Arthrosis of the knee joint (or gonarthrosis) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the cartilage and bone tissue of the articular structures are affected (destroyed). There are 3 degrees of severity of the pathology, but most often patients seek medical help specifically for grade 2 gonarthrosis. Sometimes only from the second stage of the disease do patients take their condition seriously and begin treatment, and the earliest symptoms of the disease are often ignored.
At the first stage of gonarthrosis, changes in the cartilage are slightly expressed and are often reversible. At stage 2 of the disease, significant destruction of cartilage tissue occurs, a decrease in the amount of intra-articular fluid, and the formation of a large number of osteophytes (bone growths). X-ray photographs reveal a pronounced narrowing of the intra-articular space, disruption of the structure of the joint, and compaction of bone tissue.
Three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint. Click on photo to enlarge
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurs mainly due to mechanical damage to articular structures, metabolic disorders and blood circulation in cartilaginous tissues, and obesity.
The main reasons for the progression of the disease and its transition to the second stage are ignoring the initial symptoms and lack of timely therapy, continued exposure to negative factors (injuries, circulatory disorders, etc.).
The pathological changes listed above (in the introduction) in grade 2 knee arthrosis lead to the fact that painful sensations appear not only at the time of movement, but also during rest or sleep. And in such a situation, patients rarely put off visiting a doctor.
Characteristic symptoms of grade 2 knee arthrosis:
If the patient ignores the above symptoms, then over time arthrosis moves to the third stage, during which not only the gait will change greatly, but also a cane or crutches will be needed to walk.
Treatment for grade 2 arthrosis has its own characteristics. At this stage, it is too late to use traditional medicine, which helps quite well with stage 1 - the main emphasis should be on conservative methods. Surgical intervention is rarely used, and at stage 3 of gonarthrosis it is no longer possible to do without it.
The main goal of drug therapy at stage 2 of the disease is to reduce pain. For this purpose they prescribe:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ketoprofen or ibuprofen);
various painkillers (tramadol);
ointments and gels (fastum-gel, voltaren-gel, menovazin, gevkamen, espol).
Chondroprotectors are more effective at the early stage of knee arthrosis, but even at stage 2 they also contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue, as if “building” the articular cartilage anew. These drugs may contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and other substances that make up cartilage tissue. The drugs are mainly used in tablets, less often in the form of intramuscular injections. Sometimes injections of chondroprotectors with hyaluronic acid (what is it?*) inside the knee joint are prescribed.
* Hyaluronic acid is the main component of synovial fluid.
All patients are recommended to do therapeutic exercises daily. A physical therapy instructor will select an individual load and a set of simple exercises that will help strengthen muscles and ligaments.
When treating gonarthrosis, the following are used:
warm hydrogen sulfide baths.
Both with the first and second degrees of the disease, patients should not lift heavy objects, stand in one place for a long time or walk a lot, lean on the sore knee - in general, avoid excessive stress on the affected leg in every possible way. Overweight patients need to get rid of extra pounds.
Quite rarely, with grade 2 gonarthrosis, there is a need for surgical intervention. If such a need arises, during surgical manipulation the joint is washed, osteophytes (bone growths) and destroyed areas of cartilage tissue are removed from it. An operation of this kind is moderately traumatic, but thanks to it the functions of the knee joint are restored for 2–4 years.
If all the therapeutic measures taken do not bring success, and arthrosis progresses (goes to stage 3), endoprosthetics is necessary. This is an operation to replace a deformed knee joint with an artificial prosthesis made from high-tech materials, which allows you to extend your activity for another 15 years.
Arthrosis of the knee of the 2nd degree is quite difficult to treat, but if you make some efforts and systematically follow all medical instructions, then it is possible to stop the progression of the disease. It is extremely important to listen to the signals that your body gives and promptly seek qualified help from specialists.
In order to understand this problem, it is necessary to understand what it is – synovitis of the knee joint. Synovitis is a disease in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed. Subsequently, harmful secretions may form in it. Sometimes synovitis of the knee joint can develop simultaneously with bursitis.
The main cause of synovitis in the knee is an infection in the joint. In some cases, this disease develops with arthritis. Other causes of synovitis of the knee joint may be problems with metabolism in the body or diseases of an autoimmune nature.
The inflammation itself, if it is not accompanied by infection, is not particularly dangerous. But if an infection enters the synovial bursa, the composition of the fluid inside changes, as a result of which various microorganisms appear in it. This inflammation, in turn, leads to complications. The disease is almost invisible from the outside, so it is not always possible to determine it by comparing your leg with a photo of synovitis of the knee joint.
The symptoms of this disease do not appear very quickly. Sometimes the first signs of synovitis can be noticed on the second day after infection. The fluid in the tissues deforms the joint, which leads to significant limitation of movements. However, a person may not always immediately feel pain; if it occurs, it is predominantly not strong, but long-lasting and aching.
With synovitis, it is very important not to make a mistake and make an accurate diagnosis. In this case, there is an increase in temperature, the skin around the sore knee does not become inflamed. To be sure, it is necessary to perform a puncture of the joint. The liquid taken for analysis is checked for the presence of harmful microorganisms, the amount of protein and blood cells.
During chronic synovitis of the knee joint, changes in the joint are caused not by the duration of the disease, but by impaired blood circulation in the joint capsule. Diagnosing chronic synovitis is not difficult, but it can be difficult to determine its cause. In laboratory conditions, when examining synovial fluid, special attention is paid to its color, viscosity, number of cells and bacteria. At the peak of the disease, the amount of protein can be twice the norm.
No matter how severe the symptoms of synovitis of the knee joint are, it is very difficult to correctly interpret the examination results when using magnetic resonance imaging. Therefore, this method has been used very rarely recently. In addition, the cost of such diagnostics is unreasonably high.
Among the advantages of these diagnostic methods are simplicity and reliability. Many new details can be obtained during the study using the arthroscopy technique. But examination using an arthroscope is used very rarely in children. Today, this device can most accurately assess the condition of the synovium, cartilage and ligaments. Information obtained during visual examination complements data from ultrasound, MRI and radiography. The disadvantage of arthroscopy is that it does not provide accurate results about the thickness of the synovium or the size of any part of the joint cavity.
The phenomenon of synovitis of the knee joint in children is a fairly common and still not fully understood problem. This is primarily due to the complexity of diagnostics. To assess the condition of the synovial membrane in children, various instrumental diagnostic methods are used.
In the case of joint disease in children, doctors take a special interest in the osteochondral structures. Therefore, radiography is used in the examination of each child, since it allows us to fully assess the situation in the area of the affected articular cartilage.
Ultrasound is often used to diagnose childhood pathologies. Ultrasound provides additional data obtained during radiography, as it gives a complete picture of the sections of the joints. Since the density of individual formations varies greatly, the structure of the soft tissue around the joint is visible in these sections. Thanks to this method, the amount of synovial fluid can be determined.
There are different principles for the treatment of synovitis of the knee joint:
The method of treatment depends on what exactly causes the inflammation of the synovial membrane. However, in most cases it is complex. The question of a conservative or surgical treatment method is discussed personally with the doctor. The operation is considered the first stage, after which the second stage begins - medical correction of the damaged knee, and then rehabilitation treatment. Some cases require fixation of joints with splints for a period of up to 7 days.
The treatment process is divided into several stages:
As mentioned above, puncture is used to make an accurate diagnosis. The puncture is done without the use of anesthesia using a needle, which, after puncturing the joint, pumps out some fluid. The joint is then immobilized using a pressure bandage. Splinting may be necessary if the joints are severely damaged due to infection.
If drug treatment for synovitis is not started in time, there is a risk of sepsis. The following groups of drugs are used:
Among anti-inflammatory drugs, Collagen Ultra gel is particularly popular, as it successfully relieves inflammation. The drug contains collagen hydrolysate, which is part of cartilage. Therefore, the gel has a beneficial effect on the damaged joint, regenerating the ligamentous apparatus.
In severe cases, the doctor prescribes daxamethasone, which is injected into the joint. In order to normalize microcirculation (disruption of this process can lead to inflammatory processes), drugs such as troxevasin and nicotinic acid are prescribed. Antibiotics are usually used after puncture for prophylactic purposes. The use of medications significantly speeds up the healing process
Chronic synovitis of the left knee joint is treated with inhibitors (proteins, lysozyme, etc.). Agents that reduce membrane permeability are also used. Complications of chronic synovitis, in which irreversible processes occur in the synovium, require surgical treatment (depending on the degree of complication, total or partial synovectomy).
The operation is carried out as follows. First, an incision is used to open the knee joint. Having eliminated the damaged menisci, the integumentary cartilage is examined. The synovial membrane is removed from the upper and lateral inversions, and then proceed to the lower inversions, since the operation in this area is more difficult. After synovectomy, the patient is prescribed restorative therapy. A Beller splint is applied to the limb.
In addition to the above methods, there is a treatment for synovitis of the knee joint with folk remedies. The main remedy is comfrey herb ointment. The comfrey herb must be crushed and poured into a glass to the top. Then you should chop 200 g of lard and mix with grass. After about 5 days, during which the product should be refrigerated, the ointment can be used by rubbing twice a day into the affected joint. It is also recommended to apply a bandage to secure the leg.
Most people, having heard the diagnosis of reactive, infectious or post-traumatic synovitis of the knee joint, do not know exactly what it is, although they may have some idea about the clinical manifestations and signs of the disease. In accordance with medical terminology, synovitis of the knee joint is called inflammation of the synovial membrane, which is quite often accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in the cavity of the knee. Long-term monitoring has shown that the disease can affect any person, regardless of age, gender and professional activity.
Depending on the nature of the course, the pathology can develop acutely or chronically. In addition, the following forms of inflammation of the synovial membrane are possible, taking into account what kind of fluid has accumulated in the joint cavity:
Depending on the cause of the disease, the following main types are distinguished:
What synovitis of the knee joint is (secondary, reactive, infectious, post-traumatic, etc.) is best understood by an orthopedist and a rheumatologist.
The acute or chronic nature of the course will be reflected in the severity of the clinical symptoms of synovitis of the knee joint. The acute form is characterized by rapid development. Typical clinical picture:
The gradual development of the inflammatory process in the synovium is often recorded. In such cases, moderate synovitis of the knee joint does not manifest itself sharply. It may begin without pain at all or with aching painful sensations. In addition, the skin above the knee with moderate synovitis usually does not change color.
In most cases, chronic synovitis of the knee joint develops as a result of untreated acute form of the disease. Patients experience almost similar symptoms. There are constant problems with the knee in the form of aching pain, limited mobility and fatigue during exercise. Exudate or inflammatory fluid located in the cavity leads to secondary changes in the joint. For example, villous synovitis, the treatment of which is carried out exclusively by surgery. The constant accumulation of effusion in the knee makes the joint unstable, aggravating its functional condition.
It was noted that synovitis of the left knee joint is observed somewhat more often than the right one.
In almost all cases of synovitis of the knee joint, it is necessary to apply the entire arsenal of diagnostic methods to establish the exact form of the disease. It is especially important to determine the nature of the inflammation and exclude damage to other anatomical structures of the knee. Today, the standard diagnostic program for both primary and secondary synovitis includes:
The greatest difficulties in diagnosis are synovitis of the knee joint with minimal and moderately severe inflammation.
Naturally, X-ray examination does not allow one to determine inflammation of the synovial membrane. Nevertheless, thanks to this diagnostic method, it is possible to determine the condition of the bones, the size of the joint space and degenerative processes in the knee. At the same time, the detection of expansion of the articular cavity is a characteristic radiological sign of the presence of effusion.
The presence of fluid in the joint cavity can be confirmed using an ultrasound examination. In addition, ultrasound makes it possible to study in detail the condition of intra-articular structures and identify early signs of degenerative changes. Since this instrumental diagnostic method is considered one of the safest, most accessible and at the same time quite informative, it is often used for dynamic monitoring of the recovery process in the knee.
As a rule, there is no special need for arthroscopy for synovitis of the knee joint. It is enough to perform a puncture to eliminate fluid from the joint cavity. Then the resulting effusion is sent for laboratory testing, based on the results of which it will be possible to judge the nature of the inflammatory process. Repeated puncture cannot be ruled out, but for therapeutic purposes to administer antiseptic solutions, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. If it is necessary to directly assess the condition of intra-articular structures and/or carry out their surgical restoration, then arthroscopy cannot be avoided.
In difficult cases, magnetic resonance imaging is used. Currently, this is the most informational diagnostic method. For example, only MRI will be able to detect minimal synovitis of the knee joint. It should be recognized that no other modern instrumental method is capable of studying in more detail even the most minor pathological changes in the site of inflammation.
The scope of diagnostic measures necessary to make a diagnosis is determined by the attending physician.
How to treat synovitis of the knee joint? The set of therapeutic measures will depend on the clinical form and characteristics of the course of the disease. The main methods of treating synovitis of the knee joint:
After confirming the presence of fluid in the joint cavity (for example, during an ultrasound), the first thing to do is to remove it. The puncture and elimination of joint effusion is carried out by a specialist doctor in appropriate sterile conditions (manipulation room, operating room, etc.). The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Novocaine or other anesthetic drugs may be used. After removing the fluid, it is recommended to rinse the joint cavity with antiseptic solutions. In the case of purulent inflammation, which can be determined by the nature of the fluid removed, intra-articular administration of antibacterial drugs is performed.
After completing all the necessary procedures, the lower limb is immobilized (immobilized). To do this, apply a splint to the knee joint, resting the leg for 4–6 days. For the first few days, it will be useful to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and inflammation. I would like to note that prolonged immobilization of the affected leg should not be carried out unless necessary. In the future, serious problems with knee mobility may arise.
According to clinical practice, synovitis of the wrist joint is observed an order of magnitude less frequently than inflammation of the knee or any other joint, but is quite difficult to diagnose and treat.
If the doctor suspects that the inflammatory process in the synovial membrane of the knee joint is infectious in nature, antibacterial drugs with a broad spectrum of action are used. Many experts prefer cephalosporins. It should be recalled that self-use of any medications, including antibiotics, is strongly discouraged. To eliminate pain and inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The following types of drugs are considered the most popular:
Do not use several pain medications at the same time in the hope of increasing the therapeutic effect. It is reliably known that the combination of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will not lead to an increased analgesic effect, but will significantly increase your chances of getting a stomach ulcer. Cases of development of ulcerative bleeding have been recorded. In addition, long-term use of even one NSAID in a standard dosage is not recommended. Therapeutically, the course must be prescribed by a highly qualified medical specialist. Also, before use, be sure to read the contraindications, of which some NSAIDs have quite a few.
Regardless of the severity of clinical symptoms, treatment of synovitis of the knee joint should be comprehensive.
Modern anti-inflammatory ointments and gels can successfully suppress the inflammatory process in the synovial membrane of the knee joint and cope with pain. Today, the choice of painkillers for external use is quite wide:
Compresses with Dimexide give a good effect for synovitis of the knee. It would not be amiss to mention that only the attending physician can decide whether it is appropriate to use such procedures in treatment or not. For the compress you will need a 50% solution of Dimexide, which is obtained by diluting the drug with water in a ratio of 1 to 1. In some cases, a combination of several drugs is used (for example, Novocaine, Hydrocortisone, etc.). Combined solutions can be prepared in a pharmacy or hospital.
Before applying the compress, it is necessary to find out the sensitivity to Dimexide. To do this, apply a small amount of the drug to the skin and monitor the reaction. If there are no side effects (nausea, rashes, itching, breathing problems, etc.), then a compress with Dimexide can be used. Similar manipulations are done with other drug solutions planned for use as a compress. The duration of the procedure, which is carried out every day for 1–2 weeks, is 30–45 minutes.
If severe inflammation with intense pain is noted, intra-articular injections of glucocorticosteroids are prescribed. However, they are used quite rarely for the treatment of synovitis. Glucocorticosteroid therapy should only be carried out under the supervision of a medical specialist.
Traditional treatment methods successfully relieve most patients from acute and chronic synovitis of the knee joint.
Regardless of the form and nature of inflammation of the synovial membrane of the knee joint, physiotherapy is always included in the treatment program. Starting from 3–4 days, the following types of physiotherapeutic procedures begin to be used:
Once the acute stage of the disease has passed, massage sessions and physical therapy sessions are added to the course of treatment. Do not forget that prolonged inactivity, as well as prolonged wearing of orthoses or knee braces, can have a negative impact. Lack of optimal physical activity during the recovery period leads to the development of muscle atrophy and the appearance of stiffness in the knee joint. The exercise therapy complex is selected by a specialist, taking into account the patient’s condition and the characteristics of orthopedic pathology. More successful results in treatment are achieved through a combination of exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage. Examples of exercises that will be beneficial for the knee joint:
As clinical statistics show, among all forms of this disease, post-traumatic synovitis of the knee joint is most common.
Sometimes it happens that despite all the conservative measures taken to treat synovitis of the knee joint, it is not possible to achieve recovery. In such cases, surgical intervention is sought. Depending on the nature and severity of the disease, either partial or complete excision of the synovial membrane is performed. After the operation, the patient must undergo a rehabilitation course, which includes physiotherapeutic procedures, exercise therapy and massage. On average, the recovery period takes from 3–4 to 7 weeks.
Recently, the treatment of synovitis of the knee joint with folk remedies has become increasingly popular. In some cases, this approach can yield positive results, but only if it is approved by the attending physician. Several folk remedies for the treatment of synovitis of the knee joint:
By agreeing on a therapeutic course with a highly qualified specialist, you will be able to treat synovitis of the knee joint at home.
If the patient consults a doctor in a timely manner and undergoes treatment, the prognosis will usually be favorable. In most cases, there is complete restoration of the function of the knee joint without any restrictions on mobility. According to clinical experience, traditional conservative treatment methods are quite sufficient to achieve recovery.
Knee arthritis is an inflammation of the joint cavity caused by a variety of reasons. This pathology is considered one of the most common in the world, and residents of countries with a high standard of living suffer from it more often than residents of developing countries. How to explain this phenomenon is difficult to answer - researchers and doctors still cannot say for sure what triggers the development of the disease. It is not easy to overcome, and even with the necessary medications and the use of modern treatment methods, the result is not always satisfactory.
The clinical picture of the disease is as follows: first, under the influence of some factor, the synovial membrane of the joint and the joint capsule become inflamed. The infection then progresses to the underlying bone and subchondral plate. Ultimately the cartilage is affected. It is important to start treatment as early as possible, before the inflammatory process affects the cartilage tissue. But to do this, you need to accurately diagnose the type and severity of the disease.
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According to the nature of occurrence, arthritis of the knee joint can be divided into two large groups:
Primary arthritis of the knee is divided into the following types:
Secondary arthritis of the knee is divided into:
Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint is considered the most common and dangerous, often leading to disability.
In addition, arthritis of the knee can be acute (when the disease develops rapidly and violently, usually immediately after an injury) or chronic (when the disease is sluggish, with only periodic exacerbations), unilateral (affecting the right or left knee) or bilateral (affecting both knees simultaneously) . In rheumatoid arthritis, the disease always develops symmetrically on the two knee joints.
The symptoms of knee arthritis are similar to those of other joint diseases, so it is necessary to properly diagnose it so that treatment is effective and efficient.
Any type of arthritis of the knee joint has three stages of development, each of which has its own characteristics:
In any case, if you notice such phenomena as swelling, even if only occasionally, an increase in the size of the joint, redness of the skin, if your general body temperature rises, while your health worsens, activity and appetite decrease, you should consult with a doctor - he will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
In addition to examining and interviewing the patient, the following diagnostic procedures are also carried out:
Sometimes a puncture is taken from the joint cavity to examine the synovial fluid.
Treatment is prescribed depending on the nature of origin, type and severity of knee arthritis. The following means are used:
If the arthritis is infectious, the primary disease should be treated in parallel. For this purpose, antibiotics of different groups are used. To relieve inflammation in the joint itself, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed. Regular aspirin has a very good effect, acting additionally as an anesthetic. Warming and decongestant ointments that stimulate blood circulation are used locally.
During the period of exacerbation and in severe cases of the disease, fluid is pumped out of the joint capsule and anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs and antibiotics are administered through a needle.
Despite the abundance of various medications that help reduce the manifestations of the disease, many still prefer folk remedies for arthritis - they are more accessible and harmless than chemical drugs.
In the treatment of knee arthritis in the acute stage, it is important to relieve inflammation and pain. For this, various compresses, lotions and rubbing are used.
If you have access to medicinal herbs, applying freshly picked leaves of coltsfoot or young burdock will help. Try this ointment: a handful of hop cones should be crushed and mixed with a jar of Vaseline. Rub into the knee several times a day.
You should not regard folk remedies for arthritis, despite their fairly high effectiveness, as a panacea. Professional doctors generally do not advise self-medication in order to avoid complications and relapses. To achieve a sustainable result, treatment must be comprehensive and consist not only of local and systemic therapy, but also include physiotherapy. Among them, therapeutic gymnastics occupies not the last place.
Tip: When treating knee arthritis, you definitely need to pay attention to nutrition. It is recommended to adhere to a balanced diet, eat foods rich in vitamin A - raw carrots, pumpkin. Raw celery is very useful. Squeeze the juice from the stems and leaves and take 1-2 tablespoons every day. Eat more fatty fish, vegetables and fruits; you should avoid salt and spices. Jellied meat, a variety of jellied dishes with gelatin and jelly are also useful for restoring cartilage tissue.
A properly selected set of exercises for knee arthritis is an important part of treatment. You can start doing exercises only after the acute stage has passed and the inflammation has been relieved. A set of exercises should be prescribed by a doctor individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s body and the form of his disease. Do not immediately overload the joint, increase the load gradually. But don't miss sessions either. Only patience and self-discipline will help restore the functionality of the joint.
Exercise 1. Stand up straight, bring your knees together and squat down a little. Place your palms on your knees and perform circular movements, clockwise, and then back. Take your time, move slowly. At first, do three to four laps in each direction, gradually increasing the number to ten.
Exercise 2. Lie on the floor on your back. Bend your left leg at the knee, keep your right leg straight. Helping with your hands, slowly pull your right knee towards your chest and hold. Then try to straighten your leg and hold it like that for a few seconds. Bend your knee again and slowly return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise with the other leg. Perform five to six times with the right and left legs.
Exercise 3. Sitting on a chair, raise your right leg so that it is parallel to the floor. Perform rocking movements up and down until you feel tension in the muscles. Switch legs and repeat the exercise.
How to treat arthritis of the knee joint - using traditional or alternative medicine - is up to everyone to decide for themselves. It is important to understand the seriousness of this disease and take care of your health.
Treatment depends largely on the type of arthritis and may include:
The most effective methods used by traditional healers and tried by many patients:
In cases of arthritis, proper nutrition, subject to reasonable restrictions, has a beneficial effect on the condition of bone tissue and joint cartilage.
It is recommended to consume more foods high in vitamin C , as well as vitamins A, E, group B (fish, brewer's yeast, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits of yellow, red, green colors, bran bread, whole grain cereals, cold-pressed vegetable oil, liver , fermented milk foods, etc.).
It is necessary to avoid drinking coffee and strong black tea, alcohol, large amounts of salt, refined and canned foods, as well as smoked foods and foods containing preservatives and flavor enhancers.
Persons at risk for arthritis of the knee joints (after severe infectious diseases, overweight people, athletes, industrial workers with high physical activity, and those with a family history of arthritis) must follow the following rules:
In fact, any arthritis is an inflammatory process accompanied by degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. The difference between arthritis and arthrosis lies in the causes of the disease. Drug treatment of arthritis of the knee joint, even at an early stage, necessarily includes NSAIDs, since the onset of pathology is always preceded by an inflammatory process (with arthrosis, inflammation occurs as a result of destruction of the joint capsule).
Gonarthritis (the second name for arthritis of the knee joints) can be of two forms depending on the speed of development of the disease:
Unlike arthrosis, arthritis occurs in adolescents and children in approximately 90 cases out of 10,000. Diagnosing the disease in a child is quite problematic. There are the following types of arthritis in children:
Effective therapy can be prescribed only after an accurate determination of the cause of the disease.
The etiology of the disease is not fully understood, but medical research has identified two main types of pathology:
Unlike arthrosis, which is essentially a disease of “elderly people,” knee arthritis in a child is not such a rare occurrence. As a rule, in this case, the appearance of pathology is preceded by weak immunity and a previous immune disease. Infection in the periarticular bursa leads to the rapid development of inflammation.
It is the responsibility of the attending physician to make an accurate diagnosis. It is not possible to diagnose grade 1 and 2 arthritis on your own. Therefore, when the first disturbing symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor will assign an ICD 10 code to the disease and prescribe appropriate therapeutic treatment.
Arthritis is treated based on the stage and clinical manifestations of the disease. Symptoms in patients may differ depending on what caused the development of the pathology. So rheumatoid arthritis affects two limbs at once. Always accompanied by high temperature of the damaged area. As a result of inflammation of the synovial bursae, fluid accumulates in the knee joint.
Gout or acute arthritis is characterized by shooting pain. Changes affect the state of the whole organism. Tachycardia, changes in breathing rhythm, rapid pulse - all these are accompanying signs of pathology. Purulent or infectious nonspecific arthritis occurs due to damage to the joint by infection or microbes; treatment includes antibiotics.
The patient should pay attention to the following symptoms, which appear regardless of the type of arthritis:
These symptoms may indicate either post-traumatic arthritis of the knee or an infectious cause of the disease. If a patient's leg bends halfway, intense pain is observed, so that one can talk about limiting his ability to work, and a disability is issued.
This must be decided by the attending physician. The doctor prescribes medication and physiotherapy based on the clinical picture of pathological changes. A medical history must be compiled, thanks to which you can track positive or negative trends and adjust the prescribed treatment.
First aid can also be provided at home. Fizomed Artro has proven itself well for the treatment of the knee joint. The kit includes a fixation bandage with inserts for paraffin inserts. Fizomed Artro can be used during the entire course of drug therapy. The product helps reduce swelling.
Fizomed Arthro knee pads for arthritis help reduce swelling, reduce the load on the joint and have a beneficial restorative effect. A quick-acting NSAID-based ointment can also help; it will relieve pain and give you time to contact a specialist for qualified help.
After visiting a doctor and diagnosing the pathology, comprehensive treatment is prescribed, which may include:
During remission and as a preventive measure, injections of chondroprotectors are prescribed. With long-term therapy, chondroprotectors help restore joint cartilage. Chondroprotectors are completely useless in the presence of an inflammatory process.
Walking on your knees and performing other independently developed exercises is prohibited. They increase the destruction of the joint and often lead only to increased deformity. Exercises to prevent arthritis in the knees and the technique for performing them are shown by a rehabilitation specialist.
If all doctor's instructions are followed, long-term remission is possible.
Arthritis of the knee joint occurs due to infection. In this case, pathogenic microbes cause an inflammatory process that promotes the formation of large amounts of pus. This fluid accumulation can result in the loss of a limb or life. Resection is performed and, if necessary, synovial pouches are removed.
After the operation, a knee orthosis is put on to completely immobilize the patient. Pathological changes can cause endoprosthetics - complete or partial replacement of a joint.
In some cases, getting an appointment with a rheumatologist right away is quite problematic. How to relieve joint pain at home?
It is worth considering that those methods that help with arthrosis may be contraindicated if arthritis develops. For example, you can take a steam bath only in case of non-exacerbation. Pain indicates the presence of an inflammatory process, so visiting the steam room is contraindicated in this case. On the other hand, after an injury in a state of non-exacerbation, visiting a bathhouse can be beneficial.
What methods of alternative therapy can be effective?
Traditional methods are effective in preventing the development of arthritis. After their development, drug treatment cannot be avoided.
Self-treatment of pathology is dangerous. Treatment of the disease should be carried out in a hospital at one of the orthopedic clinics and centers. The clinic will determine the exact cause of the disease and select the appropriate course of treatment, including surgery. Arthritis completely recedes after endoprosthetics. However, there is a risk of complications largely related to the qualifications of the surgeon.
Arthritis of the knee joint is a pathology characterized by damage to the synovial bursa, cartilage and bone tissues of the knee joint. Each type of disease has a specific pathogenesis and nature of origin. Regardless of this, it is always accompanied by the main signs (see photo):
Depending on the form, there are three types of arthritis:
It is important to know! Many people are interested in the difference between arthritis and arthrosis of the knee joint. The first disease is in any case accompanied by the presence of inflammatory foci in the articular cavity of the knee. The second is degenerative and occurs in the absence of inflammation.
Depending on the nature of development, arthritis is divided into several types.
This type of gonarthritis is caused by a violation of metabolic processes in the body. As a result of metabolic failure, small salt crystals with sharp edges form in the knee joint capsule.
Crystals systematically injure joint tissue, which leads to the development of an inflammatory process and acute pain.
2. Deforming (arthrosis-arthritis)
With arthrosis-arthritis, deformation of the cartilage of the knee joint is observed. The process occurs against the background of impaired blood flow in bone and joint tissues.
The disease lasts for years. It often begins asymptomatically, but progresses steadily over a long period of time. The etiology of the disease has not yet been clarified by doctors. In most cases, rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint leads to disability.
The course of the disease is acute. As a result of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the joint, an inflammatory process develops. Signs: the knee becomes swollen, acute pain occurs. There is a noticeable increase in the size of the knee joint.
5. Juvenile (idiopathic)
In most cases, the development of this type of gonitis is observed in children who have reached the age of 8 years and have a genetic predisposition to the occurrence of joint pathologies.
Develops after pathogenic microflora enters the knee joint. Often the source of infection is bacteria that have penetrated the joint tissue from the urinary or digestive system of the body.
Occurs due to damage to the meniscus, rupture or sprain of ligaments.
This type of arthritis is caused by wear and tear of the cartilage tissue of the joint, medically called hyaline cartilage.
Depending on the nature of the joint damage, the following types of arthritis are distinguished:
Infectious arthritis occurs due to the penetration of the following pathogenic organisms into the “capsule” of the joint: fungi, viruses, bacteria (Gram-negative), streptococci, staphylococci and gonococci.
As for arthritis of non-infectious origin, their development is due to many factors:
It is important to know! Predisposing factors for the development of inflammation in the joints are constant emotional overload, stress, and endocrine diseases, such as diabetes.
Doctors have named the general symptoms of arthritis that accompany all types of the disease.
In addition to the listed symptoms, almost each type of knee joint gonitis is characterized by the presence of certain symptoms. For example, with the gouty type of gonitis, the condition worsens after taking alcohol-containing products.
Signs of arthritis of the knee joint, if the disease has an infectious etiology, are as follows:
The rheumatoid variety of gonitis is characterized by mild inflammation in both knee joints, as well as in other articular groups (elbows, shoulders, hips). The disease is usually accompanied by an increased degree of fatigue and subfibrile temperature. If the pathology occurs over a long period of time, the following may be observed:
Arthritis may also cause systemic symptoms:
Diagnosing knee arthritis is quite a difficult task. Sometimes, in order to collect a complete clinical picture, consultation and examination of doctors of narrow specializations is required: rheumatologist, physiotherapist, traumatologist, surgeon and arthrologist.
To diagnose gonitis, determine the stage of development and causes of occurrence, a number of tests are performed.
Therapy must include the use of the following drugs:
It is important to understand! You should not treat knee arthritis on your own. The medications listed above should be prescribed exclusively by a qualified specialist, taking into account individual dosage and dosage regimen. Do not self-medicate based only on symptoms and signs.
Traditional non-medicinal
To relieve pain, stop inflammatory processes and improve blood flow in tissues with arthritis of the knee joint, you can use folk remedies - herbal baths are very helpful. They should be prepared at the rate of 300 g of herb per bath.
The herbal mixture (or one type of plant) is poured into 4 liters of water and boiled for 10-15 minutes, after which it is infused for about half an hour and poured into a bathtub filled with water.
Pay attention to the temperature of the water in the bath; it should not exceed 36-37? C. Also make sure that the water does not cover the heart area.
To prepare baths, you can use the following herbs individually or in combination with each other: pine needles, chamomile, sage, knotweed, wild rosemary, sweet clover, juniper, St. John's wort and birch buds.
In the form of compresses, you can use ordinary mustard plasters, flax seeds, radish and horseradish gruel. Wrap one of the selected products in a piece of fabric, which you preheat. Fold the fabric several times and apply it to your knee for an hour. Wrap the top with polyethylene and a warm scarf.
To prepare the rub, mix olive and sunflower oil in equal parts, for example, 100 ml each. Add 200 ml of kerosene (purified) to the oil mixture. Mix thoroughly. After this, add 10 hot pepper pods.
Place the mixture in a glass container, leave for a week in a cool, dark place and shake occasionally. Rub the joint daily before bed for 15 days. The rest of the time, make sure your knees are warm.
To make an application, add a couple of drops of lime juice (can be replaced with lemon) and 20 ml of boiled water to white (you can use black, yellow or green) clay (80 g). You will get a mass of thick consistency. Make a flat cake 3 cm thick from it.
Place the clay cake on a napkin or cloth and apply it to the sore knee. The top of the joint can be bandaged and wrapped in woolen cloth. Keep it for half an hour.
"People's ointment" for the treatment of arthritis
To prepare the ointment, you will need sweet clover herb (20 g) and Vaseline (35 g), which can be replaced with the same amount of butter.
Pour 300 ml of water over the herb and boil until the water is reduced by half. Then strain the broth and add oil or Vaseline to it. To treat knee arthritis, rub the ointment into the joint three times a day.
Any inflammatory process has great potential danger. The worst threat is sepsis. It is generally accepted that inflammation originates only in soft tissues. This is a very erroneous opinion, because... Increasingly, it affects the joints of bones - joints.
Knee arthritis is inflammation of the intra- and periarticular areas of one or both knees. Another name for the pathology is gonarthrosis or gonarthrosis (from the Greek gony - “knee”).
The incidence statistics for knee arthritis are as follows: approximately half (35 to 52%) of people suffering from joint diseases suffer from knee arthritis. More than 30% are in children. Moreover, in 23% of all cases the cause is osteoarthritis. Most patients with knee arthritis are women over 30 years of age. Although for secondary pathologies this is not always true. For example, gonorrheal arthritis is common in men.
A high percentage chance of developing knee arthritis is caused by high stress on the knees. Each of them supports half the weight of the human body, and due to the very limited range of motion in the knees, this load only increases. The feet are more mobile and complexly designed for this.
Diagnosis of pathology is carried out using radiography, or more precisely, arthrography. For pseudogout, polarization microscopy of synovial fluid obtained through puncture is additionally required. The microflora of punctate is used to test the effects of various drugs on infectious pathogens.
In rare cases, additional diagnostic tests are prescribed: