Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is progressive. With the development of the disease, the cartilage first suffers, and then the bone elements take part in the destructive process. High physical activity, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders cause problems.
As the disease develops, there is a risk of ankylosis, which is accompanied by a decrease in motor activity in the joint.
Characteristics of the disease
Arthrosis of the knee joint is accompanied by deformation and destruction of cartilage. The pathology is characterized by a chronic degenerative nature and causes pain of varying intensity.
It causes 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 sensitive to women than to men. At the same time, the risk of osteoarthritis is much higher in people with varicose veins and who are overweight. This 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 occurred during physical work or sports activities.
Osteoarthritis should 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
steps
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 increased loads, which leads to degenerative changes. The secondary form of osteoarthritis 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 osteoarthritis of the knee joint. The earlier a disease 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. Pain syndrome occurs only after increased physical exertion or strong flexion and extension of the knee. When x-raying, it is possible to see a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bone processes in the structure of the joints. The pathology is discovered by chance during other examinations. At this stage, conservative treatment is sufficient.
- 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 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 creak. 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 deformation 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 degrees- represents a neglected form of pathology. At this stage, a person receives a permanent disability. The patient has constant knee pain, impaired motor activity. With any movement, the knee cracks sharply. The joint is characterized by a pronounced deformation, its size increases due to the accumulation of fluid and almost completely loses its mobility. When x-raying, it is possible to see the destruction of the ligamentous apparatus and menisci, abrasion of the cartilage and an increase in the size of the connective tissues. Partial joint fusion may also be seen. To solve the problem, the affected joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
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 may be due to exercise, arthritis or other factors.
The main causes of osteoarthritis of the knee are:
- 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.
- Bone fractures, post-traumatic syndrome.
- Operations for meniscal lesions, arthroscopy, prolonged hormone blockages.
- Pathologies that change the load on the knee. These include flat feet, lower back injuries, osteoarthritis. This category also includes hip dysplasia.
Symptoms and signs
The main manifestations of the disease are:
- Pain - most often there is mechanical discomfort, which is relieved by painkillers. It can be dull, painful, sharp.
- Crunch while moving.
- Impaired joint mobility.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Weakness of limb muscles.
- An increase in local temperature in the knee area.
- Walking disorder, which is accompanied by lameness of the legs.
- Violation of stability.
- Stuck in the knee.
Diagnostic
Before starting the treatment of gonarthrosis, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination.
If you suspect knee osteoarthritis, you should contact a trauma orthopedist. The specialist examines and interrogates the patient, assesses the condition of the joint and its range of motion.
To identify the pathology, conduct such studies:
- Magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to study the affected area, obtaining a three-dimensional image. The manipulation shows the vascular system and nerve fibers.
- X-ray. The procedure allows you to identify cracks, depressions, bone processes.
What is dangerous arthrosis of the knee
The consequences of osteoarthritis include inflammation of the joints, atrophic changes in muscle tissue 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 arthrosis of the knee, 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;
- playing sports, walking or riding an exercise bike, 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 rather favorable.
If treatment is not started in time, there is a risk of disability. Usually the group is assigned to the third degree of gonarthrosis. As for military service, they are exempted from it with the development of a deforming form of the disease.
Arthrosis of the knee joint is a serious pathology that leads to negative health consequences. To deal with the problem, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The specialist will conduct the necessary studies and select the appropriate treatment.