Inflammatory joint disease is diagnosed in different age groups. Arthritis of the knee in children is not uncommon, it can develop against the backdrop of a weakened immune system and frequent colds. In general, gonartrit often affects people between the ages of 30 to 50 years, with this illness are more prone to women. We learn everything about the causes that contribute to the development of disease, specific symptoms and treatments of arthritis.
What it is?
Arthritis of the knee - is an inflammation that occurs in and around the joint. How arthritis affects one knee or both simultaneously. Another name for the disease - chases or gonarthrosis.
Causes of
Quite often the main cause of the disease is associated with infectious lesions. Among the major pathogens allocated following pathogens:
- bacteria (Staphylococci, Streptococci, Gonococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella, and other gram-negative bacteria);
- viruses (parvovirus, hepatitis B viruses, rubella, mumps, HIV);
- parasitic organisms (opisthorchiasis, strongyloidiasis, dracunculiasis, hookworm, schistosomiasis, hydatid disease, filariasis, loiasis).
Internal causes of the pathology associated with the occurrence of a number of diseases:
- Reiter's disease and Behcet, brucellosis, tuberculosis, worms;
- lobar pneumonia type, fungal infection, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, hepatitis, gout, disease Spondylitis, erythema, collagen diseases, sarcoidosis, leukemia, hemophilia, scurvy, osteomyelitis, scarlet fever, otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, dermatomyositis.
Among the main trigger factors are the following reasons:
- mechanical overloads on the joint (including the long-term presence in the "kneeling" position);
- uneven distribution of mechanical loads due to abnormal bone locations;
- frostbite;
- trauma (fractures, ligament tears, sprains, fractures, etc.);
- complications after vaccination against rubella;
- arthritis of other joints;
- allergic sensitization;
- the age factor;
- genetic predisposition.
Classification
By the nature of the disease progression of arthritis are the following types:
- Reactive arthritis knee provoke infections reproductive, urinary tract or food poisoning. These diseases contribute to the penetration of infection in the knee joint tissue.
- Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee - the most common type of the disease. Often develops on the background of autoimmune diseases and staphylococcal destruction of the joint. Often, the first signs of arthritis appear after transferred angina, disorders of the thyroid gland or the tendency to allergic reactions.
- Post-traumatic arthritis. It develops as a result of undergoing a knee injury that disrupt the functioning of the articular cartilage. Over time, this condition is complicated by inflammation of the surrounding tissue and bone growth of osteophytes.
- Arthritis, arthrosis of the knee joint (deforming arthritis) occurs against a background of degenerative changes of muscle, bone, and inflammation in the tissues. As a result there are multiple destructive changes in knee cartilage tissue at the molecular level, which leads to a thinning and destruction of cartilage. Such changes affect the bone and tissue, causing them to deform covered with tumors and seals.
In addition, there are many varieties gonartrita, each of which develops due to certain triggering factors. This age, gout, juvenile, infection and so on. However, the types of illnesses have a common symptom - a pain that haunt the patient in motion and at rest. Let us dwell on the characteristic symptoms gonartrita.
The symptoms of arthritis of the knee, photos
Common features specific to any species knee arthritis are:
- morning stiffness;
- -burning or aching pain in the knee;
- periods - acute pain in the joints;
- swelling, redness, inflammation of the tissues;
- in advanced stages - partial loss of motor function, joint deformity, deviation of the bones.
For rheumatoid arthritis characteristic lesion of the right and left knee, and other articular groups; to the symptoms are often joined by low-grade fever, fatigue. With long-term course of the disease may be formed Baker cysts occur joint valgus deviation, as well as muscle atrophy, impaired mobility of the tendons. Frequent systemic manifestations of the disease (heart disease, eye, atherosclerosis, lung disease, etc.).
The hallmark symptom of gout is the deterioration of the patient's condition after drinking alcohol; Some types of arthritis cause cyanosis or purple spots on the skin.
Infectious arthritis knee observed increase in body temperature (up to 39 degrees), strong edema tribe migrating joint pain throughout the body, symptoms of dermatitis (most often - when gonorrhoeal arthritis). Often bulging accumulated exudate so pronounced that extends to the lower leg to the inside or outside of the limbs.
stage
Untreated, most species the disease becomes chronic arthritis, in which current is customary to distinguish three main stages:
| The first stage | Starting degree, which is characterized by loss of articular cartilage in a small extent. At the initial stage it is much easier to eliminate the disease. Pain often occur when performing complex exercise, but at rest it does not. Sometimes only a slight limp legs with affected joint may occur. In this case, the person is almost no swelling, but is already noticeable with mild erythema. Body temperature rarely reaches 37 degrees. |
| The second stage | Increasingly, the pain increases, and there already when the person is at rest (ie. e. at rest). Any movement causes pain that increases with each passing day. A person can move only with a stick or cane. In the area of the knee there is a significant redness and swelling. Sometimes the knee swells up to double the size of which indicates the probability of formation of reactive arthritis. The second degree of symptoms body temperature reaches a 38-38,5 degree and requires Hour antipyretic. It is often the patient has a fever and chills. |
| The third stage | In the formation of the third degree there is a complete destruction of the articular cartilage, which directly affects the symptoms of arthritis of the knee. During rest and sleep, a person suffers intolerable sharp pain in character. With a slight touch to the joint painful sensation occurs. Swelling disease localization applies to the entire foot. The temperature often reaches 39 degrees, which is already talking about the need for an immediate visit to the doctor. |
Symptoms and treatment of knee joint arthritis depend on the form of the disease, so it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive survey. Early diagnosis - the success of therapy, and a prerequisite for the preservation of knee mobility. If the patient does not seek medical help or she will be given unqualified, the patient's quality of life can irreversibly reduced due to joint deformity and ankylosis formation.
Diagnostics
Initially, the doctor examines the patient's complaints, conducting external inspection of the limbs and motor diagnostics. Basically the same method of diagnosis of arthritis of the knee joint is radiography. It detects periarticular osteoporosis, ie decreased bone density, joint space narrowing in the affected inflammation the knee, the presence of erosion and nodes in the bone, and ankylosis - joint stiffness due to the joint seam surfaces. The extent of these changes depends on the specific stage of arthritis.
Radiography complement laboratory test blood count, which in the case of disease should show an increase in ESR and increase in the number of white blood cells, eosinophils, platelets, and anemia. Biochemical analysis of blood arthritis confirms signs of inflammation: CRP seromucoid, the presence of rheumatoid factor.
How to treat arthritis of the knee?
Important in the treatment of arthritis of the knee in children and adults - to reduce / eliminate the inflammatory processes that damage the cartilage and surrounding tissues. Since inflammation can occur for various reasons, approaches to therapy also vary, depending on the form of the disease.
The complex of therapeutic measures include:
- Removing inflammatory (NSAID - non-steroidal anti-inflammatories);
- anesthesia;
- restoring metabolic processes (reception chondroprotective, vitamins and immunostimulants);
- strengthening the immune system;
- normalization of the power of joint tissues;
- getting rid of excess weight (auriculotherapy, diet, herbal medicine to improve metabolism and the breakdown of fat deposits in order to reduce the load on the knees);
- restoration of normal motor activity, oporosposobnosti lower extremities, resume full range of motion;
- preventive measures to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Soreness help reduce not only the drug, but also the support means such as a walking stick or crutches. Apply orthopedic devices, such as knee pads, tires and special shoes. The leg is immobilized as a simple plaster, bandage or splint koksitnoy, made by a plaster cast.
Ointment against arthritis of the knee:
- Finalgon;
- Apizartron;
- Gistalgon.
Corticosteroids - steroid hormones - injected directly into the joint cavity:
- Hydrocortisone in the form of a slurry;
- Kenalog;
- Trasylol or Aprotinin;
- Diprospan.
Forms of medicinal drugs prescribed for arthritis of the knee joint:
- cream;
- Tablets (for example, diclofenac);
- The solutions for intramuscular and intra-articular injection (e.g., corticosteroids);
- Gels (e.g. Diklak);
- Ointments (e.g. Bishofit, Nikofleks, Menovazin);
- Solutions for lotions (e.g., Dimexidum).
These drugs have many side effects, overload the digestive tract, therefore, at the same time their reception is required and the appointment of dieting support the digestive process funds.
physiotherapy
In therapy gonartrita well proven hardware and physiotherapy treatments. Among them:
- Laser therapy, infrared radiation, and ultrasound. These methods are used for the relief of the inflammatory process in the joint.
- Hydrotherapy, massage, electrical stimulation is recommended to improve blood circulation and eliminate muscle atrophy.
- Plasmapheresis - a procedure prescribed for infectious and rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.
- Cryotherapy is indicated for the activation of tissue metabolic processes and eliminate pain.
Exercising and eating right
During the chronic arthritis, and after removal of an acute condition necessary to carry out simple exercise:
- Sit on a chair, then swing legs (in turn) back and forth to a state of mild fatigue.
- From the same position to keep the foot parallel to the floor within 5 seconds. The number of repeats - 10 times for each leg.
- Lying on your back is necessary to lift the straight leg to a height of 25-30 cm. and hold for a few seconds. Repeat the exercise 6 times for each leg.
- An exercise simulating cycling is performed lying on the floor for 1 minute.
- Lie on your stomach and lift his leg up, bending it at the knee. Thus it is necessary to stretch the heel as close to your buttocks.
- Sitting on the floor, the body tilted forward, trying to get to the toes.
Important role in the treatment given to nutrition. Patients are encouraged to give up refined foods, canned food, smoked, salty and spicy food, strong tea, coffee, and completely eliminate alcohol. The diet should be as many fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, dairy products. It is recommended to include sea fish on the menu, dietary meat, liver, bran cereal.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers a variety of time-tested recipes that at gonartrite be a good addition to the basic treatment:
- Baths with soda and salt. The basin with good hot water, add 3 v. baking soda and salt. Steam the legs in the water for about 15-20 minutes, making the massage of the feet and toes. Then put on wool socks, without wiping his feet, and go to bed. Duration - about 3 months.
- old agave leaves chop and combine with brewer's yeast. Making such a knee wrap every 12 hours. Therapy course is 3 days. After a week's break, the course is repeated.
- Mix equal proportions of valerian root with flowers of chamomile flowers and elderberry. The mixture was pour boiling water, boil, cool, squeeze, put between two layers of gauze, bandage to the sore joint, cover with polyethylene or compress paper, leave the poultice overnight. The compress has a pronounced analgesic effect.
- Compresses from cherry seed flour have potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in different arthritis. To cook using flour obtained from dried cherry pits nucleoli. Flour diluted to a consistency of thick cream, lubricate it affected joint, and covered with polyethylene wrap. Compress hold 1.5-2 hours, rinse with warm water. The course of treatment - 10-12 procedures.
- Licorice root, dandelion, herbs, sweet, licorice and buckthorn bark chop. The broth is prepared from the rate of 1 tbsp. l. vegetable mixture in a glass of boiling water. Let it brew. Take half a cup three times a day.
In any form of the disease, prescribe the treatment regimen and rehabilitation measures should be a specialist. In this regard, it is necessary at the first sign to go to the hospital, to comply with all the recommendations of the attending physician. Only in this case, the outcome of treatment may be positive.
