Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is a disease that is considered chronic. When the disease occurs, the joint becomes deformed due to damage to muscles, bones, and cartilage tissue.
Patients have to deal with varying degrees of pain. You can completely lose your functionality, become completely immobile.
According to ICD 10, knee deforming arthrosis belongs to class M17.
The disease most often affects women, less often men. There are many reasons for its occurrence; first of all, people with diseased veins are at risk of developing arthrosis, which deforms their knees. It is no coincidence that after forty years, overweight women have considerable problems with joints - this is a pattern.
The unprotected category is the elderly. They often complain of pain and the inability to move quickly.
There are bilateral and unilateral arthritis. Depends on how many legs are affected - two or one.
You can get arthrosis that deforms your knees in your youth. Usually occurs from injuries received during sports or physical work. Occurs initially at the cellular level, after which the destruction of the cartilaginous element of the joint begins. It becomes thin, delaminates, and cracks appear along it. By studying cartilage tissue, you can detect changes that have begun and think about how to treat them so that destruction does not lead to exposure of the bone.
There are root causes of arthritis that deforms the knees:
These reasons contribute to the development of the initial stage of deforming arthrosis of the knee joints. If at least one of the points applies to you, go to the doctors to confirm or refute the diagnosis. Hurry will help get rid of the disease in the early stages.
In the initial stages of the development of the disease, pain occurs unexpectedly, and the person barely feels it. It can last for a long time until the disease worsens. Pain that appears suddenly is not a sign of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint. You should be alerted by a gradually emerging pain sensation.
In the later stages of arthrosis, deformation of the knee joints occurs. It looks as if the knee is swollen, the shape is normal.
With arthrosis, a crunch in the knees appears. It should not be confused with the usual excessive mobility, weak ligaments. The crunch is sharp, followed by pain.
The last stage of arthrosis often leads to limited mobility of the knee joint. It is difficult and painful to bend it. The joint becomes deformed and becomes visible to the naked eye.
There are three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint:
Doctors recommend treatment with medications. Homeopathic remedies are more often used. They are taken in small doses. A short course lasting several weeks is sufficient for recovery.
If the drugs are correctly selected, blood circulation will be completely restored, and the cartilage tissue cells will receive normal nutrition. Homeopathic preparations will strengthen the patient’s immunity and improve general condition.
Kinesitherapy is often used in combination with medications. These are exercises that help improve blood flow and improve cellular nutrition. The program is selected individually and carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Treatment using the Evdokimenko method has become popular. Are used:
A strict diet is required.
Treatment of stage 1 arthrosis can drive away the disease in one year. Get rid of it, you will forget what joints are.
Stage 2 treatment will require more time. The pain has become more acute, recurs more often, and it will take several years to get rid of it.
Treatment for stage 3 disease is not effective and requires surgery.
There is a method by Dr. Bubnovsky. It proposes to fight arthrosis of the knees without drugs or surgical intervention. According to the treatment method, the patient needs gymnastics for deforming arthrosis of the knee joint. You need to go to the bathhouse, visit the pool, get a massage.
At various stages of arthrosis development, treatment with folk remedies gives results.
Compresses, ointments, and rubbing will make the blood flow faster through the vessels.
The following recipes for arthrosis are common:
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is a very common disease that can occur in both young and elderly people. The fact is that the knee is considered one of the most mobile and loaded parts of the support system. Over time, the tissue wears out, and pain and stiffness appear in the affected joint. Treatment of the disease should be mandatory.
It is important to know! Doctors are shocked: “An effective and affordable remedy for ARTHROSIS exists. " Read more.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by the development of degenerative and dystrophic processes within it. The cartilage tissue is gradually destroyed. Untimely treatment leads to joint deformation and inability to move normally. In addition, due to the destruction of cartilage, the body turns on the immune response and begins to grow bone tissue - osteophytes. This further limits the functionality of the knee.
This disease is constantly progressing. Its treatment is necessary in order to stop further deformation of the joint. If the therapy was incorrect or untimely, then arthrosis will deform the knee joint, after which it will no longer be possible to change anything.
So, deforming arthrosis of the knee can be provoked by completely different factors, but the risk group includes people with a hereditary predisposition to diseases of the supporting apparatus, and with excessive body weight. Too much weight aggravates the condition of the joints. Moreover, deforming arthrosis of the knee can be unilateral or bilateral.
The following reasons can provoke knee joint disease:
These reasons cause defarthrosis even in youth. Naturally, treatment of all these pathological conditions will help to significantly slow down the development of the disease.
The following symptoms are typical for deforming arthrosis of the knee joint:
It should be noted that each stage of the disease has its own symptoms. For example, the nature of the pain can be different:
Each degree of knee joint disease is characterized by an intensification of the main manifestations.
Defarthrosis in this case is practically not noticed by the patient, since the symptoms and signs are practically not felt. Mild pain in the knee may only appear with intense movement. That is, the patient cannot yet suspect that he is developing arthrosis.
Even slight stiffness in the joint is not alarming. There is virtually no inflammation or acute onset of the disease. This stage is characterized by the accumulation of a small amount of synovial fluid, so the appearance of a Becker cyst is possible. However, most patients, even in this case, do not see a doctor.
Despite the fact that the cartilage is already undergoing pathological changes, they are not so serious as to deform the knee joint. At this stage of the disease, even X-ray examination does not always show any destruction. Therefore, additional instrumental diagnostic methods will be required.
Treatment of this stage of the disease is carried out not only with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs, but also with therapeutic exercises. Motor activity must be maintained so that the joint produces synovial fluid that nourishes cartilage and other tissues.
Associate Professor of the Department of Neurology and Manual Therapy of KSMA Olga Sergeevna Kochergina shares her knowledge about the disease:
The second stage of arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by increased pain, which sometimes impairs the ability to work, although the person can care for himself. This degree of gonarthrosis already forces a person to see a doctor.
The emerging symptoms disrupt the patient’s normal life, as the pain becomes almost constant and occurs with any even slight movement. It only calms down when at rest. It is especially difficult for the patient to take his first steps after waking up in the morning. Since at this stage of the disease the osteophytes grow quite strongly, this increases the discomfort. Sometimes the pain appears even at night, disrupting sleep. The man begins to limp.
The knee bends and straightens with difficulty, and swelling appears in the affected area. The muscles of the joint go into spasm. The second degree of gonarthrosis is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process. The limitation in mobility becomes very noticeable. The patient practically cannot walk without additional orthopedic devices.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis in this case is carried out using various methods: drug therapy, therapeutic massage and physical education, physiotherapeutic procedures. Complex cases require surgical intervention. Further development of the disease is fraught with disability.
The pain in the knee joint becomes constant and does not disappear even at rest. Moreover, the unpleasant sensations intensify even with a sudden change in weather. Characteristic of this degree is gait disturbance. The lameness becomes very noticeable.
Even “advanced” ARTHROSIS can be cured at home! Just remember to apply this once a day.
Swelling of the knee joint lasts quite a long time and is significantly expressed. The deformation of the joint becomes noticeable. It takes on an X- or O-shape. The mobility of the leg is very limited, to the point that it does not bend or extend at all. Even small movements are accompanied by an unpleasant crunch.
In this case, the cartilage is destroyed very much. The x-ray shows a strong narrowing of the interarticular space. Inflammation provokes a large accumulation of fluid inside the joint. This degree of the disease is distinguished by the fact that all symptoms intensify several times. Often, drug treatment is no longer effective; surgery is required to replace the knee joint with an artificial prosthesis.
Arthrosis cannot be completely cured. The degenerative process deforms the joint so much that the person may already become disabled.
In order for the doctor to prescribe effective treatment, the patient must be examined. It uses not only radiography, but also MRI, ultrasound, and arthroscopy of the knee joint, which can also serve as a treatment.
Leading researcher at the Institute of Rheumatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Elena Sergeevna Tsvetkova, will share useful information with you about treatment and prevention:
Despite the fact that arthrosis cannot be completely cured, it should not be left to chance. You should try to slow down the development of the disease, eliminate the symptoms and restore the functionality of the joint.
Medication therapy involves the use of the following means:
Diet is considered part of complex treatment. It does not involve fasting or strict food restrictions. However, the diet should promote weight loss if necessary. That is, meals should be frequent and fractional. It is best to follow a diet that involves eating half of the foods raw. Naturally, you should give up alcohol and tobacco.
The use of medications is only part of the therapy. It is complemented by physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, massage and even folk remedies. As for exercise therapy, most exercises are performed in a lying or sitting position so that the load on the knee joint is minimal.
The most popular exercises are:
Each exercise is repeated at least 5 times. Moreover, gymnastics for gonarthrosis must be done very carefully so that it does not cause discomfort.
Laser therapy is a useful physiotherapeutic procedure. It is often more effective than medications. The laser perfectly relieves the inflammatory process. Oxygen therapy has excellent reviews.
In the most difficult cases, surgical intervention is used. Knee arthrosis should be treated in this way only in extreme cases. The operation involves removal of osteophytes, as well as complete replacement of the joint.
It will be effective to use shock wave therapy (SWT) when treating stages 2-3. How this process takes place at the medical center, watch the video:
Defarthrosis can also be treated with folk remedies. For example, the following recipes are considered useful:
An important step in the treatment of deforming knee arthrosis is sanatorium treatment. Here the patient will undergo a course of therapeutic aerobics and mineral baths. In addition, the treatment recommends the use of orthopedic devices that relieve the load on the damaged joint: canes, orthoses.
In any case, deforming arthrosis requires complex treatment. This will improve the patient's quality of life.
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Nowadays, there are quite frightening statistics regarding the disease - deforming arthrosis of the knee joint. If previously this disease mainly affected older people, now the disease has become significantly “younger”. Very often this diagnosis is now given to those who are just over 30 years old.
Don't forget about preventive measures. How to protect yourself from an insidious disease? Read the article, write it down, memorize it.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, also known as gonarthrosis, is a very common disease, particularly among older people. However, in recent years there has been a rejuvenation of this disease, and now the main risk group is people over 30 years of age.
According to the most conservative statements, about 4% of the world's population suffers from arthrosis of various types. If we talk exclusively about those who have passed their 60th birthday, then among these people patients with arthrosis accounted for more than 80%.
In addition, as mentioned above, the percentage is growing, and the disease is “getting younger.” This means that in the coming years, arthrosis may become a very common disease, overwhelmingly affecting older people.
Therefore, today, for those who have not yet gotten sick, it makes sense to adhere to certain rules that will help avoid such a fate in the future. The same recommendations will also be useful for those who are already sick, because they are an important part of treatment.
Gonarthrosis, which is often also called deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, refers to diseases of a dystrophic-degenerative nature. Most often, this type of disease occurs in elderly and middle-aged people. In children and adolescents, deforming arthrosis can be the cause of trauma or damage.
This disease can develop in both men and women, but the main risk group is women experiencing menopause, as well as people suffering from diseases such as obesity and varicose veins.
Deforming osteoarthritis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of various etiologies, associated with the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the articular surfaces, characterized by a constant progressive course, the development of compensatory reactions in the form of bone peri- or intra-articular growths, deformation of the structures that form the joint, manifested by dysfunction of the joint and pain.
According to the World Health Organization, deforming arthrosis of the joints affects 5% of the world's population. Arthrosis deformans is considered a more common disease than diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and heart disease.
As can be seen from the general definition of this pathology, arthrosis deformans is a constantly progressive disease. This means that sooner or later one stage of the process will move into the next. The progression of the disease determines the constant involvement in the process of structures surrounding the joint, or structures connected to the joint by a functional connection.
Popularly, this disease is called “salt deposition.” However, this name does not convey the whole essence of the disease. Medical scientists have not been able to fully figure out what the causes of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint are. It is generally accepted that the main factors contributing to the development of gonarthrosis are:
At present, science does not know the clear cause of this pathology. There are many theories and hypotheses on this topic, but so many factors involved in the pathophysiological process of the disease cannot yet be explained by any specific one.
To summarize, among the many reasons for the development of deforming arthrosis, heredity, anatomical features of the joint structure, developmental defects, mechanical factors (excess body weight, excessive load, meniscus damage, etc.), metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders play a large role.
And also - diseases of connective tissue, thyroid gland, some infectious, parasitic diseases, blood diseases, bad habits, taking certain medications, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, previous injuries and bone fractures, and much more.
Symptoms of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint develop gradually, so patients often do not consult a doctor in a timely manner in the hope that everything will go away on its own.
It should be remembered that by not paying due attention to your own health, you put your life at risk and subsequently, the disease with gonarthrosis can bring a lot of problems not only to you, but also to your loved ones. That is why it is so important to undergo timely examinations that can detect the presence of various types of diseases.
So, in the initial stages of the disease, as a rule, arthrosis of the patella develops, caused by loss of elasticity of the patellar cartilage. Once the cartilage becomes insufficiently elastic, the load on it during movement and walking increases.
A patient with a limb damaged by this disease may complain of pain in the area of the patella, which becomes pronounced when bending the knee, physical activity, or when climbing stairs. Detection of this disease is possible when a doctor examines the area of the leg affected by arthrosis, since upon palpation the patient feels moderate pain.
Some time after the patella is affected, the pain gradually moves to the inner part of the joint, which may already indicate that the tibial joint is affected. In this case, the pain when flexing and extending the limb increases noticeably.
In modern medicine, there are several degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint.
The fourth and final degree of gonarthrosis presupposes that the patient has pronounced arthrosis with significant narrowing of the joint space, often accompanied by such a sign as sclerosis of the subchondral bone.
A conversation with a doctor - this type of examination is often called objective. At this stage, the doctor can diagnose the disease based on the patient’s complaints, as well as by palpation of the area of the limb affected by arthrosis.
As a rule, patients with this disease complain of pain that increases with increasing load on the limb - walking long distances, bending and straightening the knee, going down and up stairs.
Also, symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint may include crunching and strange rustling sounds in the area of the affected area of the limb and a feeling of stiffness of the knee in the morning, which goes away within 20-30 minutes.
During palpation, the doctor should note an increase in pain in the patient, as well as possible deformation of the joint, which occurs in more than 35% of people suffering from knee arthrosis.
X-ray examination is the most effective method for identifying this disease. The radiograph may reveal marginal osteophytes, as well as a decrease in the distance between the patella and the femur.
Laboratory research. With this method of detecting arthrosis of the knee joint, synovinal fluid is collected, the presence of which is the main symptom of arthrosis in the limb.
The diagnosis is made after an X-ray examination of the joint. As it forms, three stages of development of deforming gonarthrosis are distinguished. At the first stage, a general narrowing of the joint space and compaction of the subchondral areas of the bone are detected.
The second stage is characterized by the appearance of bone growths (osteophytes) along the edges of the articular surfaces. In this case, the joint space narrows two or more times compared to the norm.
At the last stage, the joint space is almost invisible, extensive growths (osteophytes) and deformation of the joint are detected, and an almost complete loss of mobility occurs.
Acceleration of ESR in a general blood test indicates the activity of the inflammatory process.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis in any case should be prescribed by a doctor. There are several types of such treatment, but an experienced doctor, in order to quickly achieve the desired effect, most often skillfully combines several of their types.
Indeed, in order to cure a limb affected by arthrosis, you need to work in several directions at once, which include: reducing pain, relieving inflammation in the joint area, improving blood circulation in the affected area, as well as strengthening muscles and increasing joint mobility.
This type mainly includes the use of non-hormonal drugs: diclofenac, butadione, indomethacin, etc. With the help of this kind of medication, severe inflammation and pain can be relieved, in the presence of which it is impossible to use other methods of treatment.
It is worth noting that long-term use of these medications can have a bad effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as “mask” the main manifestations of arthrosis.
In addition, the use of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause dehydration of cartilage tissue, which can lead to accelerated destruction of a joint already affected by arthrosis. This is why any drug treatment must be agreed with your doctor, since self-medication can lead to the most unpleasant consequences.
Experienced specialists, instead of non-hormonal non-steroidal drugs, most often suggest using selective drugs, which practically do not cause complications, have much fewer contraindications and can be used for a longer time (the course of using selective drugs, depending on the doctor’s prescription, lasts from a month to several years ).
To improve the nutrition of the joint, the patient is prescribed chondroprotectors - substances that act on the source of the disease. With their help, cartilage tissue is quickly restored, a normal amount of joint fluid is released, and its lubricating properties are improved.
The media very often advertise miraculous ointments that can heal a patient both from grade 1 deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, which is the simplest, and from the most severe manifestations of this disease. Of course, you shouldn’t believe in a complete and quick recovery, but ointments and creams created mainly on the basis of the same non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs have their positive sides.
Firstly, these remedies still relieve inflammation and pain, and secondly, they help improve blood circulation. Injections into the joint are used for acute pain. They promote rapid pain relief, while also relieving inflammation of the area of the limb affected by arthrosis.
The advisability of using this type of treatment causes a lot of controversy among medical specialists, since drugs for intra-articular injections have many serious contraindications.
Nowadays, it is believed that the use of the drug is possible if the patient has grade 2 deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, at least, and only in cases where the disease occurs with symptoms such as joint swelling and accumulation of synovinal fluid.
Treatment is prescribed and corrected only by a specialist. So, the components of complex therapy:
Along with the classical above-mentioned methods of conservative treatment of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, our clinic has a unique opportunity to receive treatment using a unique technique based on the introduction of a biologically active substance isolated from the patient’s own blood into the affected joint.
It is enriched with autologous platelet plasma (PRP therapy), which allows it to influence the key link in the pathogenesis of arthrosis - regeneration - restoration of cartilage tissue. As a result of treatment using enriched autologous platelet plasma, the patient does not use “chemical” pharmaceuticals and does not require daily visits to a physiotherapist
Thus, there is no effect of drugs on the body as a whole, and the load on such important organs as the liver and kidneys is reduced.
If the progression of the disease has led to a significant restriction of movement in the joint, which does not allow a person to walk normally, and conservative treatment does not lead to an improvement in the situation, then surgical methods for correcting the affected joint may be used.
Surgery may be aimed at removing bone growths that lead to joint deformation. This treatment allows the knee to return to its previous shape, partially restore movement and relieve the patient from pain.
However, the most commonly used operations are so-called joint replacement. With this type of treatment, the diseased knee joint is completely replaced with an artificial one. Endoprostheses (artificial joints) are made of very durable materials and can last for decades.
Endoprosthetics allows patients to significantly improve their quality of life, since when the diseased joint is removed, the problems are also removed. The pain goes away, and range of motion is completely restored.
This allows the patient to lead a full life without restrictions on physical activity and constant use of medications.
Do not forget that the treatment methods described here are given for informational purposes only, and not as a guide to action. In each case, the decision must be made by the attending physician.
Laser therapy is used as the main method of treatment (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, stimulating effects) in the early stages of the disease, and as a factor reducing the risk of using corticosteroids and manipulations on bones and joints in later stages.
Decompression of the metaepiphysis and intraosseous blockades The success of using this technique ranges from 40 to 90%. The effectiveness of treatment increases with the use of a low-traumatic and accessible outpatient method of tunneling the metaepiphysis zone with bone decompression and therapeutic blockades.
It is possible to promote joint restoration not only through medicinal methods (however, they do not replace taking medications).
Various physiotherapeutic procedures contribute to the treatment: electrophoresis and phonophoresis with hydrocortisone, laser therapy, magnetic therapy, ultraviolet irradiation. These methods improve blood supply to cartilage and promote its regeneration.
Massage also helps the joint recover. A special therapeutic massage leads to the dilation of blood vessels, as a result of which blood circulation in the joint improves, and various active substances penetrate into the cartilage tissue, which help it rebuild.
A specially selected set of physical therapy exercises allows you to strengthen the muscles of the thigh and lower leg without involving the diseased joint. This gives the body the ability to relieve stress on the painful knee.
A diet for gonarthrosis has two main goals: getting rid of excess weight and nourishing cartilage tissue. To provide the articular cartilage with the substances necessary for growth, you should consume a sufficient amount of proteins, slow (complex) carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. It is also worth eating jellied meats periodically, as they are rich in collagen, an important component of cartilage tissue.
There is no special diet or need to use dietary supplements for gonarthrosis. They are determined by age or professional needs, concomitant pathology, excess weight or environmental conditions.
At the same time, some food products are traditionally considered beneficial or harmful for degenerative joint diseases. Healthy foods include jellied meat or khash. When cartilage, beef and pork legs, ears and bones are cooked, the collagen that provides their strength goes into the broth.
Substances formed during the breakdown of gelatin provide many vital functions of the body: they preserve the gastric mucosa, improve memory, and prevent platelet aggregation. And this, in turn, reduces the risk of developing acute circulatory disorders and slows down aging.
For gonarthrosis, foods rich in calcium (lactic acid diet) and vitamins B and C, and therapeutic fasting are also recommended. Alcohol intake is traditionally and justifiably considered a provoking factor causing increased joint and muscle pain in gonarthrosis.
Without this method of treating arthrosis, perhaps any medications will be powerless. After all, special sets of exercises prescribed by a doctor for arthrosis help strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation. This treatment method is cost-free.
Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis of the knee joint involve performing static and gentle dynamic exercises. Here, as in the case of drug treatment, you should not prescribe a set of exercises yourself. Any step on the path to recovery should be discussed with a specialist.
When diagnosing arthrosis, physical activity should not be completely excluded or limited. You just need to adjust the permissible loads. Must be avoided:
Patients are recommended special physical exercises that unload the diseased joint. The treatment complex should be performed sitting or lying down.
Exercises performed while sitting:
Complex for performing lying down:
All movements must be performed smoothly and slowly 5 times. This is an approximate set of therapeutic exercises for arthrosis, which can be performed independently.
Treatment with folk remedies for deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is often used in conjunction with medication and therapeutic exercises. Before using this method of getting rid of arthrosis, you should also consult your doctor. There are several most popular recipes.
50 gr. Grind the golden mustache, add 1 gr. propolis, pour 0.5 liters of alcohol and then leave for 10 days. Drink 1 tablespoon, preferably with a glass of water, 2 times a day before meals.
Make a mixture of 2 parts honey, 1 part aloe juice and 1 part vodka. Use as a daily compress.
To prevent deforming arthrosis, therapeutic exercises and other types of kinesiotherapy, massage, as well as thermal and water treatments are prescribed. Spa treatment is recommended: mineral and radon baths.
Sanatorium-resort treatment allows you to prevent exacerbations of the disease and carry out comprehensive rehabilitation, including the positive effects of therapeutic mud, baths, saunas, physiotherapy, massage, and physical therapy.
An important role is played by a change of environment, stress relief, and being in the fresh air. Sanatorium-resort treatment can be carried out only without exacerbation of the disease.
Deforming osteoarthritis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease ( Dégénération from French - the process of destruction of cells or organs ), of various etiologies, associated with the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the articular surfaces, characterized by a constant progressive course, the development of compensatory reactions in the form of bone peri- or intra-articular growths, deformation of the forming joint structures, manifested by dysfunction of the joint and pain syndrome.
According to the World Health Organization, deforming arthrosis of the joints affects 5% of the world's population . Arthrosis deformans is considered a more common disease than diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and heart disease.
As can be seen from the general definition of this pathology, arthrosis deformans is a constantly progressive disease. This means that sooner or later one stage of the process will move into the next. The progression of the disease determines the constant involvement in the process of structures surrounding the joint, or structures connected to the joint by a functional connection.
This is manifested first by compensatory reactions, which later turn into persistent decompensatory states in the form of formed joint contractures, curvatures of the lumbar spine, hypo- or atrophic changes in the muscles of the thigh and lower leg. Progression of deforming arthrosis on the opposite side, etc.
The disease most often occurs in older people. However, they also occur in young people and depend on the cause of their occurrence.
Among the many reasons for the development of deforming arthrosis, heredity, anatomical features of the structure of the joint, developmental defects, mechanical factors (excess body weight, overload, meniscus damage, etc.), metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders, diseases of the connective tissue, thyroid gland play an important role. , some infectious, parasitic diseases, blood diseases, bad habits, taking certain medications, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, previous injuries and bone fractures, etc.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the knee joint. According to statistics, men get sick approximately 2 times less often than women.
It should be noted that deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, gonarthrosis, is a constantly progressive disease . Frequent symptoms of deforming arthrosis of the knee include pronounced pain during physical activity and walking. Initially, the pain manifests itself after a long walk, when going down the stairs, or lifting something heavy. It is typical that the pain intensifies in damp and cold weather. Often patients note a feeling of “ morning stiffness” in the joints, that they first need to “disperse ”, after which the movements in the joints improve. Subsequently, the pain syndrome progresses, becoming permanent.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by the development of a chronic reactive aseptic (microbial-free) inflammatory process of the inner lining of the joint ( synovitis ). In this case, a sharp exacerbation of pain may occur. The knee joint swells and increases in size. Then the process subsides and resumes again under unfavorable conditions.
Patients suffering from deforming arthrosis of the knee joint complain of creaking and crunching in the joint. When you try to displace the patella by palpating the knee joint, the pain increases. Over time, gait becomes impaired and the distance the patient can walk decreases. The patient has to rely on a cane.
The late stage of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint - gonarthrosis is characterized by joint deformation, muscle wasting and the formation of contractures, which sharply impairs movement in the knee joint.
When treating severe stages of deforming arthrosis (gonarthrosis), surgical treatment is used - joint replacement. A correctly performed operation allows the patient to be relieved of pain in the early stages and the patient to be activated on crutches with measured support on the operated leg. This operation also allows movement in the operated joint to begin , which helps restore limb function.
Intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid preparations such as Fermatron, Gyalux, Synvisc, Duralan, etc. can reduce the progression of arthrosis in the early stages of the disease. To reduce pain in the early stages of deforming arthrosis, physiotherapeutic methods are used - such as low-frequency pulsed electrotherapy, UHF, phonophoresis with hydrocortisone, laser and magnetic therapy.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac, nise, ketorol, nimesulide, movalis, can reduce inflammation and pain for a short time. With prolonged uncontrolled use of the above drugs, the development of side effects and serious complications from the liver, blood system, allergic reactions, diseases of the digestive system, etc. is possible.
To prevent deforming arthrosis, therapeutic exercises and other types of kinesiotherapy, massage, as well as thermal and water treatments are prescribed. Spa treatment is recommended: mineral and radon baths.
If there are medical indications and there are referral quotas, our center performs operations using funds allocated under the program for the provision of high-tech medical care (HTMC)
Along with the classical above-mentioned methods of conservative treatment of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, our clinic has a unique opportunity to receive treatment using a unique technique based on the introduction into the affected joint of a biologically active substance isolated from the patient’s own blood - enriched autologous platelet plasma (PRP therapy ), which makes it possible to influence the key link in the pathogenesis of arthrosis - regeneration - restoration of cartilage tissue. As a result of treatment using enriched autologous platelet plasma, the patient does not use “chemical” pharmaceuticals, does not require daily visits to a physical therapist, etc. Thus, there is no effect of drugs on the body as a whole, and the load on such important organs as the liver and kidneys is reduced.