Orthopedic traumatologists perform specialized diagnostics (radiotherapy, tests), conservative therapy (medications, intra-articular injections, PRP therapy, cell technology of regenerative medicine, etc.) and high-tech surgical treatment of gonorrhea (knee arthritis) - arthroscopy, arthroscopy, osteotomy.
Gonorrhea is observed in every 10 people over 55 years old, and in a quarter of these patients it leads to disability.
Up to 80% of patients with knee osteoarthritis report reduced quality of life.
The operating time of modern artificial knee joints 10 years after surgery is 99%, after 15 years - 95%, after 20 years - 90%.
Why does knee osteoarthritis occur?
- Most often, the cause of the development of the disease is knee injuries, especially repetitive ones (meniscal damage, dislocations, fractures, hematomas, etc.).
- Joint microtraumas are often repeated during sports training, with constant work “on your feet” having a similar effect.
- Excess body weight creates increased axial load and joint destruction.
- Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joints can also occur after inflammatory diseases (gouty arthritis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Endocrine diseases, hormonal changes (for example, menopause), metabolic disorders aggravate pathological changes in the joints.
Main symptoms of knee pain
- With grade 1 gonorrhea - in the early stages of the disease, pain periodically occurs in the knee joint after movement (walking, running, standing for a long time), this condition will go away after rest.At this stage, there is almost no joint deformity or movement limitation;
- Gradually, the pain becomes more frequent and intense, especially when going up and down stairs, as well as when starting to walk after sitting for a long time (pain begins);
- With grade 2 gonorrhea, knee pain during movement becomes persistent, only disappearing after a long rest, and the patient limps;
- When moving, there will be a crunching feeling in the joint.The range of motion of the knee joint is limited (when fully bent, sharp pain appears);
- When examining the joint area, you may notice swelling and deformity;
- With DOA of the knee joint grade 3, which corresponds to severe gonorrhea, joint pain is unpleasant even at rest, drowsiness is not allowed, the range of motion is significantly reduced, the patient walks with bent legs and there is a pronounced deformity of the knee joint (O-shaped or X-shaped legs).
Diagnose
- A survey and examination by an orthopedic traumatologist revealed typical signs of degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints (pain on palpation, limitation of movement, crepitus, deformity, joint effusion).
- X-ray examination of the knee joint is performed (x-ray narrowing of the joint space, presence of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis are determined) and, if necessary, computed tomography of the joint.
- Ultrasound examination of the joint can detect thinning of the cartilage in the joint, changes in the ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues surrounding the joint, inflammatory fluid in the joint cavity, and changes in the meniscus.
- The most accurate information is provided by magnetic resonance imaging of the knee joint, which shows changes in cartilage and bone tissue, ligaments, meniscus, synovial membrane, allowing to distinguish post-traumatic arthritis of the knee joint from arthritis, tumor processes.
- Diagnostic and arthroscopy of the knee joint, as well as testing of synovial fluid obtained during the procedure, are widely used in the diagnosis of joint diseases.
Treatment of gonorrhea
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis depends on the stage of the disease.
Conservative
In the early stages of DOA, successful complex conservative treatment is possible aimed at reducing inflammation, restoring cartilage, eliminating pain and restoring full joint function:
- Therapeutic and protective regimen - it is necessary to limit the load on the joints and ensure rest.
- Conservative treatment of gonorrhea with medication:
- use of pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and cartilage protecting drugs;
- topical use of drugs in the form of ointments and gels;
- intra-articular injection - intra-articular injection of an individually selected combination of drugs, which may include hormonal agents to quickly reduce inflammation, drugs based on hyaluronic acid to replenish joint fluid, etc.;
- PRP therapy - intra-articular injection of PRP (platelet rich plasma).
- The method of regenerative medicine - injection into the joint of autologous cells of the stromal-vascular part, cells - precursors of cartilage tissue, obtained from one's own fatty tissue.
- Massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy.
- It is imperative to use therapeutic physical exercises with a series of exercises aimed at improving blood circulation in the joints and increasing range of motion.
Surgery
Knee arthroscopy
In cases where there are pronounced changes in the joint (progressive osteoarthritis, disability due to injury), orthopedic traumatologists perform arthroscopic knee osteoarthritis surgery (meniscectomy, cartilage surgery, excision of “joint rat”, resection of synovium, etc.).
Knee surgery
If other treatment methods are ineffective, we perform knee replacement using modern prosthetics from the world's best manufacturers.This is a reliable way to relieve patients' pain and restore mobility and good quality of life.
Nowadays, enduring the pain and inconvenience of joint pain makes no sense.Modern medical technologies can help treat knee arthritis at almost any stage.Contact your doctor and take advantage of the options available.