Gonarthrosis - what is it? Gonarthrosis 2, 3 degrees: treatment

People over 40, especially women who are overweight, often experience knee pain. Such discomfort does not allow sleeping at night, making it difficult to move. And sometimes it does not even allow me to live normally! After examining the doctor, a diagnosis is made - "gonarthrosis". What it is? Why did it develop exactly with you? And is it possible to turn back time?

Characteristics of pathology

Not many people understand, hearing the diagnosis of "gonarthrosis", what is it. This is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology. It is characterized by damage and subsequent changes in cartilage tissue. This significantly reduces the functioning of the joint. Such an insidious disease slowly destroys the connective tissue.

Do not underestimate pathology. It should be understood if gonarthrosis is diagnosed, what is it! The developing disease affects all elements of the joint. Suffer cartilage, bone, ligaments, articular membrane, muscle.

Under the influence of certain factors, there is a disruption in the nutrition of the cartilage. The lack of important elements provokes the development of degeneration. As a result, cell death occurs. Significantly reduced elasticity, elasticity of connective tissue. The patient forms a "dry joint".

Further progression of the disease leads to the inability of the joint to perform the necessary functions. On the surface of the cartilage, the growths are formed and grow. Under this influence, the bone changes, the ligaments shorten. The patient experiences a significant limitation of mobility. And in the most neglected stage muscle atrophy.

Causes of the disease

There are many sources underlying the development of pathology. As a rule, gonarthrosis of the knee joint develops as a result of a combination of several reasons:

• Increased load on the joint (squats, running, lifting weights);
• Fractures of bones in which the knee joint is involved;
• ligament rupture;
• Trauma of the cartilaginous layer - meniscus;
• overweight.

Pathology does not develop immediately, but several years after the impact of the damaging factor. With a combination of several causes, the disease progresses much faster.

Risk factors

Certain diseases and conditions can accelerate the development of the disease. The risk group includes people who are faced with the following problems:

1. Varicose veins of the lower extremities.
2. Weak joint-capsular apparatus of the joint (genetically conditioned), which provokes joint looseness.
3. Arthritis (inflammatory process in the knee), bearing a different etiology, is psoriatic, gouty, rheumatoid, reactive.
4. Diseases of the exchange system.
5. Pathologies of innervation of joints, characteristic of spinal or craniocerebral injuries.

Types of the disease

Physicians, taking into account the mechanism of the emergence of pathology, identify two main groups:

1. Primary gonarthrosis. The disease develops against the background of normal joint health. She is not preceded by any trauma, inflammation. The causes of this pathology are found in diseases of the metabolic system, long-term use of hormonal drugs, genetic predisposition. Often develops bilateral gonartroz. The pathological process covers both knees. Although in some cases one-sided damage is observed. Primary gonarthrosis is characteristic mainly of older people.
2. Secondary. This pathology develops on the background of injuries, tumors, inflammations. The source of the disease can serve as a transferred operative intervention on the joint. The disease occurs in people of any age. Secondary gonarthrosis, as a rule, is one-sided.

Clinical manifestations that arise in a patient with the development of the disease, directly depend on the progression of the degenerative process in the joint. Depending on this, 3 degrees of gonarthrosis are isolated. Each of them differs in its symptoms.

Signs of the 1st degree of ailment

It is extremely difficult to determine the initial stage of development of pathology. The changes in cartilage tissues that have arisen can not be detected by X-ray examination. Diagnosis is based on a description of the symptoms by the patient himself.

Doctors identified certain symptoms that can characterize 1 degree:

• Pain in articulation;
• The feeling of constriction under the knee itself;
• Stupid nature of pain;
• Stiffness of the joint, which occurs after prolonged sitting, sleeping;
• Increased pain after physical exertion or standing;
• Severe discomfort in the joint after squats, long walking;
• Swelling of the knee, as a rule, self-passing.

Methods of treatment

At this stage, it is quite effective to fight against such pathology as knee gonarthrosis. Treatment consists in the application of:

• Physiotherapy;
• Massage;
• Therapeutic gymnastics.

The patient is recommended to reduce weight. It is desirable not to strain the joints .

Symptomatology of the 2nd degree

At this stage it is already obvious narrowing of the gap, growth of bone outgrowths - osteophytes. Even visually in the region of the knee, one can see inflammation. X-rays can reliably determine gonarthrosis of the 2nd degree.

About this stage of pathology can signal the following symptoms:

1. Pain discomfort is localized inside the joint either on the inside of the joint.
2. During walking, there is a crunch in the knee.
3. The pain becomes intense, more prolonged. After rest disappears.
4. In the morning it is difficult to unbend the knee.
5. In the evening or at night there is a pain in the calves.
6. Completely the leg does not straighten.
7. Visually visible swelling of the joint, the initial signs of deformation.

Since there is no way to normally bend the leg, gonarthrosis of the 2nd degree provokes the curvature of the spine. Gradually, the body begins to form changes.

Methods of fighting with pathology

In case of a disease of grade 2, the following treatment is recommended:

• Reducing the load on the joint;
• Exercises exercise therapy;
• Medicamentous treatment, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, drugs, chondroprotectors;
• physiotherapy.

Clinic of the 3rd degree

The stage is characterized by significant, and sometimes irreversible, changes in the articulation. An x-ray shows gross deformations in the structure of the cartilage. The patient constantly experiences pain, which almost does not abate.

Gonarthrosis of 3rd degree causes the following symptomatology in a person:

1. Constant pain in the knee, not dependent on the activity of the patient.
2. Mobility is considerably limited. The patient is limping.
3. During the change in weather, discomfort intensifies.
4. The knee is deformed and enlarged in size. When the pathological process progresses, the articulation acquires an O-shaped or X-shaped form.

If gonarthrosis of grade 3 is accompanied by inflammation of the membrane (synovitis), the knee is significantly swollen. Its contours are almost completely smoothed out. On the front side surfaces a protrusion with a soft consistency is localized.

Recommended methods of struggle

Extremely severe pathology is grade 3 gonarthrosis. Treatment includes therapeutic methods. However, the patient often needs surgery. In this case, two technologies of surgical treatment are possible:

1. Corrective osteotomy. It is allowed with partial destruction of the cartilage. In this case, bone joints are removed in the joint. The destroyed cartilage is removed.
2. Endoprosthetics. Such an operation is performed in the advanced stage. If the cartilage is completely destroyed, it is entirely or partially replaced with artificial materials.

Medication

Depending on the stage of the disease and individual sensations, an orthopedic doctor may be prescribed medications. Typically, such therapy is recommended if the patient is diagnosed with grade 2 gonarthrosis.

The treatment consists in taking the following medicines:

1. NSAIDs, anesthetics. With this pathology, the following drugs are often prescribed: Voltaren, Rofica, Celebrex, Movalis, Nimesil.
2. Ointments. In case of pathology, warming preparations may be recommended: "Gevkamen", "Espol", "Menovazin". If the gonarthrosis is complicated by a synovitis, the patient is prescribed ointments: Fastum, Indomethacin, Butadion, Dolgit.
3. Chondroprotectors. The most effective medicines are: Arthra, Arthron, Teraflex, Dona, Chondroitin Complex. These funds are assigned for a long period (about 6 months).
4. Medications for internal insertion into the joint. With severe inflammation, injections of "Hydrocortisone" and "Kenalog" do not exceed 3 times.
5. Means of hyaluronic acid. They are injected into the articulation after the suppression of inflammatory phenomena. Applied drugs "Hyalurum", "Sinocrom", "Ostenil".
6. Warming compresses. They are used to stimulate the blood supply of the joint, increase the production of lubricating fluid. Compresses with medical bile or preparations are recommended: "Dimexid", "Bishofit".

An effective remedy for the treatment of gonarthrosis is the drug Piaskledin. This drug is made from soybean and avocado plant extracts. The course of treatment is long - at least 6 months.

Physiotherapy

Patients should realize if the gonarthrosis is diagnosed, what it is. It is necessary to take seriously to the appointment of a doctor.

In case of acute course of the disease, the patient of the knee needs rest. In the future, necessarily begin to gradually introduce physical activity. As a rule, all exercises are performed lying on the back. It is very important to exercise cautiously, smoothly. Exercises should not cause pain.

At the given pathology it is necessary to avoid:

• Squats;
• Long walking;
• Flexion-extension of the knee;
• Any movements during which the pain in the joint is felt.

Physiotherapy treatment

To reduce inflammation in the articulation, accelerate regeneration, stop pain syndrome, the following procedures can be recommended:

• Diadynamic currents;
• Electrophoresis with Novokain;
• Magnetotherapy;
• UHF;
• Laser therapy;
• Phonophoresis using the drug "Hydrocortisone";
• Ozocerite or paraffin applications;
• Mud treatment.

Orthopedic aids

If there is a need, the doctor will recommend special orthoses. These are knee pads made from a rigid material that restrict movement in the joint. Orthopedic insoles may be prescribed.

Sometimes the only way to solve is surgical intervention. For example, if a patient has grade 3 gonarthrosis, treatment is possible only if he does not suffer from osteoporosis. After surgical intervention for 3-6 months the patient needs rehabilitation measures. Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, treatment in a sanatorium are prescribed.

Conclusion

Articular cartilage is not able to regenerate. Therefore, it is very important to detect the disease at an initial stage and immediately begin treatment. Therapeutic methods are justified only at the 1 st and 2 nd degree of gonarthrosis. With the pathology started, the patient's condition can be improved only by surgical intervention.