A disease such as gonarthrosis of the knee joint, without proper treatment, can lead to injury. This is due to impaired motor function of the joint and legs in general. To prevent this, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible when symptoms of the disease appear.
What is this disease
Gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the knee joint. This is one of the subtypes of joint pathology, localized in one or both knees. This pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process. This means that in the joint there is destruction of cartilage tissue with gradual involvement in the pathological process of bone tissue.
Why and how it develops
What is gonarthrosis of the knee? This is a violation of all functions of the knee, which occurs due to pathological changes in cartilage tissue. This disease occurs 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, the cartilage gradually begins to wear out and loses its physiological properties.
This disease is polyetiological. What does this mean? Such diseases develop under the influence of several factors at once. What can directly cause gonarthrosis - a disease of the knee joint?
Table. Causes and mechanisms for the development of pathology:
> zxtable border = "1" cellpadding = "0" >All this together leads to the development of joint pathology.
Main manifestations
What are the main symptoms of gonarthrosis of the knee joint?
The main distinguishing feature of arthritis is the gradual, slow development of symptoms:
- The first manifestation of osteoarthritis is pain. In the beginning, the pain is felt by the patient only after prolonged exercise - a long walk. At rest, the pain quickly disappears. Progression of the disease leads to an earlier feeling of pain. In the last stages, the patient cannot even stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is the initial pain. What is? This is the pain that appears at the very 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 nocturnal pain. It develops during sleep due to pressure inside the bones. Such sensations pass during walking.
- In the second stage, reactive synovitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint sac that occurs due to the destruction of cartilage. What does the knee joint look like in gonarthrosis and synovitis? The knee is swollen, the skin is hot to the touch. Sometimes there is a protrusion of the patella.
- The next typical symptom is crepitation. This term is called crunching, which is heard from a distance when performing movements in the joint. At first it is almost inaudible, but in the later stages it becomes quite loud. It is heard throughout the movement.
- At the last stage, deformation 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 that deform the knee - this is already deforming arthrosis. As a result, 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 bone fusion or muscle tightness. As a result, muscular dystrophy is formed - due to the small volume of movements.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is based on several facts:
- anamnesis of the disease - how the symptoms develop, the dynamics of the patient's complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- X-ray examination.
In gonarthrosis, an X-ray is taken in three projections.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the following changes:
- reduction of 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 feature, consisting in the thickening of the ends of the bone adjacent to the cartilage.
If the diagnosis is doubtful, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is performed. The doctor evaluates the results and determines one or another degree of gonarthrosis. The video specialist in this article will tell you more about the diagnostic methods and results.
Types of treatment
Complex treatment of gonarthrosis is needed. The combination of different approaches can significantly slow down the process of cartilage degeneration.
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 collected. It records the progress and results of the operation.
Diet
First of all, the patient is prescribed 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 joints.
What is recommended to include in the diet of patients with gonarthrosis:
- First of all, these are products that are high in protein and collagen. These include sea fish, meat, jelly. They should be consumed daily.
- Products containing fiber. These are fruits and vegetables. It is also recommended for daily use.
Fatty meats and fish, pastries, pastries, 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 the use of drugs. The action of the drugs is aimed at eliminating the pathological process and the symptoms that occur.
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.
Medicines are prescribed by a professional, self-medication is unacceptable.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy procedures is indicated at all stages of osteoarthritis. They are aimed at reducing pain, restoring blood circulation in the joints, slowing down dystrophic processes.
The most commonly used methods are:
- ultra high frequencies;
- magnetic therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- baths - radon, hydrogen sulfide.
Such treatment is performed in a clinic or sanatorium.
Physiotherapy
Initially, the patient is prescribed measures to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is achieved through the use of a cane and compression stockings and bandages. In severe pain syndrome, immobilization of the knee is required for several days.
With the improvement of the condition, healing exercises are prescribed. It is performed first under the guidance of an exercise specialist, after which you can do gymnastics at home.
Surgical treatment
Gonarthrosis is the most common pathology that requires surgery.
Depending on the condition of the joint and the degree of its destruction, different types of operations are used:
- Denervation. Such surgery is used quite rarely - mainly 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 lasts for several years.
- intraosseous decompression. It is most often performed in 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 is also aimed at reducing the load on the joint. The effect is achieved by dissecting the bone directly into the joint head.
- Endoprosthesis. It is used for complete destruction of cartilage tissue. The joint is replaced with metal.
Rehabilitation therapy is required after each type of surgery. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can make a person disabled - in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment.