Osteoarthritis of the knee joint(gonarthrosis, arthrosis of the knee joint, deforming arthrosis of the knee joint) is a degenerative disease of the knee joint, characterized by the destruction of the cartilage of the articular surfaces, deformation of the joint and dysfunction.
It is believed that the first changes in osteoarthritis of the knee joint arise at the molecular level in the cartilage tissue.Over time, these changes lead to disruption of the physicochemical properties of cartilage.When examining cartilage preparations, it can be seen that in places it begins to become cloudy, thin, flake off and tear in different directions.
Ultimately, the pathological process ends with the complete disappearance of the cartilage over a smaller or larger extent, leading to the exposure of the underlying bone.Osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurs most often in people over 50 years old.
Women are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur on one or both sides.The most common forms of osteoarthritis are medial.
Causes of the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Science does not know the exact cause of osteoarthritis, but there are a number of factors that usually contribute to the onset of this disease:
- Previous injuries to the knee joint increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis;
- Heredity - in some cases, a defect in the gene responsible for the development of cartilage tissue is detected in patients with arthrosis, which leads to the fact that these people have an increased predisposition to the development of arthrosis due to the low resistance of cartilage tissue to damage;
- Increased body weight - According to observations, arthrosis of the large joints of the lower extremities (knee, arthrosis of the hip joint) most often develops in patients with increased body weight and occurs due to excessive load on these joints.This can also lead to faster progression of the disease;
- Excessive stress on the joint;
- Intra-articular crystal deposits - occur in some diseases associated with metabolic disorders, especially uric acid, etc., which can lead to cartilage destruction.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are known to develop slowly over several years.
The most characteristic symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are:
- Pain deep in the knee joint, which occurs especially when moving and walking;
- swelling of the knee joint;
- Stiffness in the morning, which disappears after some time with exercise.Patients notice that they need to “disperse.”Afterwards there is relief and the movements in the knee joint improve.
- Crunching (crepitus) in the joint when moving.
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
A complete cure for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is currently not possible.However, by starting treatment in the early stages of the disease, it is possible to stop the progressive destruction of articular cartilage tissue for a long time.
The treatment center offers modern treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint based on an integrated multilateral approach and includes:
- Use of knee supports to relieve pressure on the medial parts of the joint;
- taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that allow you to stop inflammation in the joint and relieve pain;
- Losing excess body weight reliably slows the progression of osteoarthritis;
- Therapeutic exercises that eliminate axial loads on the joint allow you to restore muscle tone, prevent muscle atrophy and restore joint mobility.
- Taking small doses of muscle relaxants leads to a reduction in spasms of the periarticular muscles, which also significantly reduces pain;
- Physiotherapeutic treatment courses;
- Injection of hyaluronic acid preparations into the joint, which is a joint fluid prosthesis;
- taking drugs from the group of chondroprotectors;
- taking medications that improve blood rheology and blood supply to bones;
- In some cases, arthroscopy of the knee joint;
- Knee Replacement – Knee replacement when conservative treatment is ineffective.
Operations for osteoarthritis of the knee joint are carried out free of charge under the VMP.
In the presence of medical indications and referral quotas, our center carries out the operations with funds provided within the framework of the program for the provision of high-tech medical care (HTMC).
Learn more about the high-tech medical care program.
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with the PRP method
In addition to the above-mentioned classic methods of conservative treatment of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, our clinic offers a unique opportunity to undergo treatment with a unique technique based on the introduction into the affected joint of a biologically active substance isolated from the patient's own blood - enriched autologous platelet plasma (PRP therapy) - and makes it possible to influence the key link in the pathogenesis of arthrosis - regeneration - restoration of cartilage tissue.
Due to treatment with enriched autologous platelet plasma, the patient does not need “chemical” drugs, he does not need daily visits to the physiotherapist, etc. Thus, there is no effect of drugs on the entire body and the load on such important organs as the liver and kidneys is reduced.