Slightly bent legs, inability to walk without support - all these seem to be signs of old age, but in reality they can be caused by an illness. Knowledge of 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, but also the bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles that ensure its functioning.
This disease is one of the most common among the pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Due to changes in the structure of the hyaline cartilage tissue, they lose their elasticity, firmness and gradually collapse. This leads to an increase in the impact on bone tissues, the appearance of so-called osteophytes on them. These are "spines, " which are bony growths in the joint. If osteoarthritis of the knee joint is not treated, the cartilage tissue can gradually disappear completely, the bones will deform, and the function and performance of the joint will be lost.
Causes of knee gonarthrosis
This disease is classified as idiopathic, that is, the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint have not yet been precisely clarified. There are two main types of gonarthrosis: primary and secondary.
Primary or idiopathic gonarthrosis of the knee joint develops due to metabolic and circulatory disorders in the lower extremities. This form of the disease mainly affects the elderly, especially women, and overweight people. The reason for the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue can be an excessive load on the joint, a violation of normal blood circulation and multiple tissue microtraumas. Hormonal disorders and endocrine disorders can also lead to this.
Secondary or traumatic gonarthrosis occurs due to 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 injuries - chondrosis, arthrosis of various etiologies;
- untimely and incomplete treatment of diseases of the knee joint;
- trauma and injury in the past.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop gradually. At the onset of the disease, pain appears during physical exertion, with overwork or after a long walk, then other symptoms join and a detailed clinical picture of the disease appears.
Symptoms:
- pain in the knee joint during movement;
- swelling of the joint;
- limitation of 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 the disease of gonarthrosis
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 limb, the pain is mild, appears at the beginning of movement or after physical exertion, at rest pain and stiffness in 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 limitation 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 by 3 times the norm, osteophytes grow on the bones, fluid can 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 circulation in the joint. On the x-ray, the joint space is practically absent, the bones are strongly deformed, strong growths of bone tissue are noted.
Diagnosis and treatment of gonarthrosis
Diagnosis of the disease includes examination of the patient and radiographic examination of the affected limb.
Treatment of the disease should be started as soon as possible. A thorough examination and consultation of an experienced specialist is necessary, since this disease has non-specific symptoms and is easily confused with other injuries of the joint system.
The basic principles of treatment, which aim at the 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;
- restore limb mobility;
- strengthen muscles and ligaments.
Methods for the treatment of gonarthrosis
Treatment of gonarthrosis is carried out both with drugs and with the help of physiotherapy exercises, folk remedies and manual therapy.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases. Well relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation. But the use of these drugs only gives temporary relief and does not cure the disease itself. In addition, they have many contraindications and side effects.
- Chondroprotectors are the most etiological treatment, they help regenerate cartilage tissue and eliminate the cause of the disease. Their use is effective in the early stages of the disease. To achieve the result, long-term use of chondroprotectors is required.
- Local remedies - various ointments and creams - have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
- Intra-articular injections are used to provide emergency care. The most commonly used drugs are corticosteroid hormones. They quickly and effectively suppress pain and inflammation within the joint, but, like NSAIDs, they only have a symptomatic effect.
- Manual therapy and physiotherapy: in stages 1 and 2 of the disease they can give a significant therapeutic effect.
- Diet. Gonartosis of the knee joint is called the "salt deposit" disease. Therefore, with this disease, it is necessary to follow a diet that excludes foods that contribute to the formation of salt. It is necessary to limit the intake of edible salt to 1 g per day, meat, canned foods, sweets, fats, flour.
- Walking Support: Using crutches or a cane can significantly reduce stress on the knee joint and help with faster recovery.
- Therapeutic gymnastics is the main rehabilitation method after the treatment of gonarthrosis. Only special exercises will help restore lost mobility, strengthen muscles and ligaments, and improve blood circulation. It is impossible to restore the functions of the limbs 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, surgical intervention is required. This is usually joint arthroplasty. This operation allows to restore the mobility of the limb, but has many contraindications and limitations. It is also quite expensive financially.
Complete cure of this disease is almost impossible. To achieve a stable remission of the disease, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the doctor, try to move more, do special exercises, take chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation, and also follow a diet.