A disease like knee joint gonarthrosis, without proper treatment, can lead to a person's disability. This is due to a violation of the motor function of the joint and the leg 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 subtypes of joint pathology, located in one or both knees. This pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process. This means that in the joint 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 functions of the knee, which occurs due to pathological changes in the cartilaginous tissue. This 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 usually post-traumatic (secondary) gonarthrosis.
Bilateral knee joint gonarthrosis 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 gradually starts to wear out and loses its physiological properties.
This disease refers to polyetiological. What this means? 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 development of pathology:
| Cause | What is happening |
|---|---|
| The mechanical factor is of the utmost importance. | Degenerative changes begin, resulting from daily microtraumas or some type of important 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 cartilaginous 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, cartilage rubs against bone and collapses. |
All this together leads to the development of joint pathology.
Main manifestations
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 osteoarthritis is pain. At first, 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 an increasingly early sensation of pain. In the later stages, the patient cannot even stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is the initial pain. What is that? This is the pain that appears at the beginning of the movement. In the first stage, these pains appear in the morning, after getting out of bed. They then appear at the start of each move.
- The opposite symptom is night pain. It develops during sleep due to pressure within the bones. Such sensations pass during the walk.
- In the second stage, reactive synovitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint pouch that occurs due to cartilage destruction. How is the knee joint with gonarthrosis and synovitis? The knee becomes swollen, the skin feels hot to the touch. Sometimes there is bulging of the patella.
- The next typical symptom is crepitus. This term is called crunch heard at a distance when making movements in the joint. At first it is barely audible, but in later stages it becomes quite loud. 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 bone structures of the joint in the pathological process. Growths appear on the bones, which deform the knee - this is already deforming osteoarthritis. As a result, an axial displacement of the bones develops, the leg shortens, and the knee turns to the side (photo).
A complication of gonarthrosis is the development of contractures. This is a complete cessation of movement in the joint due to fusion of bones or muscle compaction. As a result, muscular dystrophy is formed - due to the small volume of movements.
diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is made on the basis of several facts:
- disease history - how symptoms developed, the dynamics of the patient's complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- x-ray study.
With gonarthrosis, an x-ray is taken in three views.
Osteoarthritis 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 practically absent;
- in the second stage, osteophytes can be detected;
- subchondral sclerosis is also a specific sign, consisting of compaction of the ends of bone adjacent to cartilage.
If the diagnosis is in doubt, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is performed. The doctor evaluates the results and defines one or another degree of gonarthrosis. The expert in the video of 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 taken. It records the course and results of the surgery.
Diet
First of all, the patient is given 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, they are products that contain a lot of protein and collagen. These include fish from the sea, meat, jam. They need to be consumed daily.
- Products that contain fiber. These are fruits and vegetables. Also recommended for daily use.
Fatty meats and fish, sweets, sweets, alcoholic and carbonated drinks should be excluded from the diet. This not only improves blood circulation, but also allows you to eliminate excess weight.
Medicines
The mainstay of conservative treatment is taking medication. The action of drugs aims to eliminate 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 must be taken for a long time.
Medications are prescribed by a professional, self-medication is unacceptable.
Physiotherapy
At all stages of arthrosis, the use of physiotherapeutic procedures is indicated. They aim to reduce pain, restore blood circulation in 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 carried out in a clinic or in sanatoriums.
Physiotherapy
Initially, the patient is given measures to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is accomplished through the use of a cane and compression stockings and bandages. With severe pain syndrome, immobilization of the knee for several days is required.
As the condition improves, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. It is first performed under the guidance of an exercise therapy specialist, 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. This operation is used very rarely - especially 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 persists for several years.
- intraosseous decompression. It is performed most often 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 the perforation.
- osteotomy. It also aims to reduce the load on the joint. The effect is obtained by dissecting the bone directly at the joint head.
- Endoprostheses. It is used for the complete destruction of cartilage tissue. The gasket is replaced by a metal one.
After each type of surgery, restorative therapy is required. Knee joint gonarthrosis can render a person incapacitated - in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment.