Orthopedic traumatologists carry out expert diagnostics (radiation, laboratory), conservative therapy (medications, intra-articular injections, PRP therapy, cellular technologies of regenerative medicine, etc.) and high-tech surgical treatment of gonarthrosis (arthrosis of the knee joint) – arthroscopy, endoprosthetics, corrective osteotomy.
Gonarthrosis is observed in one in ten people over 55 years of age, and in one in four of these patients it leads to disability.
Up to 80% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joints report a deterioration in quality of life.
The functional duration of a modern knee joint endoprosthesis is 99% 10 years after the operation, 95% after 15 years, 90% after 20 years.
Why does osteoarthritis of the knee joint occur?
- Most often, knee injuries are the cause of the development of the disease, especially repeated ones (damage to the menisci, dislocations, fractures, hematomas, etc.).
- Repeated microtraumas to the joint during sports training and constant work “on the feet” often have a similar effect.
- Excessive body weight causes increased axial stress and destroys the joint.
- The degenerative-dystrophic process in the joint can also occur after inflammatory diseases (arthritis due to gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Endocrine diseases, hormonal changes (e.g. menopause) and metabolic disorders worsen pathological changes in the joint.
Main symptoms of knee joint pain
- With gonarthrosis of the 1st degree - in the initial stage of the disease, periodic pain in the knee joint occurs after physical activity (walking, running, long standing), which disappears after rest.At this stage there is practically no joint deformity or restriction of movement;
- Gradually the pain becomes more frequent and intensifies, especially when going up and down stairs and when starting to walk after sitting for a long time (initial pain);
- With gonarthrosis of the 2nd degree, the pain in the knee becomes constant during exercise, disappears only after a long break, the patient limps when walking;
- When you move, a crunch occurs in the joint.The range of motion in the knee joint is limited (stabbing pain occurs when “fully” bent);
- When examining the joint area, you may notice swelling and deformity.
- With DOA of the knee joint of the 3rd degree, which corresponds to severe gonarthrosis, the joint pain is disturbing even at rest, does not allow falling asleep, the range of motion decreases significantly, the patient walks on bent legs and there is a pronounced deformation of the knee joint (O- or X-shaped legs).
diagnosis
- A survey and examination by an orthopedic traumatologist reveals typical signs of a degenerative-dystrophic joint disease (pain on palpation, limited mobility, crepitus, deformity, effusion in the joint).
- An X-ray examination of the knee joint is carried out (narrowing of the X-ray joint space, the presence of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis is detected) and, if necessary, a computed tomography of the joint.
- An ultrasound examination of the joint can detect thinning of the cartilage in the joint, changes in the ligaments, muscles, soft tissues around the joint, inflammatory effusions 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 and the synovial membrane, and makes it possible to distinguish between post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint and arthritis, as well as a tumor process.
- Diagnostic puncture and arthroscopy of the knee joint as well as laboratory examination of the synovial fluid obtained are often used to diagnose joint diseases.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint depends on the stage of the disease.
Conservative
In the early stages of DOA, successful complex conservative treatment is possible, aimed at relieving inflammation, restoring cartilage, eliminating pain and restoring full joint function:
- Therapeutic and protective regime – it is necessary to limit the load on the joint and ensure rest.
- Conservative drug treatment of gonarthrosis:
- Use of analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors;
- local use of medications in the form of ointments, gels;
- intra-articular injection – intra-articular administration of an individually selected combination of drugs, which may include hormonal agents for rapid relief of inflammation, hyaluronic acid-based drugs for replenishing synovial fluid, etc.;
- PRP therapy – intra-articular injections of PRP (own platelet-rich plasma).
- Methods of regenerative medicine - intra-articular injections of autologous cells of the stromal-vascular fraction, cells - precursors of cartilage tissue, obtained from one's own fatty tissue.
- Massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy.
- Mandatory use of therapeutic physical training with a set of exercises to improve blood circulation in the joint and increase the range of motion.
Surgical
Knee arthroscopy
In cases of pronounced joint changes (advanced arthrosis, traumatic defects), orthopedic traumatologists carry out surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint using arthroscopy (operations on the meniscus, cartilage, removal of the “joint mouse”, synovectomy, etc.).
Knee arthroplasty
If other treatment methods remain ineffective, we carry out knee joint replacements using modern prostheses from the world's best manufacturers.This is a reliable way to relieve the patient of pain and restore mobility and a good quality of life.
Nowadays, there is no point in enduring pain and inconvenience due to joint pain.Modern medical technologies make it possible to help with arthrosis of the knee joint at almost any stage.Contact your doctor and use the existing options.