A disease such as fibromyalgia, if not treated appropriately, can lead to a person's disability. This is due to a violation of the motor function of the joints and legs in general. To prevent this from happening, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible when the symptoms of the disease appear.
What disease is this?
Gonarthrosis is an inflammatory disease of the knee joint. This is one of the subtypes of arthropathy, localized to one or both knees. This pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process. This means that in the joint there is destruction of cartilage tissue with a gradual participation in the pathological process of bone tissue.
Why and how did it develop?
What is knee gonarthrosis? This is a violation of all the functions of the knee, which occurs due to pathological changes in the cartilage tissue. This disease occurs in middle-aged people - that is, after 40-45 years of age (primary). However, there are also cases of the disease in younger patients - this is usually post-traumatic (secondary) gonarthrosis.
Fibroids on both sides of the knee joint are the most common disease in the elderly. This is because these joints are subjected to heavy loads on a daily basis. As a result, cartilage begins to wear down and lose its physiological properties.
This disease refers to polymorphism. What does that mean? Such diseases develop under the influence of several factors at once. What can directly cause gonarthrosis - a disease of the knee joint?
Table. Causes and mechanisms of pathological development:
| Reason | What is happening |
|---|---|
| The mechanical factor is the most important. | Degenerative changes begin, occurring as a result of small daily injuries or some type of major trauma. As a result, cartilage is destroyed in different parts of the cartilage. |
| Violation of the cyclic range. | Cartilage tissue nutrition is impaired leading to loss of elasticity and shrinkage. |
| Metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue. | There is a decrease in the amount of the main components of cartilage - glucosamine and chondroitin. |
| Changes in the structure of the synovial fluid. | Its lubricating function is lost, and the cartilage that rubs against the bone collapses. |
All this together leads to the development of joint pathology.
Main manifestations
What are the main symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The main distinguishing feature from arthritis is the slow, gradual development of symptoms:
- The first manifestation of joint disease is pain. At first, the patient feels pain only after a long exercise - a long walk. In a calm state, the pain quickly disappears. As the disease progresses, pain is felt earlier and earlier. In the final stage, the patient cannot even stand.
- Another characteristic symptom is the onset of pain. What is it? This is pain that occurs as soon as you start moving. In the early stages, such pains appear in the morning, after getting out of bed. Then they appear at the beginning of each movement.
- The opposite symptom is nocturnal pain. It develops during sleep due to pressure inside the bones. Such sensations pass during walking.
- In the second stage, reactive bursitis usually develops. This is an inflammation of the joint capsule that occurs due to the destruction of cartilage. What does the knee joint look like with gonarthrosis and bursitis? Knees are swollen, skin is hot to the touch. Sometimes there is patellar bulging.
- The next typical symptom is crepitus. This term is called a crackling sound heard at a distance when performing movements in the joint. It was almost inaudible at first, but as time went on it became quite loud. It is heard throughout the movement.
- In the final stage, the knee joint is deformed. This is due to the involvement of the skeletal structures of the joint in the pathological process. Growths appear on the bones, deforming the knee - this has deformed the joint. As a result, the axial displacement of the bones develops, the legs shorten, and the knee turns to the side (pictured).
A complication of gonarthrosis is the development of contractures. This is the complete cessation of movement in a joint due to bone fusion or muscle compaction. As a result, muscular dystrophy is formed - due to the small volume of movement.
Diagnostic method
The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is made based on several facts:
- history of the disease - how the symptoms developed, the dynamics of the patient's complaints;
- characteristic symptoms;
- X-ray studies.
With gonarthrosis, X-rays are taken in three projections.
Arthritis is characterized by the following changes:
- a decrease in the lumen of the joint cavity is the first sign of the disease; in the third stage, voids are practically absent;
- in the second stage, osteoblasts can be detected;
- Subchondral sclerosis is also a specific sign, consisting of compaction of the ends of the bones adjacent to the cartilage.
If the diagnosis is in doubt, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is performed. The doctor evaluates the results and establishes one or another degree of gonarthrosis. The expert in the video in this article will tell you more about diagnostic methods and results.
Types of treatment
It is necessary to treat gonarthrosis comprehensively. The combination of different approaches can significantly slow down cartilage degeneration.
Conservative therapy can be performed on an outpatient basis. If surgical treatment is required, the patient is taken to the hospital to take a medical history. It records the process and results of the surgery.
Diet
First of all, the patient is assigned a certain diet. With the help of food, you can improve the condition of cartilage tissue. And the elimination of some products will restore blood circulation in the joint area.
What is recommended to include in the diet of patients with gonarthrosis:
- First of all, these are products that are high in protein and collagen. These include sea fish, meat, jellies. They need to be consumed daily.
- The product contains fiber. These are fruits and vegetables. Also recommended for daily use.
Fatty meat and fish, cakes, sweets, alcoholic and carbonated drinks should be excluded from the diet. This not only improves blood circulation but also allows you to get rid of excess weight.
Medicine
The basis of conservative treatment is medication. The action of the drug is aimed at eliminating the pathological process and the symptoms with which it manifests itself.
All drugs can be purchased at the pharmacy. The price for them is quite high that the medicine has to be taken for a long time.
Medicines are prescribed by a specialist, self-medication is not acceptable.
Physical therapy
At all stages of joint disease, the use of physiotherapeutic procedures is indicated. They are aimed at reducing pain, restoring blood circulation in the joint area and slowing down the process of dystrophy.
The commonly used methods are:
- extremely high frequency;
- acupuncture therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- bath - radon, hydrogen sulfide.
Such treatment is carried out in a clinic or in sanatoriums.
Physical therapy
Initially, the patient was prescribed measures to reduce the load on the affected knee. This is achieved through the use of a cane and compression socks and bandages. With severe pain syndrome, it is necessary to immobilize the knee for several days.
When the condition improves, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. Do it first under the guidance of an exercise therapist, then you can exercise at home.
Surgical treatment
Gonarthrosis is the most common pathology requiring surgical intervention.
Depending on the condition of the joint and the degree of its destruction, different types of manipulation are used:
- Denervation. Such a surgery is used quite rarely - mainly in elderly patients with severe pain. The essence of the intervention is to cut the nerve leading to the joint. The effect of such an intervention persists for several years.
- internal decompression. It is performed most often with gonarthrosis. Its essence is to reduce the load on the diseased joint. The spongy substance of the bone adjacent to the cartilage is destroyed by drilling.
- Cut bones. It also aims to reduce the load on the joints. The effect is achieved by dissecting the bone directly at the top of the joint.
- Endogenous drugs. It is used to completely destroy cartilage tissue. The joint is replaced by a metal joint.
After each type of surgery, rehabilitation therapy is required. Knee gonarthrosis can be disabling – if not diagnosed and treated appropriately.