Doctors often hear complaints from patients about leg pain. They arise not only during sports, but also during periods of complete rest. In most cases, it can be simple fatigue, but sometimes such signs are the first “bells” of a terrible and dangerous disease, known to us as arthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint. Treatment should be competent and professional in order to avoid serious complications and irreversible consequences.
Disease characteristic
Knee arthrosis, called gonarthrosis in medical circles, occupies a leading position among all the lesions and pathologies of this part of the limb known to science. It implies the presence of dystrophic and degenerative deformities in a patient arising against the background of constant physical load on the leg. Most interestingly, women suffer from arthrosis much more often than men. The disease is usually diagnosed in patients after 45 years.
For many centuries, experienced doctors have been studying the disease in detail: its features, symptoms, new methods of therapy. One of the researchers is a doctor and professor Sergei Bubnovsky. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, according to him, is successfully eliminated with the help of special physiotherapy exercises. Like his colleagues, he associates the disease with the deposition of salts in the ligamentous apparatus, especially in its soft tissues, as well as in the joints of tendons. Osteoarthritis is characterized by slow developmental progress, starting with minor disturbances in the blood supply system.
Symptoms
In the main risk group, in addition to representatives of the weak half of humanity, who are in adulthood, there are also professional athletes, workers who spend a lot of time on their feet or who are engaged in heavy physical labor. At first, their healthy joints begin to ache unpleasantly. These minor pains are observed during vigorous activity, for example, when a person climbs a ladder. In addition, the leg during bending begins to emit a barely audible crunch, which, if untreated, becomes loud and audible to others.
Among the main symptoms of arthrosis there is also an ache in the limb, which is clearly manifested during hypothermia. Then a swelling appears, which may also indicate arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is characterized in that edema on the leg appears exclusively during sharp exacerbations. He is always accompanied by a pulling pain that causes discomfort. Late stages are characterized by difficulties with limb flexion, gait changes, instability during standing and joint deformation.
Primary arthrosis
This is one of the varieties of the disease. If the patient is diagnosed with arthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint, treatment is prescribed depending on the causes of the progression of the disease. In the primary form of the disease, it can be hereditary disorders: congenital pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, for example, flat feet, dysplasia or increased knee flexibility. Various deformations of a genetic nature also lead to the development of the disease: they occur in the cartilage tissue even during the laying of organs and the formation of the main embryo systems in the womb.
Primary arthrosis is a consequence of the degeneration of the cartilage of the knee without any other abnormalities in the body. It can also be a “product” of disruption of recovery processes. The exact cause of arthrosis is difficult to establish, especially when it comes to elderly patients who have a blurred and unclear line between the primary and secondary types of the disease.
Causes of the secondary form of the disease
Other factors also cause this disease. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the secondary form is often the result of external influences. For example, mechanical damage can result in it: fractures or injuries, after which the whole organ system is disturbed. Regular microtrauma in professional athletes is another cause of the disease. It is often diagnosed against the background of constant physical exertion, dynamic or static movements. By the way, obesity also leads to arthrosis, accompanied by strong pressure of excess weight on the region of the lower extremities.
The secondary form of the disease also develops against the background of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Often, its appearance provokes atherosclerosis, varicose veins, gout, psoriasis, arthritis and so on. In some cases, the cause is a variety of joint diseases, hormonal disruptions, metabolic disorders, endocrine system problems, a lack of important substances in the body - calcium, phosphorus and the “solar” vitamin.
Stage 3 Feature
The cause of persistent disability is often arthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint, the treatment of which is no longer able to completely rid a person of the negative consequences of the disease. The main symptoms of this stage of the disease are:
- Human movements are limited, they have a small amplitude. Sometimes they are completely impossible.
- The muscles around the joint are atrophied, they have constant cramping.
- Possible O- or X-shaped form of curvature of the lower extremities.
- The size of the joint increases due to bone growths and the accumulation of fluid inside the organ.
- The pain becomes painful and constant. Any physical exertion on the legs becomes a difficult test.
- A click in the knee and a crunch are very loud, they are audible to others. Observed with any movement.
If you make an X-ray, it is noticeable on it that the intraarticular structures - menisci and ligaments - are destroyed. In this case, complete erasure of the cartilage tissue, the appearance of sclerosis and fusion in the joint space of the connective bones can be observed.
Main treatment
It is better not to start the disease, otherwise the therapy will be long and even aggressive. How to cure arthrosis of the knee? Firstly, doctors recommend treating the early stages of an ailment with the help of physical rehabilitation methods. This helps to reduce body weight, reduce stress on the lower extremities, strengthen muscles, correct orthopedic disorders, and so on. Often after the above manipulations, patients feel significant relief, their condition improves markedly.
Secondly, drug therapy is also indicated. Doctors primarily prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can dull the pain and remove swelling in the joints. For example, Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen and others. Chondroprotectors are also present in the basic treatment: Arthra, Teraflex, Elbona. Their main substances nourish damaged cartilage and restore its structure.
Other drugs
The course of treatment also includes intraarticular injections. The patient is injected with hormonal drugs: Hydrocortisone, Kenalog, or Diprospan. These are drugs that provide emergency care for severe pain: they instantly stop the inflammatory process in the joint, limit the production of synovial fluid, thereby bringing relief.
A person who wants to have healthy joints is given hyaluronic acid preparations. They are not so effective, but they can nourish cartilage and restore its former strength. In young years, the body itself produces a similar substance, but with age its amount gradually decreases - this may be another cause of arthrosis. It is possible to fill the lack of hyaluronic acid by introducing it into the joint in the form of a medicine. In addition, complex therapy includes the use of topical preparations: creams and ointments. These same tools are suitable for warming compresses.
Surgical intervention
Unfortunately, arthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint does not pass without the intervention of the surgeon. Surgical treatment may be as follows:
- Arthroscopy It provides for two skin punctures through which an endoscope is introduced. With its help, it is possible to determine the state of cartilage tissue, the localization of inflammation, the size of pathological changes. If necessary, excess areas are cut off to a healthy layer.
- Endoprosthetics - replacement of a worn knee joint with an artificial one, for example, titanium. It relieves the state of excruciating pain and returns the patient the opportunity to walk, move. Yesterday's disabled people begin to work actively and enjoy life. By the way, the operation can be performed in a "bloodless format." That is, the prosthesis is inserted through small incisions, which requires a doctor's high professionalism and appropriate qualifications.
The patient must remember: the stronger the disease is launched, the more difficult it is for doctors to put him on his feet.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
The procedures included in the complex of such therapy perfectly relieve muscle cramps, improve blood flow in tissues and relieve inflammatory processes. Physiotherapy is always selected individually, depending on the form of the disease, its stage, the condition of the patient, and the characteristics of his body. The general rule is spa treatment, which is shown to almost all patients. In a specialized institution, a person will be assigned a comprehensive rehabilitation, which includes mud baths, procedures in the sauna, special exercises. An important role in this is played by the change of familiar environment and stay in the fresh air, which eliminates the effects of stress and strengthens the body.
Massage of the knee
joint with arthrosis is also very useful
. It improves blood circulation in tissues and transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the patient's well-being improves markedly. It is important that the massage is carried out by a qualified master who knows all the subtleties and secrets of impact on the knee joint. At the same time, the intensity of manipulation should be minimal: rude and awkward movements can only worsen the situation.
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints has a positive effect on strengthening muscles and improving the mobility of the lower extremities. Muscle weakness is an essential companion of the disease, so with a lack of physical activity, lethargy and inability to move can only increase. A set of necessary exercises can be found in the office of physiotherapy exercises. They are usually recommended to be performed four times a day. The first lesson is best done in the morning - immediately after waking up. After the lesson, be sure to lie down and relax.
Often, after performing exercise therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints, a person feels discomfort in the leg. This phenomenon is considered normal if it lasts no more than half an hour. When the time period exceeds 30 minutes or the patient has pains of different intensities, we can say that he does the exercises incorrectly. In this case, you should consult your doctor for advice. It will help to adjust your classes. By the way, do not forget about swimming lessons. Water procedures reduce the load on the joint and help restore its mobility.
Folk remedies and prevention
Knee arthrosis can also be treated with herbal medicine. For this purpose, they use a collection of herbs, which includes juniper fruits, calendula and elderberry flowers, saber and birch leaves, willow and buckthorn bark, as well as St. John's wort, nettle, horsetail and clover. They are brewed and taken in the form of tinctures, in addition, healing lotions and compresses are made from useful liquid. After the start of the course, improvement occurs in three weeks. In addition, in the fight against the disease, various oils are also effective: sea buckthorn, lavender, eucalyptus and others. But just before you start using traditional medicine, you need to consult an experienced doctor.
As for prevention, it is aimed primarily at increasing motor activity. A person should go in for sports,
walk a lot
, spend more time outdoors. Proper and healthier nutrition is another guarantee that you will not get arthrosis. To the above recommendations should be added and timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as a qualitative correction of congenital defects of the bone structure.