The knee, like the other joints of a person, consists of bone and cartilage.The cartoon is a smooth, elastic and elastic layer which guarantees ease of approach and lack of friction.Damage to chronic wear cartilage are calledOsteoarthritis of the knee joint.
There are many factors that lead to osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- genetic predisposition;
- overweight;
- abnormal movement;
- injuries.
For a long time, a person does not feel pain and only when knee osteoarthritis leads to a deformation of the tension, the first symptoms appear.The patient consults a doctor, but the treatment of advanced disease can already succeed.
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint is often a consequence of accidents and injuries, but can only manifest itself after a few years.Therefore, with the slightest suspicion of this disease, you should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint include:
- Pain increasing during activity;
- swelling;
- Increase skin temperature;
- decrease in the mobility of the knee joint;
- The cry, the crisp sound which is understood during the movement.
Pain after periods of inaction is one of the most common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.She speaks in the morning, when the joints need time to warm up in the right way.After a person is like a moment, the pain disappears.
Sometimes you can notice the first signs of knee osteoarthritis by just looking at it.Even if the knee comes out more than usual, it can be the first sign.The increased knee trend with swelling is easy to recognize.The bulge in the thickness of the finger is formed above the knee cup, because this place is the weakest.This is due to an increase in the accumulation of liquid in the joint.
Reducing flexibility in the legs may indicate osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Those who could touch the heels of the buttocks, standing on one leg, but can go half the way today, should consult a doctor.The thigh muscles can start working more difficult than before, due to osteoarthritis of the knee, becoming shorter and begin to hurt.These muscles must be stretched and reinforced to restore previous functions.
Another sign of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the decrease in muscle strength in the legs.
Osteoarthritis transforms cartilage, which is smooth into glass in a rough fabric that looks like sandpaper in the first stages.When these surfaces rub on each other, you can hear the cry and friction noises in the joint.
How is knee osteoarthritis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis will begin with a medical examination with a doctor.Before taking, determine which pain occurs to help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.In addition, find out if someone suffers from arthritis in your family.
Your doctor may prescribe an additional diagnosis, in particular:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans X -rays which can show bones and damage to cartilage, 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 show that other types of joint tissue may 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 alteration of the immune system.
How is the osteoarthritis of the knee joint treated?
The main tasks of the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint are pain relief and the return of mobility.
Processing plan, as a rule, includes a combination of the following actions:
- Weight loss.The very loss of a small amount of weight, if necessary, can considerably reduce pain in the knee of osteoarthritis.
- Exercise.The strengthening of muscles around the knee makes the condition of the joints more stable and reduces pain.Stretching exercises help keep the articulation of the mobile and flexible knee.
- Anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drugs:Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or sodium.If the drugs do not bring relief, your doctor can give you a prescription from another anti-inflammatory drug to help relieve pain.
- Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in the knee.Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.Hyaluronic acid is generally present in joints as a type of lubricant, but with joint diseases, it is categorically.
- Alternative treatment methods.Certain alternative treatment methods that can be effective include: capsaiccin, acupuncture or additives, including glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Using devices such as supports.There are two types of supports: those who unload the hugs, thus removing the weight on the knee side;And the "support" media that support the entire knee.
- Physical activity and labor therapy. If you have problems with daily activities, physical exercises or labor therapy can help you.Physiotherapists will teach you to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility in the joint.Specialists will compose a set of exercises that suit you at home to reduce pain.
- Surgery.When other treatment methods do not work, surgery is the only option to get rid of the disease.
Is surgery used to treat knee osteoarthritis?
For the treatment of knee osteoarthritis using surgery, the following options are possible: arthroscopy, osteotomy, endoprosthetics.
HASarthroscopyA small telescope (arthroscope) and other small tools are used.The operation is carried out in small incisions.The surgeon uses an arthroscope so that the joint can be seen.Once the surgeon can remove damaged cartilage or particles, it can clean the surface of the bone.The procedure is often used on patients aged 55 (and less) in order to delay a more serious operation.
Osteotomy- This is a procedure that seeks to align the knee, modifying the shape of the bones.This type of operation can be recommended if you have damage, first of all, in a knee area.It can also be recommended if you have damaged your knee and it has not been restored.Osteotomy has no constant effect and surgery may be necessary in the future.
Endoprosthetics- This is a surgical procedure in which the joints are replaced by artificial parts of metals or plastic.Replacement may include one side or all the knee.As a rule, people over 50 and a serious form of osteoarthritis should be replaced.The operation may be necessary later, if the replacement wears out after several years, but with modern achievements, most prostheses have been used for more than 20 years.The operation presents risks, but the results are generally very good.