Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is progressive. With the development of the disease, cartilage first suffers, then bone elements participate in the destructive process. High physical activity, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders lead to the causes of problems.
As the disease develops, there is a risk of ankylosis, which is accompanied by a decrease in joint motor activity.
Characteristics of the disease
Osteoarthritis 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 degrees of intensity.
It causes a 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 susceptible to women than men. At the same time, the risk of osteoarthritis is much higher in people with varicose veins and overweight. That's why the disease is more common in obese women over 40. The elderly are also affected. In young people, osteoarthritis develops as a result of injuries that occur during physical work or sports activities.
Osteoarthritis must be distinguished from arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease caused by disorders in the immune system. Infectious diseases also lead to the development of arthritis.
In the photo, the clinical picture of osteoarthritis
stages
Osteoarthritis 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 joints or ligaments.
In this situation, the joint is faced with increased loads, which leads to degenerative changes. The secondary form of osteoarthritis is associated with injuries and other diseases.
The 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 will be to deal with.
The main stages of the disease include the following:
- 1 degree- at this stage, people rarely go to the doctor. They feel slight discomfort in their right or left knee, which appears after a long walk. Pain syndrome occurs only after increased physical exertion or strong knee flexion and extension. When performing radiography, it is possible to see a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bony processes in the structure of the joints. The pathology is discovered by chance during other examinations. At this stage, conservative therapy is sufficient.
- 2 degrees- characterized by more obvious symptoms of the disease, which are difficult to ignore. Knee pain is constantly felt. It is especially intense in the morning and at night. Even in a calm state, discomfort does not go away. A person's gait slows down, motor activity is disturbed, movements in the knee are accompanied by a crisis. There is a risk of complications that are accompanied by a piece of bone or cartilage entering the joint cavity. This causes an increase in pain and loss of motor activity. On palpation of the knee, there is a risk of severe pain and visible deformity of the joint. Often, inflammatory processes develop. In such a situation, the knee swells. When taking radiographs, 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 contracts strongly. The joint is characterized by a pronounced deformation, increases in size due to fluid accumulation and almost completely loses mobility. When performing the radiograph, it is possible to see the destruction of the ligament apparatus and menisci, cartilage abrasion and increase in the size of connective tissues. Partial joint fusion can also be seen. To solve the problem, the affected joint is changed to an artificial one.
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 could be due to exercise, arthritis, or other factors.
The main causes of knee osteoarthritis include the following:
- Knee Inflammation - Triggering factors can be arthritis, bursitis and other factors.
- Damage to the meniscus - in the absence of treatment of such a pathology, arthrosis often develops.
- Knee osteochondropathy.
- Physical factors - difficult sports, overweight, etc.
- Bone fractures, post-traumatic syndrome.
- Operations for meniscus injuries, arthroscopy, prolonged blocks with hormones.
- Pathologies that alter the load on the knee. These include flat feet, lower back injuries, osteoarthritis. Also included in this category is hip dysplasia.
Symptoms and signs
The main manifestations of the disease include the following:
- Pain - most often there is mechanical discomfort, which is relieved by painkillers. It can be dull, painful, sharp.
- Crush while moving.
- Impaired joint mobility.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Weakness of limb muscles.
- An increase in local temperature in the knee area.
- Disturbance of gait, which is accompanied by lameness of the legs.
- Violation of stability.
- Knee stuck.
Diagnosis
Before starting the treatment of gonarthrosis, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination.
If you suspect gonarthrosis, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist. The specialist examines and interviews the patient, assessing the condition of the joint and the range of motion in it.
To identify the pathology, perform these studies:
- MRI image. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to study the affected area by obtaining a three-dimensional image. Manipulation shows the vasculature and nerve fibers.
- X-ray. The procedure allows you to identify cracks, depressions, bone processes.
What is dangerous osteoarthritis of the knee
The consequences of osteoarthritis include joint inflammation, atrophic changes in muscle and ligament tissues, 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, limb mobility is reduced and the person is incapacitated.
Prevention and prognosis
To prevent the appearance of osteoarthritis 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;
- play sports, walk or ride an exercise bike, carry out medical complexes;
- Avoid injuries, protect your legs with knee pads.
The pathology lends itself well to therapy, since thinning of the cartilaginous tissue is observed only in the third stage. The prognosis is quite favorable.
If therapy is not started in time, there is a risk of disability. Usually, the group is assigned with the third degree of gonarthrosis. As for military service, they are dismissed with the development of a deforming form of the disease.
Osteoarthritis 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 carry out the necessary studies and select the appropriate therapy.