Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease that causes deformation of the cartilage in the knee joint. This disease is very common, especially among the older generation. Knee work worsens and therefore difficulties in its mobility and pain sensation are the most important signs of the disease. Today, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is also common among people aged 25 to 30. Which speaks of the versatility of the causes of the disease and, consequently, of its treatment. >There are two types of gonarthrosis: unilateral (affecting only one knee) and bilateral (affecting both knees). More often, the disease occurs in its bilateral manifestation.
The reasons
Gonarthrosis, like coxarthrosis, manifests itself more frequently in old age. Although there is no exception today and the fact that young people show 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 possibilities 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 to the knee (injury, 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, eg 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 part of the thigh (up to 50% of cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are basically the same and appear in almost all patients. Patients also note that pain exacerbation occurs in 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 it is only noticeable after a long walk and appears in the late afternoon. The chime may experience stiffness in the knee when moving. If the minor symptoms are not attended to, the disease can be triggered and can bring extremely undesirable results to the patient. Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- rest pain syndrome, which qualitatively decreases when walking;
- limitation of knee joint movement and difficulty controlling its mobility;
- knee stiffness;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling in the knee joint and swelling of the skin around it;
- knee joint deformity.
Assessment of the state of the knee joint is done during the medical examination and X-ray. Also, the disease stage of any arthrosis (including coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis and others) can only be determined if there is an x-ray and only a doctor can assess such a condition. Therefore, it is extremely important not to engage in self-diagnosis and not to jump to conclusions.
degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
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 their color are noticeable. At the physiological level, it is characterized by small changes in hyaline cartilage. As a result of the accumulation of a significant amount of joint fluid in the synovine, small joint deformities occur, accompanied by pain when walking. Other signs, such as limited mobility, are not seen. And therefore, it is also difficult to track them on radiography. 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 unbearable or intense pain, even with light load, which is aggravated by walking and lifting weights. Over time, this will turn into difficulty bending the knee. At the physiological level, this is manifested by the fact that the volume of the cartilage layer sharply decreases, and in some places it is completely absent. According to the radiographic results, this degree can be determined by the marginal bone growths and the density of the joint space. In joint work, 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 to him 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 medicines 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 in the joint structure and adjacent tissues can be visually verified. On a physiological level, it is marked by the absence of cartilaginous tissues and this is easy to diagnose on an x-ray. The treatment of grade III arthrosis disease of the knee joint and other types of arthrosis (polyarthrosis, coxarthrosis) is actually an irreversible process. Instead, the main goal of this treatment will be to reduce pain and eliminate some of the symptoms of the disease manifestation.