Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease that causes deformation of the cartilage of the knee joint. This disease is very common, especially among the older generations. The work of the knee worsens, therefore the difficulties in its mobility and the sensation of pain are the most important signs of the disease. Today, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is also common among people aged 25-30 years. Which speaks of the versatility of the causes of the disease and, consequently, of its treatment. >There are two types of knee osteoarthritis: unilateral (affects only one knee) and bilateral (affects both knees). Most often, the disease occurs in its bilateral manifestation.
The reasons
Gonarthrosis, like coxarthrosis, manifests itself more often in old age. Although there is no exception today and the fact that young people have symptoms of this disease. This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each can affect the onset, exacerbation and treatment of the disease in its own way. There are also chances of genetic predisposition of an organism, ie. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint may be more common in certain families than others. Also, this disease may not be genetically determined. Therefore, there are several causes of gonarthrosis.
- Various physical injuries of the knee (contusion, dislocation, etc. ).
- Large 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 metabolic problems in the body.
- Spasm of the muscles of the upper thigh (up to 50% of cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are mostly the same and appear in almost all patients. Patients also note that the exacerbation of pain falls on the spring-autumn period and depends on weather changes. The main symptom of the disease is knee pain. Most of the time, it does not appear immediately, but is noticeable only after a long walk and appears in the late afternoon. Chime may have a stiff knee when moving. If minor symptoms are left unattended, the disease can flare up and can bring extremely undesirable results to the patient. Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- pain syndrome at rest, qualitatively decreasing when walking;
- limitation of movement of the knee joint and difficulty in controlling its mobility;
- knee stiffness;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling in the knee joint and swelling of the skin around it;
- deformity of the knee joint.
Assessment of the state of the knee joint is carried out during a medical examination and an X-ray. In addition, the stage of the disease of any osteoarthritis (including coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and others) can only be determined if there is an X-ray and only a doctor can evaluate such a condition. Therefore, it is extremely important not to get involved in self-diagnosis and not to jump to conclusions.
Grades of gonarthrosis
1st grade
The knee joints did not succumb to the deforming influence of the disease, but only appear by external signs and a slight swelling of the periarticular skin, changes in its color are noticeable. Physiologically, 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 synovial membrane, minor joint deformities 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 the radiograph. At this degree, the disease is difficult to diagnose, but with a quick definition, its treatment will be more effective than with another or third degree of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).
II degree
The main symptom is excruciating or severe pain, even with light load, which is aggravated by walking and lifting weights. 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 radiographs, this grade can be determined by the marginal bone growths and the density of the joint space. In the work of the joint, especially with a long walk, a characteristic crunch appears. Gradually, the patient may lose the ability to bend the knee, or it will be given with great difficulty. The deforming effect is already manifested at this stage of development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis). Visually, this is noticeable, and the skin around it becomes rough and changes color. Treatment at this stage is better to start complex and intensive. Here, both drugs and traditional methods of treatment will be relevant.
grade III
It is characterized by severe pain, even when the knee joint is inactive or immobilized. The deforming effect is very noticeable and significant changes can be visually verified in the structure of the joint and the adjacent tissues. Physiologically, it is characterized by the absence of cartilaginous tissues and this is easy to diagnose on an X-ray. Treatment of the III degree of the disease of arthrosis of the knee joint and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is actually an irreversible process. Rather, the main goal of such treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some of the symptoms of the disease manifestation.