Knee arthrosis – gonarthrosis

Knee arthrosis or gonarthrosis is among the most frequent joint afflictions brought about by damage to the knee cartilage.

Symptoms include constant knee pain and limited mobility, which affects and impedes daily activity.

The greater the damage, the greater the pain during rest. After extended periods of sitting, one can encounter pain “behind” the knee, and the pain itself can increase after carrying anything heavy. Various sounds can be heard coming from the joint area, and the pain can intensify during wet and cold weather conditions. The pain is particularly strong when climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces. In the beginning, the pain is strong, but the intensity decreases as movement continues. However, if one moves for a very long time, the pain will return with the same intensity.

In that case, it is necessary to undergo a professional medical examination by an orthopaedist as soon as possible – only well-timed therapy can alleviate the symptoms or heal the condition.

Knee injuries or injuries to the knee structure (damage to the meniscus, tendon tears, and so on) can aggravate the symptoms. If knee arthrosis sets in, there is further damage to the knee cartilage. In cases of great damage, those afflicted cannot move their knee without feeling pain, and in extreme cases complete calcification of the knee joint can occur. Unless the knee receives treatment, knee mobility can only be retained through surgery or an artificial joint.

Pain treatment involves various medication (depending on the intensity of the pain), which also have an anti-inflammatory effect. In more serious cases it is recommended to undergo corticosteroid injections directly to the knee (intra-articular injections) – a so-called block. In the past few years, hyaluron injections have appeared on the market. Hyaluron normally being located in the knee, injections serve to protect joint cartilages, maintain the viscosity of joint fluids and, in layman’s terms, lubricate the joint.

Aside from this, exercise is a crucial part of rehabilitation therapy, as it stretches and strengthens the proper muscle groups. This is done through classic isotonic exercising, or by using the Miha bodytec machine, which can return strength to the muscle up to three times faster. Also, by applying the latest methods in physical therapy – high-intensity lasers, the popular HILT, and latest generation Tecar radiofrequency current – we can greatly decrease symptoms in such situations.

Miloš Paunović Chartered physiotherapist Licensed Mulligan physiotherapist