Failure of any part of the locomotor organs, especially the knees, can lead to interruption of body movement and balance. Pain during knee joint movement (flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation, rotation, and elevation) may occur in different situations and affected by different factors. The intensity and duration of the pain syndrome vary with the depth of the lesion, the etiology and pathogenesis of the pathology.
Pain and specific crunching sounds most often occur in the context of physical exertion, trauma, or chronic physical disease. After drug treatment and elimination of the main cause, the pain and movement limitation disappeared. Otherwise, the prognosis is not reassuring: complete or partial paralysis of the motor organs can lead to lifelong disability.
What can hurt?
The anatomical design of the knee joint has its own characteristics, and any change will produce a pain response. The knee joint includes the bony structure of the femur and tibia plus the patella. The edge shape of each bone has condyles. Their thickened shape and certain relief create conditions for ideal biomechanics, stable body balance in a horizontal position, and safe movement of joints with shock absorption. The bones are reinforced by special soft tissue clusters.
The muscles that hold the knee joint together, their tendons, point from the side of the thigh and the side of the calf. Viewed from the side of the thigh, there is a thin muscle plus a large adductor muscle, as well as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus. The most powerful muscle in the knee joint structure is the quadriceps, which is divided into 4 muscle heads in turn: rectus, lateral platysma, medial platysma + platysma. Tailor muscles, lean muscles, adductors, biceps femoris, semitendinosus + semimembranosus, and the triceps of the legs and poplites are also involved in the formation of the knee joint. Their combined nerve plexus makes the lower limbs firm, flexible and flexible.
attention!Forced destruction of the integrity of the joint genus, such as rupture, shock, inflammation, destruction or infection, can lead to the development of pain syndromes with restricted motor function.
Inside the joint genus, that is, the internal space of the joint is composed of supraspinous cartilage tissue, cruciate ligament, meniscus, and synovial sac. The blood supply and innervation of the knee joint is carried out through many complex nerve plexuses. The sciatic nerve, peroneal nerve, tibial nerve, and peroneal nerve are responsible for the sensitivity of the anterior and medial knees. The posterior part provides sensitivity to the tibial nerve and its branches.
The nerve plexus (medullary and non-medullary nerve fibers) from nerves and blood vessels enters the meniscus along the outer part of the cartilage plate and enters the inside of the meniscus. With the trauma of the meniscus, acute pain syndrome occurs because the meniscus is very sensitive. As the dystrophic process of the joint genus develops, the pain will grow and become permanent, and the organ itself loses its function and ability to move.
Risk factors and warning signs
Knee pain is caused by certain risk factors, which involve special conditions related to general physical conditions, lifestyle, and harmful environmental factors. The risk group for painful arthropathy consists of the following groups:
- Genetic abnormality
- Abnormal development of cartilage and connective tissue;
- Patients suffering from central nervous system and peripheral nervous system diseases;
- Neurological dysfunction;
- Obesity II, III-IV degree;
- Endocrine gland diseases (thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes, acromegaly, adrenal dysfunction);
- Pathology of the kidneys and liver (pyelonephritis, renal failure, urolithiasis, hepatitis B + hepatitis C);
- Allergic reactions to various drugs;
- Bronchial Asthma;
- Reactive pathology of the immune system.
A worrying symptom of the structural pathology of the knee joint is the creaking sound during biomechanical movements such as flexion, extension, or rotation. This symptom indicates the destruction of the joint, that is, the destruction of the metabolic process, the abrasion of the supraspinous cartilage plate in the distal part of the bone, the thickening of the joint capsule, and the insufficient production of synovial fluid. Overweight, excessive pressure on the knee joint or continuous movement of the lower limbs will gradually destroy the shock absorption structure of the movement organs, leading to destructive processes.
The causes of knee joint disease or pain can be divided into three categories, namely:
- Infectious and inflammatory types.
- Origin of trauma.
- Causes of degenerative malnutrition.
Of the total number of patients with joint disease, arthritis (inflammatory-destructive joint disease) affects 65-70% of patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is second only to arthropathy and arthritis. The mechanism of pain development begins when the cartilage periosteum tissue and ligament plexus are damaged, the fluid in the joint space accumulates and leaks to the adjacent tissue area, and due to the reduction of synovial lubrication, bone, cartilage tissue, meniscus or other traumaFragments of the body. Due to injury or disproportionate physical exertion, acute pain can occur after the nerve plexus is squeezed.
Causes of inflammation
In most cases, inflammation of the joints (unilateral or bilateral) begins with severe physical exertion and other pathological backgrounds that lead to salt deposition in the joints or Ca + cartilage leaching. The latter is a trigger for the joint inflammation process of the lower extremities.
Inflammatory diseases, symptoms:
| Inflammation of the knee ligament plexus and muscles (tendinitis) | Pathology occurs in young patients (16-28 years) and physically active patients 30-45 years old. Athletes are often sick. The pain is severe, with varying degrees of aggravation. As the inflammation subsides, it becomes painful. When resting, the leg is not painful, the slightest exercise will produce severe pain, and it will increase rapidly. Motor function is partially or completely restricted, depending on the degree of inflammation. |
| Knee arthritis | Inflammation of the joint genus occurs suddenly after trauma or poisoning. The joints increase in size, and the skin is congested and edema. The pain syndrome is severe. There is motor paralysis. This process may involve microbial infections. After removing the cause, the pain disappeared and the knee joint function recovered. |
| Joint bursitis | The list of causes is the same as for arthritis. The clinical manifestations are completely similar to knee joint inflammation. Treatment method: medicine + surgery (puncture bag, suppuration/pressure during destruction). |
| Inflammation or myositis of certain muscle groups of the joint genus | Strenuous exercise or long-distance hiking can cause muscle soreness. The accumulation of large amounts of lactic acid in the muscle tissue can cause inflammation of the limb muscles, especially the knee joint. The volume of motor organs increases visually. Upon palpation, the muscles were felt tight and the patient tried to remove the doctor's hand in response to acute pain. The general condition of the patient is satisfactory. In some cases, the local temperature of the affected tissue increases and is common throughout the body (up to 38-39 degrees). After medication, the pain disappeared and the joints returned to their original shape and function. |
Through drug treatment or surgical treatment, the source of the disease was eliminated, the knee joint function was restored, and the acute or soreness disappeared completely. If the inflammatory process has attracted a wider area and the depth of the lesion is large, then motor function can be partially restored. In some cases, surgical repair of the joint will be performed.
Cause of trauma
Any mechanical injury may cause knee joint disease. Contusion, compression, knee fracture, open or closed injury, as well as meniscus rupture plus bursitis, ligament rupture, and soft tissue contusion are all included in the list of traumatic causes. Chemical and physical contact can also cause knee pain. This group of causes includes burns and poisoning by toxic substances.
Causes of degenerative malnutrition
There are several factors that can trigger the mechanism of degenerative dystrophy destruction of the knee joint part or irreversible process, namely: continuous weightlifting, excessive exercise, and injury of any cause. There is also a sedentary lifestyle, improper diet, and great pressure. Finally: the human body ages and destroys the normal functions of all systems and organs.
Pathology leading to knee joint degeneration and destruction:
- arthritis.
- joint.
- Sclerotherapy of muscles, ligaments, ligaments, and bursae.
- Many osteophytes replace cartilage plates.
- Meniscus disease.
- Metabolic diseases.
- The hormonal system dysfunction.
- Heavy metal poisoning in the body.
Instead of worn-out cartilage, there will be exposed areas, that is, bare bones, which can cause unbearable pain in the knee when the joint moves. After some time, sharp osteophytes will appear in the area. The gradual deformation of joints with knee arthropathy leads to changes in the anatomical structure of the joint structure, and leads to partial or complete paralysis of the knee (or knees) movement function. The symptoms of destructive knee arthropathy are acute pain and constant crunching of the knee joint and swelling of the soft tissues.
Suggest!Degenerative and destructive knee joint disease cannot be treated with folk therapies or separately invented drug regimens, but can only be treated permanently under the strict guidance of doctors. Self-treatment can lead to lifelong disability!
Pathological diagnosis and first aid
The final diagnosis of pathology is made under static conditions. Through laboratory and instrumental research, the causes of pain and limitations of knee biomechanics have been determined. They make the diagnosis individually, because each case has its own source + development mechanism, so not all patients are suitable for the same research.
List of diagnostic measures:
- Perform general and biochemical blood tests.
- General urinalysis (if you suspect pyelonephritis and urolithiasis, other urine tests are recommended).
- Test to identify rheumatoid factors.
- X-rays of the knee joint are in three projections.
- CT and MRI of joints are used to determine the degree of damage to bones, cartilage, and ligament muscle organs.
It is recommended that patients with knee joint disease of unknown etiology consult the following doctors: Traumatology, Arthritis, Rheumatology, and Endocrinology. If a malignant process is suspected in the joint, refer the patient to an oncologist.
Provide first aid for acute knee pain at home or in case of injury. Before the ambulance arrives, the joint must be immobilized, that is, fixed with a splint. In addition, it is recommended that intramuscular injection of analgesics plus a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Cold compresses should be placed on the inflamed joints and should not heat or dilate blood vessels under any circumstances. If the wound is open bleeding, use a tourniquet above the knee to stop the bleeding.
Diseases of other organs as the cause of knee pain
Knee joint pain and impaired functional movement are not only the result of inflammation, arthropathy/arthritis or trauma, but also complications of pathology. After a complete course of medical treatment, the pain may subside or disappear completely, depending on the relief of the physical disease.
List of organ and system diseases that cause structural pain in the knee joint:
- Hepatitis B and C
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Hypothyroidism
- diabetes
- Urolithiasis
- Bronchial Asthma
- Crohn's disease
- Blood disease
- Strokes
Medical history, laboratory and instrumental studies can help determine the cause. Each pathology has its own treatment plan. She was appointed by a doctor after receiving the research results.
Types of pain
The pain of knee failure is completely different. It depends on the cause, location, soft tissue attraction and microbial infection, and the degree of joint destruction. According to the nature of the painful sensation, it can be sharp, stitched, or painful. According to positioning: from the inside, outside, front and back of the knee joint, and above and below the patella. According to the type of spread: the pain is strictly localized or radiated to the thigh or calf. By duration: temporary, permanent, and variable.
How to get rid of knee pain
Before starting treatment, they found out the exact cause of the pathology, and after finding the root cause, they began to eliminate it and stabilize the overall condition. The therapy includes comprehensive drug therapy, physical therapy (according to medical indications), exercise therapy, massage, and tried-and-tested folk therapies.
drug
All healing powers aim to eliminate the cause of pain and then treat the underlying disease. At the same time, you can use medicines in the form of ointments, gels, topical dressings, etc. In the early stages of acute pain, intravenous or intramuscular administration is recommended. After it subsides, oral administration can be switched to.
Comprehensive treatment measures include:
- Pain in the affected joint is relieved.
- Eliminate inflammation of the knee.
- Biomechanical recovery measures, that is, the movement function of joints.
- Treat the pathology that causes knee pain (the treatment plan is prescribed by the attending physician or highly specialized expert, such as an endocrinologist, hepatologist, allergist, rheumatologist, arthrologist, oncologist).
- Increase the body's resistance.
- Normalization of metabolism.
- Hepatoprotective drugs.
- Repair the cartilage periosteum layer and normalize the production of synovial fluid (using the latest generation of chondroprotective agents, vitamins B and C, D).
attention!It is recommended that obese patients lose excess weight through a special diet prescribed by a nutritionist. All people, without exception, need to reduce the load on their lower limbs and work in a gentle way.
Therapeutic gymnastics and massage
Within 1-1. 5 months, continuous passive movement of the diseased joints and massage of the inflamed motor organs will restore the function of the lower limbs. The exercise group is selected by the sports therapist. Massage is only performed on the local or general nature of the leg joints. Using warm, anti-inflammatory or analgesic ointments will improve blood circulation and metabolism. The course of the massage procedure depends on the speed of organ recovery. In addition, these activities use a special diet, which does not include frying, fat, sweetness, and sourness. Nutritionists adjust the menu by adding gelatin-rich dishes in the form of split meals. In one course of treatment, all procedures in the complex will eliminate knee pain and numbness.
Folk remedies
Techniques in the form of grandmother's folk recipes can be used in parallel with medications. All funds are negotiated with the attending physician and directly applied locally to the affected joints. The effect of folk remedies is to eliminate pain + edema, and warmth, thereby improving blood supply, innervation, and nourishing sore knees.
Popular folk remedies:
- Herbal bath: celandine, chamomile, mint, wormwood + ginseng root. Put the ingredients on a spoon, pour 1 liter of boiling water, and brew for 2-3 minutes. Perform a foot bath at an acceptable temperature.
- Compressed baking soda: brew 1 liter of boiling water with a spoonful of baking soda. After fully lubricating the knee with the strengthening cream, apply it overnight.
- Compressed moonshine and grated potatoes: half a kilogram of grated potatoes + 0. 5 moonshine. It is recommended to keep it for an hour. Repeat 3-4 times a week until the pain and swelling disappear.
- Honey rub: 200g honey + 100ml vodka + 200g grated horseradish. Persisted for a day. Rub the painful joint 2-5 times a day.
Patients with increased reactions to certain herbs or substances should avoid using traditional medicines.
prevention
In order to prevent problems and keep the lower limbs healthy to old age, it is recommended to adjust the nutritional diet, exercise caution, exclude injuries, exercise regularly, swim, and breathe more fresh air. It is recommended that people over 45 years of age adjust the hormonal background of sex hormones and eat more foods rich in gelatin. It is recommended that all patients with musculoskeletal problems take hydrotherapy. Once every six months, receive an examination by the attending physician.
Knee joint pain occurs spontaneously and is the result of increased wear and tear of the joint structure, leading to irreversible consequences. The reason for the development of pathology can be the pathology of the physical disease and the motor system itself. Timely treatment can help avoid consequences.