Arthrosis deformity- diseases associated with degenerative changes (wear) of cartilage tissue, which cover the articular surface of the bone and provide free movement of the limbs.
This is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (the incidence of the adult population in different regions of the Earth ranges from 13 to 29%). Defective knee joint arthrosis (gonarthrosis) ranks second in the frequency of development, after the deformity of hip joint arthrosis.
Causes of knee arthrosis
The mechanism of development of knee osteoarthritis is still not fully understood. Even so, the factors that contribute to the development of pathology have been known for a long time. Some of them are inevitable - these are old age, female sex, hereditary tendencies.
Causes of the development of arthrosis of the deformed knee joint, leading to accelerated cartilage application, include:
- obesity (more than 66% of patients with overweight gonarthrosis);
- pathology of the musculoskeletal system, increased load on the joints (scoliosis, osteochondrosis, flat feet, systemic diseases of the joints, etc. );
- increased physical activity, including sports.
In addition, the development of gonarthrosis is facilitated by pathologies that interfere with the metabolism of cartilage tissue (endocrine diseases, gout), as well as circulatory diseases (varicose veins in the lower extremities, atherosclerosis of the arteries of the legs, diabetic angiopathy). The therapy of this disease is timely and will help preserve the function of the limbs for a long time.
Another cause of gonarthrosis is a knee injury. In such cases, the pathology develops at an unusually rapid rate. Therefore, we advise all patients with knee injuries to be examined in a timely manner and, if necessary, undergo arthroscopy of the knee joint to rule out intra-articular injuries.
When to see a traumatologist
An orthopedic-traumatologist should be consulted as soon as the following symptoms of knee joint arthrosis appear:
- knee pain is the most persistent symptom;
- cramps while moving;
- morning stiffness - as a rule, it is combined with a kind of "initial pain" and disappears after 30 minutes of movement;
- joint dysfunction - a feeling of relaxation or, conversely, pathological stiffness, lameness, etc.
At MC, an experienced orthopedic traumatologist receives an appointment, who, after a thorough diagnosis, will select the optimal method of treating the knee joint: surgery or conservative therapy, depending on the specific condition.