Arthrosis of the knee joint is progressive. With the development of the disease, cartilage first suffers, then the bone elements take part in the destructive process. High physical activity, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders lead to the causes of problems.
As the disease develops, there is a risk of ankylosis, which is accompanied by a decrease in the motor activity of the joint.
Characteristics of the disease.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is accompanied by deformation and destruction of cartilage. Pathology is characterized by a chronic degenerative nature and causes pain of varying degrees of intensity.
It causes a complete loss of motor activity and loss of functionality. According to ICD-10, the disease is coded as follows: M17. Gonarthrosis (arthrosis of the knee joint).
Pathologies are more susceptible to women than men. At the same time, the risk of osteoarthritis is much higher in people with varicose veins and who are overweight. That is why the disease is more common in obese women over 40 years of age. The elderly are also affected. In young people, osteoarthritis develops as a result of injuries that occur during physical work or sports activity.
Osteoarthritis must be distinguished from arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease caused by disorders in the immune system. Infectious diseases also lead to the development of arthritis.
In the photo, the clinical picture of arthrosis.
stages
Arthrosis of the knee joint has 2 main varieties: primary and secondary. In the first case, the disease appears in childhood and is caused by a violation of the development of the surfaces of the joints or ligaments.
In this situation, the joint is faced with increased loads, which leads to degenerative changes. The secondary form of osteoarthritis is associated with injuries and other diseases.
The pathology can be unilateral or bilateral. In the first case, the cause of the disease is usually an injury. The bilateral form of the pathology is usually the result of obesity.
There are several stages in the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. The earlier a disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.
The main stages of the disease include the following:
- 1 degree- at this stage, people rarely go to the doctor. They feel a slight discomfort in the right or left knee, which appears after a long walk. Pain syndrome occurs only after increased physical exertion or strong flexion and extension of the knee. When conducting an x-ray, it is possible to see a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bone processes in the structure of the joints. The pathology is discovered by chance during other examinations. At this stage, conservative therapy is sufficient.
- 2 degrees- characterized by more obvious symptoms of the disease, which are difficult to ignore. Pain in the knee is felt constantly. It is especially intense in the morning and at night. Even in a calm state, the discomfort does not go away. A person's gait slows down, motor activity is disturbed, movements in the knee are accompanied by a crunch. There is a risk of complications that are accompanied by a piece of bone or cartilage entering the joint cavity. This causes increased pain and loss of motor activity. On palpation of the knee, there is a risk of severe pain and visible deformity of the joint. Inflammatory processes often develop. In such a situation, the knee swells. When conducting x-rays, you can see a sharp narrowing of the joint space, the presence of osteophytes, bone curvature. In such a situation, the patient needs complex treatment. In some cases, it is not possible to do without surgery.
- 3rd grade- represents a neglected form of pathology. At this stage, a person receives a permanent disability. The patient has constant pain in the knee, impaired motor activity. With any movement, the knee cracks strongly. The joint is characterized by pronounced deformation, it increases in size due to fluid accumulation and almost completely loses mobility. When conducting radiography, it is possible to see the destruction of the ligamentous apparatus and menisci, abrasion of cartilage, and increase in the size of connective tissues. Partial fusion of the joints may also be seen. To solve the problem, the affected joint is exchanged for an artificial one.
In most cases, patients go to the doctor in the second stage of arthrosis. This is typical for older people who are used to age-related changes.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
The main cause of osteoarthritis is knee injury. The damage may be due to exercise, arthritis, or other factors.
The main causes of knee osteoarthritis include the following:
- Knee inflammation: the provoking factors can be arthritis, bursitis and other factors.
- Damage to the meniscus - in the absence of treatment of such a pathology, arthrosis often develops.
- Osteochondropathy of the knee.
- Physical factors: difficult sports, excess weight, etc.
- Bone fractures, post-traumatic syndrome.
- Operations for meniscus injuries, arthroscopy, prolonged blockages with hormones.
- Pathologies that modify the load on the knee. These include flat feet, lower back injuries, osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is also included in this category.
Symptoms and signs
Key manifestations of the disease include the following:
- Pain: most of the time there is a mechanical discomfort, which is relieved with analgesics. It can be dull, painful, sharp.
- Crunch while moving.
- Alteration of joint mobility.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Weakness of the muscles of the extremities.
- An increase in local temperature in the knee area.
- Altered gait, which is accompanied by lameness of the legs.
- Stability violation.
- Knee jam.
Diagnosis
Before starting gonarthrosis treatment, it is necessary to undergo a full examination.
If you suspect gonarthrosis, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist. The specialist examines and interviews the patient, assessing the state of the joint and the range of movement in it.
To identify the pathology, conduct such studies:
- Magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to study the affected area by obtaining a three-dimensional image. Manipulation shows vasculature and nerve fibers.
- Bone scan. The procedure allows you to identify cracks, depressions, bone processes.
What is dangerous osteoarthritis of the knee?
The consequences of osteoarthritis include joint inflammation, atrophic changes in muscle tissues and ligaments, and gait disturbances. There is also a risk of lower extremity deformity.
In difficult situations, the disease causes complete degeneration of cartilage and deformation of bone structures. As a result, the mobility of the limb decreases and the person becomes disabled.
Prevention and prognosis
To avoid the appearance of osteoarthritis of the knee, you must follow the following recommendations:
- eat well - the menu should contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, proteins;
- get rid of bad habits;
- normalize weight;
- play sports, walk or ride a stationary bike, conduct medical complexes;
- Avoid injuries, protect your legs with knee pads.
Pathology lends itself well to therapy, since the thinning of cartilage tissue is observed only in the third stage. The prognosis is quite favorable.
If therapy is not started on time, there is a risk of disability. Usually the group is assigned the third degree of gonarthrosis. As for military service, they are exempt from it with the development of a deforming form of the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a serious pathology that leads to negative health consequences. To cope with the problem, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The specialist will carry out the necessary studies and select the appropriate therapy.