With age, the cartilage tissue of various joints gradually deteriorates, which is accompanied by the destruction of both the joint capsule itself and the elements surrounding it.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also gonarthrosis) is called degeneration of the cartilage of the knee.At first the disease is accompanied by pain, which can later lead to significant limitation of movements and even disability.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis
The main symptom of arthrosis is infrequent, regular or never-ending pain in the knee.The most common symptoms are:
- pain when changing position, moving up the stairs;
- pain at rest;
- stiffness in the knee after sleep - first for a short time, then up to 30 minutes;
- crunching, sharp sound accompanied by pain;
- problems with movement of the knee joint, rarely - inability to bend the knee;
- visual deformation of the knee joint;
- swelling of nearby skin;
- lameness (a characteristic symptom of an advanced stage).
4 degrees of pathology
The manifestation of symptoms largely depends on the stage of development of the disease.For example, during the first stage the patient may not feel pain, but in stage 4 pathology the pain is pronounced, and movements are very difficult.The development of pathology is divided into 4 degrees:
- The first is that there are no symptoms as such, but during an x-ray the doctor may detect minor deviations from the normal state.
- The second is episodic pain, mainly observed during physical activity, while changing position, squatting, or moving up the stairs.
- Third, the pain is severe and appears constantly, even at rest.In this case, walking is only possible with the use of a cane.An x-ray reveals a significant narrowing of the joint space, degeneration of the meniscus, and proliferation of bone tissue.
- Fourth, movements in the knee are difficult or even impossible.X-rays show complete destruction of the cartilage tissue, sometimes the bones begin to fuse together.
Important! Even if you experience occasional pain in the knee joint, you should consult a doctor and get an x-ray.If the disease is detected early, the chances of recovery are much greater.
Diagnosis of the disease: where to go
For diagnosis, the patient turns to a therapist, then goes to see an orthopedist, rheumatologist, vertebrologist or kinesiotherapist (depending on the direction).Diagnostics involves interviewing, examining the patient and performing a number of procedures:
- general blood and urine analysis;
- X-ray;
- computed tomography;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound to study the joint capsule of the knee, as well as neighboring structures - muscle tissue, tendons;
- joint puncture (fluid collection for analysis);
- arthroscopy (insertion of a small camera into the joint for accurate diagnosis).
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.If the disease is not advanced, conservative therapy (without surgery) can be used.In this case, medication and physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated.As a rule, the treatment is complex - the patient will use medications from different groups:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and drugs based on them;
- hormonal drugs (corticosteroid group) - they are used in case of ineffectiveness of other drugs;
- antispasmodics - "Tolperisone" and its analogues;
- chondroprotectors – drugs that stimulate the process of restoration of cartilage tissue: “Chondroitin sulfate”, “Glucosamine” in combination and separately;
- drugs that stimulate blood saturation with oxygen, nutrients, and improve blood flow (“Pentoxifylline”, “Nicotinic acid” and others).
The drugs are used in different forms - externally (ointments, gels), orally (tablets), intramuscularly and intraarticularly (injections). Along with medications, if necessary, the doctor can prescribe the following procedures:
- shock wave therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser therapy;
- electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- ozone therapy.
In extreme cases, when the use of medications and procedures for a long time does not give the desired effect, and also if the disease is severely advanced, treatment is only possible through surgery.Several types of operations are possible:
- osteotomy - the surgeon cuts one bone, changes its angle to reduce the overall load on the knee joint;
- arthrodesis - in this case, the doctor fastens the bones together, which eliminates mobility and reduces pain, as a result of which the person can lean on the leg;
- endoprosthetics – total replacement of the affected joint with a prosthesis.