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 50 years of age.Excess body weight worsens the symptoms of the disease, while weight loss reduces its manifestation.There is also a genetic predisposition, i.e.In certain families, arthrosis occurs more often than in others.Exacerbating factors include previous injuries to the knee, menisci, and ligaments.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
Symptoms of knee arthrosis always progress over time.Patients often note an exacerbation of the disease in the autumn-spring periods; pain can also depend on changes in weather.
- Pain at rest, slightly decreasing when walking;
- Limitation of range of motion in the joint;
- Stiffness in movement;
- Increased sensitivity in the joint area;
- Swelling of the soft tissues around the joint;
- Joint deformity.
The condition of the joint is assessed through examination and x-rays.Using x-rays, the stage of the disease is determined and appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of knee arthrosis
Treatment of gonarthrosis begins with the simplest steps and moves on to more complex ones, and is adjusted depending on the effectiveness of certain methods.
Weight loss
The less weight, the less the knee joints are overloaded and, accordingly, the less symptoms of the disease appear.
Activity change
Some types of physical activity associated with joint overload must be limited (running, weightlifting, etc.).While physical exercises that do not involve overloading the joint increase range of motion, reduce pain and slow down the progression of the disease (swimming, skiing, orbitrek, etc.).
Additional support
In case of significant pain, crutches or canes are used to unload the joint.
Physiotherapy
Strengthening the muscles around the knee joint helps reduce overload 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 the disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac sodium, etc.) are used.
Hormonal injections into the joint
Injections of hormonal drugs (cortisone) effectively help reduce pain and inflammation in the joint.However, you should be extremely careful when using these drugs, because...the likelihood of side effects from such therapy often outweighs the possible good results.
Biological therapy.
The most modern and effective methods of conservative treatment of joint arthrosis are biological therapy methods.These include PRP therapy, Cytokine therapy and MSK therapy.
PRPis a serum rich in platelets and growth factors taken from the blood that accelerates the healing process of acute and chronic injuries.Growth factors are chemicals that initiate the healing process.The introduction of PRP into the area of injury stimulates the regeneration process, accelerates healing, and promotes a rapid resolution of the inflammatory process.
Cytokine therapyis a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis, in which a therapeutically active protein, IL-1Ra, produced by the body, fights chronic progressive degeneration of cartilage.A key role in the development of joint arthrosis is played by Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a substance that enhances the inflammatory process in the joints and leads to their premature wear.Its biological antipode is the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), which reduces inflammation, increases mobility and reduces pain.
MSK therapy- stem cell treatment is considered to be an innovative, advanced method of therapy, based on their key feature - undifferentiation (not belonging to any specific tissue), and, therefore, they have the ability to multiply and develop into specialized cells of various tissues.
Joint fluid substitutes.
Injections of hyaluronic acid preparations are very effective and with minimal side effects help for a long time (up to 1 year) to significantly reduce symptoms and slow down 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.
Denervation of the knee joint is an effective and safe method of treating pain associated with arthrosis of the knee joint.
Denervation of the genicular nerves
In cases where conservative treatment does not bring relief, and joint replacement is not possible due to certain contraindications, denervation of the genicular nerves may be used.The essence of the procedure is the 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 for 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 layer of the joint.
Total endoprosthetics
Complete replacement of the articular surfaces of the knee joint with metal implants is the only effective treatment for end-stage gonarthrosis.
Partial knee replacement
The so-called unicondylar knee replacement, in which the site of the articular cartilage defect is replaced with a metal plate.Indications for this procedure are very limited.