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 deteriorates, so difficulties in its mobility and pain are the most important signs of the disease.Today, arthrosis of the knee joint is also common in people aged 25-30.Which speaks to the diversity 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, like coxaarthrosis, most often manifests itself in old age.Although today it is not an exception that even young people have symptoms of this disease.This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each can have its own influence on the appearance, exacerbation and treatment of the disease.There are also possibilities of genetic predisposition of the organism, i.e. knee arthrosis 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, 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).
- Accompanying 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 upper leg muscles (up to 50% of cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
Symptoms
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are mostly the same and occur 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 occurs 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, which can bring extremely undesirable results for the patient.Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- pain at rest, which qualitatively decreases when walking;
- limited movement of the knee joint and difficulty in controlling its mobility;
- stiffness of knee movements;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling in the area of the knee joint and swelling of the surrounding skin;
- deformity of the knee joint.
The condition of the knee joint is assessed by a doctor's examination and an X-ray.Moreover, the disease stage of any arthrosis (including coxaarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and others) can only be determined by X-ray and only a doctor can assess such conditions.Therefore, it is extremely important not to self-diagnose or jump to conclusions.
Degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
The knee joints are not subject 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 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, minor deformations of the joint occur, which are accompanied by pain when walking.Other signs such as limited mobility are not observed.And therefore they are difficult to trace on an X-ray.At this stage, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but if it is detected quickly, its treatment will be more effective than in the second or third stage of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).
II degree
The main symptom is unbearable or intense 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 decreases sharply, and in some places it is completely absent.Based on the results of X-rays, this degree can be determined according to the marginal bone growths and the density of the joint space.When the joint works, especially during long-term walking, a characteristic creaking occurs.Gradually, the patient may lose the ability to bend the knee or it will be very difficult.The deforming effect is already evident at this stage of the development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).It is visually noticeable, and the skin around it becomes rough and changes color.Treatment at this stage is better to start comprehensively and intensively.Medicines 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 determined visually.On a physiological level, it is characterized by the absence of cartilage tissue and it is easy to diagnose on an X-ray.Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint stage III and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is practically an irreversible process.Instead, the main goal of such treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some symptoms of the disease.