Among the numerous joint diseases, osteoarthritis 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 the arthrosis of the knee joint at a young age, they can include many predisposing factors.
General information
The development of deformation processes in the knee joint area in official medicine is called Gonartrosi.The disease is accompanied by degenerative dyeing phenomena in hyalinic cartilage, which develop in phases and provide many problems to the patient.The main signs of the disease include:
- Pain syndrome.
- Removal station.
- Inflammation.
- Edema.
Among the various forms of arthrosis, the damage to the knee joint is considered the most common.In most cases, the problem progresses in 40 -year -old women.It can also occur in young people against the background of mechanical injuries or colossal stress.For example, professional athletes are the most vulnerable to this pathology.
If appropriate measures are not adopted in the early stages of the development of the disease, over time, gonartrosis will turn into a serious form, which will involve irreversible consequences.The size of the joint will begin to increase at an incredible speed, the deformation process will begin 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 erroneously think that arthrosis and arthritis are the same pathologies.However, the first disease implies an acute inflammatory reaction and the second - a series 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 a single.In most cases, the development of the problem occurs with the appearance of several provocative factors that cause a violation.Modern medicine identifies these mechanisms of arthrosis:
- Primary.It is a natural process that occurs in 40 -year -old people and is explained by the aging of body tissues.The primary mechanism for the development of arthrosis has also contributed to related factors, including obesity, hereditary or high loads.
- Secondary: it covers 30% of all arthrosis diseases.The cause of the occurrence is associated with the transfer of mechanical injuries, fractures of the lower part of the leg or ruptures of the ligaments.The first symptoms of the pathology may appear a few years after the damage.However, with serious injuries, this can happen after 2-3 months.
There is another development mechanism, which has 7-8% of arthrosis cases.It is the following: if a 40 -year -old person has suddenly started running or professional sports, this can lead to rapid 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, weight lifting or frequent increases on steps (especially in old age).Patients who have undergone spinal injuries or neurological diseases are also part of the risk area.
In most cases, the predisposing factor in the occurrence of gonartrosis is the muscle spasm in the front surface of the thigh.From the appearance of the first pain, the pathology may not occur for a long time and the only signs will be the fatigue and gravity characteristic in the legs.
Development phase and symptoms
Having understood what the arthrosis of the knee joint appears, you can start studying the main symptoms and phases of the development of the disease.Experts claim that the pathology is characterized by a slow progression, with the increase in negative symptoms.Depending on the patient's ability to work, three phases of osteoarthritis are distinguished:
- First.
- The second.
- The third.
It should be noted that Gonartrosis obviously does not have an acute form, 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 the weighted symptoms.
The first stadium
In the first phase of gonartrosis in the articulation, the circulation of a special fluid begins to be disturbed, which nourishes and lubricates it.Special changes are not noticed in the structure and fabric of the cartilage is slightly inflamed.
The initial phase of the development of arthrosis is accompanied by a slight discomfort and a sense of rigidity during movement.The patient becomes problematic to climb the steps, make distant breeds or stand for a long time.Any greater activity leads to the appearance of pain in the knees.However, at a minimum rest, pain syndrome is located and disappears.
The further progression of the pathology improves pain, but the patient's ability to work is in no way disturbed.In this regard, the patient continues to guide the usual lifestyle.
It is not easy to determine the development of osteoarthritis in the initial stages.The fact is that people may simply not notice the symptoms, attributing everything to the overload.
Second and third degree
Between the initial symptoms and the transition of the pathology to the second stadium they may take several months.At the same time, the patient can forget the first symptoms for some time and continue to live an ordinary life.But the progression of degenerative changes will lead to more serious consequences, that is to say:
- Improved pain for any load.
- Removal station.
- Edema.
- Inflammation.
In addition to the symptoms described, a creak will also appear in the knee joints, which is explained by a violation of the structure.The cartilage tissue will begin to become thinner and the volume of the synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the articulation, will decrease significantly.
If the patient has not started treatment in the second phase of arthrosis, this will lead to the development of the third, more dangerous.It is a very neglected form of pathology, in which the articulation 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 cartilage 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 serious pain syndrome, which occurs in any movements.In addition, even if the patient is in a lying position or sitting without activity, he can suddenly feel severe pain.
- The motor skills of the knee joint are significantly limited.
- The conjunction experiences many changes, increases in size and deformations.You can see these consequences with the naked eye.
As for acute pain syndrome in the third phase of osteoarthritis, it appears spontaneously and practically not located by pain relievers available in pharmacies.In this case, the articulation prostheses are the only way out of the situation.
In particularly complex forms of gonartrosis, experts distinguish another stage in which the destruction of the joint bag begins.Unfortunately, in modern medicine there are no effective ways to treat the pathology, which has passed to 2 and 3 phases.In this regard, doctors recommend in time to ask for help in the clinic if the slightest suspicion of gonartrosis is detected.
Diagnostics
Taking an understanding of the causes of gonartrosis, it is important to know the correct diagnosis of the pathology.After all, you must be able to distinguish it from other diseases that may have similar symptoms.
To determine the development of the disease, a complete examination is used, which includes a biochemical blood test, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.It should be noted that with different stages of arthrosis, the composition of the blood remains almost similar, therefore any changes from the norm indicate the presence of another problem.
In relation to this function, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the presence of gonartrosis only with the help of an X -ray exam. The image taken clearly shows violations in the structure of the joints and bones and also determines surface defects.
However, despite the high precision of the diagnosis, X -raggi cannot study soft tissues, including cartilage and meniscus.As an additional product for diagnosis, ultrasound is used, magnetic resonance imaging or CT.
If you determine the development of the pathology over time and start a complete treatment, this will avoid irreparable consequences and prevent the problem from moving to more serious stages.However, due to the specific course of the disease, many patients do not even think that joint pain, rigidity and other changes are not the result of fatigue after hard work, but a sign of the start of degenerative processes.
Treatment methodology
Currently, there are many ways to treat gonartrosis.They can differ in the principle of action, a list of tasks to be resolved, as well as individual characteristics.For a more productive struggle against the disease, complete treatment is used, which is aimed at:
- Location of pain.
- Improve mobile functions.
- Improve the conditions of the cartilage and patient fabrics as a whole.
- Strengthen the muscle structure that surrounds the affected articulation.
The most common methodology for the treatment of arthrosis is physiotherapy.It includes a series of special procedures that aim to strengthen muscle tissues and restore blood circulation.
During physiotherapy treatment, the patient notes a significant improvement in the well -being and slowdown of degenerative processes.However, it is strictly forbidden to start the procedure independently, since the loads calculated improperly can only aggravate the problem.
Trying to get rid of pain, relieve swelling and inflammation, it is necessary to use a series of non -sterileidal drugs.These include ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and others.The task of the drugs is quickly alleviating the pain for a more productive treatment in the future.
If the use of non -steering anti -inflammatory medicines does not provide any result, you will have to resort to the use of corticosteroids with an most pronounced anti -inflammatory effect.However, it is not recommended to use painkillers for a long period of time, since they only reduce symptoms, slowing down the tissue restoration process.If after taking any tablet the pain has disappeared, it is better to refuse medicines.
External funds and surgery
The causes of arthrosis of joint combat with the help of various ointments, compositions and creams.And although these drugs did not treat arthrosis, they improve patient well -being and reduce pain.Among the most effective external means, heating and anti -inflammatory ointments are distinguished.
With the development of the second stage of the disease, the patient may prescribe intra -articular injections of corticosteroids, that is to say:
- Betametone.
When choosing the drug, it is necessary to take into account its tolerance by the patient.If we talk about corticosteroids, they are able to effectively eliminate pain, but not to cope with the serious stages of osteoarthritis.
If the disease is at the last phase, which is considered the most dangerous surgery, it will be the only way out.In this case, you will have to perform the surgical decompression of the joint bag to expand the light between the bones and restore the surfaces of the cartilage.
If this approach is effective it depends on many factors.First of all, you have to take into account the severity of the disease.If it is not the most deplorable, it is completely possible to restore the first mobility of the joints and get rid of pain.
However, the painful joint will still be felt, so the patient should seriously review his lifestyle.It will also be necessary to pay great attention to physiotherapy exercises, correct nutrition and adequate physical activity.
As a prevention, it is recommended to abandon the consumption of salty or spicy foods, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.These actions will positively influence body conditions and save the joint from unnecessary loads.
The complete treatment of osteoarthritis in accordance with the above recommendations is the best way to suspend a dangerous pathology and restore the previous operation of the knee joints.