A disease such as gonarthrosis of the knee joint can cause a person to become disabled without proper treatment. This is due to impaired motor function of the joint and the foot as a whole. To prevent this, you should see a doctor as soon as possible when symptoms appear.
What a disease
Gonarthrosis is an arthrosis of the knee joint. This is one of the subtypes of joint pathology localized in one or both knees. This is a pathological degenerative-dystrophic process. This means the gradual destruction of cartilage tissue involved in the pathological process of bone tissue in the joint.
Why and how it develops
What is knee gonarthrosis? This is a violation of all the functions of the knee due to pathological changes in cartilage tissue. The disease occurs in middle-aged people - that is, after the age of 40-45 (initial). However, there are cases of disease in young patients - often post-traumatic (secondary) gonarthrosis.
Bilateral gonarthrosis of the knee joints is the most common pathology in the elderly. This is due to the fact that these joints are exposed to a large daily load. As a result, the cartilage gradually wears out and loses its physiological properties.
This disease belongs to polyetiology. What does it mean? Such diseases develop under the influence of several factors at once. What can directly cause gonarthrosis - a disease of the knee joint?
Table. Causes and mechanisms of pathology development:
| reason | What is happening |
|---|---|
| The mechanical factor is of the greatest importance. | Degenerative changes that occur due to daily microtraumas or some kind of serious injury begin. As a result, cartilage is destroyed in various parts of the cartilage. |
| Disorders of microcirculation. | Impaired cartilage 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 the joint fluid. | It loses its lubricating function, the cartilage rubs against the bone and collapses. |
All this together leads to the development of articular pathology.
The main manifestations
What are the main symptoms of gonarthrosis of the knee joint?
The main distinguishing feature of arthritis is the gradual, slow development of symptoms:
- The first manifestation of osteoarthritis is pain. At first, the pain is felt by the patient only after a long load - a long walk. In a calm state, the pain disappears quickly. The progression of the disease causes pain earlier and earlier. In the final stages, the patient can not even stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is the onset of pain. What is this? This is the pain that appears at the very beginning of the movement. In the first stage, such pains appear in the morning, after getting out of bed. Then they appear at the beginning of each movement.
- The opposite symptom is night pain. It develops during sleep due to pressure inside the bones. Such feelings pass during walking.
- In the second stage, reactive synovitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint sac caused by the destruction of cartilage. What does the knee joint look like with gonarthrosis and synovitis? The knee swells, the skin becomes warm to the touch. Sometimes the patella is bulging.
- The next typical symptom is crepitus. This term is called a distant crisis when moving the joint. At first it is almost inaudible, but in the later stages it sounds quite loud. It is heard throughout the movement.
- In the final stage, deformation of the knee joint occurs. This is due to the involvement of the bone structures of the joint in the pathological process. Growths appear in the bones that deform the knee - this is osteoarthritis, which already deforms. As a result, axial displacement of the bones develops, the leg shortens and the knee turns to the side (photo).
One complication of gonarthrosis is the development of contractures. This is a complete cessation of movement in the joint due to bone fusion or muscle contraction. As a result, muscular dystrophy develops - due to the small volume of movements.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is based on several facts:
- anamnesis of the disease - how the symptoms develop, the dynamics of the patient's complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- X-ray examination.
An x-ray is taken in three prognoses with gonarthrosis.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the following changes:
- a decrease in the lumen of the joint cavity is the first sign of the disease, in the third stage the cavity is practically absent;
- osteophytes can be detected in the second stage;
- Subchondral sclerosis is also a special symptom of compression of the ends of the bone adjacent to the cartilage.
If the diagnosis is in doubt, computer or magnetic resonance imaging is performed. The doctor evaluates the results and determines one or another degree of gonarthrosis. The expert in the video in this article will tell you more about diagnostic methods and results.
Types of treatment
Gonarthrosis should be treated comprehensively. The combination of different approaches can significantly slow down the process of cartilage degeneration.
Conservative therapy can be performed in an outpatient setting. If surgical treatment is required, the patient is hospitalized with a medical history. Records the progress and results of the operation.
Diet
First, the patient is prescribed a certain 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, these are products that contain a lot of protein and collagen. These include sea fish, meat, jelly. They need to be consumed daily.
- Fiber products. These are fruits and vegetables. Also recommended for daily use
Fatty meat and fish, pastries, sweets, alcohol and carbonated beverages should be excluded from the diet. This not only improves blood circulation, but also allows you to lose weight.
Medications
The basis of conservative treatment is medication. The action of drugs is aimed at eliminating the pathological process and symptoms.
All medicines can be bought at the pharmacy. The price for them is very high, but the drugs must be taken for a long time.
Medications are prescribed by a specialist, self-medication is unacceptable.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy procedures is indicated in all stages of osteoarthritis. They are aimed at reducing pain, restoring blood circulation in the joint area and slowing down dystrophic processes.
The most commonly used methods are:
- ultra high frequencies;
- magnetotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- baths - radon, hydrogen sulfide.
Such treatment is carried out in clinics or sanatoriums.
Physiotherapy
First, the patient is prescribed measures to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is achieved through the use of cane and compression stockings and bandages. With severe pain syndrome, immobilization of the knee is required for several days.
As the condition improves, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. First, it is performed under the guidance of a specialist in exercise therapy, then you can do gymnastics at home.
Surgical treatment
Gonarthrosis is the most common pathology requiring surgery.
Depending on the condition of the joint and the degree of destruction, different types of operations are used:
- Denervation. Such an operation is rarely used - mainly in elderly patients with severe pain. The essence of the intervention is to cut the nerve leading to the joint. The effect of such an intervention lasts for several years.
- intraosseous decompression. Most are performed with gonarthrosis. Its essence is to reduce the burden on the sick joint. The sponge material of the bone adjacent to the cartilage is destroyed by drilling.
- Osteotomy. It is also aimed at reducing the load on the joint. The effect is achieved by breaking the bone directly at the articular head.
- Endoprostheses. Used to completely destroy cartilage tissue. The joint is replaced by metal.
Rehabilitation therapy is required after each type of surgery. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can cripple a person - in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment.