With age, the cartilaginous tissue of various joints gradually deteriorates, 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 knee cartilage.At first the disease is accompanied by pain, which later can lead to significant limitation of movement and even disability.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is rare, regular or continuous pain in the knee.The most common symptoms are:
- pain when changing position, climbing stairs;
- pain at rest;
- knee stiffness after sleep - first for a short time, then up to 30 minutes;
- sharp, creaking 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 of the pathology the pain is pronounced and movements are very difficult.The development of the pathology is divided into 4 degrees:
- The first is that there are no real symptoms, but during an x-ray the doctor can detect small deviations from the normal state.
- The second is episodic pain, observed mainly during physical activity, while changing position, squatting or climbing stairs.
- Third, the pain is severe and appears constantly, even at rest.In this case walking is only possible with the aid of a stick.An x-ray reveals significant narrowing of the joint space, degeneration of the meniscus, and proliferation of bone tissue.
- Fourth, knee movements are difficult or even impossible.X-rays show complete destruction of cartilaginous tissue, sometimes bones begin to fuse together.
Important!Even if you experience occasional pain in the knee joint, you should see 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 the orthopedist, rheumatologist, vertebrologist or kinesiotherapist (depending on the direction).Diagnostics involves interviewing, examining the patient and carrying out a series of procedures:
- general blood and urine tests;
- X-rays;
- computed tomography;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound to study the knee joint capsule, as well as nearby structures: muscle tissue, tendons;
- joint puncture (collection of fluids for analysis);
- arthroscopy (inserting a small camera into the joint for an accurate diagnosis).
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.If the disease is not in an advanced stage, conservative therapy (without surgery) can be used.In this case, drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated.As a rule, the treatment is complex: the patient will use drugs from different groups:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and drugs based on them;
- hormonal drugs (corticosteroid group) - 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).
Drugs are used in different forms: externally (ointments, gels), oral (tablets), intramuscular and intraarticular (injections).Along with medications, if necessary, the doctor may prescribe the following procedures:
- shock wave therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- ozone therapy.
In extreme cases, when the use of drugs and procedures for a long time does not give the desired effect, and even if the disease is severely advanced, treatment is possible only by surgical intervention.Different types of operations are possible:
- osteotomy: the surgeon cuts a bone, changes its angle to reduce the overall load on the knee joint;
- arthrodesis: in this case, the doctor fixes the bones together, eliminating mobility and reducing pain, as a result of which the person can lean on the leg;
- endoprosthesis – total replacement of the affected joint with a prosthesis.