24 Mar 2017 г. 
Accumulation of salts of knee joints is the common name for the arthrosis (gonarthrosis). Gonarthrosis (arthrosis of knee joints, osteoarthritis of knee joints, deforming arthrosis of knee joints) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of knee joints distinguished by progressive destruction of cartilage tissue, joint deformation and its functional impairment. There is also occurred calcium thesaurismosis (calcification) of joint tissues. Gonarthrosis is widespread among elderly people, especially among women.
The mechanism of pathological process
The gonarthrosis development starts with disorders of hemo- and microcirculation of bone tissues. As a result, the hyaline cartilage becomes thinner and is destroyed. While it controls the mobility of contacting articular surfaces, their shock absorption, and reduces their friction. As a result, there are appeared cracks, joint or bones displacement. Over the time, the hyaline cartilage disappears; thus, the bone is exposed, it enlarges in a distal direction, resulting in stylosteophytes (exostoses), which deform the knee joint as well as cause inflammation of the adjacent tissues and pain. Moreover, because of the disease, there are accumulated the calcium salts in soft tissues.
Disease symptomatology
There are the following symptoms of gonarthrosis:
- pain of knee joints after intense physical activity. By the way, pain syndrome can be localized in the crural area;
- stiffness, limitation of joint motion. After a long state of joint dormancy, it cannot function normally without preliminary “warm-up activity”;
- “crunch” of joints in motion;
- “swelling” (expansion) and puffiness of the articular area;
- loss of joint motion amplitude (a leg does not fully throw out and bend in the knee);
- temperature increase in the affected joint area.
Causes of accumulation of salts of knee joints
The causes resulting in accumulation of salts of knee joints can be divided into two groups:
A) due to the disorders of body homeostasis and stressed conditions on the joint area:
- metabolic disease;
- circulatory disorders;
- diseases of dyshormonal nature;
- intense physical activity on joints;
- excess weight;
- microtrauma;
B) due to previous diseases and injuries:
- arthritis;
- fractures;
- meniscus injuries.
As a part of disease diagnosis, it is necessary to determine not only its presence, but also the stage of disease: the degree of cartilaginous tissue damage, the degree of osteophytes and joint deformation. In most cases, radiography is sufficient for such diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopy and scintigraphy can be also prescribed as required roll over study.
Preventive treatment of accumulation of salts of knee joints
Preventive treatment of accumulation of salts of knee joints is especially relevant, as gonarthrosis treatment is rather difficult, long-term and multi-level process that does not always result in complete cure. The main preventive measures are the elimination of disease causes, among which:
- high-protein diet with minor-nutrient elements and vitamins, excluding fatty, salty, fried and smoked food;
- increased liquid intake (up to 2 liters per day);
- active lifestyle, walking and moderate physical activity;
- massage;
- refusal of harmful addictions (alcohol, smoking);
- systematic health resort treatment (if possible).
Preventive treatment of accumulation of salts of knee joints
Preventive treatment of accumulation of salts of knee joints is especially relevant, as gonarthrosis treatment is rather difficult, long-term and multi-level process that does not always result in complete cure. The main preventive measures are the elimination of disease causes, among which:
- high-protein diet with minor-nutrient elements and vitamins, excluding fatty, salty, fried and smoked food;
- increased liquid intake (up to 2 liters per day);
- active lifestyle, walking and moderate physical activity;
- massage;
- refusal of harmful addictions (alcohol, smoking);
- systematic health resort treatment (if possible).
Treatment of accumulation of salts of knee joints
The complex of treatment procedures against gonarthrosis is determined according to its degree and causes of its progression. The treatment can be conservative or operative. However, the preventive treatment is considered extremely important, as you know, the latter is easier to prevent than to cure. To the above-mentioned preventive measures, we can also add some traditional remedies, the use of special creams and ointments regulating metabolic processes in the joint area.
The conservative treatment involves a complex of physiotherapy procedures, manual and drug treatment. It should be noted that it is impossible to cure the disease only with the help of drugs. Usually, there should be used the well-balanced complex of multidirectional medications, which can eliminate not only gonarthrosis symptoms (pain, inflammation, joint stiffness), but also its causes. The following groups of drugs are used for such tasks:
- cartilage protectors (regeneration of cartilage tissue);
- vasorelaxants (relieve vasospasm, restore tissue trophicity);
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids (eliminate inflammation and pain);
- bisphosphonates (regulate metabolism, regenerate and strengthen bone structures, remove salts from the body).
It should be noted that the last group of drugs in the course of disease treatment and its prevention has great importance, as the effect of bisphosphonates is aimed at elimination of calcium metabolic disorders and restoration of the damaged joint functionality. In such case, the use of bisphosphonate creams, which do not have any side effects and limitations in the duration of use, becomes relevant and reasonable. Thus, the cream AKSINIA based on the highly effective bisphosphonate complex has proven its efficiency, as it not only prevents crystallization and salt accumulation, but also eliminates pain and regulates metabolic processes in the joint area.
Professor of Bogomolets National Medical University Larisa Degtyareva
