Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is progressive. With the development of the disease, cartilage first suffers, then the bone elements participate in the destructive process. High physical activity, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders lead to the causes of the problems.
With the development of the disease, there is a risk of ankylosis, which is accompanied by a decrease in the motor activity of the joint.
Features of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is accompanied by deformation and destruction of the cartilage. The pathology is characterized by a chronic degenerative character and causes pain of varying intensity.
It causes a complete loss of motor activity and loss of function. According to the ICD-10, the disease is coded as follows: M17. Gonarthrosis (arthrosis of the knee joint).
Diseases are more susceptible to women than men. At the same time, the risk of osteoarthritis is much higher in people with varicose veins and overweight. That is why the disease is more common in obese women over the age of 40. The elderly are also affected. In young people, osteoarthritis develops as a result of injuries that occur during physical work or sports activities.
Osteoarthritis must be distinguished from arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease caused by disorders of the immune system. Infectious diseases also lead to the development of arthritis.
In the photo, the clinical picture of arthrosis
phases
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 faces greater loads, which lead 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 most often injuries. 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 cope 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. Pain syndrome occurs only after increased physical exertion or severe knee flexion and extension. When performing radiography, a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bone processes in the structure of the joints can be seen. The pathology is discovered by chance during other tests. Conservative therapy is sufficient at this stage.
- 2 degrees- characterized by more obvious symptoms of the disease, which are difficult to ignore. Knee pain is felt constantly. It is particularly intense in the morning and in the evening. Even in a calm state, the discomfort does not go away. A person's gait slows down, motor activity is disturbed, knee movements 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. Often inflammatory processes develop. In such a situation, the knee swells. When taking x-rays, it is possible to 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.
- 3 degrees- represents a neglected form of pathology. At this stage, a person receives a permanent disability. The patient has constant pain in the knee, reduced motor activity. With any movement, the knee creaks strongly. The joint is characterized by pronounced deformation, increases in size due to fluid accumulation and almost completely loses mobility. When performing radiography, you can see the destruction of the ligament 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 replaced with an artificial one.
In most cases, patients go to the doctor in the second stage of osteoarthritis. 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 can be due to exercise, arthritis, or other factors.
The main causes of knee osteoarthritis are the following:
- Knee inflammation: provoking factors can be arthritis, bursitis and other factors.
- Damage to the meniscus - in the absence of treatment of such a pathology, osteoarthritis often develops.
- Knee osteochondropathy.
- Physical factors: difficult sports, excess weight, etc.
- Fractures of bones, post-traumatic syndrome.
- Interventions for meniscus injuries, arthroscopy, prolonged blocks 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: Very often there is mechanical discomfort, which is relieved by painkillers. It can be dull, sore, sharp.
- Crunch as you move.
- Reduced joint mobility.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Weakness of the limb muscles.
- An increase in local temperature in the knee area.
- Gait disturbance, which is accompanied by lameness of the legs.
- Violation of stability.
- Knee jam.
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 it contains.
To identify pathology, conduct such studies:
- Magnetic resonance. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to study the affected area by obtaining a three-dimensional image. Manipulation shows the vascular system and nerve fibers.
- X-ray. The procedure allows you to identify cracks, depressions, bone processes.
What is dangerous osteoarthritis of the knee
Consequences of osteoarthritis include joint inflammation, atrophic changes in muscle tissues and ligaments, and gait disturbances. There is also a risk of lower limb 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, the following recommendations should be adhered to:
- eat right - the menu should contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, proteins;
- get rid of bad habits;
- normalize weight;
- playing sports, walking or exercise bikes, performing medical complexes;
- avoid injury, protect your legs with knee pads.
The pathology lends itself well to therapy, since the thinning of the 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. The third degree of gonarthrosis is usually assigned to the group. 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, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The specialist will conduct the necessary studies and select the appropriate therapy.