Gonarthrosis, or arthrosis of the knee joint, is a very common disease. Such a diagnosis is most often made to 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 it is important to consult a doctor at the first manifestations of the knee joints and receive timely treatment.
Causes of arthrosis
We can say that arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease, on the one hand, due to lifestyle, on the other hand, age.
The immediate (internal) causes of arthrosis are:
- past injuries in the joint area (sports, domestic and others),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus),
- common orthopedic defects of the lower extremities, including flat feet and valgus foot, X-shaped deformity of the legs; these defects violate 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 constant loads (work in a standing position, 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 the process: bones, cartilage, synovial membrane, joint capsule, ligaments.
Symptoms of arthrosis
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.
- In the initial stages, a person may be disturbed by discomfort, mild pain after physical activity, passing on their own.
- As time passes (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes permanent, joint movements are limited, a characteristic "crunch", "creak" appears when moving.
- At the final stage of gonarthrosis, movements are sharply limited, the joint is visually deformed, walking is difficult, and severe complications may develop up to complete immobility ("joint mice", joint fusion, 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, surrounding soft tissues; is of particular importance in the initial stages of arthrosis, as it helps to identify pathological changes even before the onset of serious symptoms;
- radiography is also one of the main diagnostic methods, but is not always available, in addition, it is associated with radiation exposure to the body;
- to clarify the diagnosis or identify the features of the course of the disease, MRI, CT, and arthroscopy are also used.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
In arthrosis of the knee joint, various methods of exposure are used:
- drug therapy, including intra-articular administration of drugs,
- traction (unloading) therapy,
- physiotherapy, classical and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- autoplasma therapy (PRP-therapy).
The combination of these methods, selected by the doctor, can reduce the symptoms of arthrosis, stop inflammation and degeneration of the joint, maintain its mobility and range of motion.
The initial stages of arthrosis
At the initial stages of the disease, drugs with an analgesic and restorative effect (NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, vitamins) are used, they are prescribed by a doctor. Additionally, a variety of orthopedic devices are used: insoles, shoe inserts, special shoes). Physiotherapy, manual massage, physiotherapy exercises give a good effect.
A noticeable effect of the treatment does not occur immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition improves.
Progressive arthrosis
More serious measures are required here, in these cases the doctor may 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 intervention is performed correctly, there are no complications (it is rarely possible to increase pain as a reaction to the drug, a negative effect on cartilage, and some others).
Among the surgical methods that preserve the functionality and range of motion in the joint, the operations of arthroplasty, arthroscopy, and endoprosthetics deserve attention.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in a professional clinic
In a professional, modern clinic, experienced surgeons and arthrologists conduct appointments. The clinic uses an individual approach to each patient, conducts accurate diagnostics using expert-class equipment (ultrasound), selects the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthrosis and leading symptoms, and timely prescribes medications to reduce painful manifestations.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is rightly considered an age-related disease, but its development can be prevented or slowed down if the state of the joints is assessed in time and therapy is carried out (for preventive or therapeutic purposes).
The professional clinic provides physiotherapy procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injections) that improve the condition of the joints, supportive courses of medications are prescribed to help consolidate and prolong the effect of the main therapy, prevent exacerbation.