Knee arthritis, or gonarthrosis disease, mainly affects women, usually after the age of forty. At an earlier age, such a pathology can develop from injury or by playing professional sports. A particularly serious episode of the disease is observed in people who are overweight or have varicose veins of the lower extremities.
The disease starts with a manifestation of moderate pain in the knee when exercising, especially when riding stairs. In addition, pain can occur if a person stands for a long time or gets up after a long time in a sitting position. When you rest, the pain usually subsides. Severe pain in the knee joint does not occur spontaneously, often preceded by prolonged discomfort with walking, physical activity. Progressive pain is one of the main signs of gonarthrosis disease.
Stages of the disease
First stage
In the early development of gonarthrosis, the bone in the knee does not change shape, only joint swelling is possible, which is often related to a buildup of fluid in the knee. If its amount exceeds the allowable level, edema will develop, affecting the back of the legs. In this case, you can soothe puffiness with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Second stage
The next stage of knee arthritis is characterized by a significant increase in pain intensity. The natural pain sensation, even after light pressure, causes a scratching of the knee joint and intensifies as the disease progresses. The patient has difficulty flexing his legs, severe pain, and cannot bend his knees anymore. Also at the second stage of the disease, the joint begins to change shape, which becomes quite apparent on the touch - an expansion and stiffness of the joint can be felt. Bursitis manifests more strongly at this stage - the appearance of bullae due to fluid accumulation.
The third stage
The third stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of intense pain that occurs even at rest. Patients who are sick for a long time find a suitable position, the pain will be weaker. With a decrease in blood circulation, the pain can disturb the patient even while sleeping, causing a painful sensation in the joints. The mobility of the joint is reduced, the patient often cannot keep the legs in an up position and is forced to bend when walking. With significant deformation of the bone, the gait becomes wavy, the change in shape of the lower extremities becomes noticeable.
How to know a knee effusion?
Initially, the patient was referred for a blood test, followed by an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan.
In some cases, ultrasound or endoscopy (examining a joint with a special device through a small incision) may be ordered.
During an X-ray that will determine the stage of disease development, the picture shows changes in the bones and joints, as well as the distance between the bones. In the early stages of the disease, the changes in the cartilage tissue cannot be seen on the X-ray film.
Ultrasound examination, as well as computed tomography, allows the detection of abnormalities in the soft joint tissues and determination of the amount of fluid that accumulates during the development of bursitis.
What is a treatment for an effusion of the knee?
Arthritis of the knee is treated by specialists such as rheumatologists or orthopedists. In the early stages, the disease in most cases can be cured without surgery, but the treatment is necessarily comprehensive and qualified. In the second and third stage, it is not possible to return the joint to its previous shape without surgery, only the condition of the tissues around the joint can be improved.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used to reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis of the knee joint. After the relief of the pain syndrome, the patient may be prescribed massages, therapeutic exercises, physical therapy procedures.
For the treatment of gonarthrosis, drugs that are also used fall in the class of protective chondroprotectors and help restore cartilage tissue. Such preparations also help maintain cartilage elasticity, saturation of tissue moisture. In the first and second stages, chondroprotectors take effect slowly, the treatment is quite long, it can even last for a year or a year and a half. Taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together has a greater effect. In the third stage, such drugs can no longer have a positive effect.
Good in the treatment of arthritis, there are drugs that dilate blood vessels. They can improve blood circulation in joints and reduce spasm in small vessels, helping to restore affected joints. It is recommended to combine such medications with the use of chondroprotectors. To reduce painful muscle spasms, the patient can prescribe muscle relaxants. Such drugs are used only in combination with joint protection and pulling drugs. A Dimexide gauze also has a positive effect in treating arthritis, reducing inflammation and reducing pain, especially when fluid accumulates. To prepare such a gauze, you should mix one tablespoon of boiled water with one tablespoon of Dimexide. Then, moisten the bandage in the resulting solution, then place it on the affected joint and cover with a plastic bag and diaper. The duration of the procedure is from twenty to sixty minutes, once a day, not longer, for two to three weeks.
All drugs are used in the absence of contraindications, as directed by the doctor. Osteoarthritis of the knee requires medication and physical therapy, therapy.