Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease that causes deformation of the cartilage of the knee joint.This disease occurs very often, especially in the older generation.The function of the knee is deteriorating and therefore difficulties in its mobility and pain are the most important signs of the disease.Today, knee arthrosis is also common in people aged 25-30.Which speaks about the versatility 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 appears in its bilateral manifestation.
reason
Gonarthrosis, like coxaarthrosis, most often appears in old age.Although today it is not an exception that even young people experience symptoms of this disease.This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each may have its own influence on the appearance, aggravation and treatment of the disease.There is also the possibility of a genetic predisposition of the organism, so knee arthrosis may be more common in some families than in others.In addition, this disease may not be determined genetically.Therefore, several causes of gonarthrosis can be identified.
- Various physical injuries of the knee (bruise, dislocation, etc.).
- Heavy loads that do not correspond 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).
- Associated diseases, for example, arthritis (5-7% of all cases of gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
- Congenital weakness of the ligaments (3-5% of gonarthrosis cases).
- Metabolic syndrome and problems with metabolism in the body.
- Spasm of the muscles 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 mostly the same and appear in almost all patients.Patients also note that the pain worsens in spring and autumn and depends on weather changes.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 unattended, the disease can progress and can lead to extremely undesirable results for the patient.Despite the main symptoms, there are some other signs of the disease:
- pain in a quiet state, which decreases qualitatively while walking;
- limited movement of the knee joint and difficulty in controlling its mobility;
- stiffness of knee movement;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling in the knee joint area and swelling of the surrounding skin;
- deformity of the knee joint.
The condition of the knee joint is assessed by examination by a doctor and x-ray.Moreover, the disease stage of any arthrosis (including coxaarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and others) can only be determined with an X-ray and only a doctor can evaluate such conditions.Therefore, it is extremely important not to self-diagnose or jump to conclusions.
Degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
The knee joints have not been subjected to the deforming influence of the disease, but are manifested only by external signs and slight swelling of the periarticular skin and changes in its color are observed.At the physiological level, it is characterized by small changes in hyaline cartilage.As a result of the accumulation of a significant amount of joint fluid in the synovix, small deformations of the joint occur, which are accompanied by pain when walking.Other signs such as limited mobility are not observed.And therefore it is also difficult to trace them on an x-ray.At this level, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but if it is identified quickly, its treatment will be more effective than with the second or third degree of gonarthrosis, as well as with other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).
degree II
The main symptom is unbearable or severe pain even with light exertion, which intensifies 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 is significantly reduced, and in some places it is completely absent.Based on X-ray results, this grade can be determined by marginal bone growth and joint space density.When the joint works, especially when you walk for a long time, a characteristic creak appears.Gradually, the patient may lose the ability to bend the knee, or it will be very difficult to do so.The deforming effect is already visible at this stage of the development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).This is observed visually, and the skin around it becomes rough and changes color.Treatment at this stage is better to start comprehensively and intensively.Both medication and traditional treatment methods will be important here.
degree III
It is characterized by severe pain, even when the knee joint is inactive or immobile.The deforming effect is very visible and significant changes in the structure of joints and adjacent tissues can be visually detected.Physiologically, it is characterized by the absence of cartilaginous tissue and this is easy to diagnose on an X-ray.Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint in stage III and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is a practically irreversible process.On the contrary, the main goal of such treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some symptoms of the disease.