Arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease in which all elements of the joint are affected, but the cartilage is most affected. This type of arthrosis is the most common. Another name for the disease is gonarthrosis.
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that covers the edges of bones and minimizes friction. With arthrosis, the surface of the cartilage becomes inflamed, it becomes hard, rough. Friction increases, causing the cartilage to become thinner.
If the problem is ignored, the tissue disappears altogether, and the bones begin to rub against each other. This erases tissue that cannot be returned, and therefore it is important to stop the disease in the early stages. As a result of cartilage thinning, the bone near the joint thickens and grows - the joint is deformed. For this reason, this type of arthrosis is called "deforming".
Arthrosis of the knee is often confused with arthritis. A distinctive feature of arthritis is that the joint becomes inflamed during this disease, but the tissue does not become thinner.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is primary and secondary.
- Primary arthrosis occurs as a result of natural factors. Most often, people who are overweight are affected. The disease occurs as a result of increased pressure on the cartilage tissue, which increases friction.
- The main cause of secondary arthrosis is trauma. Mechanical impact disrupts the normal functioning of the cartilage and starts the process of its thinning. Also, the cause of secondary arthrosis can be transferred diseases associated with autoimmune damage to cartilage tissue.
In both cases, the development of the disease can be stopped. The main thing is to start treatment on time.
Risk factors and causes of
Let's talk in more detail about why arthrosis of the knee joint appears, and who is most at risk of getting sick.
Risk Factors:
- age (most often people over 40 are sick);
- overweight;
- female;
- genetics (risk group - people whose family members often suffered or suffer from arthrosis of the knee joint);
- congenital features, dysplasia of the joints, which create conditions for the gradual abrasion of cartilage;
- work associated with increased stress on joints (constant carrying heavy loads);
- sports that involve lifting, carrying weights.
- inflammatory diseases of the joints: gout, rheumatism;
- meniscus damage;
- joint dislocations;
- fractures;
- metabolic disorders;
- circulatory disorders;
- joint hypermobility.
It is believed that the disease can occur in any person. For example, at a certain point, age-related changes may appear that will trigger the development of arthrosis. Moreover, there may not be any other prerequisites besides age.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a harmless ailment if detected at an early stage, but an extremely formidable disease if left to chance.
Stages of knee arthrosis
- First stage. Its beginning is the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. Most often it is pain and discomfort in the knee area that occurs during movement. At rest, the patient is usually not worried about anything. During exacerbations, synovitis may form. This is the accumulation of fluid in the knee joint. Therefore, the disease can be identified visually even at the first stage.
- Second stage. The intensity of the pain increases, the patient feels severe pain at the slightest movement. Joint mobility decreases, the knee looks unnatural, deformed. The patient can no longer fully use the limb due to severe discomfort.
- Third stage. Thinning of cartilage tissue occurs. Bones rub against each other, and sometimes begin to grow together, limiting active and passive movements in the joint. The patient almost always feels pain. Sleep problems appear, and the quality of life decreases. Walking without a cane or crutches becomes impossible.
There are situations when at the first stage the patient feels severe pain and vice versa - feels minimal discomfort with almost completely destroyed cartilage. You cannot set a stage based on complaints only. This is done by the doctor after examining the X-ray and examining the patient's lower limb.
Symptoms
- Pain of varying intensity: from mild discomfort to severe pain that has to be removed with medication. Starting pains may occur, that is, discomfort when moving after a long rest;
- Stiffness of movement;
- Crunch during movement;
- Joint deformity;
- Accumulation of fluid in the knee;
- Heavy feeling in knee;
- Lame;
- In advanced cases - muscle atrophy of the affected limb;
- Inability to fully bend or extend the leg.
Symptoms most often have an intensifying character: pains begin to bother more and more, other symptoms join.
Knee arthrosis diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a conversation with the patient: the patient talks about the symptoms and complaints. Next, a clinical examination of the patient is carried out. The doctor uses palpation to determine the mobility of the joint.
An informative diagnostic method is sufficient for making a diagnosis. At the same time, the symmetry and width of the joint space, the condition of the bones that form the joint are assessed.
To detect foci of inflammation, the condition of the ligamentous apparatus, ultrasound is used.
The condition of the cartilage and tendons is shown by MRI. If this method is not enough, the specialist makes an injection in the area of the joint and draws up the fluid. This method is called a knee puncture followed by laboratory analysis of the resulting fluid.
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee
Treatment depends on the cause of the disease. If the problem is overweight, the patient is given the task of losing those extra pounds. A diet is drawn up, physical exercises are prescribed. The main goal is to change the way of life. If the cause is injury, the consequences are repaired.
Drug treatment is being carried out in parallel. With severe pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed if necessary. Severe inflammation is treated with steroids. The condition of the cartilage tissue is improved by vasodilators and chondroprotectors.
Surgical intervention is practiced at advanced stages of the disease.
Metameric techniques have proven effective. Injections are injected into the affected area, which trigger regeneration processes in the nerve structures that provide innervation to the knee joint. As a result, it is possible to speed up recovery and relieve the person from pain faster.
There is no therapy template that is effective in treating every patient. The doctor develops a scheme taking into account the condition of the joint and cartilage, the severity of the disease and the stage. In addition, the individual characteristics of the patient, the tolerance of certain drugs are taken into account.
By contacting a doctor as early as possible, you greatly increase the chances of a positive outcome. Modern medicine can effectively treat arthrosis of the knee.