Badly bent legs, inability to walk without support - all these seem to be signs of old age, but in fact, it can be caused by illness. Knowledge about this disease can help everyone, because timely treatment prolongs the youth of the joints. Knee joint gonarthrosis 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 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, the joint capsule and the muscles that guarantee its functioning.
This disease is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Due to changes in the tissue structure of hyaline cartilage, 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 in them. These are "thorns", which are bony outgrowths on the joint. If osteoarthritis of the knee joint is not treated, the cartilaginous tissue can completely disappear gradually, 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, mainly women, and people who are overweight. The reason for the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in cartilaginous 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 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 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;
- traumas and injuries in the past.
disease symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop gradually. At the beginning of the disease, pain appears during physical exertion, with overwork or after a long walk, then other symptoms come together and a detailed clinical picture of the disease appears.
Symptoms:
- knee joint pain when moving;
- joint swelling;
- limitation of movement in the joint;
- knee joint stiffness;
- instability when relying on a painful 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 limitation of movement in the joint, increased limb fatigue, pain is mild, appears at the beginning of movement or after physical exertion, at rest the pain and stiffness of the joint disappears. Bones maintain their shape, there is no deformation. The radiograph 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 crisis in the joint during movement, lameness, bones are deformed, ligaments and muscles are weakened. On x-ray, the joint space is reduced by 3 times compared to the norm, osteophytes are growing in the bones, fluid may appear in the joint cavity.
- Stage 3 - pain becomes constant, does not go away after rest and at rest. Movement is markedly limited, possibly a violation of blood circulation in the joint. On radiography, the joint space is practically absent, the bones are markedly 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 with an experienced specialist is necessary, as this disease has nonspecific symptoms and is easily confused with other injuries of the joint system.
The main principles of treatment, which aim at therapeutic effects:
- eliminate pain in the knee joint;
- improve blood circulation and accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- reduce 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, as they help to regenerate cartilaginous tissue and eliminate the cause of the disease. Its use is effective in the early stages of the disease. To obtain the result, prolonged use of chondroprotectors is necessary.
- 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 can give a significant therapeutic effect.
- Diet. Knee joint gonartosis is called "salt deposit" disease. 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 edible salt to 1 g per day, meat, canned foods, sweets, fatty foods, 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 method of rehabilitation after the treatment of gonarthrosis. Only special exercises will help to restore lost mobility, strengthen muscles and ligaments and improve blood circulation. It is impossible to restore limb function without specially designed exercises.
- Surgical treatment - in the absence of the effect of therapeutic methods, at the 3rd stage of the disease, with severe joint deformity, surgery is necessary. This is usually joint arthroplasty. This operation makes it possible to return the mobility of the limb, but it has many contraindications and limitations. It is also very expensive financially.
A complete cure of this disease is almost impossible. To achieve a stable remission of the disease, you need to follow all the doctor's recommendations, try to move more, do special exercises, take chondroprotectors and medications that improve blood circulation, and also follow a diet.