From this article you will learn everything about arthrosis of the knee joint: what it is, for what reasons it occurs, what are the manifestations in different stages.How to treat it, how to prevent the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative joint disease in which cartilage is destroyed, muscles and ligaments are damaged, and bones are deformed.
The disease occurs mainly 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 labor are susceptible to the disease.
Gonarthrosis develops gradually and is accompanied by pain in the joint:
- 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 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%) eliminate the pathology only with endoprosthesis - knee replacement.
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 planned.A sports doctor can also identify symptoms of the disease.
Causes of the disease and types
Depending on the factor that causes the disease, there are 2 types of knee osteoarthritis:
Primary (idiopathic)
This type of osteoarthritis affects middle-aged and elderly people.The initial stages are diagnosed after 40 years, and over 70 years 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 of any age and affect both 2 joints and 1 at the same time.
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 disorders (synovitis and infectious and non-infectious arthritis), hemophilia (a rare hereditary disease associated with blood clotting disorders).
Next, we will look 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 a lack of nutrients.This causes friction between the bones that articulate in the knee joint.
Erosion on 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 arthrosis of the knee joint in 3 stages:
| Stage | Clinical signs | Processes occurring in the joint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It can be asymptomatic Possible pain in the knees in the morning, when squatting, when climbing stairs, after long exercise and hypothermia Stiffness in the knees in the morning Synovitis may develop: 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 after light exertion and becomes more pronounced with active walking. The leg does not bend completely, the joint periodically creaks The knee visually expands The risk of synovitis increases even more |
In response to increased loads on the joint, it appears to become flat Osteophyte formation begins - bone growth Synovial fluid becomes thicker and less nutritious Destructive processes in the cartilage accelerate |
| 3 |
The pain becomes chronic and haunts the patient even at rest. Both full flexion and full extension of the knee are impossible Increases joint volume 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 appear. |
There is almost no cartilaginous tissue The bones are deformed and “pressed” into each other, which leads to limited mobility of the joint |
Acute form
Acute arthrosis of the knee joint is a time when the disease progresses more rapidly and is clinically more pronounced.
Exacerbation may result from:
- too much stress on the joint;
- hypothermia;
- failure to comply with the prescribed diet;
- injury.
Sometimes gonarthrosis begins acutely, as if bypassing the first stage.This is possible due to a knee injury.
Diagnostics
If you notice joint stiffness in the morning or after sitting for a long time, as well as pain when going down stairs or squatting, it may be a sign of stage 1 gonarthrosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, go to an appointment with a primary care doctor, who will refer you to an orthopedist or other doctor.
Before treating osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, your doctor will carry out an initial examination and palpation of the joint and will also refer to:
- x-ray: will help evaluate the condition of the joint;
- Ultrasound will allow you to determine whether there is a concomitant inflammatory process.
Treatment methods
With arthrosis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment are interconnected, since many therapeutic measures are specifically aimed at eliminating signs of disturbance and improving the quality of a person's life.
Taking medications, diet and physical therapy:
- slow down further destructive processes in the 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 the pathology.
Diet
The goal of following a diet is to slow 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 fish, is rich in Omega-3 |
Flour, sweets, mayonnaise, fast food: foods that contribute to excess 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, eggplants, according to some versions, contain substances that destroy collagen and chondroitin - "building blocks" for 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, courgettes, parsley, dill, cucumbers, carrots, celery, spinach, cereals, currants, grapefruit, pomegranate, papaya, almonds: the healthiest plant-based foods Rich in ingredients beneficial for joints |
Alcohol disrupts normal nutrition and metabolic processes in the joints |
| Water (1.5–2 liters per day) – helps normalize metabolism in the body and especially in the joints Juices (fruits and vegetables listed above) |
Salt: can lead to worsening |
Physical education
If you have developed knee osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercises should be performed daily.Special exercises help stimulate blood circulation in the joint, preventing further destructive processes in the cartilage.Physical therapy will also increase range of motion in the affected knee and prevent pain.However, any gymnastics is contraindicated in acute cases of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics for the knee joints by Dr. Evdokimenko
The goal of this complex of therapeutic exercises is to work the muscles surrounding the joint without loading it.Gymnastics with the Evdokimenko method shows excellent results for arthrosis of the knee joint.
Exercises:
- Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs, arms at your sides.Raise your straight leg off the floor to a height of 15 cm, tighten your buttocks and thigh muscles.Maintain this leg position for 30-40 seconds.Put it down.Repeat the movement with each leg 1 time.
- Raise your straight leg off the floor 15cm and hold for 1-3 seconds.Return to the original location (IP).Perform 10-12 repetitions for each leg.
- Bend your knee 90 degrees.Raise the bent leg to a height of 10 cm from the floor and hold it for 30-40 seconds.Perform 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 off the floor 10–15 cm.Distribute 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 should work as much as possible.
- Lie on your side.Bend your lower leg at the knee.Leave the top one straight and lift it off the floor 45 degrees.Hold it like this for 30-40 seconds.Perform the exercise 1 time on each leg.
- Sit on a chair.Raise your leg as straight as possible to knee height.Hold it for 30 seconds.Raise each leg 2-4 times.
- Standing.Lean back in the chair.Stand on your tiptoes.Hold the position for 30-60 seconds.Return to IP.
- Stand on tiptoe 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 tip of your left foot.Gently rise onto the balls of your feet with your right foot and lower your left heel to the floor.Roll like this 10-12 times.
This author's physical education 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 the 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, that is, replacing the rubbing surfaces of the joint with artificial ones.
The recovery period after endoprosthesis is from 3 to 6 months.
The following surgeries 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 may occur with advanced arthritis.
Folk remedies
Homemade remedies can serve as a wonderful complement to traditional therapy.
However, before treating knee osteoarthritis with folk remedies, consult your doctor, because some natural ingredients may have contraindications or may not be combined with the medications you have been prescribed.
Here are some effective and time-tested recipes:
- Beef hooves and knees: Help restore cartilage tissue.Boil them for several hours.Drink 100 ml of broth before each meal.
- Honey, apple cider vinegar: Relieves swelling and pain.Mix the components in a 3 to 1 ratio. In the evening, make compresses and apply for 30 minutes.
- Jerusalem artichoke: helps relieve pain.Pour 350 g of chopped Jerusalem artichoke leaves and stems into 2 liters of boiling water.Cool to room temperature.Dip a gauze bandage in the infusion and apply it to the painful joint.
Prevention
Preventive measures are very simple:
- Do physical activity, but don't put too much stress on your knees.Never run on asphalt.Special tracks or dirt roads are suitable for racing.
- Avoid knee injuries or treat them promptly.In case of bruises and sprains, contact a traumatologist immediately and follow all his advice.
- Eat well.
- Give up bad habits.
Forecast
Osteoarthritis is a disease that cannot be completely cured by conservative methods.
However, do not despair.If you strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can avoid complications, relieve pain and improve the mobility of the joint.
Do not delay the visit to a specialist, since in the later stages the disease can lead to leg deformities and disability.Modern medicine treats them surgically.