Knee osteoarthritis, or gonarthrosis, mainly affects women, usually after the age of forty. At a younger age, this pathology can develop as a result of injury or professional sports. A particularly severe course of the disease is seen in people who are overweight or have varicose veins of the lower extremities.
The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of moderate pain in the knee during movement, especially when walking down the stairs. Also, pain can occur if a person stands for a long time or stands up after a long stay in a sitting position. At rest, the pain usually subsides. Acute and intense pain in osteoarthritis of the knee joint does not occur spontaneously, it is usually preceded by long-term discomfort when walking, physical activity. Gradually increasing pain is one of the main signs of knee osteoarthritis.
Stages of the disease
First stage
In the initial stage of development of knee osteoarthritis, the bones of the knee do not change shape, only swelling of the joint can occur, usually associated with the accumulation of fluid in the knee. If its amount exceeds the allowed level, edema develops, affecting the back of the leg. In this case, you can alleviate the swelling with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Second stage
The next stage of knee osteoarthritis is characterized by a significant increase in pain intensity. The pain makes itself felt even after a slight load, a cracking appears in the knee joint, which intensifies if the disease progresses. The patient bends the leg with difficulty, there is severe pain, until it is completely impossible to bend it at the knee. Also in the second stage of the disease, the joint begins to change its shape, which becomes quite noticeable on palpation - expansion and congestion of the articular bones is felt. Synovitis manifests itself much more strongly at this stage - the appearance of swelling as a result of the accumulation of fluid.
Third stage
The third stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of intense pain that occurs even at rest. The patient is looking for a suitable position for a long time, in which the pain will be weaker. With impaired blood circulation, pain can bother a person even during sleep, causing a sensation of pain in the joint. The mobility of the joint is reduced to a minimum, the person often cannot keep the leg straight and is forced to bend it when walking. With significant deformation of the bones, the gait becomes wiggly, a change in the shape of the lower extremities is noted.
How to recognize osteoarthritis of the knee joint?
The patient is initially referred for a blood test, followed by an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
In some cases, an ultrasound or arthroscopy (examination of the joint with a special device through a small incision) may be prescribed.
During the X-ray examination, the stage of development of the disease is determined, the image shows changes in the joint and bones, as well as the distance between the bones. In an early stage of the disease, changes in the cartilage tissue are not visible on an X-ray.
Ultrasound examination, as well as computed tomography, can reveal abnormalities in the soft joint tissues and determine the amount of fluid accumulated during the development of synovitis.
How is knee osteoarthritis treated?
Knee osteoarthritis is treated by specialists such as a rheumatologist or an orthopedist. At an early stage, the disease in most cases is curable without surgery, but the treatment must necessarily be comprehensive and qualified. In the second and third stages, it is impossible to return the joint to its previous shape without surgery, it is only possible to improve the condition of the periarticular tissues.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used to reduce inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis of the knee joint. After reducing the pain syndrome, the patient may be prescribed massages, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy procedures.
For the treatment of gonarthrosis, drugs that are part of the group of chondroprotectors and provide the restoration of cartilage tissues are also used. Such preparations also help to maintain the elasticity of cartilage, saturating 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 year and a half. Taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together has a greater effect. In the third stage, such drugs can no longer have a positive effect.
A good effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis has drugs that serve to expand blood vessels. They are able to improve blood circulation in the joint and relieve spasms in the small vessels, which helps to restore the affected joint. It is recommended to combine the taking of such drugs with the use of chondroprotectors. To relieve painful muscle spasm, muscle relaxants may be prescribed. Such drugs are used only in combination with chondroprotectors and joint traction. A dimexide compress also has a positive effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis, reducing inflammation and relieving pain, especially when fluid accumulates. To prepare such a compress, you need to mix a tablespoon of boiled water with a tablespoon of Dimexide. Then moisten a medical bandage in the resulting solution, then place the affected joint and cover it with a plastic bag and a diaper on top. The duration of the procedure is twenty to sixty minutes, once a day, no more, two to three weeks.
All drugs are used in the absence of contraindications, strictly according to the doctor's prescription. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint requires medication and physical therapy and therapeutic exercises.