Osteoarthritis affects as many as 50% of people older than 45, according to statistical data. Osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis are two terms that describe worn out joints. In the early stage of the disease mostly mild symptoms appear, which over time can lead to disability. Although osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, it most often develops in the hip and the knee.
The hip and knee are the two largest joints in our body and bear the greatest load, so it is no surprise that they are the most affected. Osteoarthritis of the knee is also called gonarthrosis. Besides the knee and hip, osteoarthritis can affect the ankle, shoulder, elbow, hands and fingers. Osteoarthritis of the hand is especially unpleasant when pain occurs in the joints of the hand. Why do these conditions develop, how can you recognize them, how can you protect your joints and ease the discomfort?
Knee osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, which under the newer disease classification is called osteoarthritis, represents degenerative changes in the knee, that is, degenerative arthritis. The Latin name is gonarthrosis. Arthritis denotes inflammation of the joint.
Osteoarthritis of any joint, in this case the knee, denotes the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is the smooth surface that covers the end parts of the bones. Thanks to it we are able to move. When, in certain parts of the joint, the cartilage wears out completely narrowing of the joint occurs, and its movement becomes limited and painful.
As the disease progresses it spreads to the bone and other structures of the joint, so that in later stages almost all elements of the joint become damaged. It begins with a buildup of calcium at the edges of the bones, when bony outgrowths form at the joint (osteophytes). Gonarthrosis usually affects the joint capsule and the bone above the joint. Although it can appear in younger people as well, in the vast majority of cases it appears after the age of 45.
You can notice it by pain in the knee that occurs at the start of movement and that will ease after some time. If walking lasts longer, the pain can return. Other symptoms can also appear.
When gonarthrosis appears, the symptoms develop gradually and become more pronounced as time passes. Greater cartilage damage does not always mean that you will have more pronounced symptoms. They can manifest as:
In short, the typical signs of osteoarthritis, as a degenerative disease, in any joint are:
The risk of knee osteoarthritis appearing increases with age because the muscles weaken and the body's ability to regenerate itself decreases. It most often appears in women, when the forms of the disease are also more severe. It can also appear due to hormonal imbalance.
It often appears in athletes and obese people due to the greater load on the knee joints. A genetic factor, injury or surgery of the knee increases the risk of the disease, as do other inflammatory diseases of the knee such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
The diagnosis is established on the basis of a medical examination, an assessment of the symptoms and additional analyses and scans, of which an X-ray is most often used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a CT scanner can also be useful, while ultrasound can help in assessing soft tissues, such as swelling.
Although treatment is most effective in the early stage, patients come to the doctor only when the disease has advanced. It is important to note that changes in the cartilage are irreparable, but a lot can be done to ease the knee pain and to enable the person to carry out everyday tasks.
Depending on how far the disease has advanced, a particular remedy for osteoarthritis is applied, and therapy is adjusted individually. The treatment of gonarthrosis has the ultimate goal of easing the discomfort and preventing further damage to the joint. It can be non operative and operative, and it mainly includes:
When taking any medication the symptoms of osteoarthritis are eased, but the cause of the disease is not removed. A permanent solution would be the regeneration of cartilage, but since this is not possible, slowing the disease can be helped by stopping its further breakdown. This can be achieved with a chondroprotector, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, thanks to which the discomfort is reduced and further progression of the disease is stopped. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate can also be obtained from natural sources, such as the green lipped mussel that lives in the waters around New Zealand.
The diet should include foods that are used for other joint diseases as well - whole grains, fish, white meat, olive oil, plenty of fruit and vegetables. This type of diet is known as the Mediterranean diet. Excess weight places great pressure on the knee, so reaching an optimal body weight is one of the necessary conditions for recovery.
Although knee osteoarthritis develops due to cartilage damage, knee pain occurs due to inflammation. That is why it is important to consume plenty of fruit and vegetables because during inflammation free radicals form that damage the joint tissue. Clinical studies have established that antioxidants from fruit and vegetables capture free radicals and prevent the development of joint damage. It is necessary to increase the intake of beta carotene which gives fruit and vegetables their orange color, and which can be found in carrots.
Besides vitamin C from fruit, vitamins D and E are key. With a balanced diet, the intake of vitamins C and E is mostly optimal, but the body often lacks vitamin D, especially during the winter months. We get vitamin D from sunlight, and to a smaller extent from food such as milk. If you do not have enough vitamin D, you can always take it in the form of supplements that are available in almost every pharmacy. Magnesium reduces the process of ossification, that is, calcification of the cartilage.
It is recommended to reduce the intake of saturated fats, and to increase omega-3 fatty acids, which, besides in fish, are also found in nuts, such as almonds and hazelnuts. They have the role of reducing inflammatory processes.
Bacteria in the intestines can have an influence on joint health and the appearance of inflammation. That is why it is important to consume dietary fiber, which can be found in bananas, onions and garlic, and whole wheat grain.
In the past, rest was recommended for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, however this approach did not produce the expected results in practice. The affected knee, due to lack of movement, became less and less mobile and more painful. In addition, the problem of obesity often appeared. That is why today appropriate physical activity is recommended, which in the case of knee gonarthrosis is not at all easy. What are the best exercises when it comes to knee gonarthrosis?
The best exercises in the case of knee osteoarthritis are:
One should avoid physical activity in which at any moment the feet are lifted off the ground, such as running, aerobics, basketball or jumping rope.
Knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis occur most often, and in most cases hip osteoarthritis is similar to knee osteoarthritis, which we described in detail earlier.
Coxarthrosis, that is, osteoarthritis of the hip, is characterized by hip pain, usually in the groin. The pain can sometimes be felt in the thigh and in the knee on the same side of the body. Limitation during movement and limping occur, and in some cases aids are needed, such as a cane or crutches. Most people feel difficulty when putting on shoes.
As a consequence of joint deformation and loss of cartilage, shortening of the leg can occur. This problem can be temporarily solved with heel lifts, and permanently only through surgery. Establishing the diagnosis and treatment are carried out by the same principle as with knee osteoarthritis. The most effective exercises for hip osteoarthritis are riding a stationary bicycle and swimming.
Osteoarthritis of the hand is rarer, but extremely painful and unpleasant. At first mild, barely noticeable swellings appear on the fingers, and in the later stage of the disease pain appears in the joints of the hands. When osteophytes start to form, along with pain in the finger joints, redness and swelling appear, with limited mobility of the fingers.
Pain in the joint of the hand can affect the middle part of the hand and fingers or the part of the hand closer to the nails, so a distinction is made between Heberden's osteoarthritis and Bouchard's osteoarthritis. While Heberden's osteoarthritis most often appears at the end joints of the fingers, which are closer to the nail, Bouchard's osteoarthritis affects the middle joints of the fingers of the hands. It appears more often in women of middle and older age, and the genetic factor plays a major role.
Osteoarthritis is unfortunately an incurable disease, but with appropriate therapy it can be significantly slowed down. With adequate treatment the symptoms can be eased and an active life ensured even in mature age. If you need physical therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of any joint, we are at your disposal. Write to us through the contact form or call us on the phone number 0601343303 and schedule a free examination.
When it comes to assessment and the length of recovery, our team will determine and provide the necessary guidelines toward a faster and better recovery. Not sure yet? You are just one click away from a free consultation.
Call now to schedule 060/134-3303
Related services: for knee osteoarthritis we recommend kinesitherapy and tecar therapy. To book an appointment schedule an examination.
