Signs of knee osteoarthritis: causes, stages, treatment

Signs of knee osteoarthritis are common in older people.Athletes and obese patients are also at risk.

Why does knee osteoarthritis occur?

Arthritis is a deformity of joint cartilage.Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and facilitates the movements of the human body.When they are destroyed, the ability to move gradually decreases, and any load causes pain.Over time, the knee becomes completely immobile and the person may become disabled.

All cartilage thins and wears out with age, so the disease in different stages occurs in 70-85% of people over 60 years old.First of all, these are overweight women.Other common causes of arthritis:

• Intense sports and excessive physical activity contribute to premature wear of cartilage at a young age.
• Injuries, fractures, dislocations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Congenital diseases, lack of fluid in the joints.
• A circulatory disorder in which cartilage receives little oxygen and nutrients.
• Joint disease with inflammation.
• Violation of hormone production and metabolism.

A type of arthritis that affects the knee joint is called gonorrhea, from the ancient Greek word “goni” - knee.

Classification of knee osteoarthritis

In this condition, there are 3 stages, depending on the degree of development of the joint disease.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful and simple the treatment will be.Characteristics of different stages of joint disease:

1. At this stage, bone deformation is not obvious.Deviations can be seen on X-rays, but few people pay attention to small symptoms and go to the doctor.
2. Bone changes and thickness are visible on X-rays with the naked eye.Quality of life is reduced due to constant discomfort.
3. The patient has significant limitations in mobility.Ligaments and cartilage are completely destroyed.

Many older people endure pain until the last moment and get sick because they are familiar with old age diseases and consider these symptoms to be normal.However, in the early stages, you can manage it with conservative methods, but in the final stages, only surgery can help.

Main symptoms

The disease does not begin suddenly but develops over several years.Initially, I only felt slight pain in my knees when carrying heavy objects when going up and down stairs.If arthritis is not treated, over time the pain becomes permanent, the knee joint takes on an unnatural shape and contour, and the leg may bend to the right or left.

In stage 1

Long before arthritis becomes severe, a person may begin to feel some discomfort in their knees after walking.Occasionally, stiff and crunchy movements occur.These symptoms should not be ignored, because if checked promptly, treatment can be initiated and serious consequences can be prevented.

In stage 2

At this stage, the patient feels almost constant pain.It is most pronounced in the morning, subsides after a short walk, but the condition gets worse in the evening.The patient's gait slows down, accompanied by a constant crunching sound.Often, redness and swelling of the skin appear in the knee area, which indicates an inflammatory process.X-rays show marked changes.

Diagnose

Orthopedists examine and determine arthritis of the knee joint.Diagnosis includes laboratory and instrumental research methods.These include:

• Blood and urine tests.Shows hormone levels in the body and the presence of inflammation.
• X-ray.Helps evaluate the type of joint and determine the stage of the disease.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Shows the condition of soft tissues, menisci, and cartilage that cannot be performed with x-rays.
• Joint ultrasound.Like MRI, it shows the condition of the cartilage and surrounding tissues.It is a more subjective method, the results depend on the qualifications of the professional.Therefore, ultrasound should be performed as a complement to magnetic resonance imaging.
• Personal check.Sometimes doctors rely entirely on the results of an X-ray or MRI and do not consider it necessary to re-examine themselves.At the same time, manual examination can point out missed details and identify comorbidities that also require treatment.

If gonorrhea is suspected, it is best to have all the tests done and observed by a doctor in a specialized orthopedic clinic.

How to treat knee osteoarthritis

All treatment methods are selected individually and used in combination.You cannot use ordinary joint ointment as self-treatment because its effect is only temporary and does not eliminate the cause of the disease.It is best to combine medication, physical therapy, proper nutrition and physical therapy.

Hormonal drugs

Steroid drugs have many effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory and pain relief.These medications are given as injections into the joint at the time of exacerbation of the disease to quickly reduce pain and swelling.Disadvantages of the method include side effects, limited frequency of use (preferably no more than once every 2 weeks).In addition, hormone injections do not eliminate the cause of the disease but only reduce symptoms when combined with other methods and cannot be considered a complete treatment method.

Chondroprotectors

This is a group of drugs that act on cartilage tissue, restore and nourish it, and improve the quality of lubricating fluid.

The most effective in treating knee osteoarthritis are preparations with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.These substances are included in some medications.

Attitudes toward chondroprotective drugs among physicians and patients are unclear.Some patients, thanks to advertising, expect quick treatment results but this is not realistic.Not finding them, they are disappointed and begin to consider this group of drugs useless.

In fact, chondroprotective drugs need to be used long-term in combination with other treatments.

These drugs are much more effective at stages 1-2 of the disease, and not when the cartilage tissue has been seriously damaged.

hyaluronic acid

Sodium hyaluronate is a natural moisturizing ingredient produced in the human body.When injected into joints, hyaluronic acid deeply nourishes dry, thin cartilage, restores joint mobility and acts as an effective natural lubricant.The disadvantages of the method include undesirable use during periods of exacerbation, inflammation and high price.At the same time, a well-designed hyaluronic acid treatment can replace surgical intervention, which can be even more costly.

Ointment

Gels and ointments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects cannot affect the cause of the disease, but can significantly relieve the patient's condition.Warming preparations help improve blood circulation, increase nutrition of the diseased area and help with overall treatment.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments are widely used for pain relief, although relatively small amounts of active ingredients can penetrate the skin into the joints.

Diet therapy

Scientists have studied the link between eating certain foods and joint disease for many years.It has been suggested that the increased risk of disease is influenced by the consumption of meat, processed foods and excess salt, but these conjectures have not been confirmed.The only thing that is related to food and joint disease is being overweight.Therefore, the principles of dietary therapy for this diagnosis are based on general rules of healthy eating, as well as reducing and controlling body weight.

Advice for patients with knee arthritis:

• Limit consumption of ready-made foods and fast foods, prioritize homemade dishes from simple products.
• Keep your salt intake to a healthy amount – no more than 1 teaspoon per day.
• Limit sweets, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and flour products.
• The diet should be varied, mainly fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, nuts, eggs (especially protein) and lean meat.
• On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take vitamin complexes and dietary supplements.

If a patient with knee osteoarthritis is overweight, he or she should consult a nutritionist.The specialist will be able to give advice based on the patient's age, lifestyle and other indicators.

Folk remedies for arthritis

In folk medicine, infusions, decoctions, compresses from medicinal herbs and other ingredients are used to treat joints.With your doctor's permission, these medications can supplement primary treatment or be used to prevent gonorrhea at the first signs of discomfort and osteoarthritis.

Some folk recipes:

• Rosin rubbing.Mix the yolk, a teaspoon of turpentine, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.Rub the mixture into the affected area overnight, wrapping it in a wool cloth.Use 1-2 times a week.
• Darling and mumiyo.For 100 g of honey you need to add 3-4 g of mumiyo.Rub on your knees before going to bed.
• Dandelion infusion.To prepare half a liter of wine or vodka, pour it into a dark glass container.Fill it with yellow heads and leave in a cool place for at least a month.Rub the strained product into the painful area before going to bed.

Such formulations help relieve pain and inflammation during complex treatment, but do not replace it.Illiterate self-medication can make your condition worse.

Massage

Manual and hardware massage, manual therapy is perfect for overweight, sedentary people with joint diseases.If there is excess fluid accumulation in the joint, lymphatic drainage is indicated.All types of massage are suitable for physical therapy and are used to relax muscles after exercise.Contraindications to massage are acute inflammatory conditions.

Physical therapy

Many types of procedures using heat, cold, electric current, ultrasound and lasers slow the progression of joint disease, improve blood circulation in the affected area and have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Usually, doctors prescribe:

1. Shock wave therapy.This method involves directing sound waves specifically to the affected joint area.This effect reduces swelling, improves cartilage nutrition and destroys salt deposits.The most effective physical therapy method for treating joint diseases.
2. Muscle stimulation.Electrical pulses reduce muscle spasms and tension and maintain knee joint mobility.
3. Phonology.This therapy combines the local effects of ointments and gels with ultrasound.Therefore, the penetration of beneficial substances into the skin increases.

Less commonly used are cryotherapy, paraffin therapy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other techniques.

Exercise therapy

Common techniques include physical therapy and joint traction.The combination of exercise therapy is prescribed individually by the rehabilitation physician.It may include exercises using weights, medical equipment, and gymnastics to be performed independently.Some exercises need to be done in the morning, while still in bed, others - 3-4 times a day.The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises largely depends on the patient's responsibility and his or her desire for recovery.When done properly, such physical training will help stop the condition from worsening and prevent surgery.

A special orthopedic device is used to provide traction.This method allows you to widen the distance between the joints, reducing their friction and the load on the sore knee.

Surgical treatment

Surgery to treat joint disease is a method that affects the cause of the disease, not just the symptoms.It is used in stages 2-3 of arthritis, when other methods are ineffective.There are several intervention options:

1. Arthroscopy.Modern methods allow the operation to be performed through small incisions using thin instruments under the supervision of a video camera.This type of surgery is easier to tolerate and recovery is quicker.During surgery, the surgeon will remove pieces of destroyed cartilage and tissue fibers.
2. Puncture.Addresses less traumatic interventions.It involves pumping excess fluid out of the joint using a syringe.Allows you to reduce swelling, inflammation and increase mobility.
3. Endoscopy.If in the final stages of osteoarthritis, the joint has been severely damaged, it can be replaced with a type of titanium compatible with the body.This is the most extensive intervention, followed by long-term rehabilitation.They resort to it in the most difficult cases, when there are no other options left.

To avoid surgery, you need to monitor your health and start treating the disease from the beginning.There is no need to suffer for years and relieve knee pain and other signs of arthritis with painkillers.

Preventive measures for knee osteoarthritis

You need to start taking care of your knee health early.The older you get, the more preventative measures you need to take.Athletes and overweight people should pay special attention to the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent knee osteoarthritis, you must:

• Choose the correct sport and load, based on your abilities.
• Use comfortable, high-quality shoes with low heels.
• Swimming helps stretch and relax all muscles and joints evenly.
• Avoid joint injury and complete treatment.
• Avoid gaining too much weight and maintain a normal weight.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, timely treatment of congenital features of joint development, such as various deformities and dislocations, is important.

Knee osteoarthritis can occur not only in the elderly but also in young patients.The disease develops over a long period of time. With the right approach, the disease can be cured and serious health consequences can be avoided.