Orthopedic traumatologists perform expert diagnostics (radiation, laboratory), conservative therapy (medicines, intra-articular injections, PRP therapy, cellular technologies of regenerative medicine, etc.) and high-tech surgical treatment of gonarthrosis (knee joint arthrosis) - arthroscopy, endoprosthesis, corrective osteotomy.
Gonarthrosis is detected in every tenth person over the age of 55, and every fourth of them leads to disability.
Up to 80% of patients with knee arthrosis report a decrease in quality of life.
The operative time of the modern knee joint endoprosthesis is 99% 10 years after the operation, 95% after 15 years, and 90% after 20 years.
Why does arthrosis of the knee joint occur?
- Most often, the cause of the disease is knee injuries, especially repeated ones (damage to the meniscus, dislocations, fractures, hematomas, etc.).
- Often repeated microtraumas of the joint during sports training, with constant work on the "legs", have a similar effect.
- Excess weight causes increased axial load and destroys the joint.
- The degenerative-dystrophic process can also occur in the joint after inflammatory diseases (gouty arthritis, psoriasis, rheumatic arthritis).
- Endocrine diseases, hormonal changes (e.g. menopause), metabolic disorders aggravate pathological changes in the joint.
The main symptoms of knee joint pain
- In the case of grade 1 gonarthrosis - in the initial stage of the disease, there is periodic pain in the knee joint after exercise (walking, running, standing for a long time), which disappears after rest.At this stage, there is virtually no joint deformation or mobility limitation;
- Gradually, the pain becomes more frequent and stronger, especially when going up and down stairs and at the beginning of walking after sitting for a long time (initial pain);
- In case of grade 2 gonarthrosis, the knee pain becomes constant during exercise, disappears only after a long rest, the patient limps while walking;
- A crunching sensation appears in the joint during movement.The range of motion of the knee joint is limited (sharp pain occurs when fully bent);
- When examining the joint area, you may notice swelling and deformation;
- In the case of DOA of the knee joint of the 3rd degree corresponding to severe gonarthrosis, the joint pain is disturbing even at rest, does not allow falling asleep, the range of movements is significantly reduced, the patients walk on bent legs, and there is a pronounced deformation of the knee joint (O- or X-shaped legs).
Diagnostics
- The assessment and examination carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist reveals the typical signs of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease (palpatory pain, limited movement, crepitus, deformity, effusion in the joint).
- An x-ray examination of the knee joint (narrowing of the joint space, presence of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis) is performed, if necessary, a computed tomography examination of the joint.
- An ultrasound examination of the joint can detect the thinning of the articular cartilage, changes in the ligaments, muscles, soft tissues around the joint, inflammatory fluid accumulation 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 the cartilage and bone tissue, ligaments, menisci, and joint membrane, making it possible to differentiate between post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint, arthritis, and tumor processes.
- Diagnostic puncture and arthroscopy of the knee joint, as well as laboratory testing of the synovial fluid obtained during the procedure, are widely used in the diagnosis of joint diseases.
Treatment of gonarthrosis
Treatment of 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 the full function of the joints:
- Therapeutic and protective system - the load on the joint must be limited and rest must be ensured.
- Conservative medical treatment of gonarthrosis:
- use of painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors;
- local application of drugs in the form of ointments, gels;
- intra-articular injection - intra-articular administration of an individually selected combination of drugs, which may contain hormonal agents for quick relief of inflammation, hyaluronic acid-based drugs to replace synovial fluid, etc.;
- PRP therapy - intra-articular injection of PRP (plasma rich in own blood platelets).
- Methods of regenerative medicine - intra-articular injections of autologous cells of the stroma-vascular fraction, cells - precursors of cartilage tissue, which are obtained from own adipose tissue.
- Massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy.
- Mandatory application of therapeutic physical training with a series of exercises, the aim of which is to improve the blood circulation of the joint and increase the range of motion.
Surgical
Knee arthroscopy
In case of pronounced joint changes (advanced osteoarthritis, traumatic defects), orthopedic traumatologists perform surgical treatment of knee joint arthrosis with arthroscopy (meniscus, cartilage operations, "joint mouse removal", synovectomy, etc.).
Knee joint surgery
If other treatment methods are ineffective, we perform knee prostheses using modern prostheses from the best manufacturers in the world.It is a reliable way to relieve the patient's pain and restore mobility and an adequate 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 knee arthrosis at almost any stage.Consult your doctor and take advantage of the available options.