The human body is a complex system. The musculoskeletal system is no less vulnerable than other departments. Very often people have problems with knee joints and legs in general. Sometimes unpleasant and painful sensations are associated with improper sitting or a long stay in one position. However, often the problems are much more serious than it seems at first glance, and it is very important to notice ailments in a timely manner and prevent the development of such pathologies.
One of the very serious diseases is rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint. If you do not treat this disease, then over time it will lead to very serious consequences.
Main signs of pathology
If a person suffers from rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint, then such a disease could not arise suddenly and completely unnoticed. This pathology can progress for many years, at first without causing inconvenience to patients. That is why diagnostic measures often begin to be carried out at that time.the moment when the lesion has already developed seriously.
However, it is important to notice the signs of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee, as it is at the initial stage that it responds much better to treatment, which increases the chances that a person can return to their usual activities without serious consequences.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the first manifestations of the disease. As a rule, at first, patients begin to complain of the appearance of pain after long walks. At the same time, the pain does not recede and at rest for quite a long time. It is also worth paying attention to how the limb bends and unbends. If such manipulations bring discomfort or pain, then this may be the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint.
Also pay attention to:
- The appearance of a constant feeling of tension in the muscles.
- Stiffness and limited mobility of the knee joint.
- The appearance of external deformities in the area of the limb where arthritis began to develop.
- A crunching sound that started to appear when crouching or even walking normally.
- The appearance of inflammatory processes in the affected area. You can also determine this yourself. It is enough to touch the sore spot. If the skin on it is hot, then this indicates a progressive inflammation.
Stages of development of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee
There are several stages of developmentthis nasty disease. Conventionally, doctors distinguish three stages.
- At the first stage, patients feel only slight discomfort when performing the simplest motor movements (while walking, squatting, etc.). In this case, no noticeable changes in the knee joint occur. Outwardly, the leg looks completely normal. Even if the patient takes an x-ray, it is almost impossible to notice the first manifestations of the pathology on it.
- Second stage. At this stage, pain begins to manifest itself in a state of complete rest. Patients complain of a feeling of twisting of the knees, even when they are in a horizontal position. With increased physical exertion, acute pain appears. At this stage, it makes sense to take an x-ray. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee can be identified by a fairly obvious deformity of the knee. Therefore, the specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
- Third stage. In this case, the problem is visible to the naked eye. This does not even require differential diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified by any doctor, since even during a standard examination and palpation, he will note a clear deformity. The patient himself also assesses his condition as rather serious, since even the slightest load brings severe pain.
By the third stage, the affected knee significantly increases in size and changes. The skin on the affected area is constantly stretched, hot. The knee itself is red.
Causes for the development of pathology
First of allit is worth saying that rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint in children is diagnosed only in exceptional situations. As a rule, adults of more advanced age suffer from this pathology. At the same time, experts identify several factors that can affect the formation of this disease.
As a rule, a person's bad habits become a provoking factor. It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis appears more often in those who abuse alcohol and smoke frequently. By themselves, nicotine and alcohol-containing drinks have a negative effect on the articular joints. If a person does not know the measure, then this can quite easily lead to deformations and serious problems.
At the risk group are those who have problems with the deposition of s alts on the background of various ailments. Often this happens because of another bad habit. If a person presses too hard on s alt, then over time it begins to accumulate in the body. Adding to this a sedentary lifestyle, you can draw a rough portrait of the average patient with this type of arthritis.
with the musculoskeletal system.
The obese people should also be careful. This leads to more seriousloads on the legs, or rather, on their joints. Under such stress, they can begin to deform. This will lead to their gradual destruction.
Another possible reason for the manifestation of this disease is hormonal failure. However, it should be borne in mind that this affects the development of arthritis only indirectly and cannot be the only factor responsible for the onset of the disease. Since hormonal disruptions often occur due to malfunctions in the human thyroid gland and liver, we can say that this happens because the patient does not eat properly.
Diagnostic measures
As with any other illness, first of all, the patient must pass blood and urine tests. As a rule, doctors in this case prefer to conduct a differential diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis in the primary stages is difficult to recognize, so other possible pathologies will have to be ruled out.
When studying blood tests, the doctor pays attention to an increase in ESR and the presence of anemia. Also, suspicions of rheumatoid arthritis fall if a rather high protein content is observed in the urine. Additionally, joint fluid from the affected area is taken for analysis. If the patient really suffers from arthritis, then it will differ in a cloudy color and reduced viscosity. Also, a high content of leukocytes will indicate the disease.
However, this is not enough for the doctor to voice clinical recommendations. Rheumatoid arthritis needs to be diagnosed in more detail. For this, the specialist prescribes an x-ray.
Treatment
First of all, the doctor prescribes preventive measures aimed at combating osteoporosis. It is necessary to restore the potassium balance in the patient's body. You will also need to improve intestinal absorption functions. As a rule, a specialist prescribes a diet for this. The patient should eat plenty of foods that contain calcium. Therefore, sour-milk products, nuts and so on should prevail in his diet. It would be useful to additionally take vitamin and mineral complexes.
Considering the symptoms and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee, it is worth saying that such methods of treatment will be effective only at the very initial stage of the development of the pathology. If the disease is running, then in this case it is recommended to use laser therapy. The course of such treatment is usually 15 procedures. Most often, doctors resort to this method only in exceptional situations when an exacerbation occurs.
In terms of rheumatoid arthritis and clinical guidelines, cold therapy, or so-called cryotherapy, can be used to reduce pain and spasms. As a rule, the course takes no more than 15 procedures, after which some of the symptoms disappear. If the patient is diagnosed with an early stage of rheumatoid arthritis, then exercise therapy may be indicated in this case. Doctors often prescribe physiotherapy exercises, as well as a course of massage. However, it is not recommended to perform these procedures on your own. A set of exercises for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint should be developedspecialist.
Medications
The so-called basic preparations can also help. This is a group of medicines that is not capable of causing serious harm to the human body (only in an exceptional situation, if he has an individual intolerance to one or another component). However, funds of this type are most effective only at an early stage of the disease. If we talk about the most popular drugs, then doctors most often prescribe Azathioprine, Sandimmun and Infliximab.
However, it should be borne in mind that specific drugs cannot be chosen for yourself. They are prescribed exclusively by a doctor. If we talk about ointments for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint, then most patients use Diclofenac. But it is also better in this case not to choose the drug yourself, but to consult a specialist.
Additional events
If it happens that more than a month has passed, but there is no positive dynamics after taking the drugs? and all the same symptoms remain, in this case it is recommended to switch to hormonal treatment. First of all, very small doses of hormones are administered to the patient. Gradually, their content begins to increase. Drugs of this type can quickly reduce the rate of development of pathology. However, the change of medicines is not carried out so quickly. Most often, it takes a doctor up to six months to assess whetherhow well does this or that remedy prescribed earlier.
It should be borne in mind that throughout the course of treatment it is necessary to constantly visit a doctor who will observe the dynamics of improvements or their absence. Some drugs have different side effects, which is also necessary to know in a timely manner. For example, often a person begins to notice the appearance of an unpleasant reaction with an increase in doses of a hormonal agent. In this case, it is necessary to refuse such treatment, as the result may be unpredictable.
Often, doctors decide to use non-steroidal base drugs along with hormonal drugs. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly reduce the inflammatory process of soft tissues and simulate the body's immune behavior.
Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed. They do not have side effects (only if they are not used in conjunction with steroid drugs).
Surgical treatment
If all the methods of conservative treatment turned out to be absolutely ineffective, then in this case there is only one chance to overcome this pathology. As a rule, only in the very last stage of rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be required. In this case, reconstructive surgery methods are most often used.
There are several procedures of this type. For example, knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis demonstrates great efficiency. It is also sometimes necessary to resort totendon remodeling. Doctors go to this medical event only in the most neglected situations, since after surgery a rather long rehabilitation period will be required, which will also include therapeutic procedures and much more. It is very important to gradually restore and restore the mobility of the limb.
Possible Complications
If the pathology was detected out of time, and treatment began only at the last stage, then this may well lead to disability and complete immobilization of one or both limbs. It is worth noting that in 70% of cases, patients face precisely such problems. However, do not forget that the worst outcome can only be a fatal outcome. But this happens in medical practice only if, against the background of the disease, the patient also began to suffer from infectious complications.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee: treatment with folk remedies
If we talk about therapeutic measures that are carried out at home, then in this case we are talking only about the initial stage of the disease. With a more severe development of the pathology, you should not waste time, since decoctions and home-made ointments will be powerless. If the disease has just begun, then you can try using aloe and radish juice, mixed in equal proportions. Such a compress should be applied for 40 minutes. Also, some use an egg beaten into foam and mixed with two tablespoons of s alt. The resulting consistency should be applied to the knee or the affected joint until the liquid dries completely. Howeverwe must remember: the use of traditional medicine in the initial stages does not exclude a trip to the doctor.
