Knee pain is a common condition that requires consultation with a doctor.What causes pain?How to help yourself if pain occurs?There is no clear answer, as the knee joint can suffer from different types of pathology for a variety of reasons.One of these causes (and a very common one) is early arthropathy.Today we will give you a detailed introduction to arthritis of the knee joint: its causes, types, symptoms and signs, as well as treatment and prevention methods.
Types and causes of disease
Knee arthropathy, or knee arthrosis, is a primarily non-inflammatory condition that, over time, leads to destruction of joint cartilage, knee deformity, and limited range of motion.There are two main forms of the disease:
- Primary - occurs due to a congenital defect in the joint;
- Secondary – Occurs due to other disease or injury.
The main form begins to develop in childhood or adolescence and is caused by improper formation of joint surfaces or ligamentous devices.When walking, such joints are exposed to loads disproportionate to their capabilities, causing their degenerative changes.
The development of secondary pathology can lead to:
- Injuries: Broken leg bones, bruised and dislocated knees, with damage to the bone and cartilage parts of the joint and its ligaments.In this case, post-traumatic arthropathy of the knee occurs.
- Surgery to remove the menisci, as they cause destruction of the overall structure of the knee and its rapid wear and tear.
- Athletes often experience disproportionately high loads on their legs.
- Excessive obesity can also cause joint disease because it causes excessive pressure on the cartilage of the knee joints due to body weight.
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Long-term arthritis is accompanied by fluid accumulation in the joint cavity, which may be complicated by arthropathy over time.
- Metabolic disorders lead to salt deposition in joint cavities.
- Other factors and diseases can accompany long-term spasm of leg muscles or blood vessels.
- Postpone surgery.
The pathological process can be unilateral or bilateral.Unilateral joints are more likely to occur due to injury (such as the right knee), while bilateral joints are more likely to occur due to obesity.
Characteristic symptoms
Knee osteoarthritis develops gradually, sometimes with initial symptoms lasting months or even years. There are no obvious symptoms (such as severe pain and obvious deformation), but sometimes there is a feeling of discomfort in the knee.
It's most common in overweight women over 40, especially those with varicose veins, which can be an aggravating factor.
The development of knee joint disease goes through several stages:
- The initial phase can last for months or even years.A person may experience periodic knee pain, especially when taking the first step after rising in the morning and when going up and down stairs.
- In the second stage, the pain becomes more intense and occurs with any movement, accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.Fluid may accumulate in the joint space, and early deformation may be noted on examination.The range of motion of the affected knee begins to decrease.
- Stage three is characterized by pain that does not go away even with rest.Often, a change in weather is preceded by an increase in discomfort.At this point, the joint has largely lost function: the leg may have difficulty bending the knee or being unable to fully extend.Changes in gait: Becoming "wobbly" or half-bending the legs.Severe knee deformity: the legs are bent in an O or X shape.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthropathy of the knee develop more rapidly.As a result of the injury, pain and swelling occur in the knee area.This pain always stays with a person and worsens after physical activity.Gradually, the knees feel tight and stiff.Sometimes, with this form of the disease, it only takes a few months to go from the first symptoms to irreversible changes.
Treatment of knee joint disease
The extent of treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesions.But since the disease is chronic, the only thing that can be achieved is a long-term remission (a resting phase in which pathological manifestations are minimal or non-existent).At the same time, if the cause of knee arthritis can be eliminated in the early stages (for example, by losing weight), then an almost complete recovery is possible.
Treatment goals for knee joint disease:
- eliminate pain,
- Repair damaged cartilage and ligamentous apparatus, if possible,
- Increase joint range of motion.
Treatment:
- drug treatment,
- massage and manual therapy,
- surgical intervention,
- Restorative treatment (physiotherapy, physical therapy, etc.).
Only a doctor can choose the right medication; do not under any circumstances prescribe it for yourself.Their main actions are aimed at:
- Eliminate Knee Arthritis Symptoms: Relieve Pain and Inflammation.For this, appropriate medications are prescribed, including hormones that are injected into the joint space.
- Improves blood supply to the affected area.It is provided by medications that relieve vasospasm and relax muscles.
- Restoration of cartilage tissue.To do this, medications that nourish and restore cartilage are needed.
Manual manipulation and massage can reduce pain, relax spastic muscles near the affected knee, help increase range of motion, correct bone position, and increase circulation.
If severe and irreversible damage occurs, the knee joint can be treated with a radical method - prosthesis, which is to implant a metal prosthesis to replace the damaged joint.This is the only way to date to give a chance of full recovery, however, the endoprosthesis has a limited lifespan and must then be replaced.Because the cost of such surgery is very high, this treatment method is not yet widespread.
Rehabilitation treatments include physical therapy, exercise therapy (exercises using special loads and machines), physical therapy and health resort treatments.
The purpose of orthopedic methods is to relieve knee pain - these include canes, orthotics, etc., and to make walking easier (used when necessary).
There are many folk recipes for various ointments and dressings based on herbs, medical bile and thermal bandages made of natural wool.Basically, these methods work to relieve pain and eliminate primary symptoms.
Precautions
Knee prevention involves many factors:
- Balanced diet: The diet should contain enough protein, vitamins and trace elements.
- Fight unhealthy lifestyle and break bad habits.
- Weight normalization.
- Adequate physical activity.
- Prevent injuries while exercising and lifting weights.
When identifying this pathology of the knee joint, the most important thing is not to let the disease worsen, since its advanced stages can lead to disability.However, if you devote all your efforts to treatment and prevention in a timely manner - before time is wasted and symptoms become insignificant - there is a chance of complete remission of the disease.