With age, the cartilaginous tissue of various joints gradually deteriorates, which is accompanied by the destruction of the joint capsule itself and the elements surrounding it.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also gonarthrosis) is called knee cartilage degeneration.At first, the disease is accompanied by pain, which can then lead to significant limitation of movements or even disability.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is rare, regular or endless knee pain.The most common symptoms are:
- pain when changing position, climbing stairs;
- pain at rest;
- knee stiffness after sleep – first for a short time, then up to 30 minutes;
- sharp, cracking sound accompanied by pain;
- problems with movement of the knee joint, rarely - inability to bend the knee;
- visual deformation of the knee joint;
- swelling of nearby skin;
- lameness (characteristic symptom of an advanced stage).
4 degrees of pathology
The manifestation of symptoms largely depends on the stage of development of the disease.For example, during the first stage the patient may not feel pain, but at stage 4 of the pathology the pain is pronounced and movements are very difficult.The development of the pathology is divided into 4 degrees:
- The first is that there are no symptoms as such, but during an x-ray the doctor can detect minor deviations from the normal state.
- The second is episodic pain, mainly observed during physical activity, changing position, squatting or climbing stairs.
- Third, the pain is intense and appears constantly, even at rest.In this case, walking is only possible with the use of a cane.An x-ray reveals significant narrowing of the joint space, degeneration of the meniscus, and overgrowth of bone tissue.
- Fourth, knee movements are difficult or impossible.X-rays show complete destruction of cartilaginous tissue, sometimes the bones begin to fuse.
Important!Even if you occasionally experience pain in the knee joint, you should see a doctor and have an x-ray.If the disease is detected early, the chances of recovery are much greater.
Diagnosis of the disease: where to go
For diagnosis, the patient turns to a therapist, then goes to an orthopedist, rheumatologist, vertebrologist or physiotherapist (depending on the directions).Diagnosis involves questioning, examining the patient and performing a number of procedures:
- general blood and urine analysis;
- Radiography;
- CT scan;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound to study the joint capsule of the knee, as well as neighboring structures - muscle tissue, tendons;
- joint puncture (collection of fluid for analysis);
- arthroscopy (insertion of a small camera into the joint for an accurate diagnosis).
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.If the disease is not advanced, conservative treatment (without surgery) can be used.In this case, medications and physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated.As a rule, treatment is complex - the patient will use drugs from different groups:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and drugs based on them;
- hormonal drugs (corticosteroid group) - they are used in case of ineffectiveness of other drugs;
- antispasmodics - "Tolperisone" and its analogues;
- chondroprotectors – drugs that stimulate the process of restoration of cartilage tissue: “Chondroitin sulfate”, “Glucosamine” in combination and separately;
- drugs that stimulate blood saturation with oxygen, nutrients and improve blood circulation (“Pentoxifylline”, “Nicotinic acid” and others).
Medicines are used in different forms - externally (ointments, gels), orally (tablets), intramuscularly and intra-articularly (injections).In addition to medications, if necessary, the doctor may prescribe the following procedures:
- shock wave therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser therapy;
- electrotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- ozone therapy.
In extreme cases, when the use of drugs and procedures for a long time does not give the desired effect, as well as if the disease is very advanced, treatment is possible only through surgery.Several types of operations are possible:
- osteotomy - the surgeon cuts a bone, changes its angle to reduce the overall load on the knee joint;
- arthrodesis - in this case, the doctor fixes the bones together, which eliminates mobility and reduces pain, allowing the person to lean on the leg;
- Endoprostheses – total replacement of the affected joint with a prosthesis.