Causes of arthrosis
We can say that arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease, on the one hand, due to lifestyle, on the other hand, due to age.
Immediate (internal) causes of arthrosis are:
- previous injuries in the joint area (sports, domestic and other),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus),
- frequent orthopedic defects of the lower extremities, including flat feet and valgus feet, X-shaped leg deformity; these defects violate the correct movements of the knee joints, which leads to their deformation and degeneration of joint tissue.
Factors (external, individual) that cause arthrosis:
- overweight, obesity,
- woman,
- age,
- heavy constant loads (work in a standing position, monotonous joint movements with weights during the working day).
Under the influence of external and internal factors, degeneration and aging of the knee joint begins, all its structures are involved in the process: bones, cartilage, synovial membrane, joint capsule, ligaments.
Symptoms of arthrosis
Manifestations from the knee joints are directly related to the stage of arthrosis. The more pathological changes in the joint and adjacent tissues, the more pronounced the symptoms.
- In the initial stages, a person may be disturbed by discomfort, mild pain after physical activity, which pass on their own.
- As time passes (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes permanent, movements in the joints are limited, a characteristic "crunching" and "squeaking" occurs when moving.
- In the final stage of gonarthrosis, movements are severely limited, the joint is visually deformed, walking is difficult, and severe complications can develop up to complete immobility ("joint mice", joint fusion, etc. ).
Diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joints
Arthrosis of the knee joint is detected using available diagnostic methods:
- Ultrasound of the knee joint enables assessment of the condition of the cartilage and bone surface of the joint, the surrounding soft tissues; is of particular importance in the initial stages of arthrosis, as it helps to recognize pathological changes even before the appearance of serious symptoms;
- radiography is also one of the main diagnostic methods, but it is not always available, in addition, it is associated with exposure of the body to radiation;
- to clarify the diagnosis or identify the characteristics of the course of the disease, MRI, CT and arthroscopy are also used.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Different methods of exposure are used for arthrosis of the knee joint:
- drug therapy, including intra-articular administration of drugs,
- traction therapy (unloading),
- physiotherapy, classical and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- autoplasma therapy (PRP therapy).
The combination of these methods, chosen by the doctor, can reduce the symptoms of arthrosis, stop inflammation and degeneration of the joint, maintain its mobility and range of motion.
Initial stages of arthrosis
In the initial stages of the disease, drugs with analgesic and restorative effects (NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, vitamins) prescribed by the doctor are used. In addition, various orthopedic devices are used: insoles, shoe insoles, special shoes). Physiotherapy, hand massage, physiotherapy exercises have a good effect.
The noticeable effect of the treatment does not appear immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition improves.
Progressive arthrosis
More serious measures are needed here, in these cases the doctor can resort to minimally invasive interventions - arthroscopy, introduction of enriched plasma into the joint (PRP therapy).
In severe forms of arthrosis, severe pain, with simultaneous synovitis (accumulation of excess intra-articular fluid), corticosteroids are injected into the joint, which leads to rapid pain relief. The method is considered one of the most effective and, if the intervention is performed correctly, there are no complications (rarely it is possible to increase the pain as a reaction to the drug, negative effect on the cartilage and some others).
Among the surgical methods that preserve functionality and range of motion in the joint, arthroplasty, arthroscopy and endoprosthetic operations deserve attention.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis in a professional clinic
In a professional, modern clinic, examinations are performed by experienced surgeons and arthrologists. The clinic uses an individual approach to each patient, carries out precise diagnostics using professional equipment (ultrasound), selects the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthrosis and the main symptoms, and timely prescribes drugs to reduce painful manifestations.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is rightly considered a disease associated with aging, but its development can be prevented or slowed down if the condition of the joints is assessed in time and therapy is carried out (for preventive or therapeutic purposes).
Physiotherapy procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injections) that improve the condition of the joints are performed in the professional office, supportive courses of drugs are prescribed that help consolidate and prolong the effect of the main therapy, prevent exacerbations.