Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree: treatment and causes

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system occupy an important place among the various ailments of man. Especially often, recently there has been a disease such as deforming osteoarthritis. What is it, and what are its clinical manifestations?

What is osteoarthritis?

Currently, osteoarthritis is understood as a disease that occurs with a predominance of inflammatory and destructive components. It is spread all over the globe, but a large concentration of diseased is noted in agricultural countries. It affects, mainly, the subchondral cartilaginous tissue of large joints (most often arthrosis of the knee and hip joints). The disease is prone to chronic course, especially if there are prerequisites for deterioration and aggravating factors. As a result of the development of this process, partial destruction of bone structures occurs with deformation of the newly formed bone tissue. The process is irreversible, and as a result, 90 percent of patients lead to disability (provided that no appropriate treatment has been initiated and no measures have been taken to eliminate the risk factors). What are the causes of this disease, and what is the basis for the development of joint and surrounding tissue damage? It is worthwhile to understand this in more detail.

Causes of development

Like many diseases, osteoarthritis has its own starting points, or triggers, due to which it begins to develop. Why there is a deforming arthrosis of the knee joint? The reasons leading to its development are the following:

• Increased stress on the support joints. Normally, most cases of osteoarthritis develop due to a sedentary lifestyle and the presence of excess body weight. As a paradox, you can determine a fairly high percentage of the disease in athletes engaged in complex sports (for example, wrestling or weightlifting). In this case, the deforming arthrosis of the right knee joint most often develops, since weightlifters usually use the right leg as a support.
• Presence of hereditary predisposition. This factor is often found in families with a hereditary anamnesis. Blame everything - the specific antigen - NVA-27.
• Injuries. This factor accounts for up to 20 percent of cases of osteoarthritis. Usually the process begins at the time of injury and remains latent for a long time. Over time, if there are risk factors, its activation takes place.

Pathogenesis of the disease

How does the process develop? Under the influence of aggravating factors, there is a gradual compression of the existing cartilage located between the articular surfaces. Over time, there is its depletion, because of which there is a decrease in the joint gap. Gradually, the cartilaginous layer disappears completely, and the joint surfaces begin to rub against each other. Due to this, they are gradually erased, which leads to a decrease in congruence. In place of bone damage, macrophages and leukocytes migrate, supporting the process of aseptic inflammation. Also, under the influence of regenerative factors, the formation of a new bone (bone growths - osteophytes) begins, which affects the shape of the joint, deforming it and leading to destruction. All these signs of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint and determine its main clinical manifestations. How can you understand that the pathological process has developed and how can it be stopped?

Classification of the disease

According to its clinical and radiological manifestations, osteoarthritis can be divided into several degrees.

For the first degree of the disease, only a certain depletion of menisci and cartilage is characteristic. The stage is exhibited only on the basis of radiographic confirmation and does not manifest itself clinically. The only signs can be the severity and aching pain in the joints after doing any work. Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint can be treated at this stage at home through gymnastics and a therapeutic diet. But all the regulations and appointments must be observed without fail!

Deforming arthrosis of 2nd degree is found in the majority of patients. Initial clinical manifestations are permanent and appear almost immediately after a period of rest or intensive work. There is a significant narrowing of the joint gap with the initial signs of bone resorption.

Arthrosis of the third degree has the same features as the second stage, but is characterized by massive erosions and growths of osteophytes.

The fourth stage is the heaviest. It is characterized by severe bone deformation with the development of ankylosis.

Clinical signs of the disease

How can we understand that the deforming arthrosis of the knee joint has developed? Symptoms that indicate its development are as follows.

The first symptom is pain. It is aching, intensified after a period of rest, especially after the night (starting pain). Characterized by morning stiffness, which makes osteoarthritis similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but stiffness in arthrosis lasts longer than half an hour.

The next, no less important symptom of joint damage is the restriction of mobility. Most often it is manifested as a result of muscle contracture (against the background of pain). In later stages of the disease, mobility disorders are caused by bone fissures between the affected joints.

Over time, due to the inability to perform active movements in full, develops muscle atrophy. In the second and third stages, atrophy is reversible, but it is difficult to stop at the fourth stage.

In addition to muscle atrophy, there is a decrease in sensitivity and circulation in the affected joint, which aggravates the course of the disease.

Treatment

It is best to cupping give in to deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree. Treatment should begin with the use of non-pharmacological methods. For this purpose, a diet with a reduction in excess body weight, therapeutic gymnastics and folk methods of treatment are great.

Where should we begin?

It all starts with proper nutrition and daily routine.

In order to correctly cure a patient, if he developed knee arthrosis deforming arthrosis, the diet is the first appointment. Of the daily diet should be eliminated the excess carbohydrates and fats. Since for the restoration of tissues mainly proteins are used, it is best to saturate the diet by them.

In patients who have knee arthrosis deforming, gymnastics helps to restore the necessary volume of active movements and improve blood supply to affected areas.

Folk methods are used purely to alleviate the condition and are not always effective. Most often, their use leads to an aggravation of the condition.

Drug therapy

Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint, as well as the knee joint, with the ineffectiveness of non-drug methods, should be carried out with the help of medicines. Drugs of different groups are used, but nevertheless the preference is given to anti-inflammatory drugs and substitute drugs for cartilage. Indications for the use of various means are different.

If the patient does not suffer from the inconvenience of developing deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, the treatment can be performed symptomatically. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The most widespread were such means as "Meloksikam", "Nimesulid", "Indomethacin". The first two drugs are used orally, or injectively, and Indomethacin is used primarily topically.

If signs of bone damage are visible on the roentgenogram, a diagnosis is made-deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree. Treatment in this situation is best done with replacement therapy. Apply tools such as "chondroitin", the vitreous.

Surgery

This type of therapy in the second stage of the disease is used extremely rarely. However, the deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is best treated at this stage. There are no significant violations of joint function, the movements are relatively preserved. Most often, the implantation of a new joint surface, rarely - a full prosthesis. Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint does not have special indications for this stage of the disease, but for prevention purposes (especially if there is rapid progression), it is better to conduct it at this stage.

After the operation, the patient can walk 5-7 days after the implant is implanted.

If the conditions of asepsis are not observed, complications may develop, which can lead to a repeated operation on the joint.

Prevention of disease

As can be seen from the reasons leading to the development of this disease, the best prevention of the development of this condition is a healthy lifestyle and the correct distribution of work and leisure.

A healthy lifestyle includes proper nutrition, daily exercise. If possible, avoid consuming coffee and strong alcohol, as these substances contribute to the loss of calcium from the body and the progression of the process.

A good effect in slowing the processes of destruction in osteoarthritis is played by therapeutic exercise. It is best to exercise in the water, as it facilitates the movement and reduces pain.

Will not hurt and rest in a sanatorium. Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2 nd degree, whose treatment is well amenable to sanatorium measures, can be partially healed there. Physiotherapy contributes to some restoration of affected cartilage and articular surfaces. Sanatoriums are equipped with excellent equipment for these procedures, which makes rest in them an indispensable means of preventing deforming osteoarthritis.