Knee arthrosis is a chronic degenerative disease caused by disruption of cartilage tissue integrity and structural changes in the bone plate. Progressive pathological process, which gradually involves all the elements of the ankle joint, causes a sharp impairment of motor function, reduces the ability to work and even becomes a cause of disability.
Orthopedic traumatologists are involved in the treatment of gonarthrosis. Timely diagnosis and a competent approach to orthopedic correction allow you to achieve positive results even in the most severe forms of pathology.
How does osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop?
Gonarthrosis of the knee joint (from the Greek for "knee") is a multifunctional disease. The list of reasons for provoking the development of a pathological process includes:
- Trauma;
- Chronic trauma related to production factors or disruption of exercise regime;
- Diseases (autoimmune, inflammatory, endocrine, vascular);
- Overweight, obesity;
- Loaded inheritance (mutations in the gene encoding type II collagen chains - hyaline cartilage matrix);
- Congenital dysplasias and joint pathologies;
- Hemophilia, frequent bleeding in the knee joint;
- Arthroscopic manipulations of the knee.
Prolonged exposure to adverse factors leads to disruption of metabolic processes in the knee joint, death of cartilage tissue cells, and decreased hyaline cartilage density and elasticity. Due to the weakening of the protection against functional load, compensatory reactions develop. Marginal growths (osteophytes) appear in the surrounding areas of bone tissue, deforming the osteoarticular joint.
Progressive destruction leads to inflammation of the inner membrane of the joint and disruption of synovial fluid synthesis, which aggravates the destruction of cartilage. As a result, its amortization properties and functionality are reduced.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
The primary complaint is dull pain in the right or left knee. It feels for the first time after a long walk or intense physical activity. Painful sensations may appear when you stand on your feet for a long time and while climbing stairs. When the degenerative process develops, other symptoms appear:
- Strength of morning movements;
- Periodic inflammation of the synovium (synovitis) and accumulation of fluid in the joint;
- Swelling, redness of the skin;
- Increased pain on the surface of the anterior-internal joint;
- Crash, crepitus on motion;
- Knee joint deformity;
- Restriction of leg flexion and extension;
- Changing the stereotype of walking, impairment of motor functions;
- Development of X or O-deformation.
The result of pathological changes, characteristic of the advanced stage, can be joint closure and complete immobilization (ankylosis).
Who is at risk?
Gonarthrosis is the most common form of osteoarthritis, accounting for 33. 3% of the total number of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Can be found in all age categories. Most vulnerable to the disease:
- Older and older people;
- Women during menopause;
- People with increased body weight;
- Professional athletes;
- Patients who have undergone joint surgery or have congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal system.
Degree of knee arthrosis
There are 4 degrees of gonarthrosis. When specifying them, the percentage of osteoarticular degradation is taken into account:
- I - Home -<10%;
- II - stage of increase of symptoms, 10-25%;
- III - the most pronounced clinical manifestations, 25-50%;
- IV - Terminal, >50% defeat.
Knee disorders can be primary or secondary. Primary (idiopathic) arthrosis, caused by aging of the articular cartilage, is more often bilateral and is diagnosed in elderly patients. The secondary degenerative process is the result of trauma and pathological disorders. He is usually one-sided and can make his debut at any age.
Which doctor should I go to?
Osteoarthritis (knee joint), the symptoms of which can develop slowly and unnoticed, which is why it is called a very insidious disease. Only timely medical care can stop the destruction of cartilage. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis is the responsibility of orthopedists, traumatologists, arthrologists, and sports medicine specialists.
Quote from a rehabilitation specialist
Injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can significantly reduce the level of activity, both in terms of sports and on a daily basis. Rehabilitation aims to maximize recovery, to compensate for damaged or completely lost functions. A multidisciplinary, comprehensive but at the same time individual approach allows you to reduce recovery time. Clinic specialists try to establish a responsible attitude of the patient towards the rehabilitation process and their health.
Diagnostic methods
Instrumental diagnostic techniques are used to detect structural changes in the knee joint:
- Radiography;
- Arthroscopy;
- Ultrasonography;
- CT;
- Scintigraphy;
- MRI.
The introduction of magnetic resonance imaging in orthopedic practice has significantly expanded the diagnostic possibilities. The secure informational imaging method allows you to assess in detail the condition of osteoarticular and surrounding soft tissue structures in almost all parameters:
- Hyaline cartilage;
- Subchondral bone;
- Bone marrow;
- Medial and lateral meniscus;
- Cross and collateral ligaments;
- Synovium and synovial cavity.
MRI image of the knee joint (with arthrosis) reveals the presence of synovitis, bursitis, cysts, deformities and intra-articular organs. Therefore, tomography can completely replace radiography and other diagnostic studies.
Treatment
Treatment of gonarthrosis is recommended to start as early as possible. It pursues the following goals: to reduce the progression of the pathological process, to eliminate pain, to restore the convergence of the joint surfaces, and to achieve remission. There are 4 main therapeutic areas:
- Prophylactic (weight loss, prevention of injuries, wearing orthoses, physical education);
- Drug therapy;
- Physiotherapy treatment;
- Surgical correction.
The Rehabilitation Center successfully uses gonarthrosis treatment without complex medications. It includes dosed load on the joint, kinesiotherapy techniques, physiotherapy. The greatest positive effects are given by microwave therapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic exercises and manual therapy.
Rehabilitation
A key point in the recovery of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee is physical rehabilitation. It is a set of measures aimed at preventing the development of the pathological process, reducing pain, eliminating swelling, strengthening the periarticular muscles, normalizing local blood circulation, maintaining mobility and improving.
The Rehabilitation Center actively uses rehabilitation programs that include the use of modern technical means and patented high-tech simulators. An individual set of physical exercises has been developed for each patient. This includes age, general condition, lifestyle, physical ability and degree of knee joint damage.
results
The neglected form of gonarthrosis causes irreversible consequences:
- Severe deformity and shortening of the diseased limb;
- Ankle and thigh joint disorders, problems in the spine;
- Constant excruciating pain and drug addiction;
- Loss of ability to move independently;
- Disability.
Prevention
To maintain good health and prevent the stable development of degenerative processes, you should follow simple rules:
- Follow a healthy lifestyle;
- Eat right and control the caloric content of food;
- Maintain a healthy weight and adequate physical activity;
- Protect your knees from injury and microtrauma;
- Minimize the impact of harmful factors;
- Strengthening immunity;
- Strictly follow squat techniques during sports;
- Timely treatment of inflammatory diseases;
- Undergo regular examinations even in case of normal health;
- Choose comfortable shoes.
It is not yet possible to completely cure deformed arthrosis of the knee joint. But the disease can be prevented. The main thing is not to delay preventive measures and a visit to a specialist.