Gonarthrosis or deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is called degenerative pathology, fragment strikes the cartilage that covers the area of the femur and the tibia forming the knee joint.
Osteoarthritis is constantly progressing and leads to gradual defeat of the whole joint, the bone loss occurs with its pathological overgrowth and seal. All these processes make it difficult to normal walking.
Causes
To identify the exact cause of gonarthrosis in each case is difficult, and there is no clear single cause for its development.
Mainly in the development of gonarthrosis plays the role of several mutually aggravating factors. First of all, come first joint injury and surrounding bones - tibia fractures involving joints, meniscus injuries, ligament ruptures on the knee. However, joint disease occurs not once, but several years after the injury, as often happens in professional athletes.
Another equally important factor is the increased load on knees, after 40 years, especially if you have not been regular exercise, and the joints are not ready for the increased voltage - danger of sit-ups, running and weight lifting from position standing.
No less important for the knee and is a constant load in the form of excess weight as a major work of the body rests on the retention of the lower limbs, especially in the knees. This leads to a permanent microscopic injuries, ligament tear or a more serious injury and joint inflammation.
Risk factors for the development of gonarthrosis are:
- phlebeurysm on the feet that prevents normal food joints,
- arthritis rheumatoid, Reactive, or psoriatic arthritic origin.
- genetic predisposition to the laxity of the joints (as in Marfan syndrome)
- metabolic problems, nervous disorders of the joints.
Usually the first symptoms of the disease appear after age 40, often affects women, but traumatic gonarthrosis can also occur in young people actively involved in sports - football players, runners, jumpers.
Osteoarthritis - a typical dystrophic disease that occurs when blood flow problems and lack of food and oxygen to the joints. But can occur secondary lesions of ligaments with the deposition of calcium salts in them, and a violation of their elasticity.
Kinds
By origin distinguish two types of losses:
- idiopathic or primary gonarthrosis - arises because of the injury initially healthy knee, is almost always bilateral and occurs in the elderly.
- secondary, occurring against the background of diseases or injuries of the joints, malformation or injury of joints, it can develop at any age, most often unilateral.
manifestations of gonarthrosis
Osteoarthritis occurs in several of the successive stages having their typical symptoms and clinical signs. Disease gradually begins imperceptibly and sometimes patients can not recall trauma triggered the process.
I power
The first step is usually the patients complain of a minor nature pain when ascending or descending stairs, squatting with perhaps a sense of joint stiffness and tension below the knee.
May be the so-called pain starting at the beginning of the movements of a sitting or lying position, and when patients 'pacing' - the pain goes away. Pain may occur after a significant load on the knees.
Externally, the knee can not be changed or slightly edematous, in rare cases within the joint can accumulate fluid to inflating the knee zone, the restriction of movement and a feeling of gravity.
II power
The second stage of gonarthrosis gives more intense pain, worse for loads long walking and squats.
Usually pain localized to the inner side of the knee. After resting pain disappeared, and at the beginning of the movement reappear.
Gradually reduced range of motion in the joint, when attempting to forcibly straighten the leg causing severe pain and crunch when driving.
The joint is visually expands, more likely to have fluid buildup inside the joint, they are persistent and accumulate a lot of fluid.
III power
The third stage of gonarthrosis gives constant pain, not only when driving but also at rest, at night, the patients for a long time looking for a position to relieve the pain.
The joint is severely limited in movement, it is difficult how to bend and straighten the foot, the foot is not completely straightens and joint drastically deformed and increased in size, can form X-shape or O leg strain.
Thus gait becomes shaky and unstable, with reliance on a stick or crutches.
methods of diagnosis
The basis of the diagnosis - the patient's complaints and visual changes in the joint with a coarsening of the bone contour deformity in the joint, disorders of movement in it. Sliding the patella occurs with a crunch, joint palpation painful.
The basis of the diagnosis - joint x-ray, but in the early stages of change may not be available. It is necessary to compare the X-ray dynamics. Today is also used magnetic resonance and computed tomography of the joint.
Gonartroz must be distinguished from the tumor of bone lesions, as well as arthritis and arthrosis rheumatic fever, tuberculosis and other nature.
gonarthrosis treatment
gonarthrosis treatment - orthopedic problem and the need to treat the early stages.
During exacerbation or accumulation of fluid needed limb rest, application of physical therapy and massage, physiotherapy applications as electrophoresis with novocaine or hydrocortisone, laser therapy, UHF, mud therapy and balneotherapy.
The basis of treatment of gonarthrosis:
- reception chondroprotectors Alflutop, Artifleksa, Artron Complex Artron Triaktiva, Teraflex, Homvio-revmana, Hondrovita, Chondroitin Complex.
- preparations for the replacement of synovial fluid - Austen Femartron, Sinokrom, Gialurom, but they are very expensive.
- in special cases, - the introduction of intra-articular steroid hormones,
- application of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs orally in the form of creams and ointments (Diclofenac, Voltaren),
- spa treatment with mud therapy and balneotherapy,
- applying discharging when walking with a cane or support crutches
- comfortable shoes, to prevent excessive loads on the joints, conducting special exercises.
In young patients with severe pain and degenerative processes used surgical treatment - joint replacement, joint replacement, followed by rehabilitation for at least six months.
Forecast
Treatment of gonarthrosis continued for life, as the process progresses continuously. But with adequate selection of drugs and the timely start of treatment can significantly slow down the process and prevent disability.
