Among the numerous diseases of the joints, osteoarthrosis is the most common.With the development of this pathology, the patient begins to problems with the mobility of the limbs, swelling, inflammation and intensive pain syndrome occur.And if we talk about the causes of arthrosis of the knee joint at a young age, then they can include many predisposing factors.
General information
The development of deformation processes in the area of the knee joint in official medicine is called gonarthrosis.The disease is accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic phenomena in hyalin cartilage, which develop in stages and deliver a lot of troubles to the patient.The main signs of the disease include:
- Pain syndrome.
- STATION OF MOVERS.
- Inflammation.
- Edema.
Among various forms of arthrosis, the damage to the knee joint is considered the most common.In most cases, the problem progresses in women aged 40 years.It can also manifest in young people against the background of mechanical injuries or colossal stress.For example, professional athletes are the most vulnerable to this pathology.
If you do not take appropriate measures in the early stages of the development of the disease, then over time, gonarthrosis will turn into a severe form, which will entail irreversible consequences.The dimensions of the joint will begin to increase at an incredible speed, the process of deformation will start in cartilage and bones, and any physical activity will be accompanied by intense pain and discomfort.In the worst case, the patient will completely lose the opportunity to move independently.
Many mistakenly think that arthrosis and arthritis are the same pathologies.However, the first disease implies an acute inflammatory reaction, and the second - a number of chronic diseases with a degenerative character.If the patient has the symptoms of both problems, he can be diagnosed with Arthroso-Arthritis.
The causes of arthrosis of the knee joint
The causes of the disease are very different, so it is problematic to distinguish one single.In most cases, the development of the problem occurs with the appearance of several provoking factors causing a violation.Modern medicine identifies such mechanisms of arthrosis:
- Primary.It is a natural process that occurs in people aged 40 years, and is explained by the aging of the body tissues.The primary mechanism for the development of arthrosis is also contributed to related factors, including obesity, heredity or high loads.
- Secondary - it covers 30% of all diseases arthrosis.The cause of the occurrence is associated with the transfer of mechanical injuries, fractures of the lower leg or ruptures of the ligaments.The first symptoms of pathology can appear a few years after the damage.However, with severe injuries, this can happen after 2-3 months.
There is another mechanism of development, which owns 7-8% of cases of arthrosis.It is as follows: if a person aged 40 suddenly began to go running or professional sports, this can lead to quick dystrophic and degenerative changes.In addition, arthrosis also manifests itself with concomitant diseases, including different forms of arthritis, gout, overweight, etc.
The reasons for the development of the disease are often associated with intense loads, lifting weights or frequent rises on the steps (especially in old age).Patients who have suffered spinal injuries or neurological diseases also fall into the risk zone.
In most cases, the predisposing factor in the occurrence of gonartrosis is muscle spasm in the anterior surface of the thigh.Since the appearance of the first pain, pathology may not manifest itself for a long time, and the only signs will be characteristic fatigue and severity in the legs.
Stages of development and symptoms
Having figured out what arthrosis of the knee joint appears from, you can begin to study the main symptoms and stages of the development of the disease.Experts argue that pathology is characterized by slow progression, as negative symptoms increase.Depending on the patient's ability to work, three stages of arthrosis are distinguished:
- First.
- The second.
- The third.
It should be noted that gonarthrosis does not have an acute form of course, because it is a degenerative process of a chronic nature.As for the term “acute arthrosis”, in most cases it concerns the third stage with weighted symptoms.
The first stage
At the first stage of gonarthrosis in the joint, the circulation of a special fluid begins to be disturbed, which nourishes it and lubricates.Special changes in the structure are not noticed, and the cartilage fabric is slightly inflamed.
The initial stage of development of arthrosis is accompanied by slight discomfort and a sense of stiffness during movement.The patient becomes problematic to climb the steps, make distant races or stand on his feet for a long time.Any increased activity leads to the appearance of pain in the knees.However, at the slightest rest, the pain syndrome is localized and disappears.
Further progression of pathology enhances pain, but the patient’s ability to work is not disturbed in any way.In this regard, the patient continues to lead the usual lifestyle.
It is not easy to determine the development of arthrosis in the initial stages.The fact is that people may simply not notice the symptoms, attributing everything to overwork.
Second and third degree
Between the initial symptoms and the transition of pathology to the second stage can take several months.At the same time, the patient can forget about the first symptoms for some time and continue to live an ordinary life.But the progression of degenerative changes will entail more serious consequences, namely:
- Enhanced pain at any load.
- STATION OF MOVERS.
- Edema.
- Inflammation.
In addition to the described symptoms, a crunch in the knee joints will also appear, which is explained by a violation of the structure.The cartilage tissue will begin to become thinner, and the volume of synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint, will significantly decrease.
If the patient did not begin treatment at the second stage of arthrosis, this will lead to the development of the third, more dangerous.It is a very neglected form of pathology, in which the joint loses its basic functionality, and the patient’s ability to work is at risk.
In this case, the content of the synovial fluid in the cartilaginous tissue becomes minimal, the cartilage loses its previous thickness, and the bones thicken.In the affected area, a lymphatic fluid also appears and an inflammatory process is launched.
In an advanced form, gonartrosis has such symptoms:
- Excessively severe pain syndrome, which occurs in any movements.Moreover, even if the patient is in a lying or sitting position without activity, he can suddenly feel severe pain.
- The motor abilities of the knee joint are greatly limited.
- The joint experiences a lot of changes, increases in size and deforms.You can notice such consequences with the naked eye.
As for the acute pain syndrome in the third stage of arthrosis, it appears spontaneously and is practically not localized by painkillers available in pharmacies.In this case, prosthetics of the joint are the only way out of the situation.
In particularly complex forms of gonarthrosis, experts distinguish another stage in which the destruction of the joint bag begins.Unfortunately, in modern medicine there are no effective ways to treat pathology, which has switched to 2 and 3 stages.In this regard, doctors recommend in time for help at the clinic if the slightest suspicion of gonartrosis is detected.
Diagnostics
Taking a understanding of the causes of gonarthrosis, it is important to know about the correct diagnosis of pathology.After all, you need to be able to distinguish it from other diseases that may have similar symptoms.
To determine the development of the disease, a comprehensive examination is used, which includes a biochemical blood test, radiography, MRI and ultrasound.It should be noted that with different stages of arthrosis, the composition of the blood remains almost similar, so any changes from the norm indicate the presence of another problem.
In connection with this feature, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the presence of gonarthrosis only with the help of an X -ray examination.The taken picture clearly shows violations in the structure of the joints and bones, and also determines the surface defects.
However, despite the high accuracy of the diagnosis, X -ray cannot study soft tissues, including cartilage and meniscus.As an additional product for diagnosis, ultrasound, MRI or CT is used.
If you determine the development of pathology in time and begin comprehensive treatment, this will avoid irreparable consequences and prevent the problem with moving to more serious stages.However, due to the specific course of the disease, many patients do not even think that joint pain, stiffness and other changes are not the result of fatigue after hard work, but a sign of the beginning of degenerative processes.
Treatment methodology
Currently, there are many ways to treat gonarthrosis.They may differ in the principle of action, a list of tasks to be solved, as well as individual characteristics.For a more productive fight against the disease, a comprehensive treatment is used, which is aimed at:
- Localization of pain.
- Improving mobile functions.
- Improving the condition of cartilage tissues and the patient as a whole.
- Strengthening the muscle structure that surrounds the affected joint.
The most common methodology for treating arthrosis is physiotherapy.It includes a set of special procedures that are aimed at strengthening muscle tissues and restoring blood circulation.
During physiotherapeutic treatment, the patient notices a significant improvement in well -being and slowing down degenerative processes.However, it is strictly prohibited to start the procedure independently, because improperly calculated loads can only aggravate the problem.
Trying to get rid of pain, relieve swelling and inflammation, it is necessary to use a number of non -steroidal type drugs.These include Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Diclofenac and others.The task of drugs is to quickly relieve pain for more productive treatment in the future.
If the use of non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medicines does not give any results, you will have to resort to the use of corticosteroids with a more pronounced anti -inflammatory effect.However, it is not recommended to use painkillers for a long period of time, because they only reduce the symptoms, slowing down the process of tissue restoration.If after taking any tablet the pain disappeared, it is better to refuse medicines.
External funds and surgical intervention
The causes of arthrosis of the joint fight with the help of various ointments, compresses and creams.And although these drugs do not treat arthrosis, they improve the patient's well -being and reduce pain.Among the most effective external means, warming and anti -inflammatory ointments are distinguished.
With the development of the second stage of the disease, the patient can prescribe intra -articular injections of corticosteroids, namely:
- Betamethason.
When choosing the drug, it is necessary to take into account its tolerance by the patient.If we talk about corticosteroids, then they are able to effectively eliminate pain, but not to cope with the severe stages of arthrosis.
If the disease is at the last stage, which is considered the most dangerous, surgery will be the only way out.In this case, you will have to perform surgical decompression of the joint bag to expand the lumen between the bones and restore cartilage surfaces.
Whether this approach will be effective depends on many factors.First of all, you need to take into account the severity of the disease.If it is not the most deplorable, it is quite possible to restore the former mobility of the joints and get rid of pain.
However, the sore joint will still make itself felt, so the patient should seriously revise his lifestyle.It will also be necessary to pay great attention to physiotherapy exercises, proper nutrition and adequate physical activity.
As a prevention, it is recommended to abandon the consumption of salted or spicy foods, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.Such actions will positively affect the condition of the body and save the joint from unnecessary loads.
Comprehensive treatment of arthrosis in compliance with the above recommendations is the best way to suspend a dangerous pathology and restore the previous operation of the knee joints.