Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, or gonarthrosis, affects mainly women, usually at the age of forty. At an earlier age, this pathology can develop as a result of trauma or professional sports. Particularly severe course of the disease is observed in people who are overweight or suffering from varicose veins of the lower extremities.

The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of mild pain that occurs in the knee during movement, especially when walking on stairs. Also, pain can occur if a person stands for a very long time or rises to his feet after a long stay in the sitting position. At rest, pain, as a rule, subsides. Sharp and intense pain with arthrosis of the knee joint does not occur spontaneously, usually preceded by long uncomfortable sensations when walking, physical activity. It is gradually increasing pain sensations are one of the main signs of gonarthrosis.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Stages of development of the disease

The first stage

At an initial stage of development of gonarthrosis, the bones in the knee do not change their shape, only the swelling of the joint can occur, which is usually associated with the accumulation of fluid in the knee. If its number exceeds the permissible level, edema develops, affecting the opposite side of the leg. Puffiness in this case can be removed with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs.

The second stage

The next stage of arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by a significant increase in the intensity of pain. The pain makes itself felt even after a minor load, a knee crack appears in the knee joint, which increases if the disease progresses. The patient with difficulty bends the leg, there is a strong pain, up to the complete impossibility to bend it in the knee. Also, in the second stage of the disease, the joint begins to change its shape, which becomes quite palpable - the extension and engorgement of the joint bones is palpated. Much stronger at this stage is manifested and synovitis - the emergence of swelling as a result of fluid accumulation.

The third stage

The third stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of intense pains that occur even in a state of rest. The patient is looking for a suitable position for a long time, in which the pain will be weaker. With disturbed blood circulation, pain can disturb a person even during sleep, causing a feeling of aching in the joint. The motor capacity of the joint is minimized, the person is often unable to keep his foot in a straight position and is forced to bend it while walking. With considerable deformation of bones, the gait becomes overtaxing, the change in the shape of the lower limbs becomes noticeable.

How to recognize arthrosis of the knee joint?

The patient is initially referred for a blood test, then an X-ray, magnetic resonance or computerized tomography is performed. In some cases, ultrasound or arthroscopy (joint examination with a special device through a small incision) may be prescribed. During the X-ray study, the stage of the development of the disease is determined, the picture shows changes in the joint and bones, as well as the distance between the bones. At an early stage of the disease, cartilage tissue changes on the X-ray are not visible. Ultrasound, like computed tomography, can detect abnormalities in the soft joint tissues and determine the amount of accumulated fluid in the development of synovitis.

How is arthrosis of the knee joint treated?

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is performed by specialists such as a rheumatologist or orthopedist. At an early stage, the disease in most cases can be cured without surgery, but treatment must necessarily be comprehensive and qualified. In the second and third stages, it is impossible to return the joint to the previous form without surgery, you can only improve the condition of the periarticular tissues.

To reduce inflammation and pain in arthrosis of the knee joint, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used, including diclofenac, ibuprofen, piroxicam, ketaprofen, indomethacin, movalis. After the pain syndrome is reduced, the patient can be assigned a massage, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapy procedures.

For the treatment of gonarthrosis also used drugs that are part of the group of chondroprotectors and provide restoration of cartilage tissue (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine). Such drugs also contribute to maintaining the elasticity of cartilage, saturation of its tissue with moisture. In the first and second stages chondroprotectors have a gradual effect, the treatment is quite long and can last even a year or a half. The joint administration of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate has a greater effect. At the third stage, such drugs are no longer able to have a positive effect. The necessary daily dose of glucosamine is 1000-1500 mg, chondroitin sulfate - 1000 mg.

A good effect in the treatment of arthrosis is the drugs that serve to expand the vessels (eg trental, theonikol). They are able to improve blood circulation in the joint and relieve spasm in small vessels, which contributes to the restoration of the affected joint. It is recommended to combine these medications with the use of chondroprotektra. In order to relieve the painful spasm in the muscles, the patient may be prescribed muscle relaxants (midocalmus, sirdalud). Such drugs are used only in combination with chondroprotectors and traction of the joint. Positive effect in the treatment of arthrosis is also a compress of dimexide, which reduces inflammation and relieves pain, especially in the accumulation of fluid. To prepare such a compress, mix one tablespoon of boiled water with a tablespoon of dimexide. Then moisten the medical solution in the resulting solution, then put on the affected joint and cover with a plastic bag and on top with a diaper. The duration of the procedure is from twenty to sixty minutes, once a day, no more, for two to three weeks.

All medications are used in the absence of contraindications strictly according to the doctor's prescription. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint requires medical treatment and physical therapy and therapeutic gymnastics.