Orthopedic traumatologists perform specialist diagnostics (radiation, laboratory), conservative therapy (drugs, intra-articular injections, PRP therapy, cellular technology of regenerative medicine, etc.) and high-tech surgical treatment of gonarthrosis (joint arthrosis of the knee).
Gonarthrosis is observed in every tenth person over the age of 55, and in every fourth patient it leads to disability.
Up to 80% of patients with arthrosis of the knee joint report a decrease in quality of life.
The functional duration of modern knee joint endoprosthesis 10 years after surgery is 99%, after 15 years - 95%, after 20 years - 90%.
Why does arthrosis of the knee joint occur?
- Often, the cause of the development of this disease is a knee injury, especially a repeated one (damage to the menisci, dislocation, fracture, hematoma, etc.).
- Microtraumas that are often repeated together during sports training, with constant work "on your feet," have the same effect.
- Excess body weight creates increased axial load and destroys joints.
- Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joints can also occur after experiencing inflammatory diseases (arthritis due to gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Endocrine diseases, hormonal changes (for example, menopause), metabolic disorders aggravate pathological changes in the joints.
The main symptoms of knee joint pain
- With grade 1 gonarthrosis - in the early stages of the disease, periodic pain occurs in the knee joint after exercise (walking, running, standing for a long time), which disappears after rest.At this stage, there is almost no joint deformation or mobility restriction;
- Gradually, the pain becomes more frequent and increases, especially when going up and down stairs, as well as at the beginning of walking after sitting for a long time (initial pain);
- With grade 2 gonarthrosis, pain in the knee during exercise becomes constant, disappears only after a long rest, the patient is prevalent when walking;
- When moving, a crunching sensation appears in the joints.The range of motion in the knee joint is limited (when bending "all the way", sharp pain appears);
- When examining the joint area, you may notice swelling and deformation;
- With DOA of the knee joint of the 3rd degree, which corresponds to severe gonarthrosis, the pain in the joint is disturbing even at rest, does not allow a person to sleep, the range of movements is significantly reduced, the patient walks on a bent leg, and there is the mentioned knee deformation (shaped or X-shaped).
Diagnostics
- A review and examination by an orthopedic traumatologist revealed typical signs of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease (pain on palpation, limited mobility, crepitus, deformity, effusion in the joint).
- An X-ray examination of the knee joint is performed (narrowing of the X-ray joint space, the presence of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis is determined), and, if necessary, a computed tomography scan together.
- Ultrasound examination of the joint can detect thinning of the cartilage in the joint, changes in the ligaments, muscles, soft tissue around the joint, inflammatory effusion in the joint cavity, and changes in the menisci.
- The most accurate information is provided by magnetic resonance imaging of the knee joint, which reveals changes in cartilage and bone tissue, ligaments, menisci, synovial membrane, which allows to distinguish post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint and arthritis, tumor processes.
- Diagnostic puncture and arthroscopy of the knee joint, as well as laboratory tests of synovial fluid obtained during the procedure, are widely used in the diagnosis of joint diseases.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint depends on the stage of the disease.
Conservative
In the early stages of DOA, successful complex conservative treatment is possible, which aims to relieve inflammation, restore cartilage, eliminate pain, and restore full joint function:
- Therapeutic and protective regime - it is necessary to limit the load on the joints and ensure rest.
- Conservative Drug Treatment of Gonarthrosis:
- the use of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors;
- the use of local drugs in the form of ointments, gels;
- Intra-articular injection-Intra-articular administration of a combination of individually selected drugs, which may include hormonal agents to quickly relieve inflammation, drugs based on hyaluronic acid to replenish synovial fluid, etc.;
- PRP therapy-intra-articular injection of PRP (own platelet-rich plasma).
- Regenerative medicine method - intra-articular injection of autologous cells from the stromal-vascular fraction, cells - cartilage tissue precursors, obtained from the adipose tissue itself.
- Massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy.
- Mandatory use of therapeutic physical exercises with a set of exercises aimed at improving blood circulation in various movements and increasing movement.
Surgery
Knee arthroscopy
In the case of obvious changes in the joint (advanced osteoarthritis, traumatic deformity), orthopedic traumatologists perform surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint using arthroscopy (surgery on the meniscus, cartilage, removal of joint mice, "synovectomy, etc.).
Knee arthroplasty
If other treatment methods are ineffective, we perform knee replacement using modern prostheses from the world's best manufacturers.This is a reliable way to relieve pain patients and restore mobility and good quality of life.
Nowadays, there is no point in the constant pain and inconvenience caused by joint pain.Modern medical technology makes it possible to help arthrosis of the knee joint at almost any stage.Contact your doctor and take advantage of the available options.