A disease such as gonarthrosis of the knee joint, without proper treatment, can lead to a person’s disability. This is due to the violation of the motor function of the ankle and foot as a whole. To prevent this from happening, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible when the symptoms of the disease appear.
What is this disease
Gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the knee. This is one of the subtypes of joint pathology, localized to one or both knees. This pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process. This means that in the joints there is a destruction of cartilage tissue with a gradual involvement in the pathological process of bone tissue.
Why and how it develops
What is knee gonarthrosis? This is a violation of all knee functions, which occurs due to pathological changes in cartilage tissue. This disease appears in middle-aged people - that is, after 40-45 years (primary). However, there are cases of the disease in younger patients - this is 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 subjected to a large daily load. As a result, cartilage begins to be gradually consumed and loses its physiological properties.
This disease refers to polyetiological. What does this mean? Such diseases develop under the influence of several factors at the same time. What can directly cause gonarthrosis - a disease of the knee joint?
Table. Causes and mechanisms of pathology development:
| cause | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Of greatest importance is the mechanical factor. | Degenerative changes begin, which occur due to daily microtraumas or some kind of major damage. 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 contraction. |
| 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. | Its lubricating function is lost, the cartilage rubs against the bone and collapses. |
All this together leads to the development of joint pathology.
The main manifestations
What are the main symptoms of knee joint gonarthrosis?
The main distinguishing feature from arthritis is the gradual and 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 relaxed state, the pain disappears quickly. Progression of the disease leads to an earlier and earlier sensation of pain. In the later stages, the patient can not even stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is onset pain. What is it? This is the pain that appears at the beginning of the movement. In the first stage, such pains appear 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 inside the bones. Such sensations pass while walking.
- In the second stage reactive synovitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint sac that occurs due to cartilage destruction. What does the knee joint with gonarthrosis and synovium look like? The knee becomes swollen, the skin is hot to the touch. Sometimes there is swelling of the patella.
- The other typical symptom is crepitus. This term is called a crackle that is heard in the distance when you make movements in the joints. At first it is almost inaudible, but in later stages it becomes quite noisy. It is heard throughout the movement.
- In the last stage, a deformity of the knee joint is formed. This is due to the involvement of the skeletal structures of the wrist in the pathological process. Growths appear in the bones, which deform the knee - this is already deforming osteoarthritis. As a result, an axial bone displacement develops, the leg is shortened and the knee is turned to the side (photo).
One complication of gonarthrosis is the development of contractures. This is a complete cessation of movement in the joints due to bone melting or muscle contraction. As a result, muscular dystrophy is formed - due to the small volume of movements.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is made based on several facts:
- anamnesis of the disease - how the symptoms developed, the dynamics of the patient's complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- x-ray study.
With gonarthrosis, a radiograph is made in three projections.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the following changes:
- a drop in the lumen of the joint space is the first sign of disease; in the third stage, the gap is practically absent;
- in the second stage, osteophytes can be detected;
- Subchondral sclerosis is also a specific sign, which consists in compressing the edges of the bone adjacent to the cartilage.
If the diagnosis is in doubt, computer imaging or magnetic resonance imaging is performed. The doctor evaluates the results and determines one or another degree of gonarthrosis. The specialist in the video in this article will tell you more about diagnostic methods and results.
Types of treatment
It is necessary to treat gonarthrosis comprehensively. Combining different approaches can significantly slow down the cartilage degeneration process.
Conservative therapy can be performed on an outpatient basis. If surgical treatment is required, the patient is admitted to a hospital where a medical history is obtained. It records the course and results of the operation.
diets
First of all, the patient is prescribed a certain diet. With the help of food, you can improve the condition of cartilage tissue. And refusing certain products will restore blood circulation to the joint area.
What is recommended to be included in the diet of patients with gonarthrosis:
- First of all, these are products that contain a lot of protein and collagen. These include seafood, meat, jelly. They should be consumed daily.
- Products containing fiber. These are fruits and vegetables. Also recommended for daily use.
Fatty meats and fish, pastas, sweets, alcoholic and carbonated beverages should be excluded from the diet. This not only improves blood circulation but also allows you to eliminate excess weight.
medications
The basis of conservative treatment is taking medication. The action of drugs is aimed at eliminating the pathological process and the symptoms that it manifests.
All medicines can be purchased at the pharmacy. The price for them is quite high, but the drugs have to be taken for a long time.
Medication is prescribed by a professional, self-medication is unacceptable.
Physiotherapy
In all stages of osteoarthritis, the use of physiotherapy procedures is indicated. They aim to reduce pain, restore blood circulation to the joint area and slow down dystrophic processes.
The most used methods are:
- ultra high frequencies;
- magnetotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- baths - radon, hydrogen sulfide.
Such treatment is performed in a clinic or sanatorium.
Physiotherapy
Initially, measures are prescribed to the patient to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is achieved through the use of a cane and compression stockings and bandages. With severe pain syndrome, knee immobilization is required for several days.
As the condition improves, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. It is performed 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:
- Denervimi. Such surgery is used quite rarely - mainly in elderly patients with severe pain. The essence of the intervention is the cutting of the nerve leading to the joint. The effect of such an intervention lasts for several years.
- intracranial decompression. It is most often performed with gonarthrosis. Its essence is to reduce the load on the diseased joint. The spongy substance of the bone 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 into the articular head.
- Endoprosthetics. Used for complete destruction of cartilage tissue. The bond is replaced with a metal.
After any type of surgery, restorative therapy is required. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can make a person incapacitated - in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment.