Every day, our joints are under enormous strain. Therefore, it is not surprising that they wear out over time. The human body is not a car; you cannot immediately replace a part after passing a technical inspection. The knee joint is the same: it undergoes dislocations, pathological processes, and cracks. The most common ailment affecting this part of the body is deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
Disease Description
Osteoarthrosis is a pathology of a degenerative nature. Under load, the nutrition of the cartilage changes, which lines the intraarticular surfaces of the bones. Over time, cracks appear on it, cartilage is destroyed. Such a pathological process is accompanied by inflammation.
The lack of treatment leads to thinning of the cartilage and mechanical irritation of the bone tissue, its compaction. As a result, bone growths are formed - osteophytes. The disease is accompanied by severe pain and stiffness of movements, especially during physical exertion. Gradually, a person loses the ability to perform daily work.
Disease of osteoarthrosis of the knee joints is allocated by doctors to a separate group. Usually, this pathology is observed in the composition of deforming polyarthrosis, when several parts of the body are affected simultaneously. The disease is often diagnosed in the elderly, and the higher risk group includes the fair sex. Damage to the knee joint is often observed in young and active people involved in sports.
Stages of the development of the disease
Osteoarthrosis usually develops in several stages:
- The initial stage of the disease is characterized by slight discomfort during movement or physical activity. Patients rarely seek help from a doctor with a diagnosis of grade 1 osteoarthritis. Treatment at this stage of the development of the disease is most effective. Pathology is detected accidentally during a routine examination or suspicion of other diseases.
- Middle stage. At this stage, osteoarthritis is accompanied by severe pain, the patient is forced to seek qualified help. Subject to all the doctor’s prescriptions for treatment, the prognosis is in most cases favorable, in rare cases, replacement of the knee joint with an artificial implant is required.
- The last stage is characterized by pathological damage to cartilage, osteophytes, severe pain. Lack of adequate therapy threatens with complete disability.
In the materials of this article we will talk in more detail about the difference between osteoarthrosis of the knee joint of the 1st degree, the treatment of which in most cases leads to complete recovery.
The main causes of the disease
Prerequisites for the development of this ailment are considered certain factors of both external and internal nature. They together have a devastating effect on the articular region.
The knee consists of bones that are lined with cartilage plates. This anatomical feature facilitates the friction process, while simultaneously performing the functions of depreciation. The cells that make up the articular membranes continuously produce synovial fluid. The produced secret prevents damage to cartilage plates.
The decrease in the volume of synovial fluid with knee osteoarthrosis of the 1st degree is due to the following reasons:
- Statistical overload.
- Violation of metabolic processes.
- Cartilage microtrauma.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Intra-articular fractures.
As the body ages, the ability to restore cartilage decreases, so this disease is rarely found in young people. Doctors also attribute a hereditary predisposition to a risk factor. If close relatives previously had problems with the musculoskeletal system, it is possible that with age, similar problems will manifest themselves in children.
Obesity is considered the main prerequisite for the development of the disease. Excess body weight exerts constant pressure on the region of the lower extremities, as a result of which osteoarthrosis may develop. For a short period of time, the disease is complicated and significantly worsens the quality of human life.
Symptoms of osteoarthrosis of the knee 1 degree
Dystrophic disease caused by damage to the cartilage leads to the appearance of cracks and loss of the usual elasticity of tissues. The beginning of the pathological process is accompanied by micro-level changes in the area of the articular cartilage, which entails a violation of the nutrition of the cells and their death.
The disease at the initial stage of its development is usually characterized by the following symptoms:
- The appearance of discomfort in the knee.
- The occurrence of pain after exercise.
- A characteristic crunch in the joint.
- The limitation of motor amplitude.
- Fatigue of legs.
On the radiograph, you can see a slight narrowing in the area of the articular cavity. As the disease progresses, cartilage is erased, which leads to the formation of bone growths. Pathology is accompanied by joint deformation, and this is characteristic already for the 2nd and 3rd degrees of development of osteoarthrosis.
Diagnostic measures
Deforming osteoarthritis of the knee requires a competent and qualified approach to treatment. When the first symptoms that indicate a disease appear, you need to consult a therapist or orthopedist. To confirm the final diagnosis, the specialist prescribes a comprehensive examination:
- X-ray of joints in two projections.
- Clinical blood test to determine the value of ESR.
- Biochemical blood test for C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphate and rheumatoid factor (an increase in these parameters indicates the onset of the inflammatory process).
- MRI
Based on the results of all tests, the doctor confirms the diagnosis and selects the most effective methods of treating knee osteoarthrosis.
Drug therapy
The treatment of the disease has several tasks at the same time: the elimination of pain discomfort, the restoration of the affected structures and the resumption of motor activity. A positive result is possible with timely initiation of therapy. Otherwise, knee arthroplasty may be required.
What treatment usually begins with? First of all, if the cause of the disease is known, you must try to eliminate it. Overweight patients are recommended to lose weight, with problems with the hormonal background or metabolism, all efforts should be directed to restore health. If the pathology is associated with excessive physical exertion, it is better for a while to change the scope of activity and refuse to engage in sports.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis involves taking analgesics. Drugs are usually prescribed in courses to reduce joint discomfort. With severe inflammation of the synovial membrane and severe pain, corticosteroids are used. These medications have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect than non-hormonal analgesics. To relieve spasm, muscle relaxants are used (Midokalm, Sirdalud).
In patients with a diagnosis of grade 1 osteoarthritis of the knee, treatment should also be aimed at improving the nutrition of cartilage. For these purposes, vasodilators and antioxidants are used. The main role in conservative therapy belongs to the so-called chondrotectors ("Chondrolone", "Structum"). These preparations contain natural cartilage components - chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate.
Physiotherapy
To reduce the load on the sore joint, doctors advise moderate physical activity. Skiing, swimming, cycling - daily activity helps to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation.
Therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree are also useful. Listed below are the most effective exercises to eliminate pain discomfort.
- With your palms lean against the wall and tiptoe up as high as possible. In this position, you must remain for about 5 seconds. Repeat 10-12 times.
- Take a prone position, bend the lower legs. The right leg must be raised to the height of the left knee and straighten. Remain in this position for 5 seconds, then smoothly lower the leg. Repeat 10 times.
Exercise is recommended to start with a little warm-up. The number of repetitions should be increased gradually, without loading the damaged joint. Classes can end with a massage. Pain should not accompany the exercise. If you experience unpleasant sensations, it is better to consult a doctor.
Diet is the foundation of successful treatment
How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee with drugs, we have already told. Now let's talk about what the diet should be for patients with this ailment.
Strict dietary restrictions for this disease are not welcome. The main objective of the diet is to reduce weight. The diet will be slightly different from the traditional principles of nutrition. For example, doctors advise eating as much jelly as possible. The thing is that when cooking its ingredients, it releases collagen, which is necessary for the restoration of cartilage.
Taking into account that the diet is aimed at losing weight, you should be especially careful with cleansing and fasting. Before changing the diet, older people need to consult a doctor to take into account possible "vagaries" of concomitant ailments.
Dairy products (cottage cheese, cheeses) are useful for strengthening bone tissue. Protein has a positive effect on cartilage restoration. In large quantities, it is found in fish and meat, as well as lentils and beans.
To saturate the body with energy, carbohydrates are needed. Active vitality is impossible without these substances. It is better to choose the so-called slow, rather than fast carbohydrates. The latter are found mainly in sweets and pastries. Slow carbohydrates do not allow fat to be deposited in problem areas, but at the same time saturate the body with energy (vegetables, fruits, cereals).
To maintain normal metabolic processes, it is necessary to consume vegetable fats. For the entire duration of treatment, doctors recommend giving up drinking alcohol, as it enhances hunger. To suppress appetite, food should be taken in small portions, but often.
Such a diet helps to normalize the metabolism in the body, improves blood circulation and positively affects the restoration of cartilage. Changing the diet in combination with drug therapy allows you to overcome osteoarthrosis of the knee joint at an early stage.
Treatment with folk remedies
The main treatment of the disease is appropriate to supplement with the recipes of our grandmothers. For these purposes, use a variety of tinctures, rubbing, compresses and decoctions. The action of the latter is aimed at preventing inflammation, removing toxins from the body.
For the treatment of osteoarthritis, you can prepare a healing ointment. To do this, you need to mix 200 g of salt and the same amount of mustard, add a little paraffin to a creamy consistency. The next day, the ointment can be rubbed into the affected area with light massaging movements.
Herbal and medicinal plants, as well as beekeeping products, have an excellent therapeutic effect. It is important to note that before using this or that remedy at home, it is important to consult a doctor.
When is surgery required?
Surgical treatment at the initial stage of development of this disease is extremely rare. It may be due to a noticeable decrease in disability.
Surgical intervention involves two options for the operation: replacement of the knee joint (endoprosthetics) and removal of osteophytes.
Endoprosthetics involves replacing the entire joint or part of it with an artificial implant. Typically, such an operation is performed with osteoarthrosis of 2 or 3 degrees. In some cases, you have to resort to her help at the initial stage of the disease, when drug therapy is ineffective. Knee replacement is a complex operation that requires a long recovery.
Arthroscopy is usually used to remove osteophytes. The whole procedure is carried out under video control. The doctor has the opportunity to grind the changed cartilage coating and remove osteophytes. As a result, the patient disappears in pain discomfort, and the quality of life improves.
The choice of a specific option for the operation depends on the clinical picture, the presence of complications. At the initial stage of the disease, surgery is usually not required. If a patient is diagnosed with grade 3 osteoarthrosis of the knee, treatment involves surgery.
Preventive actions
To prevent the development of this disease, doctors advise to constantly monitor body weight and treat obesity in a timely manner. Regular exercise is also an excellent prevention of osteoarthritis. Those sports are suitable where there is no pronounced load on the knee joint: swimming, yoga. In case of inflammatory diseases or injuries, it is necessary to seek qualified help in a timely manner.
If you are not worried about pain, but the doctor has diagnosed “grade 1 osteoarthritis of the knee,” treatment should be started immediately. Taking medications and a course of exercise therapy will slow down the course of the disease and avoid serious surgery.