Causes of joints
We can say that arthropathy of the knee joint is a disease, on the one hand due to lifestyle, on the other hand due to age.
The direct (internal) causes of articulation are:
- previous injuries in the joint area (sports, domestic and others),
- inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis),
- metabolic diseases (diabetes),
- common orthopedic defects of the lower extremities, including flat feet and valgus, X-shaped deformity of the feet; these defects violate the correct movements of the knee joints, leading to their deformation and degeneration of the synovial tissues.
Factors (external, individual) that cause arthropathy:
- overweight, obesity,
- female,
- age,
- heavy constant loads (work in a standing position, monotonous movements of the joints with weights during the working day);
Under the influence of external and internal factors, the degeneration and aging of the knee joint begins, all its structures are involved in the process: bones, cartilage, synovial membrane, joint capsule, ligaments.
Arthritis symptoms
Manifestations from the knee joints are directly related to the stage of the joint. The more pathological changes in the joint and adjacent tissues, the more intense the symptoms.
- In the initial stages, a person may be bothered by discomfort, mild pain after physical activity, pass by itself.
- As time passes (from 1 year to several years), the pain intensifies, becomes permanent, the movements of the joints are limited, a characteristic "creaking", "creaking" occurs during movement.
- In the final stage of gonoarthritis, movements are severely limited, the joint is visually deformed, walking is difficult, and serious complications can develop up to complete immobility ("joint mice", joint fusion, etc. ).
Arthroscopy of the knee joints
Arthropathy of the knee joint is detected using the available diagnostic methods:
- Ultrasound of the knee joint allows you to assess the condition of the surface of the cartilage and bones of the joint, which surround the soft tissues. it is of particular importance in the initial stages of arthropathy, as it helps to identify pathological changes even before the appearance of severe symptoms.
- X-ray is also one of the main diagnostic methods, but it is not always available, in addition, it is associated with exposure to radiation in the body.
- To clarify the diagnosis or identify the features of the course of the disease, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and arthroscopy are also used.
Treatment of gonoarthrosis
In arthropathy of the knee joint, various exposure methods are used:
- drug therapy, including intra-articular drug administration,
- traction (unloading) therapy,
- physiotherapy, classic and innovative methods,
- physiotherapy and massage,
- manual therapy,
- autoplasma therapy (PRP-therapy).
The combination of these methods, chosen by the doctor, can reduce the symptoms of arthritis, stop inflammation and degeneration of the joint, preserve its mobility and range of motion.
The initial stages of arthropathy
In the initial stages of the disease, drugs with analgesic and restorative effects (NSAIDs, chondroprotectants, vitamins) are used, which are prescribed by a doctor. In addition, a variety of orthopedic devices are used: insoles, shoe inserts, special shoes). Physiotherapy, manual massage, physiotherapy exercises give a good result.
A noticeable effect of treatment does not appear immediately, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, the condition improves.
Progressive arthropathy
More serious measures are required here, in these cases the doctor can resort to minimally invasive interventions - arthroscopy, introduction of enriched plasma into the joint (PRP therapy).
In severe forms of joints, severe pain, with accompanying arthritis (accumulation of excess intra-articular fluid), corticosteroids are injected into the joint, which leads to rapid pain relief. The method is considered one of the most effective, and if the intervention is performed correctly, there are no complications (rarely it is possible to increase pain as a reaction to the drug, a negative effect on the cartilage and some others).
Among the surgical methods that preserve functionality and range of motion in the joint, arthroplasty, arthroscopy and endoprosthetic procedures deserve attention.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in a professional clinic
In a professional, modern clinic, experienced surgeons and arthrologists make appointments. The clinic uses an individual approach to each patient, performs accurate diagnostics with specialized equipment (ultrasound), selects the optimal combination of treatment methods, taking into account the stage of arthropathy and the main symptoms, and prescribes timely drugs to reduce painful manifestations.
Arthritis of the knee joint is rightly considered an age-related disease, but its development can be prevented or slowed down if the condition of the joints is assessed in time and treated (for preventive or therapeutic purposes).
The professional clinic provides physical therapy procedures (electrophoresis, darsonval, massage, acupuncture) and minimally invasive interventions (arthroscopy, intra-articular injections) that improve the condition of the joints, supportive drug programs are prescribed that help consolidate and prolong the effect of the main treatment, prevention offlare up.