Arthrosis of the knee joint is progressive. With the development of the disease, cartilage first suffers, then bone elements participate 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.
Features 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 provokes 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 arthrosis is much higher in people with varicose veins and overweight. That is why the disease is more common in obese women older than 40 years. The elderly are also affected. In young people, arthrosis develops as a result of injuries that occur during physical work or sports activities.
Arthrosis should 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 arthrosis is associated with injuries and other diseases.
Pathology can be unilateral or bilateral. In the first case, the cause of the disease is most often injuries. The bilateral form of the pathology is usually the result of obesity.
There are several stages in the development of arthrosis of the knee joint. The sooner an illness is detected, the easier it is to deal with it.
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. The pain syndrome occurs only after increased physical exertion or strong flexion and extension of the knee. When performing radiography, it is possible to see a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bone processes in the structure of the joints. Pathology is discovered by chance during other examinations. At this stage, conservative therapy is sufficient.
- 2 degree- 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 evening. Even in a calm state, the discomfort does not disappear. 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 getting into the joint cavity. This provokes an increase in pain and loss of motor activity. On palpation of the knee, there is a risk of severe pain and visible deformity of the joint. Often inflammatory processes develop. In such a situation, the knee swells. When performing x-rays, you can see a strong 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.
- 3 degree- 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 crunches strongly. The joint is characterized by a pronounced deformation, it increases in size due to the accumulation of fluid and almost completely loses mobility. When performing radiography, it is possible to see the destruction of the ligamentous apparatus and menisci, abrasion of cartilage, and an increase in the size of connective tissues. Partial fusion of the joints may also be observed. To solve the problem, the affected joint is changed to an artificial one.
In most cases, patients go to the doctor at the second stage of arthrosis. This is typical for older people who are accustomed to age-related changes.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The main cause of osteoarthritis is knee injury. Damage may be due to exercise, arthritis, or other factors.
The main causes of knee osteoarthritis include the following:
- Inflammation of the knee - 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.
- Fractures of bones, post-traumatic syndrome.
- Operations for meniscus lesions, arthroscopy, prolonged blockades using hormones.
- Pathologies that change the load on the knee. These include flat feet, lower back lesions, arthrosis. Also included in this category is hip dysplasia.
Symptoms and signs
The key manifestations of the disease include the following:
- Pain - most often there is a mechanical discomfort, which is relieved by painkillers. It can be dull, aching, sharp.
- Crunch while moving.
- Impaired joint mobility.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Weakness of the muscles of the limbs.
- An increase in local temperature in the knee area.
- Gait disturbance, which is accompanied by lameness of the legs.
- Violation of stability.
- Knee jamming.
Diagnostics
Before starting the treatment of gonarthrosis, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination.
If you suspect gonarthrosis, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist. The specialist examines and interviews the patient, assessing the condition of the joint and the range of motion in it.
To identify 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. The manipulation shows the vasculature and nerve fibers.
- Radiography. The procedure allows you to identify cracks, depressions, bone processes.
What is dangerous arthrosis of the knee
The consequences of arthrosis include inflammation of the joints, atrophic changes in muscle tissues and ligaments, and gait disturbances. There is also a risk of deformity of the lower limb.
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 knee arthrosis, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- eat right - the menu should contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, proteins;
- get rid of bad habits;
- normalize weight;
- go in for sports, walking or on exercise bikes, perform medical complexes;
- avoid injury, protect your legs with knee pads.
Pathology lends itself well to therapy, since 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 with the third degree of gonarthrosis. As for military service, they are exempted 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 conduct the necessary studies and select the appropriate therapy.