Gonarthrosis

Often, the disease occurs in elderly patients (especially women). Pain in the joints with gonarthrosis is associated with dystrophic changes in the cartilage covering the intra-articular surfaces of the bones. First, the blood circulation in the vessels feeding the cartilage deteriorates. Then the cartilaginous cover begins to thin, it is completely removed. The bones inside the knee joint are exposed. As a result, they rub against each other while walking, causing severe pain.

Over the years, bony protrusions begin to appear in the joint. They lead to the development of deformation, the leg is bent.

Causes of gonarthrosis

Gonarthrosis of the knee joint occurs for various reasons. It is customary to distinguish two forms of it:

• primary;
• secondary.

Primary gonarthrosis usually develops in older people. Its occurrence is related to the following:

• disturbance of metabolic processes;
• obesity;
• hereditary tendency;
• taking hormonal drugs.

The primary form affects both knee joints at once and is called bilateral gonarthrosis. However, there are cases when the inflammatory process first covers one knee and only after a few years it moves to the second.

Secondary gonarthrosis, on the other hand, is always unilateral. This is called:

• heavy physical work and sports, putting load on the right or left knee joint;
• trauma (tear of ligaments, dislocation, bleeding in the cavity of the knee joint, damage to the meniscus, intra-articular fracture, etc. ).
• knee joint operations;
• joint inflammation/swelling.

Symptoms of gonarthrosis

Among the common symptoms of gonarthrosis of the knee joints:

• severe pain in the knee when moving;
• knee dysfunction;
• swelling in the knee joint;
• lameness
• joint stiffness;
• instability in the affected joint.

Deformation (curvature) of the leg is also characteristic of the later stages of the disease.

In most cases, gonarthrosis develops slowly and passes through four consecutive stages.

First-degree gonarthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by the following features:

• Unexplained knee pain when walking up/down stairs, squatting.
• "Starting" pains at the beginning of the movement.
• Restriction of movement.
• Disappearance of anxiety when the patient "diverges".
• Knee pain after heavy physical exertion.
• The knee appears healthy or slightly swollen.
• There may be manifestations of synovitis (inflammation of the inner lining, due to which fluid begins to form in the joint).

Secondary bilateral gonarthrosis of the knee joint has the following symptoms:

• The pain becomes stronger.
• Anxiety increases sharply during squats and walking.
• The pain is localized in the inner part of the knees and gradually disappears during rest.
• Creaking in the knees.
• The joint expands, fluid begins to accumulate in it (synovitis).
• Intra-articular fluid can fill the popliteal fossa behind the joint (Baker's cyst).
• Individual articular zones are warm to the touch.
• Stiffness may disappear after physical warm-up.
• The shape of the legs changes in the knee area (there is a curve).

The following symptoms are characteristic of third-degree gonarthrosis:

• The pain is bothersome day and night, while resting and walking. The patient should seek a position to reduce the severity of the pain symptom.
• It is difficult to open and bend the joint. Movement is limited. It is impossible to straighten the leg completely.
• An O- or X-shaped deformity of the lower limbs may occur.
• The knee joint significantly increases in size and becomes deformed. There is severe synovitis.
• The patient's gait is unstable, trembling, he must use a cane / crutches, ask for external help during movement.

There is also the fourth degree of gonarthrosis of the knee joints. Clinically, orthopedists attribute it to the third stage of the disease. This can only be determined by X-ray examination.

In the fourth degree, the articular surfaces of the bones are so deformed that there is almost no space between them, without which movement is impossible. The patient has constant pain.

If you experience similar symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent the disease than to deal with its consequences.

Diagnosis of gonarthrosis of knee joints

The diagnosis of the disease consists of questioning the patient, checking the inflamed joint, checking its volume, assessing mobility. If you suspect gonarthrosis, the orthopedist prescribes instrumental methods:

• Radiography. With gonarthrosis, narrowing of cracks, thinning of bone tissue and compaction under cartilage, and ossification of articular cartilage are observed on the X-ray. Perhaps the presence of osteophytes - bony growths extending along the edges of the cartilage.
• Ultrasound diagnostics of the knee joint.
• arthroscopy. During the study, the surgeon inserts a special microvideo camera connected to the arthroscope into the joint through punctures. A description of all parts of the research area appears on the screen.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This allows to assess the degree of damage to the knee joints.
• A blood test is an auxiliary diagnostic method and does not always give a complete picture of the clinical picture. The fact is that signs of inflammation in the blood cannot be determined with gonarthrosis.

Treatment of gonarthrosis of knee joints

Medicines

The following drug groups are used in the treatment of gonarthrosis of the knee joint:

• anti-inflammatory;
• pain relievers;
• chondroprotectors (ensure the restoration of destroyed cartilage tissue).

Their release forms are various - ointments, creams, gels, tablets, capsules, intra-articular and intramuscular injection.

Orthopedics

Orthopedic treatment of pathology involves the use of special devices to minimize the load on diseased joints:

• orthopedic insoles for shoes
• orthoses (special hard knee pads that limit mobility in the affected joint),
• reeds.

Surgery

Surgical methods are used in the treatment of gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the third degree. Indications for endoprosthetics:

• uncontrolled pain,
• significant dysfunction of the knee and hip joints.

The time spent on implantation is 2-3 hours. Before installing the prosthesis, the destroyed part of the joint and the back of the patella are removed, the axis of the leg is aligned. If necessary, the bonds are restored. When the endoprosthesis is installed, the wound is sutured.

In the first hours after the operation, the patient does not feel the lower limbs due to anesthesia. The rehabilitation period is long - 3-4 months.

Arthroplasty cannot be performed if the patient suffers from osteoporosis (fragility and fragility of bones).

Additional methods of treatment of gonarthrosis

The following can be used as auxiliary treatment methods for gonarthrosis:

• manual therapy;
• massage;
• acupuncture;
• hirudotherapy;
• physiotherapy;
• exercise therapy.

Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis

Exercises for gonarthrosis of the knee joint are selected individually. Their regular application makes it possible to strengthen the muscles surrounding the inflamed joint and improve blood circulation in the pathological area. They should be performed lying on the back or sitting.

In the first days, therapeutic exercises for gonarthrosis of the knee joint should not exceed 10 minutes. Gradually, the time of lessons should be increased to half an hour. To ensure that the pain does not increase, it is important to do all the movements smoothly.

Common exercises include:

• Raise the straightened leg to a height of 15-20 cm from the ground and keep it in this position for a maximum period of time.
• Raise the straightened leg to a height of 15-20 cm and gradually lower it to its original position.
• Sitting in a chair, bending and extending the legs.

Any squats and long walks are contraindicated without prior consultation with an orthopedist.

Features of treatment of gonarthrosis depending on the degree of the disease

Treatment of gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the first degree

The first degree of the disease is the easiest. The patient is prescribed:

• Massage.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy procedures.

If you are obese, you need to lose weight. A special diet is observed for this.

Treatment of secondary gonarthrosis of the knee joint

Comprehensive treatment of pathology includes:

• Do the exercises recommended by the therapist.
• Taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, chondroprotectors, joint introduction of hyaluronic acid.
• Phytotherapeutic procedures (in the absence of an open inflammatory process).
• Weight normalization.

Treatment of third-degree gonarthrosis

Therapeutic treatment of third-degree pathology is similar to the measures used in the second stage of the disease. However, if there is no expected effect, a surgical method is recommended to the patient.

If we talk about the beginning of the third degree, it is possible to remove part of the damaged cartilage and bone protrusions. Using an arthroscope, the doctor examines the cavity of the knee joint and finds out how open the problem is.

Corrective osteotomy is indicated if areas of healthy tissue are preserved. During this operation, the doctor corrects the shape of the bone through the fracture. Then he installs a special plate that allows you to fix the limb in the correct position.

The second method of surgical treatment is endoprosthetics - an operation to replace the entire knee joint or its individual parts with prostheses.

Treatment of gonarthrosis of knee joints with folk remedies

Folk recipes help to achieve good results only in the 1st and 2nd stages of the disease. When the cartilage tissue is destroyed and the joint is severely deformed, they are weak.

ficus tincture

The solution is prepared according to the recipe:

• Pass the ficus leaf through a meat grinder.
• Place in a glass container.
• Add 100 ml of vodka.
• Close the lid and leave to brew for 3 weeks.
• Store the prepared liquid in the refrigerator. Rub the joints with tincture once a day for 10 days.

Clay compresses

• Place the blue/red clay in a glass jar.
• Dilute with water to the consistency of sour cream.
• Apply clay to a canvas/cotton cloth about 1. 5-2 cm thick.
• Apply to the affected joint.
• Tie it with a bandage and wrap it with a towel.
• Compress 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment is 1. 5 weeks.

Dandelion tincture

• Fill a glass bottle with dandelion flowers.
• Triple cologne on top.
• Close the lid.
• Put in a dark place for a month.
• After the specified time, the tincture is filtered. Rub your knees twice a day.

apple cider vinegar for knee arthritis

• Mix 6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of natural honey.
• Apply the mixture to the joint area.
• Place cabbage leaves on top.
• Wrap with plastic wrap and a scarf.
• It is best to apply a compress at night. Remove the leaves after they are completely dry. The course of treatment is about 4 weeks.

Garlic with celery and lemon

• Chop 250 g of celery, 120 g of garlic, 3 lemons and mix. Transfer to a three-liter jar, pour boiling water.
• Cover with a warm blanket.
• After cooling, the agent should be consumed 70 ml before meals, 1 time a day for the first time, and after a few days - 2-3 times a day.

Diet for gonarthrosis

Diet for gonarthrosis of the knee joint aims to normalize body weight, fight obesity and saturate the body with nutrients. If the patient manages to lose weight, the pain is less pronounced, because there is less stress on the joints. In this case, you should not starve and do not resort to the help of mono-diets. Nutrition should be balanced.

Proteins contribute to the regeneration of intra-articular cartilage. Their patients can eat lean meat, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, lentils, beans, and buckwheat. Gel made from bone broth is useful for gonarthrosis because it contains a lot of collagen.

Carbohydrates should be taken by eating vegetables and fruits. Fats should be mainly vegetable. A small amount of butter is allowed. B group vitamins are especially important for improving the patient's condition. They are found in eggs, legumes, bananas, dairy products, cabbage, nuts, lentils.

Alcohol is prohibited with gonarthrosis of the knee joints. This not only has a negative effect on the body as a whole, but also increases appetite, which is undesirable.

The danger of gonarthrosis

With primary and secondary gonarthrosis, we are not talking about disability. The third stage of the disease can disable the patient when the functions of the joints are completely lost and unaided movement is impossible.

It is necessary to understand that gonarthrosis is a constantly developing chronic pathology. A competent choice of drugs and regular exercise are necessary for a favorable prognosis.

Risk group for gonarthrosis

The risk group for gonarthrosis includes:

• professional dancers;
• athletes;
• builders, loaders, miners;
• people with a hereditary predisposition;
• people with obesity;
• with posture disorders;
• fractures;
• with malformations of the ligamentous-articular apparatus;
• suffering from hormonal, rheumatoid and metabolic diseases.

Prevention of gonarthrosis

To reduce the risk of developing gonarthrosis of the knee joints, the following recommendations should be followed:

• engage in physical education;
• avoid excessive physical activity;
• weight control;
• seek qualified medical care for injuries, inflammatory diseases of the joints;
• do not overcool (if there is a problem, it is recommended to wear warm knee pads);
• drink 2 liters of water a day;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• avoid stressful situations.

This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.