Symptoms of knee arthritis: causes, disease stages, how to treat it

Symptoms of knee arthritis are common in older adults.Athletes and people with obesity are also at risk.

Why does knee arthritis occur?

Arthropathy is a deformation of joint cartilage.Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and facilitates movement of the body.When they are damaged, mobility gradually decreases and any load becomes painful.Over time, the knee becomes completely immobilized and the person may become disabled.

All cartilage thins and wears away with age, so all stages of the disease occur in 70-85% of people over the age of 60.First, these are overweight women.Other common causes of joint disease:

• Strenuous exercise and physical overload can cause premature cartilage wear and tear at a young age.
• Injuries, fractures, dislocations.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Congenital disease, lack of intra-articular fluid.
• A circulatory disorder in which cartilage receives little oxygen and nutrients.
• Joint disease with inflammation.
• Disrupts hormone production and metabolism.

An arthropathy affecting the knee joint is called gonarthrosis, derived from the ancient Greek word "goni" - knee.

Classification of knee arthritis

In this case, depending on the degree of development of the joint disease, it is divided into 3 stages.The earlier the disease is detected, the more successful and simpler the treatment will be.Characteristics of different stages of joint disease:

1. At this stage, bone deformation is not obvious.Deviations are noticeable on X-rays, but few people notice mild symptoms and see a doctor.
2. Changes and thickening of the bones can be seen with the naked eye on an X-ray.Quality of life decreases due to ongoing discomfort.
3. The patient's activities are significantly restricted.Ligaments and cartilage are completely destroyed.

Many older adults endure pain and illness until the last possible moment because they are accustomed to age-related illnesses and believe the symptoms are normal.However, in the initial stages, you can treat it with conservative methods, while in the final stages, only surgery will help.

Main symptoms

The disease does not start suddenly but develops over several years.Initially, you will only feel slight pain in your knee when doing heavy loads, going up and down stairs.If the joint is not treated, over time, painful symptoms can become permanent, the knee joint can take on an unnatural shape and contour, and the leg may bend to the right or left.

in the first stage

Long before the joint becomes more severe, a person may begin to experience mild discomfort in the knee after walking.Occasionally stiffness of movement and clenching of the teeth may occur.These symptoms cannot be ignored. As long as they are checked in time, treatment can be started to avoid serious consequences.

in the second stage

During this stage, the patient experiences almost constant pain.It's most noticeable in the morning and subsides after a short walk, but worsens in the evening.The patient's gait is slowed with a persistent crunching sound.Often, redness and swelling of the skin appear in the knee area, which indicates an inflammatory process.X-rays show obvious changes.

diagnosis

An orthopedic surgeon examines and identifies arthropathy of the knee joint.Diagnosis includes laboratory and instrumental investigation methods.These include:

• Blood and urine tests.Shows hormone levels in the body and whether inflammation is present.
• Radiography.Helps assess joint type and determine disease stage.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Shows the condition of soft tissue, meniscus, and cartilage that cannot be achieved with radiography.
• Ultrasound examination of joints.Like an MRI, it can show the condition of the cartilage and surrounding tissue.This is a somewhat subjective method and the results depend on the qualifications of the expert.Therefore, ultrasonography should complement magnetic resonance imaging.
• Personal inspection.Sometimes doctors rely solely on the results of an X-ray or MRI without deeming it necessary to review it themselves.At the same time, manual inspection can reveal missed details and identify concomitant diseases that also require treatment.

If knee joint disease is suspected, it is best to have all tests performed in a specialized orthopedic clinic and under observation by a doctor.

How to Treat Knee Arthritis

All treatments are selected individually and used in combination.You cannot self-treat with regular joint ointments because their effects are temporary and do not eliminate the cause.It's best to combine medication, physical therapy, proper nutrition, and physical therapy.

Hormone drugs

Steroid drugs have a wide range of effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory and pain relief.These drugs are given as joint injections to quickly relieve pain and swelling when the disease worsens.Disadvantages of this method include side effects and limited frequency of use (ideally no more than once every two weeks).In addition, hormone injections cannot eliminate the cause, but can only relieve symptoms in combination with other methods and cannot be regarded as a complete treatment.

chondroprotectant

This is a group of drugs that act on cartilage tissue, repair and nourish cartilage tissue, and improve the quality of lubricating fluid.

The most effective treatments for knee arthritis are preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.These substances are contained in a variety of medications.

Physician and patient attitudes toward chondroprotectants are equivocal.Some patients expect unrealistically fast results from treatments because of advertising.Not finding them, they were disappointed and began to think that this group of drugs was useless.

In fact, chondroprotectants need to be used long-term in conjunction with other treatments.

These drugs are more effective in stages 1-2 of the disease, not when the cartilage tissue has been severely damaged.

hyaluronic acid

Sodium hyaluronate is a natural moisturizing ingredient produced in the human body.By intra-articular injection, hyaluronic acid can deeply nourish dry, thinning cartilage, restore joint mobility, and act as an effective natural lubricant.Disadvantages of this method include its unsuitable use during exacerbations, inflammation, and its high price.At the same time, well-designed hyaluronic acid treatments can replace more expensive surgical interventions.

ointment

Gels and ointments with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects cannot affect the cause of the disease, but they can greatly relieve the patient's condition.Warming and tonic preparations can promote blood circulation, enhance nutrition of the affected area, and contribute to overall treatment.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory creams are widely used to relieve pain, although relatively few active substances can penetrate the skin and enter the joints.

diet therapy

For years, scientists have been studying the link between certain foods and joint arthritis.It has been suggested that eating meat, processed foods, and excess salt may contribute to an increased risk, but these speculations have not been confirmed.The only thing related to food and joints is being overweight.Therefore, the principles of dietary treatment for this diagnosis are based on healthy eating and general rules for weight reduction and control.

Recommendations for knee patients:

• Limit the consumption of cooked foods and fast food, and give priority to simple homemade dishes.
• Maintain a healthy standard for salt intake – no more than 1 teaspoon per day.
• Limit sweets, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and flour-based products.
• Eat a varied diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, nuts, eggs (especially protein) and lean meats.
• Depending on your doctor's advice, you can take multivitamins and dietary supplements.

If the knee patient is already overweight, a nutritionist needs to be consulted.Experts will be able to make recommendations based on the patient's age, lifestyle and other indicators.

Folk remedies for joint disease

In folk medicine, infusions, decoctions, herbal dressings and other ingredients are used to treat joints.With your doctor's approval, these medications may supplement primary treatment or be used to prevent knee joint disease at the first signs of knee discomfort and arthritis.

Several folk recipes:

• Turpentine friction.Mix egg yolks, a teaspoon of turpentine, and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.Rub the mixture onto the affected area overnight and wrap it in a woolen cloth.Use 1-2 times per week.
• Dear Miyo Miyo.100 grams of honey requires adding 3-4 grams of mumiyo.Rub into knees before bed.
• Dandelion infusion.To prepare half a liter of alcohol or vodka, pour it into a dark glass container.Fill it with yellow heads and leave it in a cool place for at least a month.Rub the pulled product into the painful area before going to bed.

These recipes can help relieve pain and inflammation during complex treatments, but they don't replace it.Illiterate self-medication may worsen your condition.

massage

Manual and hardware massage, manual therapy is ideal for overweight, sedentary patients with arthritis.If there is too much fluid in the joint, lymphatic drainage may be needed.All types of massage are suitable for physical therapy and are used to relax muscles after training.Contraindications to massage are acute inflammation.

physical therapy

Various types of surgery using heat, cold, electric current, ultrasound, and laser beams can slow the progression of arthropathy, improve blood circulation in affected areas, and have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

In most cases, doctors will prescribe:

1. Shock wave therapy.This method involves directing sound waves specifically to the diseased joint area.This action relieves swelling, improves cartilage nutrition and disrupts salt deposits.The most effective physical therapy method for treating joint disease.
2. Muscle stimulation.The electrical pulses relieve spasms and muscle tension and preserve knee joint mobility.
3. Sonic therapy.This treatment combines the topical action of ointments and gels with ultrasound.Therefore, the penetration of beneficial substances into the skin is increased.

Less commonly used are cryotherapy, paraffin therapy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and other techniques.

exercise therapy

Popular techniques include physical therapy and joint traction.Exercise therapy complexes are prescribed individually by a rehabilitation doctor.It may include exercises for independent performance using weights, medical equipment, and gymnastics.Some exercises need to be done in bed in the morning, others need to be done 3-4 times a day.The effectiveness of therapeutic exercises depends largely on the patient's sense of responsibility and desire to recover.If done correctly, this type of physical training can help stop the condition from getting worse and prevent surgery.

Traction is performed using special orthopedic devices.This method widens the gaps between joints, reducing friction and load on sore knees.

surgical treatment

Joint surgery is a way to affect the cause of a disease, not just the symptoms.It is used in stages 2-3 of arthrosis, when other methods are ineffective.There are several intervention options:

1. Arthroscopy.Modern methods make it possible to perform surgery through small incisions using thin instruments under camera surveillance.This type of surgery is easier to tolerate and recovery is faster.During surgery, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and tissue fiber fragments.
2. puncture.Refers to low-trauma interventions.It involves using a syringe to drain excess fluid from the joint.Allowing you to relieve swelling, inflammation and increase mobility.
3. Endoprosthesis.If in the final stages of the joint, the joint has been severely damaged, it can be replaced with a titanium alloy joint that is compatible with the body.This is the most extensive intervention, followed by long-term rehabilitation.They resort to it in the most difficult situations, when there are no other options.

To avoid surgery, you need to monitor your health and start treatment at the earliest onset of the disease.There is no need to endure years of knee pain and other joint disease symptoms drowning in painkillers.

Preventive measures for knee arthritis

You need to start taking care of your knee health as early as possible.The older you get, the more precautions you need to take.Athletes and overweight people should pay special attention to the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent knee arthritis, you must:

• Choose the right exercise and load based on your abilities.
• Use comfortable, high-quality, low-heeled shoes.
• Swimming evenly tenses and relaxes all muscles and joints.
• Avoid joint injuries and complete treatment.
• Avoid excessive weight gain and keep it on track.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, timely treatment of congenital features of joint development, such as various deformities and dislocations, is also important.

Knee osteoarthritis occurs not only in the elderly but also in younger patients.This disease takes a long time to develop, and with the right approach, it is possible to recover and avoid serious health consequences.