What is deformed arthrosis of the knee joint?
Deformed arthrosis of the knee joint isa disease caused by degenerative dystrophic changes in tissues. Most often this disease affects older people. Children and adolescents suffer them seldom, and usually as a result of getting injured.
Causes
The causes of this disease to medicine are still unknown, but it is commonly believed that the deformed arthrosis of the knee joint most often affects people:
- injured or damaged joint;
- leading an unhealthy lifestyle;
- often experiencing physical stress.
It should be noted that women entering the phase of menopause are more prone to this ailment than men.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis deformans
The main problem of diagnosing the deformingarthrosis of the knee joint is its gradual development. It is very important to recognize the disease in time and start treatment, otherwise it can become a serious problem for a person, up to the restriction of the walking function. Minor pain occurs when bending the knee, climbing the stairs and physical exertion. The joint begins to swell, crunch and creak when moving. As arthrosis develops, painful sensations increase. This disease is diagnosed by a doctor, he also prescribes treatment, which in many respects will depend on the degree of deforming arthrosis.
Degrees of disease
The first degree of gonarthrosis differs in practiceasymptomatic course. Only on an x-ray you can find small osteophytes (bone growth). However, even a specialist can not always correctly diagnose the disease at this stage.
The second degree of the disease is more pronounced: a more pronounced osteophyte in the x-ray and joint pain. Sometimes in the joint area there is inflammation.
The third degree of the disease is characterized by brightpronounced osteophyte, some narrowing of the joint gap, clearly visible on the x-ray, and the presence of synovial fluid in the joint. Deformed arthrosis of the knee joint of the third stage is diagnosed without much difficulty, however, its treatment should be started immediately.
The fourth degree of gonarthrosis differs even more painful sensations, the articulation gap is markedly narrowed, often the patient can have sclerosis of the subchondral bone.
Deforming arthrosis of joints: treatment
The treatment regimen for gonarthrosis includes a wholea number of measures aimed at reducing pain, improving blood circulation, removing edema, strengthening the muscular framework and improving joint mobility. For this, the patient is prescribed a complex therapy consisting of drug treatment, physiotherapy and exercise therapy. Usually, patients with a diagnosis of "deformed knee arthrosis" are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs such as "Indomethacin" and "Diclofenac" medications. They help relieve the pain and swelling of the affected area. Also, for this purpose, various ointments and creams are used, which, however, are unlikely to help patients with stage 3-4 disease. As for exercise therapy, the daily exercises for the joint are assigned to the patient individually.
