Poorly bent legs, the inability to walk without support - these all seem to be signs of aging, but they can also be caused by illness. Knowledge about this disease can help everyone, because timely treatment prolongs the youth of the joints. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint has another name - deforming arthrosis or arthrosis of the joint.
The disease belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic diseases. Under the influence of pathogenic factors, changes in the tissues of the joint develop, and with this pathology, not only the cartilage of the knee joint suffers, but also the bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles that ensure its functioning.
This disease is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Due to changes in the structure of hyaline cartilage tissue, they lose their elasticity, strength and gradually break down. This leads to an increase in the impact on bone tissue, the appearance on them of so-called osteophytes. These are "thorns", bony outgrowths in the joint. If arthrosis of the knee joint is not treated, the cartilage tissue can gradually disappear completely, the bones deform and the function and performance of the joint are lost.
Causes of gonarthrosis of the knee
This disease is classified as idiopathic, which means that the causes of arthrosis of the knee joint have not yet been precisely clarified. There are two main types of osteoarthritis of the knee: primary and secondary.
Primary or idiopathic gonarthrosis of the knee joint is caused by metabolic and circulatory disorders in the lower extremities. This form of the disease mainly affects older people, especially women, and people who are overweight. The reason for the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue can be excessive load on the joint, violation of normal blood circulation and multiple tissue microtraumas. Hormonal disorders and endocrine disorders can also lead to this.
Secondary or traumatic gonarthrosis occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the joint. This leads to:
- knee injuries - damage to the ligaments, menisci of the knee joint, fractures and cracks in the bones with hemarthrosis;
- various inflammatory diseases - rheumatism, arthritis;
- non-inflammatory joint lesions - chondrosis, arthrosis of various etiologies;
- untimely and incompletely carried out treatment of diseases of the knee joint;
- Trauma and injuries in the past.
symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop gradually. At the beginning of the disease, pain occurs during physical exertion, with overexertion or after a long walk, then other symptoms join and a detailed clinical picture emerges.
Symptoms:
- pain in the knee joint when moving;
- swelling of the joint;
- restricted movement in the joint;
- stiffness of the knee joint;
- instability when relying on a sore leg;
- visible deformity of the bones of the joint.
Stages of gonarthrosis disease
In the clinical picture there are several stages that reflect the severity of the disease:
- Stage 1 - a slight restriction of movement in the joint, increased fatigue in the limbs, pain is mild, occurs at the beginning of movement or after physical exertion, at rest, the pain and stiffness of the joint disappear. The bones keep their shape, there is no deformation. The x-ray shows a slight narrowing of the joint space.
- Stage 2 - there is a pronounced restriction of movement, pain when walking becomes constant, especially aggravated by physical exertion, prolonged standing. There is a pronounced crunch in the joint during movement, lameness, bones are deformed, ligaments and muscles are weakened. On the x-ray, the joint space is narrowed three times compared to the norm, osteophytes grow on the bones, fluid may appear in the joint cavity.
- Stage 3 - the pain becomes constant, does not go away after rest and at rest. Movement is severely limited, possibly a violation of blood flow to the joint. On the x-ray, the joint space is practically absent, the bones are severely deformed, profuse growth of bone tissue is noted.
Diagnosis and treatment of gonarthrosis
Diagnosis of the disease involves examining the patient and x-ray examination of the affected limb.
Treatment of the disease should be started as early as possible. A thorough examination and consultation with an experienced specialist is required, since this disease has nonspecific symptoms and is easily confused with other lesions of the articular system.
The main principles of treatment aimed at therapeutic effects:
- eliminate pain in the knee joint;
- improve blood circulation and accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- reduce the pressure between the bones of the joint;
- restoring mobility of the limbs;
- strengthens muscles and ligaments.
Methods of treating gonarthrosis
Treatment of gonarthrosis is carried out both with drugs and with the help of physiotherapeutic exercises, folk remedies and manual therapy.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the joints. Relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation. But the use of these drugs provides only temporary relief and does not cure the disease itself. In addition, they have many contraindications and side effects.
- Chondroprotectors are the most causal treatment, they help to regenerate cartilage tissue and eliminate the cause of the disease. Their use is effective in the early stages of the disease. Long-term use of chondroprotectors is required to achieve the result.
- Local remedies - various ointments and creams - have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
- Intra-articular injections are for emergency care. The most commonly used drugs are corticosteroid hormones. They quickly and effectively suppress pain and inflammation in the joint, but, like NSAIDs, only have a symptomatic effect.
- Manual therapy and physiotherapy - at stages 1 and 2 of the disease, a significant therapeutic effect can be achieved.
- Diet. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is called the disease of "salt deposits". Therefore, with this disease you need to follow a diet that excludes foods that contribute to salt formation. It is necessary to limit the intake of table salt to 1 g per day, meat, canned food, sweet, fatty, flour.
- Walking Support - Using crutches or a cane can significantly reduce stress on the knee joint and aid in faster recovery.
- Remedial gymnastics is the main rehabilitation method after treatment of gonarthrosis. Only special exercises will help restore lost mobility, strengthen muscles and ligaments, and improve blood circulation. It is impossible to restore limb functions without specially designed exercises.
- Surgical treatment - in the absence of the effect of therapeutic methods, in the 3rd stage of the disease, with severe joint deformity, surgery is required. This is usually a joint prosthesis. This operation allows you to restore mobility of the limb, but it has many contraindications and limitations. It is also quite costly financially.
Complete cure of this disease is almost impossible. In order to achieve stable remission of the disease, you need to follow all the doctor's recommendations, try to exercise more, do special exercises, take chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation, and also follow a diet.