Arthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint: treatment, causes, prevention

Often doctors hear complaints from patients on leg pain. They arise not only during sports, but also during periods of total rest. In most cases, this can be simple fatigue, but sometimes such signs are the first "bells" of a terrible and dangerous disease known to us as arthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint. Treatment should be literate and professional, in order to avoid serious complications and irreversible consequences.

Characteristics of the disease

Knee arthrosis, called in the medical community by gonarthrosis, occupies a leading position among all known to science lesions and pathologies of this part of the limb. Implies the patient's dystrophic and degenerative deformations that occur against the background of constant physical exertion on the leg. What is most interesting, women suffer from arthrosis much more often than men. Usually, the disease is diagnosed in patients after 45 years.

For many centuries, experienced doctors have been studying the disease in detail: its features, signs, new methods of therapy. One of the researchers is the doctor and professor Sergei Bubnovsky. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, according to him, is successfully eliminated with the help of special therapeutic physical training. Like his colleagues, he connects the disease with the deposition of salts in the ligamentous apparatus, especially in its soft tissues, as well as in the joints of the tendons. For arthrosis is characterized by a slow progress of development, starting with minor disorders in the blood supply system.

Symptoms

In the main risk group, in addition to representatives of the weak half of humanity who are in adulthood, there are also professional athletes, workers who spend a lot of time on their feet or are engaged in heavy physical labor. At first, their healthy joints start to ache unpleasantly. These minor painful sensations are observed during active activities, for example, when a person ascends the stairs. In addition, the leg when bending begins to emit a barely audible crunch, which, if not treated, becomes a ringing and audible surrounding.

Among the main symptoms of arthrosis, they also give rise to an aching in the limbs, which is clearly manifested during supercooling. Then there is a swelling, which can also indicate arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint differs in that the edema on the leg appears exclusively during a period of sharp exacerbations. It is always accompanied by drawing pain, which causes discomfort. The late stages are characterized by difficulties in flexing the limb, changing gait, instability during standing and deformation of the joint.

Primary arthrosis

This is one of the varieties of the disease. If the patient is diagnosed with arthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint, the treatment is prescribed depending on the causes causing the progression of the disease. In the primary form of the disease, it can be hereditary disorders: congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system, for example, flat feet, dysplasia or increased knee flexibility. Various genetic deformations also lead to the development of the disease: they occur in the cartilaginous tissue even during the period of the laying of organs and the formation of the basic systems of the embryo in the womb.

Primary arthrosis is a consequence of degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the knee without any other abnormalities in the body. It can also be a "product" of disturbance of recovery processes. The exact cause of arthrosis is difficult to establish, especially if it is an elderly patient whose line between primary and secondary disease is blurred and unclear.

Causes of the secondary form of the disease

Other factors also cause this disease. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the secondary form often becomes the result of external influences. For example, it can lead to mechanical damage: fractures or traumas, after which the whole body system is broken. Regular microtrauma in professional athletes is another cause of the disease. It is often diagnosed against the background of constant physical exertion, dynamic or static movements. By the way, obesity leads to arthrosis, accompanied by a strong pressure of excess weight on the area of the lower extremities.

The secondary form of the disease develops against the background of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Often its appearance provokes atherosclerosis, varicose veins, gout, psoriasis, arthritis and so on. In some cases, various joint diseases, hormonal background disruptions, metabolic disorders, problems of the endocrine system, lack of important substances - calcium, phosphorus and "solar" vitamin, are the cause.

Characteristics of stage 3

The cause of persistent disability is often arthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint, whose treatment is no longer able to completely rid the person of the negative consequences of the disease. The main symptoms of this stage of the disease are:

• Human movements are limited, they have a small amplitude. Sometimes they are completely impossible.
• Muscles around the joint are atrophied, they show constant spasms.
• The O- or X-shaped form of the curvature of the lower extremities is possible.
• The size of the joint is increased due to bone growth and accumulation of fluid inside the organ.
• The pain becomes painful and permanent. Any physical strain on the legs becomes a hard test.
• A click in the knee and a crunch are very loud, they are audible to others. Observe with any movement.

If you make an X-ray, it is noticeable that the intra-articular structures - menisci and ligaments - are destroyed. In this case, complete erasure of the cartilaginous tissue, the appearance of sclerosis and fusion in the joint fissure of the connective bones can be observed.

Basic treatment

The disease is best not to run, otherwise the therapy will be long and even aggressive. How to cure arthrosis of the knee joint? Firstly, the early stages of the disease physicians are recommended to be treated with the help of physical methods of rehabilitation. This helps to reduce body weight, reduce loads on the lower limbs, strengthen the muscles, correct orthopedic disorders and so on. Often after the above manipulations, patients feel considerable relief, their condition noticeably improves.

Secondly, drug therapy is also indicated. Doctors primarily prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can dull the pain and remove swelling in the joints. For example, "Indomethacin", "Diclofenac", "Ketoprofen" and others. In the basic treatment there are also chondroprotectors: "Artra", "Teraflex", "Elbona". Their basic substances nourish the damaged cartilage and restore its structure.

Other drugs

The course of treatment includes intra-articular injections. The patient is given hormonal drugs: "Hydrocortisone", "Kenalog" or "Diprospan". These are medicines that provide first aid for severe pain: they instantly stop the inflammatory process in the joint, limit the production of synovial fluid, thereby bringing relief.

A person who wants to have healthy joints is given also drugs based on hyaluronic acid. They are not so effective, but they are able to feed the cartilage and return it to its former strength. In young years, the body itself produces a similar substance, but with age, its amount gradually decreases - this can become another cause of arthrosis. Replenish the lack of hyaluronic acid can be by introducing it into the joint in the form of a medicine. In addition, complex therapy includes the use of topical preparations: creams and ointments. These same products are suitable for warming compresses.

Operative intervention

Unfortunately, without the surgeon's intervention, there is no arthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint. Treatment by operative methods can be the following:

1. Arthroscopy. Provides two puncture skin, through which the endoscope is found. With its help, you can determine the state of cartilaginous tissue, the localization of inflammation, the size of pathological changes. If necessary, excess areas are cut off to a healthy layer.
2. Endoprosthetics - replacement of worn knee joint with artificial, for example, titanium. He relieves the state of agonizing pain and restores the patient's ability to walk, move. Yesterday's disabled people are beginning to work actively and enjoy life. By the way, the operation can be performed in a "bloodless format". That is, the prosthesis is inserted inside through small incisions, which requires a doctor of high professionalism and appropriate qualifications.

The patient must remember: the more the disease is launched, the more difficult it is for physicians to put it on their feet.

Physiotherapy treatment

The procedures included in the complex of such therapy, perfectly remove muscle spasms, improve blood flow in the tissues and relieve inflammation. Physiotherapy is always selected individually depending on the form of the disease, its stage, the condition of the patient, the characteristics of his body. The general rule is sanatorium treatment, which is shown to almost all patients. In a specialized institution, a person will be given a comprehensive rehabilitation, which includes mud baths, sauna procedures, and special exercises. An important role here is played by a change in the habitual situation and staying in the open air, which eliminates the effects of stress and strengthens the body.

Very useful and massage the knee joint with arthrosis. It improves blood circulation in tissues and the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the patient feels well. It is important that the massage is conducted by a qualified master who knows all the subtleties and secrets of the impact on the knee joint. At the same time, the intensity of manipulation should be minimal: rough and awkward movements can only worsen the situation.

Physiotherapy

LFK with arthrosis of the knee joints positively influences the strengthening of the musculature and the improvement of the mobility of the lower extremities. The weakness of the muscles is an integral companion of the disease, so with a lack of physical activity, lethargy and inability to move can only increase. With a set of necessary exercises can be found in the room of physiotherapy exercises. Perform them usually recommend four times a day. The first lesson is best done in the morning - right after you wake up. After the end of the lesson, lie down and rest.

Often after performing exercise therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints, a person feels discomfort in the leg. This phenomenon is considered normal if it lasts no more than half an hour. When the time interval exceeds 30 minutes or the patient experiences pain of different intensity, one can say that he does the wrong exercises. In this case, you need to consult your doctor for advice. It will help to correct your studies. By the way, do not forget about the lessons of swimming. Water procedures reduce the burden on the joint and help restore its mobility.

Folk remedies and prevention

Knee arthrosis can be treated with phytotherapy. To this end, they use the collection of herbs, which include juniper fruits, marigold flowers and elderberries, sapelnik and birch leaves, willow bark and buckthorn, as well as St. John's wort, nettle, horsetail and sweet clover. They brew and take in the form of tinctures, in addition, from the beneficial liquid make healing lotions and compresses. After the beginning of the course, improvement occurs in three weeks. In addition, in the fight against the disease, various oils are effective: sea-buckthorn, lavender, eucalyptus and others. That's just before you start using traditional medicine, you need to consult an experienced doctor.

As for prevention, it is aimed primarily at increasing motor activity. A person has to go in for sports, walk a lot , spend more time outside. Correct and healthier nutrition is another guarantee that you will not get sick with arthrosis. To the above recommendations should be added and timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as a qualitative correction of congenital defects in bone structure.