Causes of arthrosis
We can say that arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease related to lifestyle on the one hand, and age on the other.
Immediate (internal) causes of arthrosis:
- past injuries in the joint area (sports, household, etc. ),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus),
- general orthopedic defects of the lower limbs, including straight legs and valgus foot, X-shaped deformation of the legs; these defects disrupt the correct movements of knee joints, cause their deformation and degeneration of articular tissues.
Factors provoking arthrosis (external, personal):
- overweight, obesity,
- woman,
- age,
- heavy constant loads (working on your feet, monotonous movements of joints with weights during the working day).
Degeneration and aging of the knee joint begins under the influence of external and internal factors, all its structures are involved in the process: bones, cartilages, 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 obvious the symptoms.
- In the initial stages, a person may be disturbed by anxiety that goes away on its own, mild pain after physical activity.
- Over time (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes permanent, the movements of the joints are limited, a characteristic "creaking", "creaking" appears when moving.
- In the final stage of gonarthrosis, movements are sharply limited, the joint is visually deformed, it is difficult to walk, and severe complications can develop up to complete immobility ("joint mice", joint fusion, etc. ).
Diagnosis of arthrosis of knee joints
Arthrosis of the knee joint is detected using existing diagnostic methods:
- Ultrasound of the knee joint allows to assess the condition of the cartilage and bone surface of the surrounding soft tissues; is of particular importance in the initial stages of arthrosis, as it helps to identify pathological changes before the onset 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;
- MRI, CT and arthroscopy are also used to clarify the diagnosis or determine the features of the disease course.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Various exposure methods are used in arthrosis of the knee joint:
- drug treatment, including intra-articular administration of drugs,
- traction (release) therapy,
- physiotherapy, classical and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- autoplasma therapy (PRP-therapy).
The combination of these methods selected by the doctor can reduce the symptoms of arthrosis, stop the inflammation and degeneration of the joint, maintain its mobility and range of motion.
Early stages of arthrosis
In the initial stages of the disease, drugs with analgesic and restorative effects (NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, vitamins) are used, they are prescribed by a doctor. In addition, various orthopedic devices are used: insoles, shoe inserts, special shoes). Physiotherapy, hand massage, physiotherapy exercises have a good effect.
The noticeable effect of the treatment does not occur immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition improves.
Progressive arthrosis
Here, more serious measures are required, in which cases the doctor can resort to minimally invasive interventions - arthroscopy, joint injection of enriched plasma (PRP therapy).
In severe forms of arthrosis, with severe pain, accompanying synovitis (accumulation of excess intra-articular fluid), corticosteroids are injected into the joint, which causes a rapid decrease in pain. The method is considered one of the most effective, and if the intervention is carried out correctly, there are no complications (in rare cases, it is possible to increase pain, such as a reaction to the drug, a negative effect on the cartilage, and others).
Arthroplasty, arthroscopy and endoprosthetic operations deserve attention among the surgical methods that maintain functionality and range of motion in the joint.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis in a professional clinic
Experienced surgeons and arthrologists conduct appointments in a professional, modern clinic. The clinic uses an individual approach to each patient, carries out accurate diagnostics using expert-grade equipment (ultrasound examination), chooses the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthrosis and leading symptoms, and prescribes drugs in time to reduce painful manifestations.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is rightfully considered an age-related disease, but if the condition of the joints is assessed in time and therapy is carried out (for preventive or curative purposes), its development can be prevented or slowed down.
Physiotherapy procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injection) that improve the condition of the joints are provided in the professional clinic, supportive courses of drugs are prescribed that help strengthen and prolong their effect. the main therapy is to prevent exacerbations.