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Knee Arthropathy: Symptoms

The leading cause of acute knee pain in patients over the age of 50 is knee arthropathy (degeneration of the knee).Degree of arthropathy of the knee jointThe disease is characterized by a rapid progression that can lead to disability and inability to work, therefore, prompt detection of knee arthropathy symptoms and treatment, including at home, is a major task in the examination of patients at risk for knee disease. Musculoskeletal system.

What is Knee Osteoarthritis

The knee joint is one of the most flexible joints in the human skeleton and is vulnerable to mechanical damage such as injury. It connects the tibia and femur, as well as the largest sesamoid, in the tendon of the quadriceps (patella or patella). The surface of the joint is covered with cartilage tissue - a dense elastic substance that surrounds chondrocytes (oval-shaped cells formed by chondroblasts) and forms a protective shell around them, which also acts as a shock absorber.

The components of cartilage contain collagen - a fibrous protein that is the main component of connective fibers that provide cartilage's strength and elasticity - and glucosamine. Glucosamine is a substance produced by cartilage. Glucosamine is part of synovial fluid -- a yellow, elastic substance that fills the joint cavity and acts as a lubricant. If the synthesis of glucosamine and proteoglycans is impaired, the amount of synovial fluid is reduced, resulting in exposure of the joint site and severe pain. Therefore, the treatment of 1st degree knee arthropathy always includes the use of chondroprotective drugs.

What happens to joints with arthropathy:

  1. Soft and loose cartilage, with deep ulcers on the surface;
  2. synovial thickening;
  3. The composition of synovial fluid changes and secretion decreases;
  4. Ligament and joint capsule sprains;
  5. The joint cavity is filled with exudate - an inflammatory fluid released from blood vessels during acute inflammation.
Knee Prosthesis and Knee Arthropathy

Without prompt and adequate treatment, arthropathy can lead to complete deformation and destruction of the knee joint, and patients may exhibit unnatural range of motion and complete immobility of the joint. To stop the process of destroying the surface of the joint and cartilage in the event of a diagnosis of knee arthropathy, a doctor may recommend arthroplasty -- a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged joint with an appropriately sized artificial prosthesis.

The cost of an initial knee replacement varies by region, ranging from $255 to $1, 465.


If there is an indication, it can be acted upon according to the quota within the CHI program.

Classification and etiology

Arthropathy of the knee can be primary and secondary. Primary arthropathy is diagnosed when the exact pathological cause cannot be determined. If cartilage deformation is preceded by other diseases and pathologies, knee injury, arthropathy is considered secondary, that is, develops in the context of a primary disease.

The main causes of secondary arthropathy of the knee include:

  • Various developmental abnormalities and other pathologies in which abnormal development and tissue formation occur;
  • Lumbar or cervical neurodystrophy;
  • Inflammation of the knee joint (arthritis);
  • Joint injuries and microtrauma;
  • surgical removal of the damaged meniscus or part of it (meniscectomy);
  • Endocrine system diseases and hormonal disorders, in which the metabolic response is slowed down and bone tissue metabolism is disturbed.

Primary arthropathy of the knee usually occurs in people with a sedentary lifestyle or, conversely, in people who regularly experience more physical activity on the knee. People who are overweight, people over the age of 50, residents of environmentally disadvantaged areas, and various types of patients (smokers, drug addicts, alcoholics) addicted to toxic substances are also at increased risk of developing joint disease.

Periodic hypothermia can lead to inflammation and further deformation of the knee joint, so people with a predisposition to musculoskeletal disorders are advised to observe temperature conditions and abstain from activities associated with prolonged exposure to hypothermia (working outdoors, working in refrigerators and freezers, etc. ). d. ).

Women over the age of 45 who are interested in how to treat knee arthropathy should know that decreased estrogen synthesis is a predisposing factor for the development of pathology, which may occur after menopause and in some gynecological diseases: endometrial hyperplasia, fibroids, fibroidstumor, endometriosis. A downside is also a variety of diets that limit the intake of foods rich in minerals, vitamins, and other elements needed for joint health.

signs and symptoms

In order to have the best possible prognosis in later life, it is important to know not only how to treat knee disease, but also what symptoms the disease itself presents. This is necessary for prompt medical attention and early detection of possible deformities and other injuries of the knee. The initial pathological symptoms are weak, and 1st-degree knee arthropathy can only be identified after hardware and instrumental diagnosis.

The first symptoms of the disease include:

  1. morning stiffness in the knee;
  2. Pain when walking more than 1-1. 5 km;
  3. knee pain when sitting for long periods of time (more than 2 hours);
  4. Knee pain after standing for long periods of time;
  5. Knee pain at the end of the day or during sleep in the middle of the night.

If the patient does not receive the necessary treatment at this stage, the disease will progress. In order to choose the correct drug for knee arthropathy, a series of diagnostic tests (MRI, computed tomography, radiography, etc. ) are performed and the degree of deformation of the joint, the level of synovial fluid, is determined. Density of cavity, cartilage tissue and synovium. The symptoms of knee arthropathy of degree 2 and 3 are shown in the table below.

Differential Diagnosis of 2nd and 3rd Degree Arthropathy of the Knee:
diagnostic sign Knee 2 degrees Knee 3 degrees
Pain while resting at night May appear when changing body position or when getting out of bed. No movement takes place.
Ability to use public transport (excluding low-floor buses) Patients experience pain when climbing stairs, but can use public transportation without assistance with certain restrictions. The patient was unable to get on the bus or tram by himself due to the limited mobility of the knee joint.
lame Abbreviated table. The lameness is so pronounced that extra support (a cane) is required to move.
Stiff knees after waking up The duration is less than 10-15 minutes. Lasts about 20-30 minutes or more.
pain when walking Happens after 800-1000 meters. They start at the beginning of the movement and strengthen after passing distances of less than 500 m.
self-service capabilities Usually saved. The patient cannot perform many movements without outside help.

Treating Knee Arthropathy at Home

Treatment of knee arthropathy can be done with the help of:

  • medical methods;
  • physical therapy exercises;
  • massage.

Traditional medicine recipes should only be used in consultation with the attending physician and should not replace the primary treatment prescribed by a specialist.

The choice of therapeutic drugs and methods depends not only on the patient's age and his chronic disease, but also on the stage of the arthropathy and the degree of deformation of the cartilage and joint surfaces.

Arthropathy 1st degree

This is the mildest form of joint disease and in most cases can be cured with minor medical corrections and other measures: massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy. Regardless of the stage, the most effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis is laser therapy. This is the main method of physical therapy and works well in the early stages of arthropathy.

It helps to achieve the following effects:

  1. The degree of inflammation in the joint cavity is reduced;
  2. reduced pain intensity;
  3. Stimulates tissue regeneration processes;
  4. Glucocorticoids and other drugs with serious side effects are no longer required.

As an alternative to laser therapy, doctors can offer pulsed magnetic therapy, acupuncture, electromyography, and electrophoresis.

All of these methods are very effective in treating arthropathy.Deformation does not exceed 20-25%, but if combined with physiotherapy exercise and massage, the therapeutic effect will be higher.

Orthopedic surgeons and surgeons note the positive effects of using water sports designed to develop leg muscle strength.

Patients with Knee Arthropathy 1-2 may receive nursing home treatment (during stable remission), including mud therapy, sauna warm-up, and therapeutic baths. Overweight patients require a special diet because obesity is one of the main factors in the development of the knee joint.

In the case of arthropathy, it is necessary to immobilize the diseased knee joint with an orthosis

Arthropathy 2 degrees

Treatment of second-degree knee arthropathy includes physiotherapy and massage (outside the acute phase), special nutrition, physiotherapy exercises, and medication. It is important to reduce the load on the damaged joint: limit walking and avoid movements that require knee flexion. With rapidly progressive arthropathy, special orthoses - orthopedic devices designed to immobilize the diseased joint and limit its mobility are required.

Medication regimens may include the following drugs:

  • chondroprotective agent;
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid;
  • Inject glucocorticoids.

The diet of patients with knee osteoarthritis should include adequate amounts of collagen-rich foods.

This:

  • Products containing gelling additives (jelly, jellies, jellies, aspic);
  • Products with added pectin;
  • fish oil.

Almost all fruits and berries contain essential amino acids and minerals for joint health and mobility, but these foods should be eatenDiabetic patients only.

Arthropathy 3rd degree

Treatment of third-degree knee arthropathy is no different than treatment of second-degree knee arthropathy.

Due to its ineffectiveness and severe movement limitations, the patient was prescribed surgery and further repair of the damaged joint.

folk method

Before you learn how to treat your knee with alternative medicine at home, you need to talk to your doctor. The following methods can only be used in the initial stage of arthropathy 1 and 2.

Nettle and Lemon Juice

This infusion should be taken orally 20-30 minutes before meals. A single dose is 50-80 ml.

To prepare an infusion, you must:

  1. Mix 100 grams of dried or fresh nettle leaves with three peeled heads of garlic;
  2. Pass the mixture through a meat grinder;
  3. add 4 tablespoons lemon juice;
  4. Mix everything, add 250ml boiling water and cover;
  5. Hold for 4 hours.

The duration of treatment in this way is at least 60 days. During the first week, the infusion should be 1 time per day, for the next 7-10 days - 2 times per day. From the third week of treatment, the frequency of dosing should be increased to 3 times a day.

Honey ointment for joints

This ointment helps relieve inflammation and reduce pain. The first effect is noticeable after a week of daily use, but to achieve a steady effect you need to use it for 30-45 days.

To prepare the ointment, you must:

  • melt 2 tablespoons butter;
  • Mix the oil with two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of 6% apple cider vinegar;
  • Put the mixture in the refrigerator to solidify.

Apply this ointment on the knees 2-3 times a day (the last time - before bed).

Dandelion bath

For such a bath, use a dandelion root tincture. To prepare it, you need to mix 120g of crushed dandelion root with 150ml of vodka and keep it in a dark place for a day. Before bathing, the contents of the container must be poured into the water and stirred. It is recommended to take such a bath 1-2 times a week. After the operation, the knee pain was relieved, and the range of motion of the joint was gradually restored. The therapeutic effect is even higher if 150 grams of sea salt rich in iodine and bromine is added to the water.

Comment

  1. "Only injections of hyaluronic acid helped my arthropathy. A very good drug with minimal side effects and high efficiency. Now my knees are almost pain free, although before I could not even go down stairs without help. "
  2. "Knee joint disease is an incurable disease in my opinion. You can relieve the pain a little, but it still comes back. During the exacerbations, I treat with ficus and Jerusalem artichoke. It works no worse than pills, just for the heartAnd the liver is not harmed.
  3. "I was also diagnosed with secondary knee arthropathy. The cause was most likely overweight (I weighed over 130kg at the time). For treatment, a salt-free diet, chondroprotective agents, anti-inflammatory ointments and hormone injections were prescribed. I followed the instructionsDid everything - the joint disease completely disappeared.

Knee osteoarthritis is a serious pathology of the musculoskeletal system that is prone to rapid development. Treatment options should be selected by the attending physician after comprehensive diagnosis and identification of degenerative, dystrophic processes and degree of deformation of cartilage and articular surfaces. The prognosis of treatment depends on following your doctor's orders and seeing your doctor promptly.