Osteoarthritis of the knee - Gonarthrosis

It is a chronic disease of the knee joint, where the cartilage that covers the bones wears out and causes a rubbing and subsequent deterioration of the bones.

There are multiple triggering factors: excess weight, advanced age, menopause, genetic factors, intense physical activity, work activity that requires constant flexion and extension of the joint, injuries and lesions of the knee.

It manifests with pain, limited movement, stiffness (mainly in the morning), crackling and/or swelling of the joint.

The diagnosis is clinical through medical questioning and physical examination. Imaging tests such as x-rays, MRI and/or an ultrasound will be done to complete the study.

The treatment aims to relieve pain and inflammation with analgesic and antiinflammatory drugs. Medications are used for cartilage protection (hyaluronic acid, glucosamine sulphate...) and rehabilitation therapy. Excess weight should be corrected if it exists and proper ergonomics should be promoted in the workplace. If the previous treatments fail, surgery and a prosthesis insertion may be carried out.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit a specialist to treat them and stop the progression of osteoarthritis.