Arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressive wear and tear of the cartilage layer of the knee joint.
Causes of knee arthrosis
It most often appears in people over the age of 50.Excess body weight worsens the symptoms of the disease, while weight loss reduces its manifestations.There is also a genetic tendency, that is, in certain families, arthrosis occurs more often than others.Aggravating factors include previous injuries to the knee, menisci, and ligaments.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
Symptoms of knee arthrosis always develop over time.Patients often note an increase in the disease in the autumn period;Pain can also depend on weather changes.
- Pain at rest, slightly reduced when walking;
- Limitation of range of motion in the joint;
- Stiffness in movement;
- Increased sensitivity in the joint area;
- Swelling of soft tissue around the joint;
- Joint disability.
Joint condition is assessed through examination and x-ray.Using X-rays, the extent of the disease is determined and appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of knee arthrosis
Treatment of gonarthrosis begins with the simplest steps and moves to more complex ones, and is adjusted depending on the effectiveness of certain methods.
Weight loss
The less body weight, the less knee joints are too much and, thus, the symptoms of the disease appear less.
Activity changes
Some types of physical activity related to joint load must be limited (walking, weight lifting, etc.).Although physical exercises that do not involve reloading various movements, reduce pain and slow the progression of the disease (swimming, skiing, orbitrek, etc.).
Additional support
In case of significant pain, crutches or crutches are used to unload the joint.
Physiotherapy
Strengthening the muscles around the knee joint helps reduce the load on the joint and prevent muscle wasting (atrophy), which is an important element in maintaining knee function.
Orthopedic insoles (insoles)
With the help of orthopedic instep supports, the biomechanics of walking are corrected, the correct distribution of weight on the knee joint is achieved, and the manifestations of the disease are reduced.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
To treat inflammation and pain caused by this disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac sodium, etc.) are used.
Injection of hormones into the joint
Injections of hormonal drugs (cortisone) effectively help reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.However, you should be careful when using these drugs, because ... the possible side effects of such therapy often exceed the possible good results.
Biological therapy.
The most modern and effective method of conservative treatment of joint arthrosis is the method of biological therapy.These include PRP therapy, cytokine therapy and MSK therapy.
Prepis a serum rich in platelets and growth factors taken from blood that accelerates the healing process of acute and chronic injuries.Growth factors are chemicals that initiate the healing process.The introduction of PRP to the injured area stimulates the regeneration process, accelerates healing, and promotes the rapid resolution of the inflammatory process.
Cytokine therapyis a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis, where the active therapeutic protein, IL-1RA, produced by the body, fights chronic progressive cartilage degeneration.The main role in the development of joint arthrosis is played by interleukin-1 (IL-1), a substance that increases the inflammatory process in the joints and leads to their premature wear.The biological antipode is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), which reduces inflammation, improves mobility and reduces pain.
MSK therapy- Stem cell treatment is considered an innovative and advanced therapeutic method, based on their main characteristic - they cannot be differentiated (do not belong to any specific tissue), and, therefore, they have the ability to reproduce and develop into specialized cells from various tissues.
Joint fluid replacement.
Injections of hyaluronic acid preparations are very effective and with minimal side effects help for a long time (up to 1 year) to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Chondroprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin are safe and effective drugs that are often used to treat arthrosis of the knee joint.
Rejection of the knee joint is an effective and safe method of treating the pain associated with arthrosis of the knee joint.
Transmission of the genicular nerve
In cases where conservative treatment does not bring help, and joint replacement is not possible due to certain contraindications, genicular nerve rejection can be used.The essence of the procedure is temperature treatment of the sensitive nerves of the knee joint, which transmit pain impulses.After a successful outpatient procedure, a significant long-term reduction in pain in the knee joint is possible.
Arthroscopic debridement of the knee joint
The effectiveness of arthroscopic intervention for arthrosis of the knee joint remains controversial, but it is quite effective in relieving some specific symptoms.
Osteotomy
A surgical procedure used to realign the axis of the lower limb.Effective in young people with minimal damage to the cartilage lining of joints.
Total endoprosthetics
Complete replacement of the articular surface of the knee joint with a metal implant is the only effective treatment for end-stage gonarthrosis.
Partial knee replacement
The so-called Unicondylar knee replacement, where the site of the articular cartilage defect is replaced with a metal plate.Indications for this procedure are very limited.