Knee arthritis (gonarthrosis) is a degenerative disease characterized by gradual wear and tear of the cartilage of the knee joint.
Causes of knee arthritis
It usually appears in people over 50 years old.Excess body weight worsens the symptoms of the disease, while weight loss reduces its manifestations.There is also a genetic factor, that is, in some families, joint diseases occur more often than in others.Aggravating factors include previous injuries to the knee, meniscus, and ligaments.
Symptoms of gonorrhea
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis always progress over time.Patients often report that the disease is more severe in the fall-spring period;The pain can also depend on changes in weather.
- Pain at rest, slightly relieved when walking;
- Restriction of joint range of motion;
- Joint stiffness when moving;
- Increased sensitivity in the joint area;
- Swelling of soft tissues around joints;
- Joint deformity.
The condition of the joint is evaluated through examination and X-rays.Using X-rays, the stage of the disease is determined and appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of knee arthritis
Treatment of gonorrhea begins with the simplest steps and moves to more complex steps and is adjusted depending on the effectiveness of certain methods.
Losing weight
The less weight you have, the less overload the knee joint will have and, accordingly, the less symptoms of the disease will appear.
Change activities
Certain types of physical activity associated with joint overload must be limited (running, weightlifting, etc.).While physical exercises that do not overload the joints will increase range of motion, reduce pain and slow down the progression of the disease (swimming, skiing, spinning, etc.).
Additional support
In case of severe pain, crutches or canes are used to unload the joint.
Physical therapy
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee joint helps reduce joint overload and prevents muscle atrophy (muscle atrophy), which is important in maintaining knee function.
Orthopedic insoles (insoles)
With the help of an instep orthotic support, the biomechanics of walking are corrected, achieving the correct weight distribution on the knee joint and reducing the manifestations of the disease.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
To treat inflammation and pain caused by the disease, people use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac sodium, etc.).
Inject hormones into the joint
Hormone injections (cortisone) effectively relieve pain and arthritis.However, you should be very careful when using these drugs, because... the possibility of side effects from such therapy is often greater than the possible good results.
Biological therapy.
The most modern and effective conservative treatment methods for joint disease are biological therapy methods.These include PRP therapy, Cytokine therapy, and MSK therapy.
PRPis a serum rich in platelets and blood-derived growth factors that help accelerate the healing process of acute and chronic wounds.Growth factors are chemicals that initiate the healing process.Introducing PRP into the damaged area stimulates the regeneration process, accelerates wound healing and promotes 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.An important role in the development of arthritis 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 antagonist is the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), which reduces inflammation, increases mobility, and relieves pain.
MSK therapy- Stem cell treatment is considered an advanced, innovative therapeutic method, based on the main characteristic of being undifferentiated (not belonging to any specific tissue) and therefore having the ability to multiply and develop into specialized cells of many different tissues.
Joint fluid substitute.
Injections of hyaluronic acid preparations very effectively and with minimal side effects significantly reduce symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease for a long time (up to 1 year).
Chondroprotectors
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are safe and effective medications commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis.
Knee denervation surgery is an effective and safe method of treating knee pain.
The destruction of gen nerves
In cases where conservative treatment does not provide pain relief and joint replacement is not possible due to certain contraindications, genicular denervation can be used.The essence of the procedure is temperature treatment of sensitive nerves of the knee joint, which transmit pain impulses.After a successful outpatient procedure, pain in the knee joint can be significantly reduced in the long term.
Arthroscopic knee surgery
The effectiveness of arthroscopic intervention for knee arthritis remains controversial, but it is quite effective in relieving some specific symptoms.
Bone cutting
A surgical procedure used to realign the axis of the lower extremity.Effective in young people with minimal damage to the articular cartilage layer.
Total number of prosthetics
Complete replacement of the articular surface of the knee joint with a metal implant is the only effective treatment for late-stage gonorrhea.
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.