The failure of part of the locomotor organs, especially the knees, leads to a disruption of movement and balance of the body. Pain on movement of the knee joint (flexion, extension, inward plus lateral rotation, rotation, lifting and lowering) can occur in different circumstances and under the influence of different factors. The strength of the pain syndrome, as well as its duration, differ depending on the depth of the lesion, etiology and pathogenesis of the pathology.
Painful sensations and specific crunching occur most often after physical exertion, trauma or against the background of chronic somatic pathologies. After conducting medical therapy and eliminating the main cause, which is the cause of the pathology, pain and restrictions on movement go away. Otherwise, the prognosis is not reassuring: complete or partial paralysis of the locomotor system can lead to a lifelong disability.
What can hurt
The anatomical design of the knee joint has its own characteristics that react with pain to any change. The knee joint comprises a bony structure of the femur and the tibia as well as the kneecap. The edge shape of each bone is equipped with condyles, their thickened shape and a certain relief create the conditions for ideal biomechanics, a stable body balance in a horizontal position and safe movement with joint shock absorption. The bones are reinforced with a special soft tissue plexus.
The muscles, their tendons that hold the knee joint together, are directed from both the thigh side and the lower leg side. On the side of the thigh is a thin muscle plus a large adductor, as well as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. The strongest muscle of the joint knee structure is the quadriceps, which in turn is divided into 4 muscle heads: rectus, lateral broad, medial broad + medium broad muscle. Also involved in the formation of the knee joint are the Sartorian, thin, adductors, biceps femoralis, semitendinosus + semimembranus, as well as the triceps muscle of the leg and hollow of the knee. Their combined plexus creates strength, mobility, and mobility of the lower limbs.
Attention!Forced violation of the integrity of the genus of articulation, such as rupture, shock, inflammation, destruction or infection, lead to the development of a pain syndrome with impaired motor function.
Within the genus articulation, ie the joint interior, consists of supraspinal cartilage tissue, cruciate ligament, menisci, bursa, synovium. The knee joint is supplied with blood and innervated by many complex plexuses. The sciatic, peroneal, tibial, and peroneal nerves are responsible for the sensitivity of the anterior and medial knee. The branches of the posterior part ensure the sensitivity of the tibial nerve.
Plexuses of nerves and vessels (pulp and non-pulp nerve fibers) penetrate the menisci along the peripheral part of the cartilage plate and within the menisci. When the menisci are traumatized, an acute pain syndrome develops, since the menisci are quite sensitive. When dystrophic processes develop in the genus of articulation, the pain grows and becomes permanent, and the organ itself loses its functionality and ability to move.
Risk Factors and Alarming Symptoms
Knee pain occurs as a result of certain risk factors that include special conditions related to the general condition of the body, lifestyle and harmful environmental factors. The risk group for painful pathologies of the genus Articulationio consists of people with:
- genetic abnormalities;
- Abnormalities in the development of cartilage and connective tissue;
- Patients with pathologies of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;
- Neurodysfunction;
- Obesity II, III - IV degrees;
- Diseases of the endocrine glands (thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, adrenal dysfunction);
- pathologies of the kidneys and liver (pyelonephritis, renal failure, urolithiasis, hepatitis B + C);
- allergic reactions to a variety of agents;
- Bronchial asthma;
- reactive pathologies of the immune system.
An alarming symptom of knee joint structure pathology is a grinding sound during biomechanical actions such as flexion, extension, or rotation. This symptom indicates the destruction of the joint, that is, a violation of metabolic processes, abrasion of the supraspinal cartilage plate from the distal sections of the bone, as well as thickening of the joint capsules with scant production of synovial fluid. Overweight with excessive strain on the knee joints or constant motor exploitation of the lower extremities gradually destroy the shock-absorbing structure of the locomotor organs and lead to destructive processes.
The causes that lead to osteoarthritis of the knee or pain in the knee joints can be divided into three large groups, namely:
- Infectious and inflammatory type.
- Traumatic origin.
- Degenerative-dystrophic causes.
Gonarthrosis (inflammatory-destructive osteoarthritis) affects 65-70% of patients who suffer from joint diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis ranks second after osteoarthritis and arthritis. The mechanism of pain development begins from the moment of damage to the cartilaginous periosteal tissue, ligament plexus, the accumulation of fluid in the intra-articular space with leakage to the area of adjacent tissues, as well as due to a decrease in synovial lubrication, pieces of bone, cartilage tissue, meniscus or other post-traumatic bodies. Acute pain occurs after the plexus of nerves becomes pinched as a result of injury or excessive physical exertion.
Causes of inflammation
Most often, inflammation of the genus articulation (unilateral or bilateral) begins as a result of intense physical exertion, as well as against the background of other pathologies that lead to the deposition of salts in the joints or the washing out of Ca + cartilage. The latter is the trigger for the inflammatory process in the joints of the lower extremities.
Inflammatory diseases, symptoms:
| Inflammation of the ligament plexus and muscles of the knee joint (tendonitis) | The pathology occurs at a young age (16-28 years old), as well as in physically active patients at the age of 30-45 years. Athletes often get sick. The pain is acute with variable exacerbations. As the inflammation subsides, it becomes painful. At rest, the leg does not hurt, the slightest movement creates a sharp pain that quickly increases. Motor function is partially or completely restricted, it all depends on the degree of inflammation. |
| Knee osteoarthritis | Inflammation of the genus articuldtio occurs suddenly after trauma, intoxication. The joint increases in volume, the skin is hyperemic and edematous. The pain syndrome is severe. Motor paralysis occurs. Microbial infection can be involved in the process. After eliminating the cause, the pain disappears and the knee is functional again. |
| Genus Bursitis Articulation | The list of causes is the same as arthritis. The clinical picture is completely similar to knee joint inflammation. Method of treatment: medication + surgical (puncture of the bag, stress during suppuration / destruction). |
| Inflammation of certain groups of muscles in the Articuldtio or Myositis genus | Intense exercise or long hikes lead to sore muscles. A large accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissue causes an inflammatory reaction in the muscles of the limbs and particularly the knee joints. The volume of the musculoskeletal system is visually increased. Muscle compression can be felt during palpation, the patient responds to acute pain by trying to remove the doctor's hand. The general condition of the patient is satisfactory, in some cases the temperature rises locally above the affected tissues and is spread throughout the body (up to 38-39 degrees). After drug therapy, the pain disappears and the joint regains its previous shape and functionality. |
Eliminating the source of pathology through drugs or surgical treatment, the functioning of the knee joint is restored, and acute or aching pain completely disappears. If the inflammatory process has attracted more extensive areas, and the depth of the lesion is quite large, then motor function can be partially restored. In some cases, surgical repair of the joint is performed.
Traumatic causes
Any injury of a mechanical nature can lead to osteoarthritis of the knee. Bruises, compressions, fractures of the knee bones, open or closed injuries, as well as meniscus ruptures plus bursitis, torn ligaments, soft tissue contusions are among the traumatic causes. Chemical and physical exposure can also lead to knee pain. This group of causes includes burns, poisoning with toxic substances.
Causes of a degenerative-dystrophic nature
There are several factors that can provoke the mechanism of degenerative-dystrophic destruction with partial or irreversible processes in the knees, namely: constant physical activity with heavy lifting, excessive exercise, injuries of any etiology. And also a sedentary lifestyle with improper nutrition, stressful situations. And finally: aging of the human body with disruption of the normal function of all systems and organs.
Pathologies that cause degeneration and destruction of the knee joint:
- Arthritis.
- Arthrosis.
- Sclerotherapy of muscles, ligaments, ligaments, bursae.
- Many osteophytes replace the cartilage plate.
- Meniscopathy.
- Metabolic disease.
- Dysfunction of the endocrine system.
- Poisoning the body with heavy metals.
Instead of cartilage abrasion, there are bare areas, i. e. bare bones that cause unbearable pain in the knee when the joints move. In this zone, sharp osteophytes develop after a certain time. Gradual deformation of the joint in osteoarthritis of the knee leads to a change in the anatomical configuration of the joint structure and partial or complete paralysis of the motor function of the knee (or knees). Symptoms of destructive osteoarthritis of the knee are acute pain and constant crunching of the knee with swelling of the soft tissues.
Advice!Gonarthrosis of a degenerative-destructive nature is not treated with folk remedies or an individually invented drug scheme, but only permanently under strict medical guidance. Self-treatment leads to lifelong disability!
Pathology diagnostics and first aid
The final diagnosis of the pathology is carried out in stationary conditions. The causes of pain and limitations in the biomechanics of the knee joints are determined through laboratory and instrument studies. You approach the diagnosis individually, as each morbidity case has its own source + development mechanism, therefore not all patients are suitable for the same studies.
List of diagnostic measures:
- Performing general and biochemical blood tests.
- General urinalysis (if pyelonephritis and urolithiasis are suspected, other urine tests are recommended).
- Performing tests to identify rheumatoid factor.
- X-rays of the knee in three projections.
- CT plus MRT of the genus articuldtio to determine the degree of damage to bones, cartilage, ligamentous muscle apparatus.
Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee of unknown etiology are recommended to consult the following doctors: traumatologists, arthrologists, rheumatologists and endocrinologists. If a malignant process in the joints is suspected, the patient is referred to an oncologist.
First aid for acute pain in the knee joints is provided at home or in the event of injuries. Before an ambulance arrives, the joint must be immobilized, ie fixed with a splint. Intramuscular injection with an analgesic plus one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is also recommended. A cold compress should be placed on the inflamed joint and in no way warm or vasodilate. If the injury is open bleeding, place a tourniquet over the knee to stop the bleeding.
Diseases of other organs as a cause of knee pain
Pain and restricted mobility of the knee joints are not only the result of inflammation, osteoarthritis / arthritis or trauma, but also a complication of accompanying pathologies. After a full medical therapy, the pain may subside or disappear entirely, it all depends on the remission of somatic diseases.
The list of diseases of organs and systems that lead to pain in the structures of the knee joints:
- Hepatitis B, C
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes mellitus
- Urolithiasis disease
- Bronchial asthma
- Crohn's disease
- Blood disorder
- Strokes
Anamnesis, laboratory and instrument studies help identify the cause. Each pathology has its own treatment regimen. After receiving the results of the research, she is appointed by a doctor.
Varieties of pain
The pain in the defeat of the knee joints is completely different, it depends on the cause, localization, attraction of soft tissues and microbial infection, as well as the degree of destruction of the joint. Painful sensations can be inherent: sharp, stabbing, aching. By localization: from the inner, outer, front, rear knee joint as well as above and below the kneecap. By type of spread: The pain is strictly localized or it radiates to the thigh or lower leg. By duration: temporary, permanent, variable.
How to Get Rid of Knee Pain
Before starting therapeutic therapy, the exact cause of the pathology is found out, after finding out the source, they begin to eliminate it and stabilize the general condition. Therapy consists of a complex of drug treatment, physiotherapy (according to medical indication), exercise therapy, massage and tried and tested folk remedies.
medication
All treatment professionals aim to eliminate the cause of the pain and then treat the underlying disease. In parallel, you can use drugs in the form of ointments, gels and local compresses. In the early days of acute pain, it is recommended that the drug be administered intravenously or intramuscularly. After it has subsided, you can switch to oral administration.
The complex of therapeutic measures consists of:
- Relief of pain in the affected joints.
- Eliminate knee inflammation.
- Restorative measures of a biomechanical nature, ie the motor function of the genus articulation.
- Treatment of pathologies that lead to knee pain (the treatment regimen is prescribed by the attending physician or highly specialized specialists such as an endocrinologist, hepatologist, allergist, rheumatologist, arthrologist, oncologist).
- Increasing the body's resilience.
- Normalization of metabolism.
- Hepatoprotectors.
- Restoration of the cartilaginous periosteal layer and normalization of the production of synovial fluid (use of the latest generation of chondroprotectors, vitamins B and C, D).
Attention!Obese patients are advised to lose those extra pounds through special diets prescribed by a nutritionist. All people, without exception, need to reduce the load on the lower extremities and work gently.
Therapeutic gymnastics and massage
Constant passive movements of the diseased joint and massage of the inflamed locomotor organs in 1-1, 5 months restore the function of the lower extremities. The exercise therapist selects the exercises. The massage is done locally only on the joints of the legs or of a general nature. The use of warming, anti-inflammatory or analgesic ointments improves blood circulation and metabolism. The sequence of massage procedures depends on the speed of organ recovery. In addition, a special diet is used in these activities, which is fried, fatty, sweet and sour. The nutritionist adjusts the menu by adding gelatin-rich dishes in the form of partial meals. All procedures of the complex in one course of treatment eliminate pain and paralysis of the knee joints.
Home remedies
Grandma's techniques in the form of folk recipes can be used in parallel with drug therapy. All means are negotiated with the attending physician and applied directly to the affected joint on site. The action of folk remedies is aimed at the elimination of pain + edema, as well as warming, which in turn improves blood supply and innervation, and intensely nourishes the aching knee.
Popular folk remedies:
- Herbal baths: celandine, chamomile, mint, wormwood + ginseng root. The ingredients are taken on a spoon, poured with boiling water in the amount of 1 liter, and then brewed for 2-3 minutes. A foot bath is carried out at a tolerable temperature.
- Compress baking soda: a spoonful of baking soda in 1 liter of boiling water. After abundant lubrication of the knee with a fortified cream, a compress is applied overnight.
- Compress of moonlight and grated potatoes: half a kilo of grated potatoes + 0. 5 moonlight. It is recommended to hold for an hour. It is repeated 3-4 times a week until the pain and swelling go away.
- Honey rub: honey 200g + 100ml vodka + 200g grated horseradish. It is insisted on for a day. Sore joints are rubbed 2-5 times a day.
Patients with an increased reaction to certain herbs or substances should avoid conventional medicine.
prophylaxis
As a preventive measure, so that the lower limbs remain healthy into old age, it is recommended that you change your diet, exercise caution, avoid injuries, constantly exercise, swim, and take more outdoor walks. People over 45 years of age are advised to adjust the hormonal background of sex hormones and consume foods rich in gelatin. Spa treatments are recommended for all patients with musculoskeletal problems. Have an examination by the treating doctor once every six months.
Pain in the knee joints occurs spontaneously, it is the result of increased wear and tear of the joint structure, which leads to irreversible consequences. The reasons for the development of pathologies can be both somatic diseases and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system itself. Timely treatment will help avoid the consequences.