Weak bending legs, 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 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 this pathology affects not only the cartilages 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 pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Due to changes in the structure of the hyaline cartilage tissue, it loses its elasticity, strength and gradually collapses. This causes an increase in the impact on bone tissues, the appearance of so-called osteophytes in them. These are "thorns" that are bony protrusions in the joint. If arthrosis of the knee joint is not treated, the cartilage tissue can gradually disappear completely, the bones are deformed, and the function and performance of the joint is lost.
Causes of knee gonarthrosis
This disease is classified as idiopathic, that is, the causes of arthrosis of the knee joint have not yet been clearly 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 people who are overweight. The reason for the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue can be excessive loading of the joint, disruption of normal blood circulation and multiple tissue microtraumas. Hormonal disorders and endocrine diseases can also cause it.
Secondary or traumatic gonarthrosis occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the joint. This leads to:
- knee injuries - damage to 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 diseases of the knee joint;
- trauma and injury in the past.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint develop gradually. At the beginning of the disease, pain appears after physical exertion, excessive work or a long walk, then other symptoms combine and a detailed clinical picture of the disease appears.
Symptoms:
- pain in the knee joint when moving;
- swelling of the joint;
- restriction of movement in the joint;
- stiffness of the knee joint;
- instability when relying on a painful leg;
- visible deformation of the bones of the joint.
Stages of gonarthrosis
There are several stages in the clinical picture that reflect the severity of the disease:
- Stage 1 - slight limitation of movement in the joint, increased fatigue of the limb, pain is mild, appears at the beginning of movement or after physical exertion, pain and stiffness in the joint disappear at rest. The bones keep their shape, there is no deformation. X-ray shows a slight narrowing of the joint space.
- Stage 2 - there is an obvious restriction of movement, the pain is stable during walking, especially physical exertion, aggravated by prolonged standing. During movement, there is a clear creak in the joint, lameness, bones are deformed, ligaments and muscles are weakened. In the X-ray, the joint cavity narrows 3 times compared to the norm, osteophytes grow in the bones, fluid can be seen in the joint cavity.
- Stage 3 - the pain is constant, does not go away after rest and relaxation. Movement is sharply limited, perhaps due to blood circulation in the joint. On X-rays, the joint space is practically absent, the bones are sharply deformed, strong growths of bone tissue are noted.
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 be started as early as possible. A thorough examination and consultation of an experienced specialist is necessary, because this disease has non-specific symptoms and is easily confused with other lesions of the articular system.
The main principles of treatment aimed at therapeutic effect:
- relieve 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 of 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 diseases of the joints. Relieve pain well, reduce swelling and inflammation. However, 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 to restore the 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 results.
- Local remedies - various ointments and creams - have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
- Articular injections are used to provide emergency care. The most commonly used drugs are corticosteroid hormones. They quickly and effectively suppress pain and inflammation in the joint, but like NSAIDs, they only have a symptomatic effect.
- Manual therapy and physiotherapy - can have a significant therapeutic effect in stages 1 and 2 of the disease.
- Diet. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is called "salt beds" disease. Therefore, with this disease, you should follow a diet that excludes foods that contribute to the formation of salt. The intake of edible salt should be limited 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 you recover faster.
- The main method of rehabilitation after treatment of gonarthrosis is therapeutic gymnastics. Only special exercises will help restore lost mobility, strengthen muscles and ligaments, and improve blood circulation. Without specially designed exercises, it is impossible to restore the functions of the limbs.
- Surgical treatment - in the absence of the effect of treatment methods, in the 3rd stage of the disease, in case of severe joint deformation, surgical intervention is necessary. Usually this is joint arthroplasty. This operation allows to return the mobility of the limb, but has many contraindications and limitations. It is also quite costly in terms of finances.
Complete treatment of this disease is almost impossible. In order to achieve a stable remission of the disease, it is necessary to 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.