Treatment methods for inflammation of the knee ligaments, prevention

Knee inflammation (arthritis) is a disease that affects the periarticular and intra-articular areas of one or both knee joints. This pathology often develops as a consequence of previous injuries, gout, psoriasis, and other diseases. Clinically, inflammation of the knee joint is manifested by limitation of its function, pain that occurs during movement and at rest, swelling, redness of the skin, local increase in temperature, and pain on palpation.

If you notice the above symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist and undergo an examination. Timely treatment will help avoid severe complications and improve the prognosis of the disease.

Causes

Primary gonarthritis develops more often after injuries, operations and infection of open wounds. Secondary - against the background of other diseases: gout, rheumatism, psoriasis.

Other factors influencing the development of the disease are:

• hypothermia, frostbite;
• excess weight;
• changes in joints due to tumors;
• disturbances in metabolic processes and the endocrine system;
• uncomfortable shoes.

People over 25 years of age are at risk, but 70% of cases of the disease are diagnosed in elderly patients. The negative impact of arthritis extends to other organs: kidneys, heart, liver.

Causes of inflammation

The inflammatory process in primary arthritis usually develops as a result of injuries (bruises, rupture of the knee capsule, open wounds, damage to the meniscus), when pathogenic microorganisms directly penetrate into the joint cavity. Knee arthritis can also develop after an unsuccessful surgical operation or diagnostic puncture of the joint.

The main causes of secondary arthritis are:

• metabolic disease;
• systemic diseases (rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus and a number of others);
• infectious diseases (syphilis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, dysentery, gonorrhea, chlamydia and others);
• foci of purulent inflammation in other parts of the body (osteomyelitis, erysipelas, phlegmon, furunculosis);
• gout, hemophilia.

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Risk factors:

• ligament injuries;
• flat feet;
• professional participation in traumatic sports (hockey, tennis, football, weightlifting and others);
• obesity;
• hypothermia;
• pregnancy, childbirth.

Kinds

According to the course, acute and chronic arthritis of the knee joint is distinguished.

By localization it can be:

• synovial (capsular) - most often affects children, occurs acutely;
• bone (dry) - affects people of any age, the source of inflammation is located in the osteochondral ends of the joint.

Based on the nature of the effusion, serous, purulent and serous-purulent arthritis are distinguished.

Based on the presence of the pathogen in the joint cavity:

• aseptic – there is no pathogenic microflora in the joint fluid;
• septic – pathogenic microorganisms are present in the joint fluid.

Symptoms of knee inflammation

The main clinical signs of the disease are:

• stiffness, impaired mobility in the knee joint associated with the accumulation of effusion, swelling;
• pain in the front of the knee;
• accumulation of exudate in the joint cavity, dropsy of soft tissues;
• heaviness in the leg;
• increased local temperature at the site of inflammation, redness of the skin;
• the kneecap, when straightening the leg, plunges into the area of ​​accumulation of exudate, and when flexed, it floats up;
• deterioration in general health - drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, sometimes fever.

Diagnostics

If the above symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist. The doctor interviews and examines the patient, listens to his complaints, then assesses the condition of the knee joint using visual examination and palpation.

To identify the type and form of arthritis and make a final diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed the following laboratory and instrumental studies:

• blood test (general) – reveals the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
• blood test (biochemical) - finds out the cause of inflammation;
• blood test (immunological) – detects the absence or presence of antibodies to one’s own tissues or pathogenic microflora;
• Ultrasound of the knee joint - determines an increase in the volume of joint fluid;
• MRI – allows you to detect inflammation of the knee joint and pathological changes in the periarticular tissues in the early stages;
• Arthroscopy is an endoscopic examination that can be used to examine the inner surface of the affected joint.

Which doctor should I contact?

Therapy for this disease is carried out by a rheumatologist or arthrologist. In some cases, consultation with an orthopedist-traumatologist may be necessary.

Baker's cyst

It occurs when synovial fluid leaks into the popliteal fossa, resulting in the formation of a capsule filled with fluid. The size of the cyst can vary, sometimes reaching the size of a fist. The fluid-filled cyst is easily palpable.

Baker's cyst symptoms

The main symptoms are difficulty moving the knee and pain. The more active the patient, the more pronounced the symptoms of the disease. In some cases, with small cysts, there may be no symptoms. When a cyst ruptures, fluid is released into the surrounding tissue, increasing pain.

Treatment of Baker's cyst in Germany

If there are no complaints, there is no need for treatment. However, if pain occurs, both conservative and surgical therapy may be indicated. As a rule, taking anti-inflammatory medications is sufficient. If there is no success, removal of the cyst is recommended.

Purulent (post-traumatic) periostitis

It usually develops as a result of infection when the periosteum is wounded, the penetration of infection into it from neighboring organs (for example, periostitis of the jaw due to dental caries), as well as by hematogenous route. With metastatic periostitis, the periosteum of any long tubular bone (most often the femur, tibia, humerus) or several bones is usually affected. Purulent periostitis is an obligatory component of acute purulent osteomyelitis. There are cases in which the source of infection cannot be detected.

Purulent periostitis begins with hyperemia of the periosteum, the appearance of serous or fibrinous exudate in it. Then purulent infiltration of the periosteum occurs, and it is easily separated from the bone. The loose inner layer of the periosteum becomes saturated with pus, which then accumulates between the periosteum and the bone, forming a subperiosteal abscess. With a significant spread of the process, the periosteum exfoliates over a significant extent, which can lead to disruption of bone nutrition and its superficial necrosis. Necrosis, involving entire areas of bone or the entire bone, is formed only when pus penetrates into the bone marrow cavities. The inflammatory process may stop in its development (especially if the pus is removed in a timely manner or if it breaks through the skin on its own) or spread to the surrounding soft tissue and bone substance (see Osteitis).

The onset of purulent periostitis is usually acute, with an increase in temperature to 38-39°C, chills and an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood (up to 10.0-15.0×109 /l). Severe pain is noted in the area of ​​the lesion, and a painful swelling is felt. With continued accumulation of pus, it is usually possible to notice a fluctuation soon; the surrounding soft tissue and skin may be involved in the process. The course of the process in most cases is acute, although cases of a primary protracted, chronic course are noted, especially in weakened patients. Sometimes a blurred clinical picture is observed without high fever and pronounced local phenomena.

There is malignant, or acute periostitis, in which the exudate quickly becomes putrefactive; the swollen, gray-green, dirty-looking periosteum easily tears and disintegrates. In the shortest possible time, the bone loses its periosteum and is enveloped in a layer of pus. After the periosteum breaks through, a purulent or purulent-putrefactive inflammatory process passes like phlegmon to the surrounding soft tissue.

Bursitis of the knee joint - symptoms and treatment

Treatment methods for bursitis are divided into conservative (medication, physiotherapeutic treatment) and surgical.

Treatment of bursitis of the knee joint begins with providing rest to the affected joint : fixation with an orthosis or bandage, elimination of the load and full support on the leg.

Next, drug treatment . If the bursitis is of a non-specific and non-autoimmune nature, then the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in tablets or injections, for example ibuprofen, movalis, ketorolac, ketoprofen, drugs of the coxib group.

If the patient has contraindications to taking NSAIDs, analgin or paracetamol is prescribed. If pain is severe and there is no effect from analgin and paracetamol, tramadol is prescribed. According to indications, it is possible to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments to the affected area. If the patient has constantly recurring bursitis, then local injection of glucocorticosteroid drugs, for example diprospan, is possible.

The prescribed treatment lasts 5-7 days. If there is a good effect in the form of a reduction in inflammatory symptoms, physiotherapy is added to treatment. If there is no effect from treatment or it is insufficient, then the drugs are replaced with others of the same group (NSAIDs). When an infection occurs, antibiotics are prescribed .

a puncture is performed under aseptic conditions , both to remove exudate and to administer an anti-inflammatory drug. In the presence of purulent inflammation, a puncture is performed, followed by drainage of the cavity of the bag to ensure a constant outflow of discharge.

With the development of a purulent process, the formation of an abscess or phlegmon, surgical treatment (bursectomy) is prescribed - the abscess is opened under local or general anesthesia. If there is no effect, they resort to excision of the affected bursa [6].

In case of rheumatoid and gouty nature of the disease, treatment of the underlying disease and its local manifestations is carried out. Treatment in this case is prescribed by a rheumatologist.

The difference in the treatment of chronic and acute bursitis is that with chronic bursitis, rest and immobilization are less appropriate, but physiotherapeutic exercises aimed at increasing joint mobility are important.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the knee tendons manifests itself as follows:

• sharp and intense joint pain in the right or left limb, especially during movement, which can radiate to the thigh;
• characteristic sound when the joint operates (crunching or creaking);
• restriction of connection movement;
• when pressing, pain worsens;
• increased discomfort when weather conditions change;
• inflammation of the ligament, which is accompanied by swelling and redness of the surface around the knee joint;
• temperature increase.

The disease is accompanied by pain in the knee.
In this case, external tendon tendinitis develops gradually. In this case, the manifestations are as follows:

• pain occurs only during severe physical exertion;
• sensations become aggravated even with minor loads;
• pain syndrome begins to manifest itself at rest;
• at an advanced stage, the collateral ligament ruptures, which is accompanied by severe pain and limitation of limb movements.

If the first signs of inflammation of the collateral ligaments occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. This will prevent complications from occurring.

• Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint 2 degrees: effective methods and recipes

Fibrous periostitis

It develops gradually and is chronic. It occurs under the influence of irritations lasting for years and is manifested by a callous fibrous thickening of the periosteum, tightly fused to the bone. is observed on the tibia in cases of chronic leg ulcers, bone necrosis, chronic inflammation of the joints, etc. Significant development of fibrous tissue can lead to superficial bone destruction. In some cases, with a long duration of the process, new bone formation is observed. After eliminating the stimulus, a reverse development of the process is usually observed.

Serous albuminous periostitis

An inflammatory process in the periosteum with the formation of exudate that accumulates subperiosteally and has the appearance of a serous-mucosal (viscous) fluid rich in albumin. The exudate is surrounded by brown-red granulation tissue. On the outside, the granulation tissue, together with the exudate, is covered with a dense membrane and resembles a cyst, which, when localized on the skull, can simulate a cerebral hernia. The amount of exudate sometimes reaches 2 liters. It is usually located under the periosteum or in the form of a racemose sac in the periosteum itself, and can even accumulate on its outer surface; in the latter case, diffuse edematous swelling of the surrounding soft tissues is observed. If the exudate is under the periosteum, it exfoliates, the bone is exposed and necrosis may occur - cavities filled with granulations are formed, sometimes with small sequesters.

The process is usually localized at the ends of the diaphysis of long tubular bones, most often the femur, less often the bones of the leg, humerus, and ribs; Young men usually get sick. Often P. develops after injury. A painful swelling appears, the body temperature initially rises, but soon becomes normal. When the process is localized in the joint area, a disruption of its function may be observed. At first, the swelling has a dense consistency, but over time it can soften and fluctuate more or less clearly. The course is subacute or chronic.

What is patellar tendinopathy and why does it occur?

Patellar tendinopathy
(patellar apex syndrome, jumper's knee, patellar tendinopathy) is characterized by pain around the patella. The condition occurs after unusual or excessive stress on the patellar ligament. Examples of such loads are intense jumping (basketball, volleyball), and activities accompanied by a large number of sudden movements and stops (tennis, badminton) or rapid changes in direction of movement (football).

The disease is also common among runners. Hence another name - runner's knee

1.

Definition

Symptoms and causes

Therapy and exercise

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Treatment of inflammation of the knee meniscus

If the injury leads to a block of the joint, it is initially dealt with to eliminate it. Pay attention to other consequences. Painkillers are taken and the leg is given rest for up to a month. You will need analgesics, a soft bandage that unloads the knee joint and reduces the load on it, while at the same time reducing movements to a minimum.

It is important to take therapeutic measures to eliminate the inflammatory process. If this is not done on time, it will go into the chronic phase. Treatment must be comprehensive and long-lasting. For minor pathological changes, modern medications and therapeutic techniques are used to quickly cope with inflammation and help the patient quickly get back on his feet. Effective anti-inflammatory drugs and local agents are prescribed.

If there are obvious positive dynamics, confirmed by test results, anti-inflammatory therapy can be completed. After prolonged restriction of mobility, weakened muscles need active movement to return to normal tone. Physiotherapeutic procedures help improve local blood circulation and metabolism. The diet is supplemented with foods rich in nutrients and vitamins. All this contributes to rapid rehabilitation.

A separate point is therapeutic gymnastics, which includes a restorative set of exercises that a specialist selects personally in each specific case. The more accurately the patient performs the movements, the greater the effect. At the initial stage, light exercises are used that do not put significant stress on the knee. There are enough movements of the foot and hip to activate blood circulation and muscle tone. Gradually, the exercises of the complex become more complicated, and movements in the knee joint are added. Training is carried out sitting or lying down. At the final stage, full loads can be applied.

Prevention

Since the disease often occurs as a result of increased load on the joints, experts recommend following the following preventive measures:

• Before playing sports, you need to do a proper warm-up;
• loads should be gradual;
• if pain occurs during exercise, then you should stop doing it;
• It is not recommended to constantly load the same joints;
• Pay special attention to the condition of the leg muscles, which protect the joint from overload.

Also, do not forget about such problems as excess weight and poor nutrition. Compliance with the basic rules of a healthy life will protect not only from tendinitis, but also other pathologies.