ground 45 degrees.Hold it like this for 30 to 40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit on a chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible at the knee.Hold it for 30 seconds.Raise each leg 2 to 4 times.
- Get up.Lean against the back of the chair.Stand on tiptoes.Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.Back to IP.
- Stand on your tiptoes and hold this position for 1 to 3 seconds.Back to IP.Repeat the movement 10 to 12 times.
- Place your right foot completely on the floor.Stand on the tip of your left foot.Gently step onto your toes with your right foot and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10 to 12 times.
This author's physical education is more intense than the previous one.This is only possible at the first signs of knee osteoarthritis.Before you start practicing on your own, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you feel severe pain when performing movements, stop immediately.
Surgical methods
Since it is impossible to cure knee osteoarthritis with completely conservative methods, in severe cases, doctors resort to surgical techniques.
One of the most effective is knee arthroplasty, that is, the replacement of the rubbing surfaces of the joint with artificial surfaces.
The recovery period after endoprosthesis is 3 to 6 months.
The following surgical procedures 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 that could occur with advanced forms of osteoarthritis.
Folk remedies
Home remedies can be a wonderful addition to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee osteoarthritis with folk remedies, consult your doctor, as some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not be combined with the medications prescribed to you.
Here are some effective and proven recipes:
- Bovine hooves and knees – help restore cartilaginous tissue.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar – relieve swelling and pain.Mix the components in a ratio of 3 to 1. In the evening, make compresses and apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke – helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of crushed Jerusalem artichoke leaves and stems into 2 liters of boiling water.Let cool to room temperature.Dip a gauze dressing in the infusion and apply it to the painful joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Exercise, but don't put too much pressure on your knees.Never drive on asphalt.Special tracks or dirt roads are suitable for running.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them promptly.In case of bruises and sprains, immediately contact a traumatologist and follow all his recommendations.
- Eat well.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Osteoarthritis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, don't despair.Provided you carefully follow all the doctor's recommendations, you will be able to avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the range of motion of the joint.
Do not delay a visit to a specialist, because in later stages the disease can lead to leg deformities and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.