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Gonarthrosis is a degeneration of the knee joint that most often occurs as a result of an injury to the knee. The knee joint is a very important structure because it supports the weight of the entire body. Its dysfunctions cause difficulties in normal functioning. In addition to pain, the patient complains of difficulties in walking. Find out what are the causes, symptoms, and treatments for gonarthrosis.
Gonarthrosis – what is it?
Gonarthrosis is a degenerative disease of the knee joint. Due to its location, structure and functions, the knee joint is most often injured. The result of the injuries is the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Degeneration affects all parts of the knee joint: articular cartilage, subchondral layer, synovium, joint capsule and joint ligaments.
Gonarthrosis – what is the course of the disease?
The degenerative process develops in the articular cartilage. Excessively worn joint cartilage is sensitive and prone to shocks. The synovium becomes swollen and the joint capsule thickens and scarred. These changes lead to distortion of the knee joints.
Gonarthrosis – what are the symptoms?
Osteoarthritis of the knee may develop unnoticed, because it does not show significant symptoms in the initial stage. In the early stages of the disease, patients often ignore symptoms. They seek medical advice when they begin to have difficulty walking and when the pain worsens in the anterior or medial part of the knee and in the upper-medial part of the lower leg.
The most important symptoms of gonarthrosis are:
- slight swelling of the knee (caused by synovial fluid and thickening)
- difficulties in performing knee flexion and extension movements,
- painful pressure around the knee,
- reddening of the skin and increased temperature around the knee joint (especially after exercise),
- rubbing of the articular surfaces against each other with characteristic sounds (crackles and grinding while making movements),
- atrophy of the quadriceps muscle of the thigh,
- contracture when bending the knee,
- limited joint movements,
- the occurrence of the so-called morning stiffness,
- difficulties in performing daily activities,
- difficulty walking, resulting in limping and changing body position
- pain during basic activities such as walking, standing up, sitting.
Gonarthrosis – what are the types?
Doctors distinguish three types of gonarthrosis in articular cartilage:
- medial form – often affects obese people with varus in the knees. This type of gonarthrosis prevails,
- patellofemoral form,
- lateral type – its result is valgus of the knees.
Gonarthrosis – causes
Factors that trigger the development of degenerative changes:
- contusions, sprains and fractures of the knee joint,
- previous operations in the area of the knee joint,
- microdamages,
- weakening of the osteoarticular apparatus due to other diseases (diabetes, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, etc.),
- load on the osteoarticular apparatus (overweight and obesity),
- abnormalities in the structure of the elements of the knee joint (congenital and acquired),
- abnormal limb structure and position (valgus and varus knees),
- sedentary lifestyle,
- specific and non-specific inflammations of the knee joint,
- synovitis of the knee,
- incorrect calcium economy,
- aging of the body.
Gonarthrosis – diagnosis and treatment
To diagnose degeneration of the knee joints, the doctor orders X-ray, ultrasound and computed tomography. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat gonarthrosis. In acute cases, glucocorticosteroids and injections of hyaluronic acid directly into the knee joint are also administered. As an aid, a fluid puncture from the knee is performed.
The patient is advised to undergo rehabilitation, moderate exercise, and physical therapy, such as laser therapy and cryotherapy.
In advanced cases, operations are performed to remove degenerations and repair damaged elements of the knee joint (arthroscopy). In extreme cases, a knee endoprosthesis (arthroplasty) is also implanted.