Arthritis (gonarthrosis) is a pathological change in the knee joint that is chronic and can progress over time. The disease spreads to all components of the knee joint: cartilage, subchondral bone, meniscus, synovial membrane, ligaments, joint capsule and periarticular muscles.
The knee joint that connects the femur and tibia is subjected to heavy loads throughout life and is frequently injured. Sometimes minor damage is not immediately noticeable but will appear in the second half of life. In this regard, joint damage is often detected in the elderly. However, young people also suffer from knee problems due to sports or an active lifestyle.
To maintain maximum mobility and a high standard of living, you should consult your doctor at the first problem with your knee joint. Experienced orthopedic surgeons will diagnose your condition and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Types of arthritis of the knee joint
Inside the joint, the bones are covered with cartilage tissue, which absorbs shock, slides smoothly, and prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Cartilage tissue receives nutrition from synovial fluid located inside the joint and blood flowing through the vessels.
Cartilage has a spongy structure so when at rest it absorbs fluid and when loaded it expels fluid. At the same time, during movement, the cartilage constantly receives microtraumas, and at rest it is restored.
If the result of mechanical trauma exceeds the joint's ability to recover, the cartilage is not provided with enough nutrition and, as a result, regeneration does not take place. Damage accumulates and changes the structure of cartilage tissue. This is how knee arthritis begins.
Depending on the cause, knee osteoarthritis is often divided into two types: primary and secondary.
Primary gonorrhea
Degenerative changes that occur in joints are related to age. Among the reasons that cause it are the following:
- natural degeneration or degeneration due to slowing down of the body's metabolism;
- excess body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Malnutrition;
- genetic tendency.
As a rule, primary gonorrhea affects both knees at the same time and is called bilateral.
Secondary gonorrhea
Secondary arthritis of the knee joint can occur at any age, because the causes can be:
- various injuries - bruises, fractures, dislocations, tears and sprains of ligaments or menisci;
- Joint diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, osteochondritis, gout, prostatitis, etc. v. ;
- regional vascular disorders;
- Overload of the knee joint when playing sports or due to work characteristics;
- endocrine disease;
- O-shaped and X-shaped curvature of the legs.
Secondary arthritis of the knee joint usually appears in only one leg and is called unilateral.
In rare cases, idiopathic gonorrhea is identified - a disease that occurs for no apparent reason.
Stages and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
Regardless of how knee arthritis appears, experts distinguish three stages of its development, determined by X-ray examination. Each stage is accompanied by characteristic symptoms:
State 1– Mild pain occurs after prolonged exercise, when going up stairs, when exercising vigorously and goes away after resting. There are no restrictions on movement, but mild joint swelling may occasionally occur. This condition, if left untreated, can last for many years - at which point the cartilage begins to lose its smoothness due to reduced blood supply. X-rays will show slight narrowing of the joint space and hardening of the bones.
- Phase 2– the pain becomes intense and lasts for quite a long time even with mild exertion. A cracking sound may be heard when flexing and extending the joint. Unable to fully bend the leg due to severe pain. There is mild deformity, muscle atrophy and limited movement. The pain can be relieved with pain relievers or go away on its own after rest.
At this stage, the cartilage layer has become very thin, in some places it even disappears. Synovial fluid becomes thicker and more viscous, weakening its nutritional and lubricating properties. Osteoporosis appears - bones grow.
- Stage 3– increased pain and constant anxiety, even at night. Deformity of the joints becomes noticeable, gait changes, and the lower part of the limb becomes bent. The range of motion of the knee joint is reduced - the leg cannot bend or straighten completely. When walking, you must use a support object such as a cane or crutches. Painkillers no longer help.
The cartilage is almost completely sloughed off, the bones are compressed, and the joint space is narrowed or not there at all. The presence of multiple osteophytes was noted.
It is possible to identify a common symptom of knee osteoarthritis - pain of varying intensity, localized along the anteromedial surface of the joint.
Diagnose
If you observe symptoms similar to the development of gonorrhea, you should consult a doctor. At the first appointment, the doctor will collect a history, check the biomechanical capabilities of the joint and prescribe the necessary tests. Be sure to inform him about injuries and illnesses, lifestyle, nutrition, medications taken, and work characteristics.
The most informative and simple way to confirm or refute the diagnosis is an X-ray of the knee joint - it allows you to conduct a differential diagnosis, determine the degree of development of joint disease and monitor the course of treatment.
However, radiological signs appear much later than morphological changes. Therefore, in the early stages, gonorrhea is difficult to detect even with X-rays. In such situations, the doctor may prescribe arthroscopy - a highly accurate method of diagnosing changes in the joints using special endoscopic equipment.
Additional research methods are ultrasound and MRI - they are indicated when x-rays are not informative enough.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis
After diagnosis, the doctor will choose the optimal treatment method, depending on the stage of the disease and individual characteristics. This solves three problems:
- pain relief;
- prevent the progression of pathology;
- restore joint function.
Experts choose comprehensive solutions that can be adjusted during treatment.
In modern medicine there are many methods of treating joint diseases. All of them can be divided into three types: conservative, minimally invasive, surgical.
Conservative treatment methods for gonorrhea
Often used in stages 1-2 of knee osteoarthritis. Treatment begins with reducing the load on the joint - the patient should avoid excessive vertical loads on the joint: jumping, running, etc. v. If necessary, excess weight should be lost. The doctor will recommend a diet and choose gentle exercises that help reduce impact on the shaft and improve nutrition for cartilage tissue.
To improve blood circulation in the joint area, increase the range of motion, and at the same time enhance the effect of drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- shock wave therapy – short-term impact on bones and connective tissue with acoustic pulses of significant amplitude at low frequencies;
- electrotherapy – exposure of the affected area to an electric current, magnetic field or electromagnetic field;
- laser therapy - exposure to optical radiation produced by a laser;
- Phonology - exposure of the affected area with ultrasound and medication applied to the skin;
- electrophoresis - electrical contact of the affected area.
Massage, compresses, wearing orthotics, and exercise have also proven effective in treating joint disease.
In addition, well-chosen drug therapy will help relieve pain, stop inflammation and slow the destruction of cartilage tissue. For this purpose, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, antispasmodics and chondroprotectors are prescribed. They may come in pill, injectable, or topical form, depending on the situation.
Minimally invasive method of treating gonorrhea
If the above methods do not work, your doctor may prescribe injections into the joint:
- hyaluronic acid – substitute for synovial fluid to improve friction, reduce pain and improve knee function. The average duration of effect of the drug is 3-6 months;
- platelet-rich plasma - to provide nutrition and restore cartilage tissue;
- corticosteroids – to reduce inflammation.
Surgical methods of treating gonorrhea
If conservative treatment is ineffective or you first turned to a specialist with third-stage knee osteoarthritis, then the doctor may resort to surgical intervention:
- arthrosis - artificial fixation of the affected joint in a physiological position to eliminate pain;
- arthroscopic surgery - joint cleaning using an arthroscope;
- corrective osteotomy – removal of bone deformities with an artificial fracture;
- arthroscopy - replacement of worn joints with implants artificially created from biocompatible materials.
The type of surgery is chosen by the doctor based on the characteristics of knee osteoarthritis. But endoscopy is considered the gold standard, as it allows you to completely return to your normal lifestyle. At the same time, a good implant does not need to be replaced for 15-30 years. To fully recover after surgery, it is necessary to undergo a rehabilitation course lasting 3-4 months.
symptoms
Gonorrhea develops quite slowly but can be detected promptly and necessary treatment can be initiated. Ignoring the disease and its symptoms can lead to serious consequences:
- continuous pain that does not improve with medication;
- complete immobility of the diseased joint;
- cannot rely on the injured limb;
- severe joint deformities and curvature of the legs;
- damage to other parts of the musculoskeletal system;
- shortening of the legs.
In particularly difficult situations and without timely treatment, arthritis can lead to disability and impaired mobility, even to the point of immobility.
It is important to remember that arthritis cannot be completely cured. But it is possible to stop the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
Prevent
There is no treatment to prevent gonorrhea. But people at risk should adhere to certain rules:
- make sure your weight does not exceed age norms;
- Do not participate in sports that put heavy stress on the knee joints;
- If possible, completely cure infectious diseases without causing complications;
- don't become too cold or too tired;
- Avoid injury and joint overload;
- avoid stressful situations;
- don't forget to rest;
- participate in exercise therapy;
- wear orthopedic shoes.
Groups at risk include the elderly, athletes, and dancers. You can also add here people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, stand a lot at work or lift weights, and are overweight.
Any alteration in the axis of the lower extremity or the normal biomechanics of the joint, dysplasia, reduced volume and strength of the leg muscles, or trauma can also lead to arthropathy.
Check regularly and take precautions.
Answer the question
- What is the difference between knee arthritis and knee arthritis?
Arthritis is the common name for arthritis, and joint disease is a degenerative-dystrophic process.
- Which doctor treats arthritis?
Traumatologist-orthopedist or rheumatologist.
- Can I play sports if I have knee arthritis?
Heavy and prolonged loading on the joint as well as axial impact should be avoided. But you should not completely exclude sports from your life - when you move, your joints are "nourished" and recover better. It is important to adhere to the measures and adhere to the recommendations of the doctor, who will choose the type and method of training.