If a buzzing sound is heard in the knee joint during movement, this is the first sign of gonarthrosis. Conservative methods of traditional and alternative medicine will help prevent cartilage destruction and maintain normal motor function. Treatment should begin immediately - only in this case, the rheumatologist gives a favorable prognosis.
What is gonarthrosis?
A non-inflammatory, degenerative-dystrophic disease that affects the largest joint, the knee, is called gonarthrosis. The rather unusual medical definition, has a simpler "folk" concept - "salt deposition". Although the clinical picture of joint gonarthrosis has little to do with the excess of calcified salts in the knee joint. They have no effect on pathology and are a side effect of impaired metabolism.
The development of gonarthrosis of the knee joint is facilitated by negative processes in the hyaline cartilage, especially poor blood circulation in the small bone ducts. Lack of nutrients and oxygen carried by the lymph flow leads to the destruction of the outer cartilage layer of the knee.
In the early stages, the disease is very difficult to recognize. Joint deformities occur slowly, until the vitreous hyaline cartilage is pulled into the process. The anatomical structure of the ligament is modified. Turbidity occurs, the tissue thickens, becomes thin, cracks in all directions. The result of the pathology can be a complete loss of cartilage, which leads to neoplasms in the bone tissue and irreversible curvature of the knee.
Classification of diseases
The International Classification of Diseases divides gonarthrosis into seven subheadings that explain:
- Bilateral primary gonarthrosis. Diagnosis is most often made in women aged 70 to 74 years and men aged 60 to 64 years. This puts the disease in the "elderly" category.
- Another major gonarthrosis. Pathology of one knee joint, due to natural wear or against the background of other diseases.
- Gonarthrosis after bilateral trauma. People of different age categories with serious foot injuries are affected.
- Other post-traumatic gonarthroses. Unilateral, with a background of injuries and bruises on the limbs.
- Other secondary gonarrosis is bilateral. It is the result of a chronic bruise, fracture or dislocation, not completely healed. It is most often diagnosed in athletes who have a heavy load on both feet - football players, athletes, skater.
- Other secondary gonarrosis. Development of profession -related unilateral pathology. For example, miners, metallurgists, fishermen.
- Gonarthrosis, not determined. It is diagnosed with an unexplained etiology of the disease, after excluding age, occupational predisposition and genetics.
According to medical statistics, more than 10 million people of different age groups suffer from gonarthrosis of one type or another. Every year, about 3 thousand people with a prescribed diagnosis die.
cause
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint develops as a result of impaired metabolism in the knee joint, which leads to loss of softness and elasticity of the cartilage.
The destructive process is caused by various reasons:
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, which violates the hormonal background;
- Reduces the patency of blood vessels in the knee joint;
- genetic conditioning;
- natural aging;
- Past or present knee injuries, of various origins;
- Obesity (more than 20% of the norm), which puts a lot of pressure on the knee joint;
- Inflammatory joint disease (polyarthritis, purulent arthrosis);
- Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis);
- Specific infectious pathologies (syphilis, tuberculosis, encephalitis);
- Living in unfavorable ecological areas, poor food and water quality.
Also, rheumatologists identify several additional causes that lead to the development of gonarthrosis. Dysplasia in newborns. With this diagnosis, the joints wear out faster. Changes in the structure of collagen lead to a violation of proteins located in connective tissue.
Symptoms depend on the degree of gonarthrosis
It is difficult to diagnose the early stages of knee arthrosis. Only a description of the symptoms by the patient himself and an external examination by a rheumatologist makes it possible to make a different clinical picture for each stage of development of gonarthrosis:
- I have a degree of gonarthrosis.Pulling pain in the knee, a slight feeling of stiffness, partial loss of sensation, difficulty bending the legs, especially after prolonged immobility, the impossibility of prolonged walking or running, the appearance of slight swelling. As a rule, symptoms disappear after rest or a simple anesthetic.
- grade II gonarthrosis.At this stage, it is already possible to determine the pathology on X-ray examination. The pain becomes stronger and occurs after each physical activity. Discomfort can still be eliminated with rest. In the morning it becomes more difficult to straighten your legs, it takes some time to restore motor function. The discomfort is compounded by frequent cramps in the calves, especially at night. During the movement, a buzzing sound is heard. Swelling of the knee joint is pronounced. There are signs of limb deformities.
- Stage III gonarthrosis.There are irreversible changes in the knee joint. Cartilage anomalies can be clearly determined on x-ray. The pain in the knee becomes constant, acute. The legs stop bending at the knees. The patient should not walk without a cane or crutches. The swelling is noticeable. The anatomical shape of the knee is smoothed and looks compact. There is a major curvature of the spinal column.
Diagnosis
To make a correct diagnosis, a combination of clinical manifestations of knee joint arthrosis and patient complaints is used. To clarify or exclude the cause of the disease, studies are conducted in a variety of ways.
Standard diagnostics work as follows:
- Make an anamnesis of the disease. History of concomitant disease, genetic predisposition, past trauma and surgical interventions, professional activities, etc.
- External assessment of deformities of the musculoskeletal system. Walking style, posture, knee joint condition, leg curvature.
- General inspection. Palpation of the lower legs, thighs, damaged joints, determination of disease localization.
- Lab test. General blood tests provide data on the absence of inflammatory processes. If the process is present with a background of other diseases, then an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation will be found in the blood. Levels of protein, globulin and fibrinogen will differ from normative indicators. The biochemical composition will remain within standard limits. If the pathological progression is in the final stages, then a biopsy of the synovial fluid of the knee joint is performed.
- Instrumental research. X-rays are the primary and most common method for diagnosing suspected gonarthrosis. As a rule, a rheumatologist can easily determine changes in the structure of bone tissue from a picture already at the beginning of stage 2 of the disease. The presence of side effects and their causes are diagnosed with the help of more modern and accurate equipment - MRI, CT, ultrasound, osteostincigraphy, thermography.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Like all joint diseases, gonarthrosis requires systemic treatment, which should be started when the first symptoms appear. In this case, the prognosis of therapy becomes good and guarantees a return to a normal lifestyle in a relatively short time.
Comprehensive treatment aims to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease:
- Discomfort, pain syndrome and muscle tone;
- Improves motor function of the knee joint;
- Stops the process of cartilage destruction;
- Strengthens connective muscles;
- Restoration of normal blood circulation in the knee joint.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory drugs
They help to relieve pain, relieve swelling caused by inflammation of muscle tissue.
Chondroprotectors
Regeneration and recovery of cartilage tissue is impossible without chondroprotectors. They are a key component of conservative treatment.
Vasodilator
They are used to increase the patency of intra-articular blood vessels.
Hormone drugs
Reduces the production of the hormone cortisone, to prevent the development of inflammatory processes.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Used to restore intra-articular synovial fluid. Due to this, friction between articular parts is reduced, motor function is normalized, and the elasticity of cartilage tissue is restored.
Anti-enzymatic agents
They inhibit trypsin activity, thus preventing further destruction of the joint. Appointed in the complex.
Physiotherapy
Physiological treatments have been used successfully for decades to treat knee osteoarthritis. It can be as a separate type of therapy, for prevention or during the recovery period. So is an integrated approach to the disease.
Often, the following types of procedures are prescribed by a rheumatologist:
- Electrophoresis with painkillers;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Magnetotherapy;
- Laser exposure;
- Paraffin applications;
- Mud treatment;
- Therapeutic training (exercise therapy);
- Manual therapy, massage with medicated ointment.
Surgery and prosthetics
If the gonarthrosis is at an advanced stage, the knee joint and cartilage tissue are destroyed, it is impossible to do without surgical operation. Otherwise, the person will remain disabled for life.
Modern medicine offers several ways to solve the problem:
- Arthrodesis. Complete removal of the affected tissue and knee joint. The body is freed from the focus of disease, but the motor function of the limb is completely lost. It is used very rarely, if the patient has additional articular disease.
- Arthroscopy. Destroyed hyaline cartilage is removed. The operation is low traumatic, has a short recovery period. It is indicated for patients whose progress does not affect the knee joint itself.
- Periarticular osteomy. The operation is complex, the essence of which is to file the deformed bone and growth, with subsequent connection into the necessary anatomical structure.
- Endoprosthetics. The completely destroyed knee joint was removed and a titanium prosthesis was placed in place. An effective method that allows you to forget about gonarthrosis forever. Requires thorough preparation and long restoration.
Traditional medicine
The use of folk recipes in combination with conservative treatment can reduce external symptoms (pain, swelling). Recipes based on bay leaves, burdock root, St. John's wort. John, malt and straw have proven themselves well. Ointments, creams, tinctures and decoctions are made from them.
This plant has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Requires regular and long -term use to achieve visible results.
Ointments and compresses made on the basis of honey, with the addition of alcohol or apple cider vinegar, relieve swelling well and have a calming effect on the affected tissues.
The nutritional mixture is made of lemon and garlic, taken orally, one teaspoon each, after breakfast and dinner. Such recipes have a general strengthening effect on the body, increase the patency of blood vessels and nourish the joints with useful trace elements.
It should be noted that home treatment does not eliminate the main problem - the pathological destruction of the knee joint.
Diet
Adherence to diet is an important part of complex treatment. Adjusting your diet will not only help control weight, but also provide bones and joints with essential vitamins.
For patients with a diagnosis of gonarthrosis, it is contraindicated:
- Fried, spicy, salty, citrus foods;
- Fatty gravy;
- sweet pastries;
- Fruits, with high acidic enzyme content;
- Alcoholic beverages.
The menu should be replenished with raw vegetables, fruits and herbs, low-fat sour milk products, bone soups and dishes containing gelatin (jelly, jelly).
Additional Methods
For the treatment of gonarthrosis, it is necessary to undergo regular spa treatments, at least once a year, if possible more often. Hydrotherapy procedures, mud therapy and manual therapy are able to preserve the disease for a long time and prevent joint destruction.
It will take your lifetime to keep a sore knee in a stable condition. But it can be very useful for the body as a whole. Reviewing nutrition, eliminating bad habits, playing sports, visiting resorts - quality of life can improve significantly.
It should be remembered that self-medication, ignoring the main symptoms and unbearable stress on a sore knee joint can quickly turn a healthy person into a helpless disabled person.