Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a non-inflammatory disease of the knee in which the blood flow to the cartilage tissue is disturbed. This condition is also known as osteoarthritis of the knee. This type of osteoarthritis occupies one of the first places, among others.
Etiology and pathogenesis
What is gonarthrosis? These are degenerative changes in the cartilage that surrounds the joint. Osteoarthritis of the knee has been known for over a hundred years. Metabolic processes take place in the cartilage due to the osmotic pressure. When the cartilage is compressed, a lubricant is released and then absorbed. In this way, the cartilage is constantly nourished. With constant overload, this process is disrupted and the cartilage becomes thin. The condition of the collagen fibers that make up the cartilage is disturbed, the cartilage tissue is no longer as elastic.
Bony outgrowths, or spines, form because bones rub against each other when you walk (cartilage doesn't cushion friction). As a result of such changes, osteophytes grow. These are growths of a dense structure of bone tissue. In addition, the synovial membrane becomes irritated and inflamed. All of this leads to limited mobility of the extremity.
Osteoarthritis of the inner part of the knee occurs most often. In addition, people of mature and old age are susceptible to the disease, but the disease can also occur in young people, especially athletes.
Poor blood supply wears down the cartilage, exposing the bone in the joint. And the entire joint is deformed, that is, deforming arthrosis of the knee occurs.
Causes and classification of the disease
The disease is divided into types depending on the etiology: primary and secondary gonarthrosis. Primary gonarthrosis or idiopathic occurs against the background of complete well-being. It usually occurs in older people, mostly women. Secondary develops after knee grass or infectious diseases. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee can be avoided if inflammation or damage to the knee is eliminated in good time.
Different types of arthrosis of the knee joint are also divided by localization:
- Right-sided gonarthrosis - this type affects only the right joint, athletes suffer from this arthrosis more often.
- 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 older are prone to it.
All these types almost do not differ in the course of the disease (that is, cracking and pain are always present). However, bilateral gonarthrosis is usually more pronounced because two joints are affected. In addition, when the form is running, any type of this disease will be more pronounced, and the pain will be stronger. To imagine what this disease looks like, it is better to look at the photo.
Interesting! Of all diseases affecting the knee, osteoarthritis occurs in 53% of cases. I mean that's more than half.
Why does this disease appear? 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.
Obesity is considered the main risk factor.
Degrees of gonarthrosis of the knee joint
There are different degrees of gonarthrosis. There are of course three of them, the first degree is the initial one and manifests itself weakly, 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 become difficult, so you should carefully monitor the symptoms:
- The first degree of the disease is characterized by mild discomfort and fatigue. Sometimes there may be some restriction of movement, but very little. At this stage the joint is not yet deformed, but the x-ray shows a slight narrowing of the joint space.
- The second degree is manifested by more severe pain, especially after walking. When changing the position of the joint, it crunches and clicks. In this degree, atrophy of the thigh muscle can occur and the angle of full 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, there is severe pain, swelling may appear. Because the osteophytes can break off, it can feel like the joint is locked. This is a sharp pain and an inability to move independently. As in the x-rays, deformations, changes in the joint and bones of the leg are visible.
At the last stage of the disease, it will take a long time to treat the joint, and it will not be possible to fully cure it.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
How do you recognize gonarthrosis of the knee? The symptoms of the disease are diverse, but the main symptom is pain. At first it can be very weak and irregular, but over time the discomfort increases, problems with walking appear, since after a long period of activity there is not only fatigue, but also pain.
The 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 under the knee;
- excessive fatigue after walking;
- aching and stabbing pains after activity;
- discomfort after sleeping;
- grinding and clicking when bending the knee;
- limb edema;
- limited mobility of the joint;
- lameness.
Sometimes gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis. Synovitis is inflammation of the lining of a joint. This complication can already occur in the first stage of arthrosis. 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 torments even at rest.
Fact! The most common is post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee. It does not appear immediately, but gradually with regular physical overload. Post-traumatic arthrosis is initially felt as simple fatigue, and pain can only appear over time.
treatment methods
Osteoarthritis of the knee is an incurable disease, regardless of whether it is unilateral or bilateral. It is impossible to restore the joint to a fully healthy state. However, it is necessary to carry out treatment that will help eliminate severe 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 ways of treating this disease.
Here are the main methods used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee:
- The use of drugs - tablets, injections and ointments.
- Physiotherapy - various physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Therapeutic physical training and massage are mandatory methods of treatment and rehabilitation.
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics is a mandatory component of therapy. Without regular exercise, it is impossible to restore composition and eliminate pain, especially with such a form as bilateral arthrosis (this can lead to disability). Proper physical activity will help to cope with the disease faster. But you can do 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 includes the use of the following types of drugs:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatories - eliminate pain, swelling and reduce redness.
- Chondroprotectors are agents that help restore cartilage tissue.
- Medicines to be injected into the joint to reduce inflammation.
- Means with hyaluronic acid, they are also injected into the joint when the inflammation subsides.
The specialist usually prescribes external funds that will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Most often these are gels and ointments with a warming effect. They improve blood circulation. You can lubricate the affected joint several times a day according to the instructions. You can apply gels and ointments in a thin layer, sometimes you need to smear lightly, 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 medicinal bile. In addition, a remedy based on an extract from avocado and soy is often used in the event of illness. But treatment with this drug is long - at least six months.
Manual therapy and physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective means of treating gonarthrosis. Procedures improve blood circulation and help slow down the process of destruction. These procedures are particularly suitable for post-traumatic arthrosis. What is usually prescribed for arthritis? These are the procedures:
- magnetotherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- UFO;
- UHF;
- paraffin applications;
- electrophoresis with novocaine;
- diadynamic currents.
In relation to manual therapy, it alleviates the patient's condition and prevents cartilage destruction. Here are the main goals pursued with such therapy:
- restore knee function;
- promote general well-being;
- reduce the manifestation of symptoms of the disease;
- activate blood flow;
- Help the joint to recover.
It is advisable to massage after exercise 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.
- Oriental - normalizes blood circulation.
- Finnish - similar to Swedish, but differs in the intensity of the impact and the direction of movements.
Which method to choose should be decided by the chiropractor, taking into account the recommendations of the treating physician. There should be no pain during the session. If there are any complaints, this indicates a lack of qualifications of the specialist, so you should immediately stop the session, otherwise the condition may worsen.
Nuance! With such therapy, not only the damaged area is massaged, but also the surrounding tissue.
Folk methods of treating gonarthrosis
Various ointments and compresses are used in folk medicine. But you can also use some internal means. You can pick up several effective recipes and use them regularly. For the preparation of folk remedies, available products are used. But we must remember that these methods are additional and not fundamental. Therefore, medical treatment is necessary.
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 down a bit, you should lower the leg with the painful joint there. You can do this procedure every day or every other day.
Treasure
Honey compresses help relieve pain and reduce swelling. To do this, lubricate the knee with honey and apply a tight bandage. It is necessary to wear it for a day, then it is necessary to wash off the honey and smear it again with a fresh product. The treatment lasts at least four days, more is possible. You can also do a honey massage - just massage your knees and smear 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 crush the sheet so that the juice comes out, and then sprinkle it with vodka. Wrap and isolate the diseased joint with foil. It is necessary to keep such a compress all night. And the next day grease a leaf of burdock with honey and make such a compress, on the third day grease the leaf with a mass of vodka and garlic. Compresses must be alternated and treated like this for a month.
Combined ointment
With severe pain, you can use a special ointment. It's easy to prepare. It is necessary to take a tablespoon of hop cones, fresh sweet clover flowers and St. John's wort flowers. Mix one tablespoon of the collection with two tablespoons of petroleum jelly and grind well. Before going to bed, you need to rub the ointment into the painful joint.
dandelion
Simple flowers, dandelions, can also be used. Flowers should be washed and dried. Then mash it so that the consistency is like 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 is required, namely you need to walk at least three thousand steps a day.
cherry
Cherry can be used inside. These berries help with arthrosis, but are contraindicated for stomach and intestinal problems, since the fruits taste sharp and sour. They can irritate mucous membranes. For treatment, you need to eat a glass of cherries four times a day, washing it down with warm boiled milk each time. The treatment is long - two months.
nettle
Nettle also helps in coping with the problem. Half a glass of fresh nettle juice should be mixed with an equal amount of honey and medicinal alcohol. All insist in a dark place for two weeks. After that, half an hour before meals, you should drink a tablespoon, diluted in half a glass of water. This must be done three times a day.
Important! All herbs and other products can be used to make healing ointments or drinks only if they are non-allergic.
Recovery Forecast
Since the violation 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 the doctor's recommendations are followed, osteoarthritis will develop more slowly.
It is very important to use not only medicines and ointments, but also additional methods of treatment. Therefore, even after stopping medication, charging should be carried out regularly. Massage can be done in courses. For example once every two months. Regular swimming or cycling is very useful, it relieves the joint.