According to WHO figures, about 30% of adults over 60 years of age begin to be affected by osteoarthritis; These data are even more alarming, knowing that 80% of them also have a growing joint limitation to execute habitual movements.
Knee osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, is a type of painful condition that originates from wear and tear on the knee, this can include wear and tear on the kneecap or wear and tear on the ligaments, to wear and tear on the cartilage of the knee. Gonarthrosis usually appears in older adults due to aging; However, young people who have exposed their joint to overuse or have suffered cartilage, ligament, or meniscus injuries may also develop it prematurely.
Remember that the knee is one of the most used joints; Thanks to it, we can stand, walk, jump, run, and perform many other aerobic activities. Additionally, it is a support structure for both the total weight of the human body and the rest of the objects we carry.
Knee osteoarthritis, being a disease with degenerative characteristics, begins to develop progressively; which means that the pain will increase as the level of wear on the knee increases.
There are several treatments for knee osteoarthritis, which can vary depending on the degree of the disease and the pain the patient is experiencing. Some of the treatments that can be applied in case of osteoarthritis are:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation in the knee. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants can also be helpful in relieving pain and improving sleep quality.
Another of the most commonly used options in the initial stage are treatments injected directly into the joint; These serve to protect and stimulate living cartilage tissue. Corticosteroids, stem cells and hyaluronic acid administered intra-articularally are usually very efficient in temporarily mitigating the symptoms related to knee osteoarthritis.
Strengthening and stretching exercises can help improve the flexibility and strength of the muscles surrounding the joint, reducing pain and preventing future injuries or any wear and tear on the knee.
If the patient is overweight, weight loss can help reduce the load on the knees. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good joint health.
Your doctor may also suggest supplementation to increase the effect of natural substances located within the same joint, such as collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate.
Patients with advanced development of osteoarthritis experience an overwhelming sense of incapacity, stiffness, and severe pain throughout the day. When wear and tear on the knee becomes severe, the best solution is to undergo surgery to correct the problem, or failing that, to partially or completely replace the joint surface.
There are several surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis, these are:
Arthroscopy:
It is a “closed” and minimally invasive procedure performed with the help of a special instrument called an arthroscope; in which through small incisions the patient’s knee is accessed to resolve meniscal injuries, blockages and some other decompensations of the knee.
Osteotomy:
It is a type of open surgery where the doctor is responsible for making controlled cuts, either in the femur or tibia, to repair local wear and tear in one of its compartments. This is one of the most recommended options for young people and active people.
Arthroplasty:
The goal of this operation is to replace all or part of the worn area, whether you are treating kneecap wear, ligament wear, or knee cartilage wear. The intention is that after the recovery time, the patient can recover their joint function.
Physiotherapeutic techniques that alternate cold and heat (Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy), serve to reduce pain, inflammation and spasms caused by knee osteoarthritis. Other alternatives to reduce the sensation of pain include: manual therapies, massages and immobilizations.
But if we talk about a method of proven effectiveness and with a direct impact on knee osteoarthritis, we must mention therapeutic exercise. These exercises are intended to strengthen the contractile structures of the knee and restore balance, stability, and gait functions.
Knee osteoarthritis does not have a specific trigger; As it is a disease of progressive joint wear, there are many internal and external factors that act on it; Among the most outstanding we can mention:
Joint deterioration due to age.
Obesity (weight overload leads to increased wear and tear on the knee).
Joint overuse.
Previous injuries.
Genetic or hereditary alterations.
Other diseases (for example: arthritis).
As we have already mentioned, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes wear and tear on the cartilage of the knee and other joint elements. Wear and tear on the knee is the consequence of osteoarthritis, i.e. the disease is the cause of wear and tear.
The diagnostic process for knee osteoarthritis usually includes the following steps:
The specialist will review the patient’s symptoms (knee pain, stiffness, swelling, or crepitus), as well as their medical history.
The doctor will evaluate the patient’s knee, checking for pain when moving the joint into different positions.
X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can show detailed pictures of wear and tear on the cartilage in the knee and loss of space in the joint.
In some cases, fluid may be removed from the knee to check for inflammation or infection.
Arthroscopy is a slightly more invasive test that is performed with a specialized surgical instrument (arthroscope), which allows the knee to be viewed directly.
Knee osteoarthritis does not have a specific trigger; As it is a disease of progressive joint wear, there are many internal and external factors that act on it; Among the most outstanding we can mention:
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