What is knee arthritis and how is it treated?

Knee joint disease is so common that it has its own name - arthroarthritis of the knee. Another name for this disease is osteoarthritis deformans.Knee arthritis affects 20% of the population and its ICD-10 code is M17. Half of all knee joint pathologies are caused by arthropathy. This is a disease in which cartilage and joint surface tissue degenerate—break down. The joints are insufficiently supplied with nutrients and oxygen, their function deteriorates, and inflammation occurs. He becomes inactive and injured, and the patient's quality of life decreases. Joint complications resulted in the need for a wheelchair.Let’s take a look at what knee joint disease is and how to treat it. How to prevent this disease and how dangerous it is.

Reasons and classification

The causes of knee arthritis are different - mechanical damage, genetic predisposition, metabolic disorders.The disease occurs due to excessive pressure on the knees. This is an occupational injury in many sports. Highly obese individuals over the age of 60 almost always have some degree of arthropathy due to ongoing microtrauma. Arthropathy refers to occupational diseases that occur in areas that require standing for long periods of time or lifting heavy objects. This disease can begin after rheumatoid arthritis.The most common cause of knee joint injury is injury. The second most common is stunted growth in childhood. Inflammation due to autoimmune pathologies is a third source of arthropathy. There are usually multiple reasons, one of which is complementary.Types of knee arthritis are divided into primary and secondary depending on the cause. If the cause is unknown, the diagnosis is primary joint; if the cause is clear, the diagnosis is secondary joint.

development mechanism

Cartilage is nourished due to constant changes in osmotic pressure. When a joint is loaded, the viscosity of the fluid within the joint decreases and the amount increases. In a calm state, the fluid in the joints becomes viscous and decreases in volume. Usually, these processes occur alternately. The cartilage plates act as pumps, pushing fluid out of the joint when loaded and drawing it in when relaxed. This is how joint tissue is nourished. If the joints are destructively affected, pathological processes will manifest themselves:

• If the load is heavy and the joints are not given time to recover, nutrients are destroyed. Cartilage becomes thinner, cracks and ulcers appear;
• The structure of collagen fibers is destroyed and the absorption effect becomes poor. The cartilage and patella soften, become inelastic, and their function becomes worse;
• Bone growth occurs in the joints. The joint capsule becomes irritated and inflamed;
• As a person starts taking care of their knee and moves it less, less intra-joint fluid is produced. The cartilage surface becomes dry and rough;
• The knee receives less nutrients, atrophies, and destruction accelerates.

Signs of arthrosis in the knee joint: it becomes immobile and painful. The pain is especially severe in the morning and after long periods of immobility.

Stages of Arthropathy

Arthropathy is divided into three levels:

• Early days. The organization has not been destroyed. So far, only the function of the synovial membrane is deteriorating. The composition of the intra-articular fluid changes. The knee can no longer bear normal loads;
• The articular cartilage and meniscus begin to deteriorate. Osteophytes (bone formations) grow into bones. Inflammation and pain occur;
• Difficult stage. The knee joint support platform deforms and the leg axis changes. The ligaments shorten and the joint capsule becomes stiff. The joint is pathologically mobile, but full flexion or straightening is not possible. Inflammation and pain are evident.

Please note!In the early stages of the disease, the muscles are intact. Their function is gradually lost. In phase three, activities are severely restricted. Due to changes in the axis of motion, muscle attachment sites change. Muscle deformation - contraction or stretching so that it can no longer contract normally. Nutrition of all leg tissues is affected.

symptom

The symptoms of knee arthritis do not manifest themselves in any way at the beginning of the disease and do not force the patient to see a doctor. Patients notice fatigue and pain but do not take them seriously.Typical symptoms of knee arthropathy are joint immobility, stiffness, pulling sensation in the popliteal area, and pain after exercise. It is difficult to move in the morning or after being immobile for a long time. Symptoms are relieved when the patient stretches the knee, massages it, and moves around.Over time, the pain increases in intensity and duration. Creaking in the joints, complete cessation of bending and non-bending. A person begins to limp when walking - most patients go to the doctor with this symptom. Treatment for knee arthritis usually begins only in the second stage.If nothing is done, movement will only be possible with outside help. The pain in the knee lessens when the patient lies down, but the pain often bothers you at night.In the second and third stages, the knee joint is deformed - the bones are clearly defined and the lower leg is bent. If you place your hands on your knees, you will hear a crunching sound when you bend and straighten them. The kneecap also creaks when it moves. Fluid accumulates in the cavity, joints swell, and tissues bulge.As the disease progresses, all symptoms become more pronounced.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of knee arthritis is carried out comprehensively: the history is collected, laboratory and instrumental methods are prescribed.

examine

The doctor examines the damaged joint, measuring the bones and flexion angles, and determining how much movement the joint has at a certain angle.

analyze

The patient was sent for general blood work, biochemical blood work, and general urinalysis.

X-ray

X-rays of the knee joint are the primary source of information for diagnosis. Arthritis of the knee joint can be seen in the photo: joint space narrowing, cartilage sclerosis, bone damage; joint deformation, salt deposition and malnutrition changes. Osteophytes are clearly visible in the image.

Good to know!For traumatic arthropathy, X-ray examination has great diagnostic value and must be performed.

ultrasound

Diagnostic ultrasound is an information-rich method. Ultrasound cannot replace X-rays, nor can it provide a picture of the nature of the joint-destroying process.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging provides a complete picture of the disease. This is a modern and accurate research method that allows you to make a diagnosis at an early stage. The disadvantage of MRI is its higher cost.

treat

Treatment for knee arthritis is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization.Treatment programs:

• Reduce load as much as possible;
• comply with prescribed modes of transportation;
• Perform therapeutic exercises.

The goals of treatment are to slow the destructive process, prevent contracture (the inability to fully bend and straighten the leg), and restore joint function when possible. Staying in nursing homes and resorts during recovery worked wonders.

drug

Only your doctor decides how to treat knee arthritis. You cannot choose your own medicine.NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can relieve inflammation.

Good to know!Since arthritis can cause severe pain, injections of NSAIDs can work quickly and provide a feeling of relief.

Modern treatment of knee joint disease involves the use of different classes of NSAIDs. Their effects are even more pronounced.If the lining of a joint becomes inflamed, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids that are injected into the joint. Hydrocortisone, Kenalog, and Diprospan can relieve inflammation and pain, but they have many contraindications.If necessary, anti-enzyme substances can be injected into the joint cavity - contrical, ovamine, gordox. They can significantly slow down the damage process.Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and its preparations are also prescribed. It restores the protective and shock-absorbing properties of synovial fluid.Chondroprotectants are often used, but there is no evidence that they help.

physiotherapy

The latest methods of treating knee joint disease do not exclude appropriate loading. The goal of physical therapy is to provide the necessary amount of movement without overloading the joints and maintaining balance. If the patient does not understand how to treat knee arthritis - when it is necessary to protect and develop the knee at the same time, the results of other methods are drastically reduced or reduced to zero. If the patient is conscious, it is possible to eliminate the disease.

Laser therapy and physical therapy

Laser treatments and physical therapy procedures have proven to be excellent, especially if they can be started from the first stage.

Other methods

Intraosseous blockade provides therapeutic benefits and breaks the cycle of inflammation. In addition to blockade, special equipment is used to perform multi-channel electromyographic stimulation.Compresses made with homemade ointments and rubs can relieve pain and swelling.

prosthesis

If necessary, surgery is performed - the patient is fitted with a knee endoprosthesis. Modern prosthetic methods allow patients to regain movement.

Alternative and traditional medicine

Proponents of unconventional methods believe that using their methods alone can eliminate symptoms and treat knee arthrosis without resorting to medications. This is exercise therapy (a special set of exercises), ozone therapy (physical therapy in which ozone is injected into the joints), homeopathy, dietary supplement therapy, manual therapy, massage.

attention!When using unconventional methods, you need to remember that their effectiveness has not been proven.

There are some original treatments, but reviews about them vary.

Rehabilitation and Prevention

Only therapeutic exercises and measurement of joint loading can restore an arthritic knee. If the patient follows all the advice of his doctor and is ready to fight for his health by all means, then in most cases the answer to the question "Can arthritis of the knee be cured? " is yes.Prevention includes prompt attention to injuries, being active but not overloading, and maintaining an optimal body mass index.

Patient opinion

Reviews from patients who have undergone traditional treatments are generally positive, but also negative.When making final decisions about treatment, you should consult your doctor and not form an opinion based on reviews.Medicine has learned to successfully treat joint diseases, the consequences of which over the last century have inevitably led to disability. With knee arthritis, it's important to seek prompt help to determine the stage of the disease and the extent of treatment.