Causes of arthrosis
We can say that arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease, on the one hand, due to lifestyle, on the other hand, to age.
The immediate (internal) causes of arthrosis are:
- past injuries in the joint area (sports, domestic and other),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes),
- general orthopedic defects of the lower extremities, including flat feet and valgus foot, X-shaped deformity of the legs; these defects disrupt the correct movements of the knee joints, which leads to their deformation and degeneration of the joint tissues.
Factors (external, individual) provoking arthrosis:
- overweight, obesity,
- female,
- age,
- high constant loads (work in an upright position, monotonous movements of the joints with weights during the working day).
Under the influence of external and internal factors, degeneration and aging of the knee joint begins, all its structures are involved in the process: bones, cartilages, synovial membrane, joint capsule, ligaments.
Symptoms of arthrosis
The manifestations of the knee joints are directly related to the stage of arthrosis. The more pathological changes in the joint and adjacent tissues, the more pronounced the symptoms.
- In the initial stages, a person may be disturbed by discomfort, slight pain after physical activity, passing on its own.
- Over time (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes constant, the movements of the joints are limited, a characteristic "crunching" and "creaking" occurs when moving.
- In the final stage of gonarthrosis, movements are sharply limited, the joint is visually deformed, walking is difficult, severe complications can develop up to complete immobility ("joint mice", joint fusion, etc. ).
Diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joints
Arthrosis of the knee joint is detected using the available diagnostic methods:
- Ultrasound of the knee joint allows you to assess the condition of the cartilage and bone surface of the joint, the surrounding soft tissues; is of particular importance in the initial stages of arthrosis, as it helps to identify pathological changes even before the appearance of serious symptoms;
- radiography is also one of the main diagnostic methods, but it is not always available, in addition, it is associated with exposure to radiation of the body;
- to clarify the diagnosis or identify the characteristics of the course of the disease, MRI, CT and arthroscopy are also used.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Different methods of impact are used for arthrosis of the knee joint:
- drug therapy, including intra-articular administration of drugs,
- traction (unloading) therapy,
- physiotherapy, classical and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- autoplasma therapy (PRP-therapy).
The combination of these methods, chosen by the doctor, can reduce the symptoms of arthrosis, stop inflammation and degeneration of the joint, maintain its mobility and range of motion.
The initial stages of arthrosis
In the initial stages of the disease, drugs with an analgesic and restorative effect (NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, vitamins) are used, which are prescribed by a doctor. In addition, various orthopedic devices are used: insoles, shoe inserts, special shoes). Physiotherapy, manual massage, therapeutic gymnastics give a good effect.
A noticeable effect of the treatment does not occur immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition improves.
Progressive arthrosis
More serious measures are needed here, in these cases the doctor can resort to minimally invasive interventions - arthroscopy, introduction of enriched plasma into the joint (PRP therapy).
In severe forms of arthrosis, severe pain, accompanying synovitis (accumulation of excess intra-articular fluid), corticosteroids are injected into the joint, which leads to rapid pain relief. The method is considered one of the most effective and, if the intervention is carried out correctly, there are no complications (rarely it is possible to increase the pain as a reaction to the drug, a negative effect on the cartilage and some others).
Among the surgical methods that preserve the functionality and range of motion in the joint, the operations of arthroplasty, arthroscopy and endoprosthetics deserve attention.
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee in a professional clinic
In a professional, modern clinic, experienced surgeons and arthrologists conduct meetings. The clinic uses an individual approach to each patient, conducts accurate diagnostics using expert-class equipment (ultrasound), selects the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthrosis and leading symptoms, and promptly prescribes drugs to reduce painful manifestations.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is rightly considered an age-related disease, but its development can be prevented or delayed if the condition of the joints is assessed in time and therapy is carried out (for preventive or therapeutic purposes).
In the professional clinic, physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injections) are carried out, which improve the condition of the joints, maintenance courses of drugs are prescribed, which help to strengthen and prolong the effect of the maintherapy, prevention of exacerbation.