Many people with age, the connection is a joint disease that doctors call arthrosis. Most often osteoarthritis affects people over the age of 45 years and very often osteoarthritis of the knee. If you do not treat arthritis, the cartilage disappears and the bone is bare and it will make impossible the execution of the functions of the knee joint.
The causes that lead to osteoarthritis
The occurrence of osteoarthritis in the knee joint can contribute to a number of factors. Among them, the doctors are the following:
Various mechanical injuries. It can be as fractures and dislocations, but the most dangerous damage to the menisci. Injury is the factor that can trigger the development of osteoarthritis at a young age. Doctors say that the cause of osteoarthritis is not itself injury, and treatment of this injury, associated with fixation of the limbs and, as a consequence, the disturbance of microcirculation in the area of the joint, which leads to the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. In case of damage of the meniscus and their subsequent removal, medical statistics say that in five to nine cases out of ten, to avoid osteoarthritis is not possible;
Excess weight by itself, the knee does not hurt, but to serve as a risk factor for damage to the menisci. This injury is dangerous enough, the process of recovery meniscus injury, long-lasting and in most cases leads to osteoarthritis. Doctors believe that the most severe forms of osteoarthritis of the knee, there are people who, in addition to excess weight suffer from varicose veins;
Problems with communications responsibilities. Fairly common in people who have a good physical form. These people have a high mobility of the joints themselves are flexible. Such people are easy to sit on the twine, and can perform various elements of stretching exercises even without a warm-up. Nevertheless, such people have very "loose" connection. Are these people exercise lead to the fact that the knee joint gets small injuries and they have become a cause of osteoarthritis;
Such a joint disease like arthritis is very easy to go on osteoarthritis. The fact that arthritis is an inflammatory process that leads to the formation of large amounts of fluid in the joint cavity, leading ultimately to the destruction of cartilage and arthrosis of the knee joint;
Changes in metabolism also lead to the development of arthritis, especially important for joints is calcium; the last hour connection there are several theories that explain the onset of osteoarthritis stress. According to madcow, after 40 many women accumulate emotional fatigue, and it is the cause of disturbances in the processes of blood circulation, including in the lower extremities, from which suffers the knee joint.
The symptoms of the disease
In case of arthrosis of the knee joint most often the following symptoms:
Pain in the knee joint. The main feature is that the pain is not the connection is suddenly. Typically, the person feels a sense of discomfort and aching pain for several months and even years. Pain is worse when running or walking fast. If the joint pain was in the knee sharply, most likely, not arthritis, and a pinched meniscus. The longer the illness develops, the stronger the pain. Especially severe pain after suffering loads associated with prolonged walking or heavy lifting. Pain subside after resting, but as soon as there is physical exertion, pain here the connections are again. In many cases, patients with knee there is an exacerbation of pain when the weather changes, the pain can be felt when driving and at rest. For pain symptoms, it is recommended the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
Deformity of the knee. This symptom manifests itself in the later stages of the disease. Not to be confused deformity of the knee with swelling, which may occur at the beginning of the disease; the Accumulation of excess fluid in the knee joint. This phenomenon doctors call synovitis, ale z hour synovitis may go into a Baker's cyst, which is manifested in the formation of the seal on the rear surface of the knee joint. Fortunately, the Baker's cyst is treatable without surgery;
Crunch. In contrast to the crunch in the joints of healthy people with the crunch in the later stages of osteoarthritis accompanied by severe pain. In addition, the crunch for osteoarthritis of specific, dry. The reason for the crunch is the problem of communication or excessive mobility of the joint itself;
The limitation of the knee joint. Because of the severe pain the patient can freely bend and straighten the leg. Typically, the limitation is accompanied by joint deformation, which is well visible from the outside. In the later stages of osteoarthritis, the joints become completely immobile and independent movement of patients becomes very problematic. According to the degree of severity of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in clinical practice it is accepted to distinguish the following degrees of the disease:
- Osteoarthritis of a joint of the first degree. Pain are minor and occur mainly when making movements. At rest, pain disappears. The cartilage at this stage have already struck, but the deformation is not visible visually. In the joint fluid can build up and form a Baker's cyst;
- Arthritis joints another degree. The cartilage tissue is affected due to narrowing of the joint space. X-rays of the joint at this stage show that the bone has increased in size. The patient any movement is accompanied by severe pain, but at rest there is no pain. In flexion and extension of feet is heard, characterized by arthritis, dry crunch. With the bending and straightening of the knee joint connection has problems, doctors have patients fact deformation of the joint;
- Osteoarthritis of a joint of the third degree. The cartilage is so thin that in some places the bone was completely exposed. Moreover, in the joint cavity connection is the deposition of salts, which the doctors called osteophytes. Patient much pains that do not subside neither in motion nor at rest.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
The possible diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee a doctor can make during questioning of the patient during examination. However, that diagnosis was accurate required two mandatory research: diagnostic ultrasound and radiography. With regard to laboratory blood tests, they can be administered to rule out diseases that have similar clinical picture, such as arthritis. The most informative for the attending physician to have the results of radiography, which allows to judge the degree of narrowing of the joint space, and also gives the opportunity to see the osteophytes. At the same time ultrasound gives information about the thickness of the articular cartilage, and also gives an idea of the condition of the surrounding the knee joint tissue.
Treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint
If you suspect osteoarthritis in the knee joint should be paid to the district physician, who, if necessary, to send to the surgeon or orthopedist. The treatment of the disease involves a different treatment strategy, however, the most effective to date is the medication treatment of osteoarthritis. In fact doctors use several groups of drugs. This:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Chondroprotectors;
- Hormones steroid series;
- Drugs that improve circulation;
- Vitamins
Ozone therapy
This technique involves the effects of ozone (O3) on the knee joint affected by osteoarthritis. This technique can be implemented as a direct external effect of ozone on the joint, and administer injections. This ozone has no contraindications, ale in the same hour, has a pronounced therapeutic effect. In patients with decreased pain, diminishes inflammation and restores blood circulation in the knee joint. It is believed that ozone therapy helps in the complex treatment with the use of chondroprotectors.
Kinesitherapy
This technique is based on the assumption that, when performing specific exercises is restoration of blood flow in the knee joint, and with it begins the restoration of the cartilage and the elasticity of ligaments. A set of exercises is chosen individually for each patient by a physician. This treatment combines very well with medication.
Physical therapy
According to many doctors in the treatment of knee joint arthrosis physical therapy is one of the main, not secondary, methods of treatment. During physiotherapeutic procedures removed pain and restored most of the functionality of the joint, moreover, some methods in the course of physiotherapy relieve pain and restored most of the functionality of the joint, moreover, some physiotherapy methods allow you to enter drugs to treat the disease. To date, all physiotherapy treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is divided into the following groups:
- Reduce the pain;
- Acute inflammatory processes;
- Restore the blood supply;
- Painkillers Physiotherapy
SF
As this procedure is most often used medium-wave ultraviolet irradiation (SF). During the procedure, ultraviolet rays are directed to the knee and focus on it until, until you see slight redness on the skin. It is believed that this is evidence of the production of substances that reduce sensitivity to pain. As a rule, patients are prescribed 6-7 sessions SF.
Magnetic therapy
Recently especially popular is magnet therapy. It is believed that the technique is applicable to arthrosis of first and second degree. The patients are 10-25 procedures of magnetotherapy, each procedure takes about 30 minutes. Due to the effect of magnetic field restores the blood supply to the cartilage and, as a consequence, the recovery begins.
Exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint
Physiotherapy to treat arthritis is very important. There are many developments in this direction, but the most significant results, giving a set of exercises developed by Dr. Evdokimenko and Lana Paley. Sorry, we didn't have any limitations. You cannot perform exercises to people:
- At a critical time for women days;
- Patients with high intracranial and arterial pressure;
- At body temperature above 37.5 0C;
- In the presence of an inguinal hernia;
- In heart failure;
- Have acute diseases of the internal organs.
The complex consists of nine five exercises. Before you start the daily performance of the complex definitely need to consult with your doctor. Practice shows that the correct execution of exercises Evdokimenko – Paley under the control of physicians gives excellent results. And also remember that to perform these exercises using a warming ointment.
Diet in the treatment of osteoarthritis
One of the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee is the excess weight, which will put additional pressure on the joints. Therefore, weight reduction is one of the most important tasks in the complex treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Data from numerous studies indicate that weight loss of 5 pounds has a significant impact on improving the condition of the joints of the patient. Nutritionists believe that the nutrition of the patient should be a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, and in the same hour should have a minimal calorie content. In case of arthrosis in any case do not get involved in diuretic teas, which are so fond of using fans to drive away the excess weight. The fact is that when this occurs, the leaching of calcium, and it is highly undesirable in case of arthrosis of the joints. Nutrition should be a fraction, but for snacking should be used vegetables and fruits. It is believed that the morning should start with Breakfast, otherwise the metabolic processes for a long period of time are not included and it is quite probable failures. Similarly affected and late dinners, which must be not later than 2-3 hours before bedtime. Equally important is drinking enough water (minimum 2 liters per day). And also important is the quality of the food. When osteoarthritis is very important to include such products as:
- Soups, broths and jelly, cooked on the bone. These products contain a large number of natural chondroprotectors and collagen;
- Meat chicken or Turkey, which are an excellent source of protein, extremely important for a healthy metabolism;
- Fish, nuts, almonds and hazelnuts are very important sources of vitamin E;
- Cereals and wholegrain bread are the best options of complex carbohydrates necessary for proper nutrition of the patient;
- Sunflower, linseed or olive oil are also important food components, because it is a source of unsaturated fatty acids.
In the treatment of arthritis need to remember the fact that the treatment of this disease can not be instantaneous and, in fact, is to maintain a certain lifestyle, otherwise the patient may lose the ability to move independently.