Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease that causes deformation of the cartilage of the knee joint.This disease is very common, especially among the older generation.The function of the knee deteriorates, which is why mobility difficulties and pain are the most important signs of the disease.Today, arthrosis of the knee joint is also common in people aged 25-30 years.Which speaks to the multifaceted nature of the causes of the disease and, accordingly, its treatment.> There are two types of gonarthrosis: unilateral (affects only one knee) and bilateral (affects both knees).More often the disease occurs in its bilateral manifestation.
Reasons
Gonarthrosis, as well as coxarthrosis, most often manifests itself in old age.Although today it is not an exception that young people also experience symptoms of this disease.This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each may have its own influence on the onset, exacerbation and treatment of the disease.There are also possibilities of genetic predisposition of the organism, i.e.knee osteoarthritis may be more common in certain families than in others.In addition, this disease may not be genetically determined.Therefore, several causes of gonarthrosis can be identified.
- Various physical injuries to the knee (bruise, sprain, etc.).
- Heavy loads disproportionate to age (5-7% of all cases of gonarthrosis, as well as coxarthrosis).
- Excessive body weight of the patient (10% of all cases of gonarthrosis).
- Concomitant diseases, for example, arthritis (5-7% of all cases of gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
- Congenital weakness of the ligaments (3-5% of cases of gonarthrosis).
- Metabolic syndrome and problems with metabolism in the body.
- Muscle spasm of the upper part of the thigh (up to 50% of cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
Symptoms
The symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are almost the same and appear in almost all patients.Patients also note that the pain worsens in spring and autumn and depends on changes in weather.The main symptom of the disease is knee pain.Most often it does not appear immediately, but is noticed only after a long walk and appears in the late afternoon.In the morning there may be stiffness in the knee when moving.If minor symptoms are left unaddressed, the disease can progress and can lead to extremely undesirable outcomes for the patient.Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- pain at rest, which decreases qualitatively when walking;
- limited movement of the knee joint and difficulty controlling its mobility;
- stiffness of knee movement;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling in the area of the knee joint and swelling of the surrounding skin;
- knee joint deformity.
The condition of the knee joint is assessed by a doctor's examination and an X-ray.In addition, the stage of the disease of any arthrosis (including coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and others) can only be determined by an X-ray, and only a doctor can assess such conditions.That is why it is extremely important not to self-diagnose and not jump to conclusions.
Degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
The knee joints have not succumbed to the deforming influence of the disease, but are manifested only by external signs and slight swelling of the peri-articular skin and changes in its color are noticeable. At the physiological level, it is characterized by minor changes in the hyaline cartilage.As a result of the accumulation of a significant amount of joint fluid in the synovix, slight deformations of the joint occur, which are accompanied by pain when walking.Other signs such as limited mobility are not observed.And therefore also difficult to trace on an X-ray.At this degree, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but if it is identified quickly, its treatment will be more effective than in the second or third degree of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).
II degree
The main symptom is unbearable or severe pain even with light exertion, which increases when walking and lifting heavy objects.Over time this will develop into difficulty bending the knee.At the physiological level, this is manifested by the fact that the volume of the cartilage layer sharply decreases, and in some places it is completely absent.Based on the results of the X-rays, this grade can be determined by the marginal bony processes and the density of the joint space.When the joint works, especially during prolonged walking, a characteristic crunch appears.Gradually, the patient may lose the ability to bend the knee or it will be very difficult for him to do so.The deforming effect is manifested already at this stage of the development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).This is noticeable visually and the skin around it becomes rough and changes color.Treatment at this stage is better to start comprehensively and intensively.Both drugs and traditional methods of treatment will be relevant here.
III degree
It is characterized by severe pain even when the knee joint is inactive or immobilized.The deforming effect is very noticeable and significant changes in the structure of the joint and adjacent tissues can be visually detected.Physiologically, it is characterized by a lack of cartilage tissue, and this is easily diagnosed on an X-ray.The treatment of stage III arthrosis of the knee joint and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is a practically irreversible process.Rather, the main goal of such treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some symptoms of the disease.