Knee osteoarthritis, what to do with it?

Many people with age, the phenomenon is a joint disease that doctors call arthrosis. Most often osteoarthritis affects people over the age of 45 years and very often osteoarthritis of the knee. If you do not treat arthritis, the cartilage disappears and the bone exposed, and it will make impossible the execution of the functions of the knee joint.

osteoarthritis

Causes that lead Yes the occurrence of osteoarthritis

The occurrence of osteoarthritis in the knee joint can contribute to a number of factors. Among them, the doctors are the following:

Various mechanical injuries. It can be as fractures and dislocations, but the most dangerous damage to the menisci. The injury phenomenon is one factor that can trigger the development of osteoarthritis at a very young age. Doctors say that the cause of the arthrosis of the phenomenon is not in itself a trauma, and treatment of this injury, which is associated with fixation of the limbs and, as a consequence, disturbance of microcirculation of blood in the area of the joint that leads to the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. In the case of damage to the meniscus and their subsequent removal, medical statistics says that in nine cases out of ten, to avoid osteoarthritis is not possible;

Excess weight by itself, the knee does not hurt, but is a risk factor for damage to the menisci. This injury is very dangerous, the process of recovery meniscus injury, long-lasting and in most cases leads to osteoarthritis. Doctors believe that the most severe forms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint occur in people who in addition Yes, overweight, suffer from varicose veins;

Problems with ligaments. Quite common case in people who have a good physical form. These people have a high mobility of the joints and of themselves are flexible. Such people are easy to sit on the twine, and can perform various elements of stretching exercises even without a warm-up. Nevertheless, such people have very "loose" ligaments. Who are these people exercise lead to the fact that the knee joint gets small injuries and they have become a cause of osteoarthritis;

Such a joint disease like arthritis is very easy passes in osteoarthritis. The fact that the phenomena of arthritis is an inflammatory process that leads to the formation of large amounts of fluid in the joint cavity, leading ultimately to the destruction of the cartilage and osteoarthritis of the knee joint;

Changes in metabolism also lead to the development of arthritis, especially important for joints phenomenon is the exchange of calcium; In the last hour of the phenomenon, there have been several theories that explain the phenomena of the appearance of osteoarthritis stress. According to madcow, after 40 many women accumulate emotional fatigue, and that it is a phenomena cause disturbances in the processes of blood circulation, including in the lower extremities, which also hurts and knee joint.

The symptoms of the disease

inflammation

In case of arthrosis of the knee joint most often the following symptoms:

Pain in the knee joint. The main feature is that pain is not phenomenon is suddenly. Usually, the person experiences a feeling of discomfort and aching pain for several months and even years. Amplified pain when running or walking fast. If the phenomenon had pain in the knee sharply, most likely, may not arthritis, and a pinched meniscus. The longer the illness develops, the stronger the pain. Especially severe pain after suffering loads associated with prolonged walking or heavy lifting. The pain subsided with rest, but as soon as there is physical exertion, pain immediately ate appear again. In many cases, patients with knee there is an exacerbation of pain when the conditions weather I the pain feels like when driving and at rest. For pain symptoms, it is recommended the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;

Deformity of the knee. This symptom manifests itself in the later stages of the disease. Not to be confused with the deformation of the knee with swelling, which may occur at the beginning of the disease; the Accumulation of excessive amounts of fluid in the knee joint. This phenomenon is Java called physicians synovitis, ale z hourly synovitis may go into a Baker's cyst, which is expressed in the formation of the seal at the rear of the knee joint. Fortunately, the Baker's cyst is treatable without surgery;

Crunch. In contrast, a hell of a crunch in the joints of healthy people with the crunch in the later stages of osteoarthritis accompanied by severe pain. In addition, the crunch for osteoarthritis of specific, dry. The reason for the crunch phenomenon is the problem of the ligaments, or excessive mobility of the joint itself;

The limitation of the knee joint. Because of the severe pain the patient can freely bend and straighten the leg. Typically, the limitation is accompanied by deformation of joints, which are well visible externally. In the later stages of osteoarthritis, the joints become completely immobile and independent movement, patients become very problematic. According to the degree of severity of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in clinical practice it is accepted to allocate such extent of the disease:

  1. Osteoarthritis of a joint of the first degree. Pain are minor and occur mainly when making movements. At rest, pain disappears. The cartilage at this stage already damaged, but no visible deformation visually. In the joint fluid can build up and form a Baker's cyst;
  2. Arthrosis other joint degree. The cartilage tissue is affected due to narrowing of the joint space. X-rays of the joint at this stage indicates that the bone has increased in size. The patient any movement is accompanied by severe pain, but at rest no pain. In flexion and extension of feet is heard, characterized by arthritis, dry crunch. By bending and straightening the knee phenomena are problems, doctors have patients fact deformation of the joint;
  3. Osteoarthritis of a joint of the third degree. The cartilage is so thin that in some places the bone was completely exposed. Moreover, in the joint cavity phenomena appear salt deposits which physicians are called osteophytes. Patient much pains that do not subside neither in movement, nor in the figure of calm.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis

Presumptive diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee a doctor can make during questioning of the patient during examination. However, that diagnosis was accurate required two mandatory research: diagnostic ultrasound and radiography. With regard to laboratory blood tests, they can assign that to eliminate diseases that have similar clinical picture, Yes example, arthritis. The most informative for the attending physician phenomena are the results of radiography, which allows to judge the degree of narrowing of the joint space, and also gives the opportunity to see the osteophytes. At the same time ultrasound gives information about the thickness of the articular cartilage, and also gives an idea of how they are attached and the knee joint tissue.

Treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint

physical therapy

If you suspect osteoarthritis in the knee joint should be treated and the local therapist, who if necessary refer Yes surgeon or podiatrist. The treatment of the disease includes various treatment strategies, however, the most effective to date of the phenomenon is drug treatment of osteoarthritis. In fact doctors use several groups of drugs. This:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • Chondroprotectors;
  • Steroid hormones of the series.
  • Drugs that improve circulation;
  • Vitamins

Ozone therapy

This methodology provides for the effects of ozone (O3) on the knee joint affected by osteoarthritis. This technique can be implemented as a direct external effect of ozone on the joint, and administer injections. This ozone has no contraindications, ale in the same hour may good pronounced treatment effect. In patients with decreased pain, less inflammation and restores blood circulation in the knee joint. It is believed that ozone therapy helps in the complex treatment with the use of chondroprotectors.

Kinesitherapy

This technique is based on the assumption that, when performing specific exercises is restoration of blood flow in the knee joint, and with it begins the restoration of the cartilage and the elasticity of ligaments. A set of exercises is chosen individually for each patient by a doctor. This treatment combines very well with medication.

Physical therapy

According to many doctors in the treatment of knee joint arthrosis physical therapy phenomenon is one of the main, not secondary, methods of treatment. During physiotherapeutic procedures removed pain and restored most of the functionality of the joint, moreover, some methods in the course of physiotherapy relieve pain and restored most of the functionality of the joint, moreover, some physiotherapy methods allow you to enter drugs to treat the disease. To date, all physiotherapy treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is divided into the following groups:

  • Which reduce the pain;
  • Acute inflammatory processes;
  • Reducing the blood supply;
  • Painkillers Physiotherapy
trauma

SF

As this procedure is most often used medium-wave ultraviolet irradiation (SF). During the procedure, ultraviolet rays are directed to the knee and focus on it until didn't eat you see a slight redness on the skin. It is believed that this is evidence of AB production of substances that reduce the sensitivity and pain. As a rule, patients are prescribed 6-7 sessions SF.

Magnetic therapy

In the last hour is especially popular to become magnetic. It is believed that the technique is applicable and arthrosis of first and second degree. The patients are 10-25 procedures of magnetotherapy skin procedure takes about 30 minutes. Due to the effect of magnetic field restores the blood supply to the cartilage and, as a consequence, the recovery begins.

Exercise for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint

Physiotherapy to treat arthritis is very important. There are many developments in this direction, but the most significant results were given a set of exercises developed by Dr. Evdokimenko and Lana Paley. Yes sorry, the complex has limitations. You cannot perform exercises to people:

  • At a critical time for women days;
  • Patients with high intracranial and arterial pressure;
  • At body temperature above 37.5 0C;
  • In the presence of an inguinal hernia;
  • In heart failure;
  • Have acute diseases of the internal organs.

The complex consists of nine exercises. Before you start the daily performance of the complex it is necessary to consult with your doctor. Practice shows that proper exercise program Evdokimenko – Paley under the control of physicians gives excellent results. And also remember that to perform these exercises using a warming ointment.

injections

Diet in the treatment of osteoarthritis

One of the reasons for arthrosis of the knee phenomenon is the excessive weight, which puts additional pressure on the joints. Because the weight loss phenomenon is one of the most important tasks in the complex treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Data from numerous studies suggests that weight loss of 5 pounds has a significant impact on improving the condition of the joints of the patient. Nutritionists believe that the nutrition of the patient should have sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, and at the same hour should have a minimal calorie content. In case of arthrosis in any case do not get involved in diuretic teas, which are so fond of using fans to drive away the excess weight. The fact is that when this occurs, the leaching of calcium, which is very undesirable in case of arthrosis of the joints. Nutrition should be a fraction, but for snacking should be used vegetables and fruits. It is believed that the morning should start with Breakfast, otherwise the metabolic processes long hours are not included and it is quite probable failures. Similarly affected and late dinners, which must be not later than 2-3 hours of sleep. Equally important phenomenon is the drinking enough water (minimum 2 liters per day). And also important phenomenon is the quality of the food. When osteoarthritis is very important to include such products as:

  • Soups, broths and jelly, cooked on the bone. These products contain a large number of natural chondroprotectors and collagen;
  • Meat chicken or Turkey, which are an excellent source of protein, extremely important for a healthy metabolism;
  • Fish, nuts, almonds and hazelnuts are very important sources of vitamin E;
  • Cereals and whole wheat bread phenomenon is the best options of complex carbohydrates necessary for proper nutrition of the patient;
  • Sunflower, linseed or olive oil are also important food components, as phenomena are sources of unsaturated fatty acids.

In the treatment of osteoarthritis, we should remember the fact that the treatment of this disease can not be instantaneous and, in fact, is to maintain a certain lifestyle, otherwise the patient may lose the ability to move independently.