Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 1 degree: treatment and prevention. Endoprosthetics. Physiotherapy

Every day our joints are under tremendous strain. Therefore, it is not surprising that over time they wear out. The human body is not a car, it is impossible to replace the part immediately after passing a vehicle inspection. So is the knee joint: it undergoes dislocations, pathological processes, cracks. The most common ailment affecting this part of the body is deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Description of the disease

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative pathology. Under the load, the food of the cartilage changes, which lining the intraarticular surfaces of the bones. Over time, cracks appear on it, the cartilage is destroyed. This pathological process is accompanied by inflammation.

The lack of treatment leads to a thinning of cartilage and mechanical irritation of bone tissue, its densification. As a result, bone growths - osteophytes - are formed. The disease is accompanied by severe pain and stiffness of movements, especially with physical exertion. Gradually a person loses the ability to perform daily work.

Disease of osteoarthritis of the knee joints of the physician is isolated in a separate group. Usually this pathology is observed in the composition of deforming polyarthrosis, when several parts of the body suffer simultaneously. The disease is more often diagnosed in the elderly, and the group of high risk includes representatives of the fair sex. Knee joint damage is often observed in young and active sports people.

Stages of development of the disease

Osteoarthritis usually develops in several stages:

1. The initial stage of the disease is characterized by minor discomfort during movement or physical exertion. Patients rarely seek help from a doctor with a diagnosis of "osteoarthrosis of the knee joint 1 degree." Treatment at this stage of the disease is most effective. Pathology is detected accidentally during routine examination or suspicion of other diseases.
2. The middle stage. At this stage, osteoarthritis is accompanied by severe pain, the patient is forced to seek qualified help. With all the prescriptions of the doctor for treatment, the prognosis is favorable in most cases, in rare cases, replacement of the knee joint with an artificial implant is required.
3. The last stage is characterized by pathological cartilage damage, osteophytes, severe pain. Lack of adequate therapy threatens with complete disability.

In the materials of this article, we will talk in more detail about what distinguishes osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree, the treatment of which in most cases leads to complete recovery.

The main causes of the disease

Preconditions for the development of this disease are certain factors, both external and internal. They together have a destructive effect on the articular region.

The knee consists of bones that are lined with cartilaginous plates. This anatomical feature facilitates the process of friction, performing simultaneously the functions of depreciation. Cells from which the articular membranes consist consistently produce synovial fluid. The produced secret prevents damage to cartilaginous plates.

The decrease in the volume of synovial fluid with knee osteoarthritis of 1 degree is due to the following reasons:

• Statistical overload.
• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Microtrauma of cartilage.
• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Intra-articular fractures.

As the body ages, the ability to restore cartilaginous tissue is reduced, so young people rarely see this disease. Hereditary predisposition of the physician is also considered a risk factor. If relatives have previously had problems with the musculoskeletal system, it is possible that similar problems will occur with children with age.

Obesity is considered the main prerequisite for the development of the disease. Excess body weight exerts constant pressure on the area of the lower extremities, resulting in the development of osteoarthritis. In a short period of time, the ailment is complicated and significantly worsens the quality of a person's life.

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis of the 1st degree

Dystrophic disease caused by cartilage damage leads to the appearance of cracks and loss of habitual elasticity of tissues. The onset of the pathological process is accompanied by microlevel changes in the area of the articular cartilage, which leads to a disruption in cell nutrition and death.

The disease at the initial stage of its development is usually characterized by the following symptoms:

• Appearance of discomfort in the knee area.
• The onset of pain after exercise.
• A characteristic crunch in the joint.
• Limitation of motor amplitude.
• Rapid fatigue of the legs.

On the roentgenogram, you can consider a slight narrowing in the area of the joint cavity. As the disease progresses, the cartilage is erased, which leads to the formation of bone growths. Pathology is accompanied by deformity of the joint, and this is characteristic already for 2 and 3 degrees of development of osteoarthritis.

Diagnostic measures

Deforming osteoarthritis of the knee requires a competent and qualified approach to treatment. When the first symptoms that indicate a disease appear, it is necessary to consult a therapist or orthopedist. To confirm the final diagnosis, a specialist appoints a comprehensive examination:

1. Radiography of joints in two projections.
2. Clinical blood test to determine the value of ESR.
3. Biochemical blood test for C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphate and rheumatoid factor (an increase in these parameters indicates the onset of the inflammatory process).
4. MRI.

Based on the results of all tests, the doctor confirms the diagnosis and selects the most effective methods for treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Medication Therapy

Treatment of the disease pursues several tasks at the same time: elimination of pain discomfort, restoration of affected structures and resumption of motor activity. Get a positive result with the timely start of therapy. Otherwise, an arthroplasty of the knee joint may be required.

Where does the treatment usually begin? First of all, if the cause of the ailment is known, it is necessary to try to eliminate it. Patients with excess weight are recommended to lose weight, if problems with the hormonal background or metabolism should be directed all the forces to restore health. If the pathology is associated with excessive physical exertion, it is better to change the scope of activity for a while and refuse to play sports.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis involves taking analgesics. Drugs are usually prescribed courses to reduce discomfort in the joint. With pronounced inflammation of the synovial membrane and severe pain, corticosteroids are used. These drugs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, rather than non-hormonal analgesics. To remove the spasm use muscle relaxants ("Midokalm", "Sirdalud").

In patients with a diagnosis of "osteoarthrosis of the knee joint 1 degree" treatment should also be aimed at improving the supply of cartilage tissue. For these purposes, use vasodilators and antioxidants. The main role in conservative therapy belongs to the so-called chondroctectors ("Hondrolon", "Structum"). These drugs have in their composition the natural components of cartilage - chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate.

Physiotherapy

To reduce the burden on the patient's joint, doctors advise moderate physical activity. Walking on skis, swimming, cycling - daily activity helps to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation.

It is also useful therapeutic gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree. Below are listed the most effective exercises for eliminating pain discomfort.

1. Palms lean against the wall and climb up on tiptoe as high as possible. In this position it is necessary to remain for about 5 seconds. Repeat 10-12 times.
2. Take the prone position, bend the leg. The right leg should be raised to the height of the left knee and straightened. Stay in this position for 5 seconds, then smoothly lower the leg. Repeat 10 times.

It is recommended to start the exercises with a little warm-up. The number of repetitions should be increased gradually, without loading the damaged joint. Classes can be ended with a massage. Pain should not accompany exercise. In case of discomfort, it is better to consult a doctor.

Diet is the basis for successful treatment

How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee with the help of medicines, we have already told. Now let's talk about what should be a diet in patients with this ailment.

Strict dietary restrictions in this disease are not welcome. The main task of the diet is to reduce weight. The diet will be slightly different from the traditional principles of nutrition. For example, doctors advise eating as much as possible. The whole point is that when cooking its ingredients, it releases collagen, which is necessary for the restoration of cartilaginous tissue.

Taking into account that the diet is aimed at losing weight, one should take special care to cleanse and starve. Before changing the diet, older people need to consult a doctor to take into account the possible "whims" of the attendant ailments.

To strengthen bone tissue, dairy products (cottage cheese, cheeses) are useful. Protein has a positive effect on the restoration of cartilage. In large quantities it is found in fish and meat, as well as lentils and beans.

Energy saturation requires carbohydrates. Active vitality is impossible without these substances. To choose better so-called slow, instead of fast carbohydrates. The latter are found mainly in sweets and baked goods. Slow carbohydrates do not allow fat to be deposited in problem areas, but at the same time saturate the body with energy (vegetables, fruits, cereals).

To maintain metabolic processes in the norm, you must use vegetable fats. For the duration of treatment, doctors recommend that you stop using alcohol, since it increases the feeling of hunger. To suppress appetite, food should be taken in small portions, but often.

Such a diet contributes to the normalization of metabolism in the body, improves blood circulation and positively affects the restoration of cartilaginous tissue. Changing the diet in conjunction with drug therapy allows early on to overcome osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Treatment with folk remedies

The main therapy of the disease is appropriate to supplement the recipes of our grandmothers. For these purposes, use a variety of tinctures, rubbers, compresses and decoctions. The action of the latter is aimed at preventing inflammation, removing toxins from the body.

To treat osteoarthritis, you can prepare a healing ointment. To do this, mix 200 grams of salt and the same amount of mustard, add a little paraffin until a creamy consistency is formed. The next day the ointment can be rubbed into the affected area with light massaging movements.

An excellent therapeutic effect is possessed by collections based on herbs and medicinal plants, as well as beekeeping products. It is important to note that it is important to consult a doctor before using this or that remedy at home.

When is surgery required?

Operative treatment at the initial stage of development of this disease is extremely rare. It may be due to a marked decrease in working capacity.

Surgical intervention involves two options for performing the operation: knee replacement (endoprosthetics) and osteophyte removal.

Endoprosthetics involves replacing the entire joint or its part with an artificial implant. Usually such an operation is performed with osteoarthritis of 2 or 3 degrees. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to her help at the initial stage of the disease, when drug therapy is ineffective. Endoprosthetics of the knee joint is a complex operation that requires a long recovery.

Arthroscopy is usually used to remove osteophytes. The whole procedure is carried out under video control. The doctor has the opportunity to polish the modified cartilaginous coating and remove the osteophytes. As a result, the patient discomfort discomfort, improving the quality of life.

The choice of a specific variant of the operation depends on the clinical picture, the presence of complications. At the initial stage of the disease, surgical intervention, as a rule, is not required. If the patient is diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the third degree, the treatment implies an operation.

Preventive actions

To prevent the development of this disease, doctors are advised to constantly monitor body weight and promptly treat obesity. Regular exercise in physical education is also an excellent prevention of osteoarthritis. Suitable are those sports where there is no significant burden on the knee joint: swimming, yoga. In cases of inflammatory diseases or injuries, it is necessary to apply for qualified help in a timely manner.

If you are not disturbed by pain, but the doctor diagnosed "osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree," treatment should be started immediately. Taking medications and a course of exercise therapy will slow the course of the disease and avoid a serious operation.