Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease caused by a violation of the integrity of the cartilage tissue and structural changes in the underlying bone plate. A progressive pathological process, which gradually includes all elements of the joint, leads to pronounced impairment of motor skills, reduces the ability to work and even becomes the cause of disabilities.
Orthopedic traumatologists deal with the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Timely diagnostics and a competent approach to orthopedic correction make it possible to achieve positive results even with the most severe pathologies.
How does osteoarthritis of the knee joint develop?
Gonarthrosis of the knee joint (gony from the Greek "knee") is a multifactorial disease. The list of reasons provoking the development of the pathological process includes:
- Trauma;
- chronic trauma related to factors of production or violation of the training regime;
- Diseases (autoimmune, inflammatory, endocrine, vascular);
- Overweight, obesity;
- burdened inheritance (mutations of the gene that codes for type II collagen chains - the matrix of hyaline cartilage);
- congenital dysplasias and joint pathologies;
- Haemophilia, frequent bleeding in the knee joint;
- arthroscopic knee manipulations.
Prolonged exposure to unfavorable factors leads to a disruption of metabolic processes in the knee joint, the death of cartilage tissue cells and a decrease in the density and elasticity of the hyaline cartilage. Compensation reactions occur due to the weakening of the protection against functional stress. Marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the adjacent areas of the bone tissue, which deform the osteoarticular joint.
The progressive destruction leads to inflammation of the synovial membrane and a violation of synovial fluid synthesis, which aggravates the destruction of the cartilage. This reduces its depreciation characteristics and functionality.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee
The primary complaint is a dull, aching pain in the right or left knee. It only becomes noticeable after a long walk or intense physical activity. Painful sensations can occur when you are on your feet for a long time and when you go down stairs. As the degenerative process develops, other symptoms appear:
- morning stiffness of movement;
- periodic inflammation of the lining of the joint (synovitis) and fluid build-up in the joint;
- Swelling, redness of the skin;
- increased pain in the anterior-internal articular surface;
- Crunching, crepitation when moving;
- Deformity of the knee joint;
- Limiting the flexion and extension of the leg;
- Change in walking stereotype, impaired motor functions;
- Development of X or O deformation.
The result of pathological changes that are characteristic of an advanced stage can be closure and complete immobilization of the joint (ankylosis).
Who is at risk?
Gonarthrosis is the most common form of osteoarthritis and accounts for 33. 3% of the total number of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It can be found in all age categories. Most susceptible to the disease:
- elderly and senile people;
- Menopausal women;
- People with increased body weight;
- Professional athletes;
- Patients who have undergone joint surgery or have congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities.
Degree of knee osteoarthritis
There are 4 degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee. When specifying this, the percentage of osteoarticular degradation is taken into account:
- I - initial<10%;
- II - stage of increasing symptoms, 10-25%;
- III - the most pronounced clinical manifestations, 25-50%;
- IV terminal, >50% defeat.
Knee disease can be primary or secondary. Primary (idiopathic) osteoarthritis due to aging of the articular cartilage is more common and is diagnosed in the elderly. The secondary degenerative process is a consequence of trauma and pathological disorders. He is usually one-sided and can make his debut at any age.
Which doctor should I go to?
Osteoarthritis (knee joint), the symptoms of which can develop slowly and imperceptibly, which is why it is called a very insidious disease. Only the timely search for medical help can stop the destruction of the cartilage. The treatment of knee osteoarthritis is the responsibility of orthopedists, traumatologists, arthrologists and sports medicine specialists.
Quote from a rehab specialist
Injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can significantly reduce the level of activity in both sports and everyday life. Rehabilitation aims at the maximum possible recovery, compensation for impaired or completely lost functions. A multidisciplinary, comprehensive and at the same time individual approach allows you to shorten the recovery time. The clinic's specialists strive to ensure that the patient has a responsible attitude towards the rehabilitation process and his or her health.
Diagnostic methods
To detect structural changes in the knee joint, instrumental diagnostic techniques are used:
- Roentgen;
- Arthroscopy;
- Ultrasonic;
- CT;
- Scintigraphy;
- MRI.
The introduction of magnetic resonance tomography into orthopedic practice has significantly expanded the diagnostic possibilities. A reliable informative visualization method enables a detailed assessment of the condition of the osteoarticular and neighboring soft tissue structures in almost all parameters:
- hyaline cartilage;
- subchondral bone;
- Bone marrow;
- Inner and outer meniscus;
- Cruciate and collateral ligaments;
- Synovium and synovial cavity.
An MRI image of the knee joint (with osteoarthritis) shows the presence of synovitis, bursitis, cysts, deformities, and intra-articular bodies. Therefore, tomography can completely replace radiography and other diagnostic examinations.
treatment
It is recommended to start treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee as early as possible. Its goals are: to reduce the progression of the pathological process, eliminate pain, restore the congruence of the articular surfaces and achieve remission. There are 4 main areas of therapy:
- preventive (weight loss, injury prevention, wearing orthotics, physical education);
- Drug therapy;
- physiotherapy treatment;
- surgical correction.
The rehabilitation center successfully uses the complex, drug-free treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. It includes a dosed load on the joint, kinesitherapy techniques, physiotherapy. Microwave therapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic exercises and manual therapy achieve the greatest positive effects.
rehabilitation
The central point in the recovery of patients with knee osteoarthritis is physical rehabilitation. This is a series of measures aimed at preventing the development of a pathological process, relieving pain, eliminating edema, strengthening periarticular muscles, normalizing local blood circulation, maintaining and improving mobility.
The rehabilitation center actively uses rehabilitation programs that include the use of modern technical means and patented high-tech simulators. An individual set of physical exercises is developed for each patient. Age, general condition, lifestyle, physical performance and the degree of damage to the knee joint are taken into account.
consequences
The neglected form of osteoarthritis of the knee has irreversible consequences:
- severe deformation and shortening of the diseased limb;
- Diseases of the ankle and hip joints, problems with the spine;
- constant excruciating pain and drug addiction;
- Loss of the ability to move independently;
- Disability.
prophylaxis
To maintain health and prevent the steady development of degenerative processes, you need to follow simple rules:
- follow a healthy lifestyle;
- eat right and control the calorie content of food;
- maintain a healthy weight and adequate physical activity;
- protect your knees from injuries and microtraumas;
- minimize the effects of harmful factors;
- Strengthening immunity;
- Strictly observe the squat technique when exercising;
- treat inflammatory diseases in a timely manner;
- undergo regular examinations even if you are in normal health;
- Choose comfortable shoes.
A complete healing of the deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint is not yet possible. But the disease can be prevented. The main thing is not to postpone preventive measures and a visit to a specialist.