6 myths about knee pain

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6 myths about knee pain
6 myths about knee pain
Anonim

1. The cause of the disease gonarthrosis (osteoarthrosis of the knee joint) is not "deposition of s alts", as most people think, but wear and tear of the cartilage over the years

If, in addition, a person has been traumatized, the cartilage is further damaged due to improper operation of the knee joint. Excess weight is a direct destructive factor for the joint. That is why physical therapy for arthrosis was invented in such a way that it does not put any strain on the leg. You should not forget that movement is life, which fully affects the knee joint - when moving, the cartilage is nourished. Scientists have proven that with osteoarthritis in the joint, in addition to mechanical wear, there is also inflammation.

That is why the second name of this condition is osteoarthritis, and the main drugs are preparations that reduce pain and inflammation. Pain in gonarthrosis is usually mechanical, i.e. they are associated with movements - when walking, going up and down stairs, squatting. Such pains usually do not prevent a person from sleeping. Simple X-rays are enough to make the diagnosis, so do not rush to undergo modern magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound examination.

2. The claim that drugs can restore cartilage is the second myth

On television and on the Internet, a number of advertisements offer preparations that supposedly restore cartilage. There are quite a few bio-supplements that promise the same. Their labels still say "not a medicine", so if the patient tolerates them well, we turn a blind eye to their unproven effect. But we will not close our eyes to the side effects of these preparations and supplements, the composition of which contains cartilage components, most often chondroitin and glucosamine. However, to make up for the wear and tear, they must be taken for life. But will they be digested? And what part of the received dose will reach the affected knee? In the current recommendations for the treatment of osteoarthritis, issued by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it is emphasized that the effect of these preparations remains unproven.

As for hyaluronic acid, it is the matrix for the formation of cartilage, protects its surface layer, and in a number of cases reduces joint inflammation. And its price is high, but side effects are rarer. Hyaluronic acid injections work only inside the joint without entering the bloodstream. Therefore, they can flow into several joints at the same time. Such preparations mostly relieve patients' suffering, but we hope that more research will be conducted on their effectiveness. Keep in mind that these are not pain relievers, they do not give a quick result, but they help to keep the joint for a while longer. It is important to learn, however, that at extreme levels of wear, no "lubrication", i.e.e. hyaluronic acid, will not help. In addition, it should be known that any intervention in the joint can lead to complications. Although rare, the possibility of germs entering the joint is not excluded.

3. Another myth is that stem cells can repair damaged cartilage

Scientists around the world are conducting research on using stem cells to repair cartilage. However, it is important that people learn what they can and cannot do. No amount of stem cells will reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. Especially if the cartilage is completely worn out, don't expect a miracle. These cells can help to form not true articular cartilage, but fibrous cartilage. And whether a miracle can happen in the future in this regard, we'll see!

4. It is also a myth that only adults suffer from osteoarthritis

In our dynamic 21st century, many young people play sports, live actively, which increases their trauma. And that wears out the cartilage anyway. A common problem for some athletes is damage to the anterior cruciate ligament. And this is difficult to recover without surgery, after which long-term rehabilitation is required. Unfortunately, despite the obvious symptoms, the diagnosis is often not made in time.

Another reason for the development of osteoarthritis in young people is a disease of unknown nature, which is called dissecting osteochondritis, Koenig's disease. This condition also requires surgery. If the meniscus is damaged, a "blockage" of the joint can occur, a condition nowadays treated with a mildly traumatic operation through two small incisions. But even this does not remain without consequences for the joint, because the operation is also a trauma.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis itself is incurable. All treatment methods and procedures have their limits. Cartilage stiffness also depends on genetics: some people walk without a cane at 80, while others at 60 are already limping. So sooner or later a situation may arise when nothing helps anymore. The leg is difficult to fold and cannot fully unfold, it is distorted, the muscles atrophy and it is impossible for a person to move without a cane…

Yes, it is very pessimistic, but it is in such cases that they replace the knee joint with an artificial one. This allows you to deal with all your complaints, although it imposes some restrictions on the patient.

People are often interested in how many years the prosthesis will last, but no one can give an answer because there is always the possibility of complications. Sometimes the pain in the knee remains even after the artificial joint is placed. There is nothing better than having your own joint serve you for as long as possible and not having to undergo endoprosthetics. In this regard, do not wait until the last minute, but visit a specialist on time. Because it often turns out that when you finally go for an examination, the knee joint is so destroyed that there is no way to save yourself from surgery.

5. Another myth: pain behind the knee means the presence of a so-called Baker's cyst

This claim is spreading on the internet, but actually see what it's all about. At the back of the knee are muscle tendons that slide back and forth in their sockets. There is also a lubricant in this place, as in the joint, only with a thinner layer. For unclear reasons, a channel forms between the joints and these cases. The fluid drains from the knee into the tendon sheath, swells it and forms a cyst - a bag of thick fluid. The size of this cyst is not always constant: sometimes larger, sometimes smaller. To those who consider the cyst as a manifestation of arthrosis, I will say that it occurs in schoolchildren and even in children of preschool age, where, in principle, not a word can be said about arthrosis. Such a cyst is usually small and does not cause discomfort.

If it is large and visible to the naked eye, nothing prevents it from being cut. Because the large tense cysts sometimes press on the nerves and vessels, which with a sudden movement can burst and lead to a chemical burn of the knee tissue. Cysts are different. The so-called can be located around the knee. a parameniscal cyst, which, when the meniscus tears, damages the articular membrane and the fluid flows beyond its limits, forming a strained "hernia" of various sizes. Such cysts must be operated on. In general, however, most often there is no pain with a cyst under the knee.

6. Very often knee pain is due to problems with the hip joint

Many patients who come in with complaints of knee pain are surprised when it turns out that the condition of the knee joint is not that bad. Yes, but there is pain. Although it is not arthrosis, the cartilage is fine, the meniscal ligaments are also fine, there is no inflammation. Therefore, the cause of pain may be different. There is a rule in orthopedics: "If the knee joint hurts, look and examine the hip joint." Because with coxarthrosis (arthrosis of the hip joint) or its inflammation, the pain can often move to the knee.

If in this condition the hip joint does not bother the patient very much, this can lead to an error in the diagnosis, as a result of which the problem will be looked for where it does not exist. Although it would be enough for the person to step aside. Another common cause of knee pain without it being painful is back problems, such as a herniated disc between the sacral vertebrae, which causes compression of the nerve. Finally, as surprising as it may seem, a common cause of knee pain is compression of the sensitive nerve between the thigh muscles. This is very common, but unfortunately rarely diagnosed. When the patient complains of sharp burning pains in the inner part of the knee, which disturb him both day and night, which are not affected by painkillers, but over time move below the knee or to the calf - this is rather a condition that unfortunately, it is very difficult to treat. If the person somehow manages to control these severe pains, he is relieved and even happy.

Let's not forget about the so-called systemic diseases - gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Bekhterev's disease. In these cases, an inflammatory process occurs in the knee joints, they hurt both when moving and at rest, during the day and especially at night. In these cases, the pain is not related to trauma or a worn joint, but the inflammation itself leads to rapid destruction of the cartilage. Genitourinary infections, which patients are usually ashamed to admit, cause reactive arthritis with the same manifestations and often with the same consequences. So don't keep anything quiet to help with the diagnosis.

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