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 among 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, arthrosis of the knee joint is also common among people 25-30 years old.Which speaks to 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 occurs in its bilateral manifestation.
Reasons
Gonarthrosis, like coxathrosis, most often manifests itself in old age.Although today it is no exception that young people also experience symptoms of this disease.This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each can have its own impact on the appearance, exacerbation and treatment of the disease.There are also possibilities of a 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 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).
- Accompanying diseases, for example, arthritis (5-7% of all cases of gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
- Congenital weakness of the ligaments (3-5% of cases of gonarthrosis).
- Metabolic syndrome and problems with metabolism in the body.
- Muscle spasm of the upper 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 pain worsens in the 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 noticeable 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 it can bring extremely undesirable results for the patient.Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- pain in a calm state, which decreases qualitatively when walking;
- limited movement of the knee joint and difficulty controlling its mobility;
- stiffness of knee movement;
- 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 examination by a doctor and x-rays.Moreover, the stage of the disease of any arthrosis (including coxathrosis, 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 draw hasty conclusions.
Degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
The knee joints have not succumbed to the deforming influence of the disease, but are only manifested 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 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 it is also difficult to trace them on an x-ray.At this degree, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but if quickly identified, its treatment will be more effective than with the other or third degree 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 is completely absent.Based on the results of x-rays, this degree can be determined by the marginal bone growths and the density of the joint space.When the joint works, especially when walking for a long time, a characteristic crunch appears.Gradually, the patient may lose the ability to bend the knee, or it will be very difficult for him to do so.The deforming effect is already evident at this stage of development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).This is visually noticeable, and the skin around it becomes rough and changes color.Treatment at this stage is better to start comprehensive and intensive.Both medication 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 one can visually ascertain significant changes in the structure of the joint and adjacent tissues.At the physiological level, it is marked by the absence of cartilage tissue and this is easy to diagnose on an x-ray.Treatment of stage III arthrosis of the knee joint and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is a virtually irreversible process.Rather, the main goal of such treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some symptoms of the disease.