Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a non-inflammatory disease of the knee, in which blood circulation is disturbed in the cartilage tissue. This disease is also called knee osteoarthritis. This type of osteoarthritis occupies one of the first places among others.
Etiology and pathogenesis
So what is gonarthrosis? These are degenerative changes in the cartilage that covers the joint. Osteoarthritis of the knee has been known for over a hundred years. In cartilage, due to osmotic pressure, metabolic processes occur. If the cartilage is compressed, a lubricant is released and then it is absorbed. Therefore, the cartilage is constantly nourished. With constant excessive loads, this process is disrupted and the cartilage becomes thin. The state of the collagen fibers that make up the cartilage is disturbed, the cartilage tissue is no longer so elastic.
As the bones rub against each other when walking (the cartilage does not soften the friction), bone growths or spikes appear. As a result of such changes, the growth of osteophytes occurs. These are growths of a dense structure of bone tissue. In addition, the synovium becomes irritated and inflamed. All this leads to limited mobility of the limb.
Osteoarthritis of the inner part of the knee occurs very often. In addition, people of mature and elderly age are susceptible to the disease, but the disease can also occur in young people, especially athletes.
Poor blood supply leads to abrasion of the cartilage, exposing the bone within the joint. And the whole joint is deformed, that is, deforming osteoarthritis of the knee occurs.
Causes and classification of the disease
The disease is divided into types according to etiology: primary and secondary gonarthrosis. Primary or idiopathic gonarthrosis occurs against the background of complete well-being. It usually occurs in older people, mainly women. The secondary develops after knee weed or an infectious disease. Post-traumatic gonarthrosis can be avoided if the inflammation or damage to the knee is removed in time.
Different types of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are also divided according to localization:
- Gonarthrosis of the right side: this type affects only the right joint, people who play sports suffer more often from this arthrosis.
- Left-sided gonarthrosis: The left joint is affected accordingly.
- Bilateral gonarthrosis - both joints are destroyed, the most severe type of disease, people over fifty and over are sensitive to it.
All these species almost do not differ from each other in the course of the disease (that is, clicks and pain are always present). But bilateral gonarthrosis is usually more pronounced, because two joints are affected. Also, any type of this disease, if the form is running, will be more pronounced and the pain will be more severe. To imagine what this disease looks like, it is best to look at the photo.
Interesting! Of all the diseases that affect the knee, osteoarthritis occurs in 53% of cases. I mean, it's more than half.
Why does this disease occur? Here are the main reasons for the development of this disorder:
- metabolic disorder;
- hormonal imbalance;
- endocrine disorders;
- increased fragility of capillaries;
- overload and injury;
- heredity and congenital anomalies;
- inflammatory diseases.
Overweight is considered the main risk factor.
Degrees of gonarthrosis of the knee joint
There are different degrees of gonarthrosis. There are three, of course, the first degree is the initial one and is weakly manifested, and the last degree is a severe deformity of the joints. In the first degree of the disease, it may not be noticed, but later treatment will be difficult, so you should carefully monitor the symptoms:
- The first degree of the disease is characterized by slight discomfort, fatigue. There may be movement restriction sometimes, but very slight. At this stage, the joint is not yet deformed, but a slight narrowing of the joint gap can be seen on the x-ray.
- The second degree is manifested by more pronounced pain, especially after walking. When changing the position of the joint, there is a creak and click. At this degree, atrophy of the thigh muscle may occur and the angle of complete flexion of the leg is significantly limited. On X-rays, you can see the growth of osteophytes and flattening of the bones.
- In the third degree, severe pain occurs, swelling may appear. Since osteophytes can break off, it may appear that the joint is blocked. This is acute pain and the inability to move independently. As for the X-ray images, deformations, changes in the joint and bones of the leg are visible.
In the last stage of the disease, it will take a long time to heal the joint, and it will not be possible to cure it completely.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
How is gonarthrosis of the knee recognized? Symptoms of the disease are varied, but the main symptom is pain. At first it can be very weak and uneven, but over time the discomfort increases, there are problems with walking, because after a long activity there is not only fatigue, but also pain.
Symptoms of the disease gradually increase, starting with mild discomfort and weakness in the legs. Here are the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis:
- tension is felt below the knee;
- excessive fatigue after walking;
- sharp and sharp pains after activity;
- discomfort after sleep;
- creak and click when bending the knee;
- edema of the limbs;
- reduced mobility of the joint;
- lameness.
Sometimes gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis. Synovitis is inflammation of the lining of a joint. Already in the first stage of osteoarthritis, this complication can occur. But most of the time it goes away without treatment. And gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree can be complicated not only by synovitis, but also by Baker's cyst. The pain in this case becomes very strong and tormented even at rest.
Done! The most common is post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis. It occurs not immediately, but gradually, with regular physical overload. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is initially perceived as simple fatigue and pain can only occur over time.
Methods of treatment
Gonarthrosis is an incurable disease, be it unilateral or bilateral. It is impossible to return the joint to a completely healthy state. However, it is necessary to carry out treatment, which will help to remove intense pain and slow down the destruction of the joint. In addition, it is important to follow a diet. Folk methods are also useful. There are several types of treatment for this disease.
Here are the main methods that are used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee:
- The use of drugs - tablets, injections and ointments.
- Physiotherapy - various physiotherapy procedures.
- Therapeutic physical training and massage are mandatory methods of treatment and rehabilitation.
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics is an obligatory component of therapy. Without regular exercise, it is impossible to restore the composition and remove pain, especially for such a form as bilateral osteoarthritis (it can lead to disability). Proper physical activity will help to cope with the disease faster. But you can perform exercises only under the guidance of an experienced trainer, so as not to worsen the condition.
Medical therapy
What drugs are used as the main treatment? Drug therapy involves the use of the following types of drugs:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories: remove pain, swelling and relieve redness.
- Chondroprotectors are agents that help restore cartilage tissue.
- Medicines to inject into the joint that relieve inflammation.
- Means with hyaluronic acid, are also injected into the joint when the inflammation subsides.
The specialist usually prescribes external agents that help remove unpleasant symptoms. Most often these are gels and ointments with a warming effect. They improve blood circulation. You can lubricate the affected joint a couple of times a day, according to the instructions. You can apply gels and ointments in a thin layer, sometimes it is necessary to lightly lubricate, and sometimes rub well.
What else is used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation in osteoarthritis? The doctor may prescribe warming compresses with Dimexide or medical bile. Also, during the illness, a remedy based on an extract of avocado and soy is often used. But the treatment with this drug is long - at least six months.
Manual therapy and physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective way to treat gonarthrosis. Procedures improve blood circulation, help slow down the process of destruction. These procedures are particularly suitable for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. What is usually prescribed for arthritis? These are the procedures:
- magnetotherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- UFO;
- UHF;
- paraffin applications;
- electrophoresis with novocaine;
- diadynamic currents.
As for manual therapy, it relieves the patient's condition and prevents the destruction of cartilage. Here are the main objectives pursued by this therapy:
- restore knee function;
- promote general well-being;
- reduce the manifestation of symptoms of the disease;
- activate blood flow;
- help the joint recover.
It is recommended to massage after physical therapy, when the muscles are warmed up.
There are several methods of manual therapy:
- Swedish: the uniqueness of the method lies in the combination of joint movements with rubbing.
- Eastern: normalizes blood circulation.
- Finnish - similar to Swedish, but differs in the intensity of impact and the direction of movements.
Which method to choose should be decided by the chiropractor, taking into account the recommendations of the attending physician. There should be no pain during the session. If discomfort appears, this indicates a lack of specialist qualifications, so it is necessary to stop the session immediately, otherwise the condition may worsen.
Shade! During such therapy, not only the damaged area is massaged, but also the surrounding tissues.
Folk methods of treatment of gonarthrosis
In folk medicine, various ointments and compresses are used. But you can also use some internal means. You can collect several effective recipes and apply them regularly. For the preparation of folk remedies available products are used. But we must remember that these methods are additional, not basic. Therefore, medical treatment is also needed.
Jerusalem artichoke
An affordable product that is effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. One and a half kilograms of leaves of this plant should be brewed with boiling water (10 liters) and left for half an hour. When the infusion has cooled slightly, you should lower the leg with the sore joint there. You can do this procedure every day or every other day.
treasure
Honey wraps will help relieve pain and relieve swelling. To do this, lubricate the knee with honey and apply a tight bandage. It is necessary to wear it for a day, then the honey must be washed off and smeared again with a fresh product. The course of treatment is at least four days, and more is possible. You can also do a honey massage: simply massage your knees, spreading honey on them. The massage should last a quarter of an hour.
burdock
Another affordable product that can be used for knee treatment. You can make a compress from burdock. It is necessary to slightly squeeze the leaf so that the juice comes out, and then sprinkle it with vodka. Wrap the diseased joint with a film and isolate. It is necessary to keep such a compress all night. And the next day, grease a burdock leaf with honey and make such a compress, on the third day grease the leaf with a mass of vodka and garlic. The tablets should be alternated and treated in this way for a month.
Combined ointment
For severe pain, you can use a special ointment. It is easy to prepare. You need to take a spoonful of hop cones, fresh sweet clover flowers and St. John's wort flowers. Mix a tablespoon of the collection with two tablespoons of petroleum jelly and grind well. Before going to bed, it is necessary to rub the ointment into the sore joint.
Dandelion
Simple flowers, dandelions, can also be used. The flowers need to be washed and dried. Then mash it so that the consistency is like that of sour cream. This mass must be applied to the joint and covered with polyethylene for a couple of hours. In addition, when using this remedy, significant physical activity will be required, that is, it is necessary to take at least three thousand steps a day.
Cherry
Cherry can be used indoors. These berries help with osteoarthritis, but are contraindicated for stomach and intestinal problems, as the fruits have a sour and sour taste. They can irritate the mucous membranes. For treatment, you need to eat a glass of cherries four times a day, each time washing it with warm boiled milk. Treatment is long - two months.
Nettle
Nettle will also help to cope with the problem. Half a glass of fresh nettle juice should be mixed with the same amount of honey and medical alcohol. Everyone insists in a dark place for two weeks. After that, you should drink a tablespoon half an hour before meals, diluted in half a glass of water. This must be done three times a day.
Important! Any herbs and other products can only be used to make healing ointments or drinks if they are not allergic.
Recovery prognosis
Since the breach is not dealt with, you have to live with it. But with a timely visit to the doctor and the correct diagnosis, it is possible to significantly improve the patient's condition and slow down the development of this disease. Of course, with age, the disease will progress, but if you follow the doctor's recommendations, osteoarthritis will develop more slowly.
It is very important to use not only medicines and ointments, but also additional treatment methods. Therefore, refilling should be done regularly, even after canceling the medications. The massage can be done in courses. For example, once every two months. It is very useful to regularly engage in swimming or cycling, unload the joint.