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 generation. The work of the knee deteriorates and 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 common in people aged 25-30 years. What speaks of the flexibility of the causes of the disease and, accordingly, of its treatment. >There are two types of gonarthrosis: unilateral (affects only one knee) and bilateral (affects both knees). More often the disease occurs in its bilateral manifestation.
The reasons
Gonarthrosis, like coxarthrosis, most often occurs in old age. Although today is no exception and the fact that young people have symptoms of this disease. This suggests that the causes of gonarthrosis are different and each can in its own way affect the onset, exacerbation and treatment of the disease. There are also possibilities for genetic predisposition of the organism, ie osteoarthritis of the knee joint may be more common in some families than in others. In addition, this disease may not be genetically determined. Therefore, there are several causes of gonarthrosis.
- Various physical injuries to the knee (bruises, sprains, etc. ).
- Heavy loads that do not correspond to age (5-7% of all cases of gonarthrosis, as well as coxarthrosis).
- The patient's overweight (10% of all cases of gonarthrosis).
- Concomitant diseases, such as 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.
- Muscle spasm of the upper thigh (up to 50% of cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis).
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee are mostly the same and occur in almost all patients. Patients also note that the exacerbation of pain falls on the spring-autumn period and depends on changes in weather. The main symptom of the disease is knee pain. Most often it does not appear immediately, but is noticed only after a long walk and appears in the late afternoon. The ringing can cause stiffness in the knee when moving. If minor symptoms are ignored, then the disease can be triggered and can lead to extremely undesirable results for the patient. Despite the main symptoms, there are several other signs of the disease:
- resting pain syndrome, which qualitatively decreases when walking;
- restriction of the movement of the knee joint and difficulties in controlling its mobility;
- knee stiffness;
- increased sensitivity in the knee area;
- swelling of the knee joint and swelling of the skin around;
- deformation of the knee joint.
The assessment of the condition of the knee joint is performed during a doctor's examination and an X-ray. In addition, the stage of the disease of any arthrosis (including coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, polyarthrosis, etc. ) can be determined only if there is an X-ray and only a doctor can assess such a condition. That is why it is extremely important not to engage in self-diagnosis and not to jump to conclusions.
Degrees of gonarthrosis
1st degree
The knee joints do not give in to the deforming influence of the disease, but appear only by external signs and slight swelling of the surrounding skin, changes in its color are noticed. At the physiological level it is characterized by insignificant changes in the hyaline cartilage. As a result of the accumulation of a significant amount of joint fluid in the synovium, minor deformities of the joints appear, which are accompanied by pain when walking. Other signs such as limited mobility are not observed. And because of this, it is also difficult to trace them on the X-ray. At this stage the disease is difficult to diagnose, but with rapid definition its treatment will be more effective than in the second or third degree of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of osteoarthritis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis).
II degree
The main symptom is unbearable or intense pain, even with light exercise, which worsens when walking and lifting weights. Over time, this will develop into difficulty in 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. According to the results of X-rays, this degree can be determined by the marginal bone growths and the density of the joint space. During the work of the joint, especially during 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 the development of gonarthrosis, as well as other types of arthrosis (coxarthrosis, polyarthrosis). Visually, this is noticeable and the skin around becomes rough and changes color. Treatment at this stage is better to start complex and intensive. Both medicines and traditional methods of treatment will be important here.
III degree
It is characterized by severe pain, even when the knee joint is inactive or immobilized. The deforming effect is very noticeable and visually significant changes in the structure of the joint and adjacent tissues can be detected. At the physiological level it is characterized by a lack of cartilage tissue and it is easy to diagnose on an X-ray. The treatment of grade III disease of osteoarthritis of the knee and other types of osteoarthritis (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.