Orthopedic traumatologists perform specialized diagnosis (radiation, laboratory), conservative therapy (drugs, intraarticular injections, PRP therapy, cellular technologies of regenerative medicine, etc.) and high-tech surgical treatment of gonarthrosis (arthrosis of the knee joint) - arthroscopy, endoprosthesis, corrective osteotomy.
Gonarthrosis is observed in one in ten people over the age of 55, and in a quarter of these patients it leads to disability.
Up to 80% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joints report a decrease in quality of life.
The duration of operation of a modern endoprosthesis of the knee joint 10 years after surgery is 99%, after 15 years – 95%, after 20 years – 90%.
Why does arthrosis of the knee joint occur?
- Very often, the cause of the development of the disease is knee injuries, especially repeated ones (damage to the menisci, dislocations, fractures, hematomas, etc.).
- Frequently repeated joint microtraumas during sports training, with constant "standing" work, have a similar effect.
- Excess body weight creates an increase in axial load and destroys the joint.
- The degenerative-dystrophic process of the joint can also occur after suffering from inflammatory diseases (arthritis due to gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Endocrine diseases, hormonal changes (for example, menopause), metabolic disorders aggravate pathological changes in the joint.
Main symptoms of knee joint pain
- With grade 1 gonarthrosis - at the initial stage of the disease, periodic pain occurs in the knee joint after exercise (walking, running, standing for a long time), which disappears after rest.In this phase there is practically no joint deformation or limitation of mobility;
- Gradually, the pain becomes more frequent and intensifies, especially when going up and down stairs, as well as at the beginning of walking after prolonged sitting (initial pain);
- With grade 2 gonarthrosis, knee pain during exercise becomes constant, disappears only after a long rest, the patient limps when walking;
- When moving, a creaking sensation appears in the joint.The range of motion of the knee joint is limited (when bending "fully" sharp pain appears);
- When examining the joint area, you may notice swelling and deformation;
- In DOA of the knee joint of the 3rd degree, which corresponds to severe gonarthrosis, pain in the joint is annoying even at rest, does not allow falling asleep, the range of motion decreases significantly, patients walk with bent legs, and a pronounced deformation of the knee joint is observed (O- or X-shaped legs).
Diagnostics
- Investigation and examination by an orthopedic traumatologist reveal typical signs of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease (pain on palpation, limited mobility, crepitus, deformity, effusion in the joint).
- A radiographic examination of the knee joint is performed (narrowing of the radiographic joint space, the presence of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis is determined) and, if necessary, a computed tomography of the joint.
- Ultrasound examination of the joint may detect thinning of the joint cartilage, changes in the ligaments, muscles, soft tissues around the joint, inflammatory effusion in the joint cavity, and changes in the menisci.
- The most accurate information is provided by MRI of the knee joint, which reveals changes in cartilage and bone tissue, ligaments, menisci, synovial membrane, allowing to differentiate post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint and arthritis, tumor process.
- 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, 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 pharmacological treatment of gonarthrosis:
- use of analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors;
- local use of drugs in the form of ointments, gels;
- intra-articular injection - intra-articular administration of an individually selected combination of drugs, which may include hormonal agents to quickly relieve inflammation, drugs based on hyaluronic acid to replenish synovial fluid, etc.;
- PRP therapy - intra-articular injections of PRP (platelet-rich plasma).
- Methods of regenerative medicine - intra-articular injections of autologous cells of the stroma-vascular fraction, cells - precursors of cartilaginous tissue, obtained from their own adipose tissue.
- Massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy.
- Mandatory use of therapeutic physical training with a set of exercises aimed at improving blood circulation in the joint and increasing freedom of movement.
Surgical
Knee arthroscopy
In case of pronounced changes in the joint (advanced arthrosis, traumatic defects), orthopedic traumatologists perform surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint by arthroscopy (surgical interventions on the meniscus, cartilage, removal of the "joint mouse", 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 the patient from pain and restore mobility and a dignified quality of life.
Nowadays, there is no point in enduring the pain and discomfort of joint pain.Modern medical technologies make it possible to help with arthrosis of the knee joint at almost any stage.Contact your doctor and take advantage of existing options.