deforming arthrosis- a disease associated with degenerative changes (wear and tear) of the cartilage tissue, which covers the articular surfaces of the bones and allows the limbs to move freely.
This is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (the incidence of the adult population in different regions of the Earth varies from 13 to 29%). Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) ranks second in frequency of development, after deforming arthrosis of the hip joint.
Causes of Arthritis of the Knee
The mechanism of development of knee osteoarthritis is not fully understood. However, the factors that contribute to the development of the pathology have been known for a long time. Some of them are unavoidable - ie old age, female gender, hereditary predisposition.
Reasons for the development of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, causing accelerated cartilage wear, include:
- obesity (more than 66% of patients with gonarthrosis are overweight);
- pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, increasing the load on the joint (scoliosis, osteochondrosis, flat feet, systemic diseases of the joints, etc. );
- increased physical activity, including sports.
In addition, the progression of gonarthrosis is facilitated by pathologies that disturb the metabolism of cartilaginous tissue (endocrine diseases, gout) as well as circulatory diseases (varicose veins of the lower extremities, atherosclerosis of the arteries of the legs, diabetic angiopathy). Timely and appropriate therapy for these diseases will help preserve limb function for a long time.
Another common cause of gonarthrosis is a knee injury. In these cases, the pathology progresses at an exceptionally fast pace. Therefore, we advise all patients who have suffered a knee injury to be examined in a timely manner and, if necessary, to undergo arthroscopy of the knee joint to eliminate intra-articular injuries.
When to see a traumatologist
An orthopedist-traumatologist should be consulted immediately after the appearance of the following symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- knee pain is the most persistent symptom;
- crunch when moving;
- morning stiffness - as a rule, is associated with a kind of "initial pain" and disappears after 30 minutes of movement;
- joint dysfunction - a feeling of looseness or, conversely, pathological stiffness, lameness, etc.
At the MC, experienced trauma orthopedists are being seen who, after a thorough diagnosis, will select the ideal method of treatment of the knee joint: surgery or conservative therapy, depending on the specific situation.