Articulations osteoarthritis is a degenerative (or metabolic) disease, that is to say non-inflammatory.But the causes of joint osteoarthritis are not entirely studied by official medicine.The versions are put forward that excess weight, age, metabolic disorders in tissues (muscles) and joints, premature wear of cartilage, small loads, large charges, etc., genetics, etc., contribute to arthritis.In other words, it is not clear what to influence in order to treat and effectively prevent osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
In fact, (and this is confirmed by the literature and medical experience based on evidence), osteoarthritis is a consequence of interested muscles disease (muscles that propagate through a specific joint).The sick muscles in a state of constant compression cause excessive pressure on the joint, causing its increased wear.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint - What is it?
The osteoarthritis of the knee joint (like any other) is called distorting osteo osteo osteo (that is to say the degeneration of cartilage and bone) is the gradual degenerative-dystrophic fabric, which leads to dysfunction (close to cartilage) (limiting mobility) and causes sensations of the dysfunction of the reduction in reductionThe reduction in reducing the reduction in receipt of the vocation (limitation of mobility) and causes the mobilization of the dysfunction of the vocation of the spouse (limitation of mobility) and causes the mobilization of the dysfunction of the vocar degrees of intensity.
By simple, it is the wear and tear of the joint, this means that the wear and tear of the cartilaginous tissue, which should ensure a smooth sliding of the articular surfaces compared to each other, and the bone structures on which the cartilage is found.This whole process is accompanied by a narrowing of the intermediate space and the loss of elasticity of the ligament apparatus.
Knee joint osteoarthritis: symptoms
Very often, the disease takes place asymptomatic and can only be detected on an MRI.In his "mature" stage of the disease, he can be felt by improving pain in the problem area and motor restrictions in the joint.At the same time, osteoarthritis is a common problem and occurs in 70% of all joint lesions.It is impossible to call the cause of the development of the disease, but there are certain factors which most often become a catalyst for osteoarthritis.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint include:
- Pain in the knee joint of different intensity and duration
- The rigidity of the knee joint is the inability to straighten or completely fold the leg into the knee joint (sometimes it is impossible to squat)
- Click and crack in the knee joint.It is believed that the joint loses the liquid and that the joint surfaces slide relatively compared to the others, this can be accompanied by a characteristic sound
Osteoarthritis of knee joint: reasons
However, close profile experts believe that the main cause of joint osteoarthritis is myofascial syndrome, which manifests itself in a muscle disease that overlap through an interested joint (trigger points).
The trigger point is a development development in muscle fibers, which is activated under certain conditions and manifests itself in acute pain.It is precisely by trigger points that myofascial syndrome is recognized.In the event of trigger points, the elasticity of the muscle is lost, due to which the mobility of the joint decreases.They arise as a result of an injury, as well as with an intensive or chronic muscle overload, a prolonged stay in a immobilized state.
The muscles are in a state of contract (constant compression) and this excess compression is on the interested joint (in our case, the knee joint).
Osteoarthritis of the knee and arthritis joint, what is the difference?
To understand the cause and nature of the disease, it is very important to determine the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis.Their main difference is that the nature of osteoarthritis is not inflammatory, while arthritis is an inflammatory pathology.At the same time, inflammatory processes are systemic in nature and spread to the entire organism.
Arthrosis is a metabolic pathology caused by metabolic disorders of the body.Pain syndrome in osteoarthritis occurs under combined conditions - trigger points and various joint disorders.The elimination of trigger points will lead, if not to finish recovery, then to a significant improvement in the general condition.
The main criterion of articulation of the knee joint is the presence of an inflammation agent-that is to say the virus, infection, fungus, bacteria.In addition, there may be any location of an infectious agent.Often, gonorrhea or other sexual infections can take a chronic form and give complications to the joints.
With articulation of the knee joint, redness of the skin around the joints, swelling and increased joints of volumes are observed, an increase in the temperature of the whole body and the local joint is observed.With osteoarthritis of the knee joint, these symptoms are generally not.However, osteoarthritis and arthritis can be found combined.
4 stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
If, if osteoarthritis is detected, so as not to start its complete treatment, over time, the disease will start to progress and the symptoms will worsen.A timely time diagnosis and appropriate therapy, which to combine effectively with other treatment methods, will considerably improve the patient's general condition and prevent prolonged, painful and expensive treatment.
The 3 (4) stages of the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are officially distinguished:
- 1 degree.This is a period of the period of the appearance of the first symptoms of osteoarthritis to its visible manifestations, which can already be detected during the initial examination or within an X -ray.The state of the patient is characterized by painful sensations of different intensity that occur during movement.
- 2 degrees.The patient experiences discomfort and "shooting" to still minor loads.Human movements can be accompanied by a crunch in the knee during walking, squats, etc.It is possible to reduce the mobility of the knee joint.The area affected by osteoarthritis seems visually distorted and increased in size.
- 3 degrees.There is practically no cartilage fabric inside the joint.With a particularly advanced form, a complete immobilization of the member can occur.It is difficult for the patient to take a situation in which he would be comfortable, to move without auxiliary means becomes almost impossible.
- In addition, the 4th stage of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be distinguished separately.This condition is complete destruction, which leads to the fact that the joint completely loses its functionality.At the same time, the patient knows the "blocking of the joint" - acute pain syndrome.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, the treatment of which is complete and regular.Consequently, appropriately diagnosis and appropriate therapy will allow the patient to minimize damage to the joint of the knee joint.
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is also complicated by the fact that the disease can very often be asymptomatic.However, in the presence of painful sensations, the doctor after examination may prescribe an x -ray.And although its results cannot always be indicative, they give a general idea of the quantity of illness that has "progressed".
More precise data can be obtained, thanks to modern diagnostic methods - ultrasound, MRI, etc.
However, changes not always found in MRI correspond to the sensations and complaints of the patient.It happens that on the image of the knee articulation, there are degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage itself and the meniscus and the ligaments, but there is no complaint at all.And vice versa, there is pain and other symptoms, and on the examination sheet, everything is normal.
Recall that with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, it is important to diagnose the hip muscles (the lower leg muscles, the quadriceps of the thigh) for the presence of myofascial trigger points, which in 80% of cases give pain and cause changes in the images of the joint.
Important: if the patient suffers from psoriasis, then osteoarthritis can be psoriatic genesis.
Ineffective methods to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint
All official osteoarthritis treatment methods are divided into:
- non -pharmacological;
- Pharmacological;
- Surgical.
Surgical intervention is a necessary measure at the advanced stage of the disease.The operation is carried out to replace the articulation destroyed by a synthetic analog.
Practicing doctors, as a rule, prescribe various physiotherapists and exercise therapy (physical physiotherapy) to treat osteoarthritis in the knee joint.However, strength exercises only exacerbate the course of the disease, activation of trigger points, increased pain, etc.Therefore, this method of therapy is ineffective.
Khondroprotectors deserve special attention.It is believed that the drugs of this class restore cartilage.First, the basis of evidence of these drugs is doubtful, as these studies of these expensive drugs are carried out by the manufacturers themselves.Second, it is a symptomatic treatment, that is to say that it is addressed to the investigation, and not to reason.Reason is muscle disease.
The arthritis of the joints is a degenerative disease, that is to say non-inflammatory.But the causes of joint osteoarthritis are not entirely studied by official medicine.
The versions are put forward that excess weight, age, metabolic disorders in tissues (muscles) and joints, premature wear of cartilage, small loads, large charges, etc., genetics, etc., contribute to arthritis.In other words, it is not clear what to influence in order to treat and effectively prevent osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
In fact, (and this is confirmed by the literature and medical experience based on evidence), osteoarthritis is a consequence of the disease of the interested muscles (muscles which are thrown through a specific joint).The sick muscles in a state of constant compression cause excessive pressure on the joint, causing its increased wear.
Effective treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Appropriate osteoarthritis therapy of the knee joint should be systemic and complex.It is based precisely on the treatment of muscles and includes taking medication (to adjust aggravating and harmful factors for MF), and properly selected physiotherapy of joint muscles and hip) and, of course, myofascial massage.
The most effective methods to treat TT are:
- deep caresses massage;
- Pavement trigger
- Shock waves therapy
- Postisometric relaxation.
In addition to the muscle of the anterior thigh, massage is also made on the muscles of synergists and antagonists.At the same time, the ball joint is not massaged - the massage specialist mainly emphasizes the muscles.
The main massage "device" is the master's hands.For self-massage, various devices are used which help to increase the efficiency of the procedure.
Exercise therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The last step in therapy is the performance of the exercises to stretch the upper surface (before) of the thigh.It is important that you feel the tension where you massage.
When you prescribe and perform physiotherapy exercises with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, it is important to understand the basic principle-that is to say why these exercises are carried out (for what purpose).The main objective is to stretch all the abbreviated muscle fibers (cramps) so that the muscle can stretch completely in its anatomical volume of movement.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
In the treatment of the disease, it is important to observe preventive measures which include the following actions:
- Compilation of the correct diet: your daily menu must be balanced and rich in trace elements, proteins and vitamins.After all, the lack of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, zinc leads to the worsening of myofascial syndrome;
- Moderate physical activity: Try not to charge the knee interpreter unnecessarily and avoid its traumatic damage.If the muscle is in a static position for a long time - it contributes to the formation of triggers;
- Refusal of bad habits: lead a healthy lifestyle, follow your weight;
- Complex therapy: Combine popular treatment methods with auxiliaries.
Auxiliary methods for processing the knee joint
The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint will be particularly effective if combined with auxiliary therapy methods.Consider the most popular of them.
- Laser therapy.This procedure is considered to be the most popular and common in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint.The therapeutic effect is obtained due to the reflex expansion of blood vessels above the focus of the pathological process in the muscle.This contributes to the normalization of metabolism (do not forget, osteoarthritis is a metabolic disease) and helps reduce pain syndrome.
- Cryotherapy.This method is not as popular as the previous one.However, its effectiveness is quite high.Due to local exposure to low temperatures, pain in the problematic area is considerably reduced and the formation of biologically active substances slows down, leading to the worsening of the disease.Cryotherapy procedures contribute to the activation of blood flow and recovery processes in the joint.
- Balneotherapy.It is carried out under sanatorium constraint conditions.The Aquarius of osteoarthritis implies the use of medical baths - with this disease, radon baths are considered to be the most effective.The therapeutic effect of procedures is an improvement in metabolic processes in the joint.
Complex therapy in combination with self-massage will improve the general condition with osteoarthritis and minimize the possible risks of complete destruction of the joint.The main thing is to comply with expert recommendations, follow preventive measures and combine the main therapy with other treatment methods.