Gonarthrosis or arthrosis of the knee joint is a very common disease. Such a diagnosis is most often made in people of the older age group, but arthrosis "starts" much earlier, even at the age of 35-40 years. Gonarthrosis with severe symptoms significantly disrupts the whole way of life, so at the first manifestations of the knee joints it is important to consult a doctor and receive timely treatment.
causes of osteoarthritis
We can say that arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease that is due to lifestyle on the one hand, and age on the other.
The immediate (internal) causes of arthrosis are:
- previous injuries in the joint area (sports, household and others),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- Metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus),
- frequent orthopedic defects of the lower extremities, including flat and valgus foot, X-shaped deformity of the legs; These defects impair the correct movements of the knee joints, leading to their deformation and degeneration of the articular tissues.
Factors (external, individual) provoking arthrosis:
- overweight, obesity,
- Female,
- age,
- Heavy continuous loads (standing work, monotonous movements of the joints with weights during the working day).
Under the influence of external and internal factors, degeneration and aging of the knee joint begins, all its structures are involved in it: bone, cartilage, synovial membrane, articular capsule, ligaments.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Manifestations from the knee joints are directly related to the stage of arthrosis. The more pathological changes in the joint and adjacent tissues, the more pronounced the symptoms.
- At the initial stage, a person can be disturbed by discomfort, slight pain after physical activity, passing on their own.
- Over time (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes permanent, joint movements are limited, a characteristic "crunching", "creaking" occurs when moving.
- In the final stage of gonarthrosis, movements are severely restricted, the joint is visually deformed, walking becomes more difficult, and serious complications can occur, including complete immobility ("joint mice", stiffened joints, etc. ).
Diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joints
Arthrosis of the knee joint is detected using the available diagnostic methods:
- Ultrasound of the knee joint allows you to assess the condition of the cartilage and bone surface of the joint and the surrounding soft tissues. is of particular importance in the early stages of arthrosis, as it helps to identify pathological changes before serious symptoms appear;
- Radiography is also one of the main diagnostic methods, but it is not always available. It is also associated with exposure to radiation in the body.
- MRI, CT and arthroscopy are also used to clarify the diagnosis or identify course characteristics.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Various methods of exposure are used in osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- drug therapy, including intra-articular administration of drugs,
- traction (unloading) therapy,
- Physiotherapy, classic and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- Autoplasma therapy (PRP therapy).
The combination of these methods selected by the doctor can relieve the symptoms of arthrosis, stop inflammation and degeneration of the joint, maintain its mobility and freedom of movement.
The initial stages of osteoarthritis
In the initial stages of the disease, drugs with an analgesic and restorative effect (NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, vitamins), prescribed by a doctor, are used. In addition, various orthopedic aids are used: insoles, shoe inserts, special shoes). Physiotherapy, manual massage, physiotherapy exercises have a good effect.
A noticeable effect of treatment does not come immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition will improve.
progressive osteoarthritis
More serious measures are required here, in these cases the doctor can resort to minimally invasive interventions - arthroscopy, the introduction of enriched plasma into the joint (PRP therapy).
In severe forms of arthrosis, severe pain, with concomitant synovitis (accumulation of excess intra-articular fluid), corticosteroids are injected into the joint, which leads to rapid pain relief. The method is considered one of the most effective and if the procedure is carried out correctly, there are no complications (it is rarely possible to increase pain in response to the drug, a negative effect on the cartilage and some others).
Arthroplasty, arthroscopy and endoprosthetics operations deserve special attention among the surgical methods that preserve the functionality and mobility of the joint.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in a professional clinic
Experienced surgeons and arthrologists conduct appointments in a professional, modern clinic. The clinic approaches each patient individually, conducts accurate diagnostics using expert-class equipment (ultrasound), selects the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthrosis and the main symptoms, and prescribes drugs in a timely manner to reduce painful manifestations.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is rightly considered a disease of old age, but its development can be prevented or slowed down if the condition of the joints is assessed in a timely manner and therapy (preventive or therapeutic) is carried out.
The professional clinic offers physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injections) that improve the condition of the joints, supportive drugs are prescribed to consolidate and prolong the effect of main therapy, prevent exacerbation.