The knee, like other joints of a person, consists of bone and cartilage.The cartoon is a smooth, elastic and elastic layer that guarantees the ease of gait and the lack of friction.Cartilage damage by chronic wear is calledKnee arthrosis.
There are many factors that lead to knee arthrosis:
- genetic predisposition;
- overweight;
- abnormal movement;
- Injuries.
For a long time, one does not experience pain and only when knee arthrosis leads to strain deformity, the first symptoms appear.The patient consults with a doctor, but treatment of advanced disease can now be successful.
Knee arthrosis is often a consequence of accidents and injuries, but it can only occur in a few years.Therefore, with the least suspicion of this disease, you should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis joint
Symptoms of knee arthrosis joint include:
- Increase in pain during activity;
- swelling;
- Raising skin temperature;
- Reducing the mobility of the knee joint;
- The creaking, the crunchy sound that is heard during the move.
Pain after periods of inaction is one of the most common symptoms of knee arthrosis.It is expressed in the morning when the joints need time to warm the right way.Once a person is like a while, the pain disappears.
Sometimes you can notice the first signs of knee arthrosis by just looking at it.Even if the knee stands out more than usual, it may be the first sign.The increased knee trend towards swelling is easy to recognize.The bulge in the thickness of the finger is formed above the knee glass, as this place is the most glorious.This is due to an increase in fluid accumulation in the joint.
Reducing leg flexibility may indicate knee arthrosis.Those who have previously been able to touch the heels of the ass standing on one leg but can start half of the road today should consult a doctor.The muscles of the thigh can begin to work harder than before, because of knee arthrosis, becoming short and start to hurt.These muscles must be stretched and strengthened to restore previous functions.
Another sign of knee arthrosis is the reduction of muscle strength in the legs.
Arthrosis converts cartilage, which is as smooth as glass into rough fabric that looks like a sandpaper in the early stages.When these surfaces are rubbed on top of each other, you can hear the creaking and the sounds of friction in the joint.
How is knee arthrosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis will start with a medical examination by a doctor.Before taking, determine what pain it occurs to help your doctor make the right diagnosis.Also, find out if someone has arthritis in your family.
Your doctor may prescribe an additional diagnosis, including:
- Magnetic resonance images (MRI) scanned X -rays that may indicate bones and cartilage damage, as well as the presence of bone spurs;
- MRI can be ordered when X -rays do not give a clear cause of joint pain or when X -rays indicate that other types of joint tissues can be damaged.Doctors can use blood tests to exclude other conditions that can cause pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, another type of arthritis caused by impaired immune system.
How is knee arthrosis treated?
The main tasks for treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint are the relief of pain and the return of mobility.
Treatment plan, as a rule includes a combination of the following actions:
- Weight lossSLoss of even a small amount of weight, if necessary, can significantly reduce the pain in the knee from osteoarthritis.
- Exercise.The strengthening of the muscles around the knee makes the condition of the joints more stable and reduces the pain.Stretching exercises help to maintain the mobile and flexible knee.
- Anesthetic and anti -inflammatory drugs:Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or sodium.If medicines are not relieved, your doctor may give you a prescription to another anti -inflammatory drug to help relieve pain.
- Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid into the knee.Steroids are powerful anti -inflammatory drugs.Hyaluronic acid is usually present in the joints as a type of lubrication, but in joint diseases it is definitely missing.
- Alternative treatments.Some alternative treatments that can be effective include: capsaicin creams, acupuncture or supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Using devices as brackets.There are two types of brackets: those that unload the braces, thus eliminating their weight on the side of the knee;And "maintenance" brackets that provide maintenance for the entire knee.
- Physical activity and work therapy. If you have problems with daily activities, exercise or work therapy can help.Physiotherapists will teach you how to strengthen your muscles and increase your joint flexibility.Specialists will form a set of exercises that are right for you to be at home to reduce the pain.
- Operation.When other treatments do not work, surgery is the only option for release from the disease.
Is surgery used to treat knee osteoarthritis?
The following options are possible for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with the help of surgery: arthroscopy, osteotomy, endoprothetic.
AtArthroscopyA small telescope (arthroscope) and other small instruments are used.The operation is performed by small sections.The surgeon uses an arthroscope so that the joint is seen.Once the surgeon can remove cartilage or damaged free particles, it can clean the surface of the bone.The procedure is often used in patients 55 years of age (and younger) to slow down more serious surgery.
Osteotomy- This is a procedure that seeks to align the knee, changing the shape of the bones.This type of surgery may be recommended if you have damage, first in one area of the knee.It may also be recommended if you have damaged your knee and has not been restored.Osteotomy has no constant effect and surgery may be required in the future.
Endoprothetics- This is a surgical procedure in which the joints are replaced by artificial parts of metals or plastic.The replacement may include one side or the entire knee.As a rule, people over 50 years of age and severe osteoarthritis need replacement.The surgery may be necessary later if the replacement escapes in a few years, but with modern achievements, most dentures serve more than 20 years.The operation has risks, but the results are usually very good.