Weak bending of the legs, the inability to walk without support - all these seem to be signs of old age, but in fact, they can be caused by disease. 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 osteoarthritis of the joint.
The disease belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic diseases. Under the influence of pathogenic factors, changes develop in the joint tissues, 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 pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Due to changes in the structure of hyaline cartilage tissue, they lose elasticity, firmness and gradually collapse. This leads to an increase in the impact on bone tissue, the appearance of so-called osteophytes on them. These are "thorns", which are bony protrusions at the joints. If arthrosis of the knee joint is not treated, then the cartilage tissue can gradually disappear completely, the bones will be deformed and the function and performance of the joint will be lost.
Causes of gonarthrosis of the knee
This disease is classified as idiopathic, so 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 blood circulation 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 numerous 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, meniscus of the knee joint, fractures and cracks in bones with hemarthrosis;
- various inflammatory diseases - rheumatism, arthritis;
- non-inflammatory joint lesions - chondrosis, arthrosis of various etiologies;
- timely and incomplete treatment of knee joint diseases;
- past trauma and injury.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis develop gradually. At the beginning of the disease, pain appears during physical exertion, with excessive work or after a long walk, then other symptoms join and a detailed clinical picture of the disease appears.
Symptoms:
- pain in the knee joint when moving;
- joint swelling;
- limitation of joint movement;
- stiffness of the knee joint;
- instability when leaning on an injured leg;
- visible deformity of the joint bones.
Stages of gonarthrosis disease
In the clinical picture, there are several stages that reflect the severity of the disease:
- Stage 1 - a slight limitation of movement in the joint, increased fatigue of the limbs, the pain is mild, appears 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. X-ray shows a slight narrowing of the joint space.
- Stage 2 - there is a marked limitation of movement, pain when walking becomes constant, especially aggravated by physical exertion, prolonged standing. There is a pronounced crackling of the joint during movement, lameness, bones are deformed, ligaments and muscles are weakened. On the x-ray, the joint space narrows 3 times compared to the norm, osteophytes are growing in 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 very limited, perhaps a violation of blood circulation in the joints. On radiographs, the joint space is practically absent, the bones are severely deformed, strong growths of bone tissue are observed.
Diagnosis and treatment of gonarthrosis
Diagnosis of the disease includes examination of the patient and X-ray examination of the affected limb.
Treatment of the disease should begin as soon as possible. A complete examination and consultation of an experienced specialist is necessary, as this disease has non-specific symptoms and is easily confused with other lesions of the articular system.
The main principles of treatment, which aim at therapeutic effects:
- eliminate pain in the knee joint;
- improves blood circulation and accelerates cartilage tissue regeneration;
- reduce the pressure between the bones of the joint;
- restoration of 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. Relieve pain well, reduce swelling and inflammation. But the use of these drugs gives only 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 to regenerate cartilage tissue and eliminate the cause of the disease. Their use is effective in the early stages of the disease. To get the result, a long-term use of chondroprotectors is required.
- Local means - 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 can provide a significant therapeutic effect.
- Diet. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is called the disease of "salt deposits". Therefore, with this disease, you should 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 food, sweet, fatty, flour.
- Walking support - using crutches or a cane can significantly reduce the stress on the knee joint and help speed recovery.
- Therapeutic gymnastics is the main method of rehabilitation after gonarthrosis treatment. 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 deformation of the joints, surgery is necessary. Usually this is joint arthroplasty. This operation allows you to return the mobility of the limbs, but it has many contraindications and limitations. It is also quite expensive financially.
The complete cure of this disease is almost impossible. To achieve a stable remission of the disease, you should follow all the doctor's recommendations, try to move more, do special exercises, take chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation, as well as follow a diet.