Knee joint osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system and, unfortunately, the most common cause of loss of mobility, disability and sometimes disability.By article, the cartilage that aligns the articular surface is influenced irreversibly, causing the joint to stop functioning properly and causing pain.
Officially, the disease is called "deforming osteoarthritis".Another name is the gchorage (from the ancient Greek "goni" - knee).Knee joints are the largest joints in the human body and are usually affected by osteoarthritis.Much less often, the disease affects hip and ankle joints.
How does fertility appear?
Normally, the healthy cartilage is elastic and smooth, completely covers the moving areas of the bone and allows them to slip.The cartilage also softens the stress that receives the bones during walking or exercise.
When the cartilage is destroyed (this is how the article is manifested), the upper layer of this elastic tissue becomes thinner.Sometimes the cartilage is removed, tears appear - so the joint loses the main "shock" and "bearings".The bones begin to rub against the other, the joint swells, gradually losing its normal appearance and the pain occurs.
Causes of parenting and risk factors
DeFormans osteoarthritis is more common in older, overweight women, but that does not mean that young and physically active people do not suffer from this pathology.Sometimes the development of the disease is caused by severe physical work or excessive stress in the gym.
It follows far away from the complete list of the causes of the arthritis of the knee joint:
- Sports injuries - injuries, fractures and outbursts.
- Inflammatory processes in joints and simultaneous diseases.
- Metabolic disorders - certain diseases lead to the formation of intra -articular deposits.
- Excessive pressure on the joint, including prolonged attitude or physical work associated with heavy lifting.
- The uneven load on the joints due to the curvature of the legs - Arthritis manifests more faster in overloaded areas.
Much depends on genes - a person may have a hereditary predisposition to arthritis of the knee joints.In such people, the gene that is responsible for the growth and stability of cartilage tissue is disturbed.
There are several factors that increase the risk of fertilization:
- Increased body weight.Due to the increasing load on the joint, the cartilage tissue reaches faster.
- Age over 40 years.Most people of this age have reduced physical activity.Due to natural inactivity, muscle atrophy, weak muscle tissue does not provide joints properly and the risk of cartilage damage is increased.
Articulation
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is not a disease that can occur suddenly.It is well known earlier: everything starts with a slight knee pain when you walk.Pain can be increased if you need to climb or get off stairs.As a rule, the knee hurts at the beginning of the movement, then the pain disappears and returns with a prolonged load on the joint.
If you ignore these symptoms and do not consult a doctor about them, the disease will begin to move on.Then the pain will change from the passage to constant, the knee will begin to harm even more at a calm and swell.As the cartilage worsens, the mobility of the entire joint will be limited.
Some people notice that the knee "reacts" to weather changes.This is really the case - the nerve endings in the joint capsule are sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure.
The following symptoms are characteristics of kneeling:
- knee pain when moving and walking.
- Morning stiffness in knee joint, when the range of movement is minimal.
- knee swelling.
- Dry and rough cases when moving - this sound occurs due to the friction of the articular surfaces.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms will change:
- Pain will even bother you at rest.
- The joint is deformed and loses its functions.
- Due to knee deformation, gait will change.
Degrees
There are 3 stages of developing the articulation of the knee joint.
1st gradeDisease - almost asymptomatic.It begins with the first manifestations of the disease - almost painless, for example, fatigue on the legs - and lasts until the first bone deformations occur.If the knee has changed its shape due to arthritis - that is, due to the accumulation of fluid in the joint, but the intra -articular cartilage has not been damaged, the disease is still in stage 1.
2nd gradeIt is characterized by progressive changes in bone tissue.Externally, the knee may look the same as in Stage 1 - deformed and increased in size.Pain increases: In addition to the incoming pain that occurs during movement, crepe (crunching) is added to the affected knee.The link becomes less mobile, it becomes difficult to end up and walk on uneven surfaces.
3rd degreeThe degree of fertilization is the most painful.At this stage, there is almost no cartilage tissue, and if the disease is severe, the bones can grow together.The joint then becomes completely immobilized and the person must only move with the help of a crutch or stick.Usually at this point, doctors make a verdict on the endoprotex of the damaged joint.
Important: Only one doctor can determine the exact degree of development of the disease.Sometimes, with mild symptoms, the disease severely affects the cartilage membrane - therefore for an accurate diagnosis, additional studies are usually performed:
- Radiography - to determine whether cartilage surfaces are deformed and in what condition the joint is.
- CT or MRI - for more detailed studies.
How is fertility being diagnosed and treated?
The first thing to remember is that early diagnosis and timely treatment will help to stop the disease at first.Therefore, the appearance of first knee joint discomfort is a good reason to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.
Doctors diagnose osteoarthritis based not only on medical history, complaints and the current state of the knee joint.The results of additional studies also play an important role - often prescribed to clarify the parenting stage and the severity of the disease.
To accurately diagnose the articulation of the knee joint, doctors usually prescribe:
- Radiography.If the pathological processes have begun on the knee - for example, deposits of calcium crystals or bone tumors have appeared in the joint capsule - these changes will be visible in the photos.Doctors often prescribe X -ray tests, but without a thorough examination of the knee joint, its mobility and the state of the muscles that support it, the image is incomplete.
- Ultrasound - can be used to estimate the condition of the soft tissues surrounding and aligning the joint.The ultrasound complements the effects of x -rays so that the doctor can see changes not only in bone structures but also in tissues.
- MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging.A magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed for complaints about knee pain if the doctor suspects meniscus, ligaments or tendons.
- Arthroscopy is an invasive examination that examines the common cavity from the interior using a camera.The cameras are inserted through small incisions into the skin.Through these same incisions, doctors can perform small manipulations - for example, remove a piece of destructive cartilage, partly normalizing unevenness in cartilage tissue, etc.
The treatment of articulation is usually performed with medication, first and foremost trying to relieve pain, improve joint mobility and restore the ability to move.Arthritis causes irreversible changes in cartilage tissue - therefore, it is impossible to talk about a complete treatment.But it is possible to stop the progression of the disease - and thus slow down tissue destruction.
This is the standardized treatment for fertility.
- Local treatments - patches, creams, ointments and gels.
- Painkillers?
- Anti -inflammatory drugs, especially non -steroids.Their use is considered the "golden model" of medicine, but such medicines destroy the gastric mucosa.
- Blockers and chondroprotects - drugs whose result only occurs after a long course of use.
- Rare - physiotherapy and sanatorium therapy.
There are recommendations to wear knee orthopedic pillows to support the joint and reduce pain.But all the methods mentioned above are passive effects on the function of the joint.
This treatment relieves only a few symptoms - neutralizes pain, inhibits inflammatory processes, etc. The disease itself continues to progress, gradually destroying the joint.In the final stages of osteoarthritis, a person loses not only the ability to work, but also the ability to move.In such cases, the joint should try - that is, an artificial structure must be inserted into the knee.This surgical intervention does not pass without leaving a trace and imposes its own restrictions - and therefore reduces the quality of life.
The methods of active effect on the joint have a completely different effect when, using the body pores, the tone of the muscles that provide the joint with blood and nutrients are restored.This treatment is more effective if performed under the supervision of specialized and experienced doctors.
Parent treatment with kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy, that is, movement, activates body powers.Properly selected load allows you to work effectively with the necessary muscles and, by enhancing the muscle corset, to improve the condition of the joints and cartilage.
Kinesithing therapy begins with a thorough examination and, necessarily, musculoskeletal tests.A Chinese concentrate examines the condition of a painful knee, analyzes the condition of muscle tissue, tendons and joints.Taking into account the data from ultrasound, CT, MRI and x -ray, the degree of parent is determined and a program of therapeutic exercises is developed.
The classes are carried out in a multifunctional simulator - a privately owned simulator with a special plan.Exercises are performed in such a way as to avoid excessive pressure on the joint and only work on those muscles that need to be strengthened and developed.In the early stages, patients have been prescribed soil gym - it consists of exercises on a weight -free mat.
The therapeutic effect of Kinesitherapy is ensured by restoring blood microcirculation and improved lymphatic drainage.The cartilage receives more nutrition, the growth of the articulation slows in a complete attitude and the articular articular industrial is completely restored.
Such a serious disease, such as knee joints, cannot be ignored.The best way to prevent it is to drive a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet, physical activity.But if joint problems have already begun, you should not expect serious warning signs - in the first symptoms you should seek help from specialized doctors.