Diseases such as gonarthrosis of the knee joint, without proper treatment, can lead to a person’s disability. This is due to a violation of the motor function of the joints and legs as a whole. To prevent this from happening, you should see a doctor as soon as possible when symptoms of the disease appear.
What is this disease
Gonarthrosis is arthrosis of the knee joint. This is one of the pathological subtypes of the joint, localized in one or both knees. This pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process. This means that in the joints there is destruction of cartilage tissue with gradual involvement in the pathological process of bone tissue.
Why and how it develops
What is knee gonarthrosis? This is a violation of all functions of the knee, which occurs as a result of pathological changes in cartilage tissue. The disease occurs in middle -aged people - that is, after 40-45 years (primary). However, there are also cases of the disease in younger patients - this is often post -traumatic (secondary) gonarthrosis.
Bilateral gonarthrosis of the knee joint is the most common pathology in the elderly. This is due to the fact that these joints are subject to large daily loads. As a result, the cartilage begins to gradually wear out and lose its physiological properties.
The disease refers to polyetiological. What does this mean? Such diseases develop under the influence of several factors at once. What can cause gonarthrosis directly - knee joint disease?
Schedule. Causes and mechanisms of pathological development:
| because | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Mechanical factors are the most important. | Degenerative changes begin, occurring as a result of daily microtrauma or some type of major injury. As a result, cartilage is destroyed in different parts of the cartilage. |
| Violation of microcirculation. | Deterioration of cartilage tissue nutrition leads to loss of elasticity and shrinkage. |
| Metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue. | There is a decrease in the amount of the main components of cartilage - glucosamine and chondroitin. |
| Changes in the structure of joint fluid. | Its lubricating function is lost, the cartilage rubs against the bone and collapses. |
All this together leads to the development of articular pathology.
The main manifestation
What are the main symptoms of knee joint gonarthrosis?
The main distinguishing feature of arthritis is the gradual and slow development of symptoms:
- The first manifestation of arthrosis is pain. Initially, the pain is felt by the patient only after a long load - a long walk. In a calm state, the pain quickly disappears. The progression of the disease leads to earlier and earlier pain. In the last stage, the patient cannot stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is onset of pain. What is this? This is the pain that appears at the beginning of the movement. In the first stage, such pain appears in the morning, after getting out of bed. They then appear at the beginning of each movement.
- The opposite symptom is night pain. It develops during sleep due to pressure in the bones. Such sensations pass while walking.
- In the second stage, reactive synovitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint bags that occurs as a result of cartilage destruction. What does a knee joint look like with gonarthrosis and synovitis? The knees become swollen, the skin hot to the touch. Sometimes there is a lump on the patella.
- The next typical symptom is creepiness. This term is called crunch which is heard at a distance when making movements in the joints. At first it was almost inaudible, but at a later stage it became quite loud. It is heard throughout the entire movement.
- In the last stage, deformities of the knee joint are formed. This is due to the involvement of joint bone structures in pathological processes. Growths appear on the bone, which changes the shape of the knee - this is already a deformity of arthrosis. As a result, the axial displacement of the bone expands, the leg shortens and the knee turns to the side (photo).
The complication of gonarthrosis is the development of contractions. This is the complete cessation of movement in the joint due to bone fusion or muscle compaction. As a result, muscular dystrophy is formed - caused by a small amount of movement.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is made based on several facts:
- disease anamnesis - how symptoms develop, the dynamics of patient complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- x-ray study.
With gonarthrosis, x-rays are taken in three projections.
Arthrosis is characterized by the following changes:
- a decrease in the lumen of the joint space is the first sign of the disease, in the third stage, the gap is almost absent;
- in the second stage, osteophytes can be detected;
- subchondral sclerosis is also a specific sign, consisting of compaction of the ends of the bone adjacent to the cartilage.
If the diagnosis is doubtful, magnetic resonance imaging calculations are performed. The doctor evaluates the results and prescribes one or another stage of gonarthrosis. The experts in the video in this article will tell you more about the diagnostic methods and results.
Type of treatment
It is necessary to treat gonarthrosis comprehensively. A combination of different approaches can slow down the process of cartilage degeneration significantly.
Conservative therapy can be done on an outpatient basis. If surgical treatment is required, the patient is admitted to the hospital where a medical history is taken. It records the course and results of the surgery.
Diet
First of all, the patient is prescribed a specific diet. With the help of food, you can improve the condition of cartilage tissue. And the rejection of certain products will restore blood circulation in the joint area.
What is recommended to include in the diet of patients with gonarthrosis:
- First of all, this is a product that contains a lot of protein and collagen. These include sea fish, meat, jelly. They need to be eaten every day.
- Products that contain fiber. These are fruits and vegetables. Also recommended for daily use.
Fatty meats and fish, pastries, sweets, alcoholic and carbonated beverages should be excluded from the diet. This not only improves blood circulation, but also allows you to lose excess weight.
Medications
The basis of conservative treatment is taking medication. The action of the drug is aimed at eliminating the pathological process and the symptoms for which it manifests.
All medicines can be bought at the pharmacy. The price for them is quite high, but the drugs must be taken for a long time.
Medication is prescribed by a professional, self -medication is not acceptable.
Physiotherapy
At all stages of arthrosis, the use of physiotherapy procedures is indicated. They aim to reduce pain, restore blood circulation in the joint area, and slow down the dystrophic process.
The most commonly used methods are:
- ultra high frequency;
- magnetotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- baths - radon, hydrogen sulfide.
Such treatment is carried out in a clinic or in a sanatorium.
Physiotherapy
Initially, the patient is prescribed measures to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is achieved through the use of crutches and compression stockings and bandages. With severe pain syndrome, immobilization of the knee for several days is required.
When the condition improves, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. It is carried out first under the guidance of a specialist in exercise therapy, then you can do gymnastics at home.
Surgical treatment
Gonarthrosis is the most common pathology that requires surgical intervention.
Depending on the condition of the joint and the degree of its destruction, different types of operations are used:
- Denervation. Such surgeries are used relatively infrequently - especially in elderly patients with severe pain. The essence of the intervention is to cut the nerves leading to the joints. The effects of such interventions persisted for several years.
- intraosseous decompression. It is carried out most often with gonarthrosis. The essence is to reduce the load on the diseased joint. The bone sponge material adjacent to the cartilage is destroyed by drilling.
- Osteotomy. It also aims to reduce the load on the joints. The effect is achieved by dissecting the bone directly in the articular head.
- Endoprosthetics. It is used for complete destruction of cartilage tissue. The connection is replaced with metal.
After each type of surgery, rehabilitation therapy is required. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can make a person disabled - in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment.