Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a non-inflammatory disease of the knee, which disrupts blood circulation in cartilage. This condition is also called osteoarthritis of the knee. This type of osteoarthritis occupies one of the first places among the 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 more than a hundred years. In cartilage, due to osmotic pressure, metabolic processes take place. If the cartilage is compressed, a lubricant is released and then absorbed. Thus, the cartilage is constantly nourished. With constant excessive loads, this process is disrupted and the cartilage becomes thin. The condition of the collagen fibers that build cartilage is disturbed, the cartilage tissue is no longer so elastic.
As the bones rub against each other when walking (cartilage does not soften the friction), bone growths or spines appear. As a result of such changes, osteophyte growth occurs. These are growths of dense bone structure. In addition, the synovium becomes irritated and inflamed. All this leads to limited mobility of the limb.
Osteoarthritis of the inner knee is the most common. In addition, adults and the elderly are susceptible to the disease, but the disease can also occur in young people, especially athletes.
Poor blood supply leads to cartilage abrasion, exposing the bone inside the joint. And the whole joint is deformed, that is, deforming arthrosis of the knee occurs.
Causes and classification of the disease
The disease is divided into types according to etiology: primary and secondary gonarthrosis. Primary gonarthrosis or idiopathic occurs against the background of complete well-being. It is usually found in the elderly, mainly in women. Secondary develops after knee grass or infectious disease. Post-traumatic gonarthrosis can be avoided if the inflammation or damage to the knee is removed in time.
The different types of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are also divided according to location:
- Right-sided gonarthrosis - this type affects only the right joint, people who exercise suffer from this osteoarthritis more often.
- Left-sided gonarthrosis - the left joint is affected accordingly.
- Bilateral gonarthrosis - both joints are destroyed, the most severe type of disease predisposed to it are people over fifty years and older.
All these species are almost indistinguishable from each other in the course of the disease (ie there are always clicks and pain). But bilateral gonarthrosis is usually more pronounced because two joints are affected. In addition, each type of this disease, if the form is in progress, 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 the diseases that affect the knee, osteoarthritis occurs in 53% of cases. I mean, that'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.
Being overweight is considered a major 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 and is weak, and the last degree is a serious deformity of the joints. In the first stage of the disease may not be noticed, but later treatment will be difficult, so you need to carefully monitor the symptoms:
- The first degree of the disease is characterized by mild discomfort, fatigue. Sometimes there may be a restriction of movement, but very slightly. 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 there is a crunch and click. At this stage, atrophy of the thigh muscle can occur, and the angle of full leg flexion 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 occur. As the osteophytes may become detached, the joint may feel blocked. This is a sharp pain and inability to move independently. As for the X-rays, you can see deformities, changes in the joints and bones of the legs.
In the last stage of the disease, the treatment of the joint will take a long time and it will not be possible to cure it completely.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
How can gonarthrosis of the knee be recognized? The symptoms of the disease are varied, but the main symptom is pain. At first it may be very weak and irregular, but over time the discomfort increases, there are problems with walking, because after prolonged activity there is not only fatigue but also pain.
The symptoms of the disease increase gradually, starting with mild discomfort and weakness in the legs. Here are the main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee:
- tightness is felt below the knee;
- excessive fatigue after walking;
- pain and sharp pain after activity;
- discomfort after sleep;
- crunching and clicking when bending the knee;
- swelling of the limbs;
- impaired joint mobility;
- lameness.
Sometimes gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis. Synovitis is an inflammation of the lining of the joint. This complication can appear in the first stage of arthrosis. But most of the time it disappears without treatment. And grade 2 gonarthrosis of the knee 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.
Fact! The most common is post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee. It does not happen immediately, but gradually, with regular physical overload. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis initially feels like plain fatigue, and only with time can pain appear.
Methods of treatment
Gonarthrosis is an incurable disease, whether unilateral or bilateral gonarthrosis. It is impossible to return the joint to a completely healthy state. However, treatment should be carried out, this will help eliminate severe pain and slow down the destruction of the joint. It is also important to follow a diet. Folk methods are also useful. There are several types of treatment for 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 exercise 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 the composition and eliminate the pain, especially in such a form as bilateral osteoarthritis (this can lead to disability). Proper physical activity will help to deal with the disease faster. But you can perform exercises only under the guidance of an experienced coach, so as not to aggravate the condition.
Medical therapy
What drugs are used as the main treatment? Drug therapy involves the use of the following types of drugs:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory - eliminate pain, swelling and relieve redness.
- Chondroprotectors are agents that help restore cartilage tissue.
- Drugs that are injected into the joint that relieve inflammation.
- Means with hyaluronic acid, they are also injected into the joint when the inflammation disappears.
The specialist usually prescribes external remedies that help eliminate the 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 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 dimexid or medical bile. In addition, a medicine based on avocado and soy extract is often used during illness. But 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 especially good for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. What is usually prescribed for arthritis? These are the procedures:
- magnetic therapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- UFOs;
- UHF;
- paraffin applications;
- novocaine electrophoresis;
- diadynamic currents.
In terms of manual therapy, it alleviates the patient's condition and prevents the destruction of cartilage. Here are the main goals of such therapy:
- restoration of knee function;
- facilitating general well-being;
- reduction of the symptoms of the disease;
- activation of blood flow;
- help the joint to recover.
It is recommended to massage after exercise when the muscles are warm.
There are several methods of manual therapy:
- Swedish - the uniqueness of the method lies in the combination of joint movements with friction.
- Oriental - normalizes blood circulation.
- Finnish - similar to the Swedish, but differs in the intensity of the blow and the direction of movement.
Which method to choose should be decided by a chiropractor, taking into account the recommendations of the attending physician. There should be no pain during the session. If discomfort occurs, it indicates a lack of qualification of the specialist, so you should immediately stop the session, otherwise the condition may worsen.
Nuance! In such therapy, not only the damaged area is massaged, but also the tissues around it.
Folk methods of treating gonarthrosis
Various ointments and compresses are used in folk medicine. But you can also use some internal means. You can choose a few effective recipes and apply them regularly. Available products are used for the preparation of folk remedies. 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 steamed with boiling water (10 liters) and left for half an hour. When the infusion cools down a bit, you should lower your legs with the inflamed joint. You can do this procedure every day or every other day.
Honey
Honey compresses will help relieve pain and relieve swelling. To do this, lubricate the knee with honey and apply a tight bandage. It needs to be worn for a day, after which the honey should be washed and smeared again with fresh product. The course of treatment is at least four days, and possibly more. You can also do a honey massage - just massage your knees, smearing them with honey. The massage should last a quarter of an hour.
burdock
Another affordable product that can be used to treat the knee. You can make a compress of burdock. You need to lightly crush the leaves so that the juice comes out, and then sprinkle it with vodka. Wrap the affected joint with film and insulate. It is necessary to keep such a compress all night. And the next day smear a leaf of burdock with honey and make such a compress, the third day smear the leaves with a mass of vodka and garlic. The compresses should be alternated and treated for one month.
Combined ointment
In severe pain you can use a special ointment. It is easy to prepare. It is necessary to take one tablespoon of hop cones, fresh flowers of sweet clover and flowers of St. John's wort. Mix with two tablespoons of Vaseline one tablespoon of the sum and grind well. Before going to bed, you need to rub the ointment into the inflamed joint.
Dandelion
Simple flowers and dandelions can also be used. The flowers should be washed and dried. Then crush it so that the consistency is like sour cream. This mass should be applied to the joint and covered with polyethylene for several hours. In addition, when using this drug will require significant physical activity, namely, you need to walk at least three thousand steps a day.
cherry
Cherry can be used inside. These fruits help with osteoarthritis, but are contraindicated in problems with the stomach and intestines, as the fruits have a sharp and sour taste. They can irritate the mucous membranes. For treatment, you should eat a glass of cherries four times a day, washing it each time with warm boiled milk. The treatment is long - two months.
Nettles
Nettle will also help deal with the problem. Half a glass of fresh nettle juice should be mixed with the same amount of honey and medical alcohol. All insist in a dark place for two weeks. Then you need to drink a tablespoon half an hour before a meal, diluted in half a glass of water. This should be done three times a day.
Important! All herbs and other products can be used to prepare healing ointments or drinks only if they are not allergic.
Recovery forecast
Since the disorder is not curable, 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 methods of treatment. So recharging should be done regularly, even after the medication is canceled. Massage can be done in courses. For example, once every two months. It is very useful to do swimming or cycling regularly, it unloads the joint.