Among the numerous joint diseases, osteoarthritis is the most common.With the development of this pathology, the patient begins problems with limb mobility, swelling, inflammation and intensive pain syndrome.And if we talk about the causes of knee articulation arthrosis at an early age, they may include many predisposing factors.
general information
The development of deformation processes in the knee joint area in official medicine is called gonarthrosis.The disease is accompanied by degenerative-distribution phenomena in Hyalin's cartilage, which develop in stages and provide many problems to the patient.The main signs of the disease include:
- Pain syndrome.
- Movers Station.
- Inflammation.
- Edema.
Among various forms of arthrosis, knee joint damage is considered the most common.In most cases, the problem advances in women aged 40.You can also manifest in young people against the background of mechanical injuries or colossal stress.For example, professional athletes are the most vulnerable to this pathology.
If you do not take appropriate measures in the early stages of disease development, over time, gonarthrosis will become severely, which will imply irreversible consequences.The dimensions of the joint will begin to increase at incredible speed, the deformation process will begin in cartilage and bones, and any physical activity will be accompanied by intense pain and discomfort.At worst, the patient will completely lose the opportunity to move independently.
Many mistakenly think that arthrosis and arthritis are the same pathologies.However, the first disease implies an acute inflammatory reaction and the second - various degenerative chronic diseases.If the patient has the symptoms of both problems, he may be diagnosed with arthrroso-arthritis.
The causes of knee articulation arthrosis
The causes of the disease are very different, so it is problematic to distinguish one.In most cases, the development of the problem occurs with the appearance of several provocative factors that cause a violation.Modern medicine identifies these arthrosis mechanisms:
- Primary.It is a natural process that occurs in people aged 40 and is explained by aging body tissues.The primary mechanism for the development of arthrosis also contributes to related factors, including obesity, heredity or high loads.
- Secondary - covers 30% of all arthrosis diseases.The cause of the occurrence is associated with the transfer of mechanical lesions, leg fractures or ligament ruptures.The first symptoms of pathology may appear a few years after damage.However, with serious injuries, this can happen after 2-3 months.
There is another development mechanism, which has 7-8% of cases of arthrosis.That's as follows: If a 40 -year -old person suddenly started running professional sports or sports, it can lead to quick 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, raising frequent weights or increases in the steps (especially in old age).Patients who have suffered spinal injuries or neurological diseases also fit the risk zone.
In most cases, the predisposing factor in the occurrence of gonarthrosis is muscle spasm on the anterior thigh surface.As the appearance of the first pain, the pathology may not manifest for a long time, and the only signs will be fatigue and gravity characteristics in the legs.
Development stages and symptoms
Having found that knee joint arthrosis appears, you can start studying the main symptoms and stages of disease development.Experts argue that pathology is characterized by slow progression as negative symptoms increase.Depending on the patient's ability to work, three stages of arthrosis are distinguished:
- First.
- The second.
- The third.
It should be noted that gonarthrosis has no acute form, of course, because it is a degenerative process of chronic nature.As for the term "acute arthrosis", in most cases, it concerns the third stage with weighted symptoms.
The first stage
In the first stage of gonarthrosis in the joint, the circulation of a special fluid begins to be disturbed, which nourishes and lubricates it.Special changes in the structure are not noticed and the cartilage tissue is slightly inflamed.
The early stage of arthrosis development is accompanied by slight discomfort and a sense of rigidity during movement.The patient becomes problematic to climb the steps, make distant races or stand for a long time.Any increased activity leads to the appearance of knee pain.However, in the slightest rest, pain syndrome is located and disappears.
The additional progression of the pathology increases pain, but the patient's ability to work is not at all.In this sense, the patient continues to lead the usual lifestyle.
It is not easy to determine the development of arthrosis in the early stages.The fact is that people simply do not perceive the symptoms, attributing everything to overwork.
Second and third degree
Among the initial symptoms and the transition from pathology to the second stage, it can take several months.At the same time, the patient can forget the first symptoms for some time and continue to live a common life.But the progression of degenerative changes will imply more serious consequences, namely:
- Improved pain in any load.
- Movers Station.
- Edema.
- Inflammation.
In addition to the symptoms described, a crisis in knee joints will also appear, which is explained by a violation of the structure.Cartilage tissue will begin to become thinner, and the volume of synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint, will decrease significantly.
If the patient does not start treatment in the second stage of arthrosis, this will lead to the development of the more dangerous third party.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 contents of the synovial liquid in the cartilaginous tissue becomes minimal, the cartilage loses its anterior thickness and the bones thickened.In the affected area, a lymphatic fluid and an inflammatory process is also launched.
Advancedly, gonarthrosis has these symptoms:
- Excessively severe pain syndrome, which occurs in any movements.Also, even if the patient is in a liar position or sitting without activity, he can suddenly feel intense pain.
- Motor knee joint skills are quite limited.
- The set experiences many changes, size and deformed increases.You can notice these consequences with the naked eye.
As for acute pain syndrome in the third stage of arthrosis, it appears spontaneously and is hardly located by analgesics available in pharmacies.In this case, the articulation prostheses are the only way out of the situation.
In particularly complex forms of gonarthrosis, experts distinguish another stage in which the destruction of the joint bag begins.Unfortunately, in modern medicine, there are no effective ways to treat pathology, which has changed to 2 and 3 stages.In this sense, doctors recommend helping time in the clinic if the slightest suspicion of gonarthrosis is detected.
Diagnosis
Taking an understanding of the causes of gonarthrosis, it is important to know the correct diagnosis of the pathology.After all, you need to distinguish it from other diseases that may have similar symptoms.
To determine the development of the disease, a comprehensive examination is used, which includes an examination of biochemical blood, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.It should be noted that with different arthrosis stages, blood composition remains almost similar, so any changes in the standard indicate the presence of another problem.
In connection with this feature, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the presence of gonarthrosis only with the help of an X -ray exam. The photo taken clearly shows violations in the joint and bone structure and also determines surface defects.
However, despite the high accuracy of the diagnosis, radius -x cannot study soft tissues, including cartilage and meniscus.As an additional product for diagnosis, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
If you determine the development of the pathology over time and start comprehensive treatment, this will avoid irreparable consequences and prevent the problem from changing to more serious stages.However, due to the specific course of the disease, many patients do not think that joint pain, stiffness and other changes are not the result of fatigue after hard work, but a sign of the onset of degenerative processes.
Treatment Methodology
Currently, there are many ways to treat gonarthrosis.They may differ at the principle of action, a list of tasks to be resolved as well as individual characteristics.For a more productive struggle against the disease, a comprehensive treatment is used, which aims:
- Pain location.
- Improving moving functions.
- Improving the condition of cartilage and patient tissues as a whole.
- Strengthening the muscle structure that surrounds the affected joint.
The most common methodology for the treatment of arthrosis is physical therapy.It includes a set of special procedures designed to strengthen muscle tissues and restore blood circulation.
During physical therapy treatment, the patient perceives a significant improvement in the well and the slowdown of degenerative processes.However, it is strictly forbidden to start the procedure independently, because cargo improperly calculated can only aggravate the problem.
Trying to get rid of pain, relieve swelling and inflammation, it is necessary to use various non -esteroid medications.This includes ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and others.The task of drugs is to quickly relieve pain for more productive treatment in the future.
If the use of non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs does not provide any results, you will need to use corticosteroids with a more pronounced anti -inflammatory effect.However, it is not recommended to use painkillers for a long time, because they only reduce symptoms, reducing the process of tissue restoration.If, after taking any pills, the pain has disappeared, it is better to refuse medications.
External funds and surgical intervention
The causes of arthrosis of the joint struggle with the help of various ointments, compresses and creams.And while these medications do not treat arthrosis, they improve the patient's well and reduce pain.Among the most effective external means, warming and anti -inflammatory ointments are distinguished.
With the development of the second stage of the disease, the patient can prescribe intra -articular corticosteroid injections, namely ::
- Betametason.
When choosing the medicine, it is necessary to consider your tolerance by the patient.If we talk about corticosteroids, they can effectively eliminate pain, but not deal with the serious stages of arthrosis.
If the disease is in the last stage, which is considered the most dangerous, the surgery will be the only way out.In this case, you will have to perform surgical decompression of the joint bag to expand the lumen between bones and restore cartilage surfaces.
If this approach will be effective depends on many factors.First of all, you need to consider the severity of the disease.If it is not the most deplorable, it is quite possible to restore old joint mobility and get rid of pain.
However, the painful joint will still feel felt, so the patient should seriously review his lifestyle.It will also be necessary to pay close attention to physical therapy exercises, proper nutrition and proper physical activity.
As a prevention, it is recommended to abandon the consumption of salty or spicy foods, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.Such actions will positively affect the condition of the body and save the unnecessary load joint.
Comprehensive arthrosis treatment in accordance with the above recommendations is the best way to suspend a dangerous pathology and restore the previous operation of knee joints.