Gonarthrosis or arthrosis of the knee: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

By Cristiano Antonino On Nov 8, 2022

Arthrosis of the knee (or gonarthrosis) is a condition caused by premature wear of the joint ends. Gonarthrosis does not allow normal walking and mostly affects the elderly population (>65 years)

Symptoms of gonarthrosis

The subjective symptomatology consists mainly of pain in the affected joint or regional musculature, which is most intense in the morning, subsides with movement, may flare up after exertion and generally subsides during night rest.

Subsequently, joint function becomes limited, first by pain, then by obstacles of a mechanical nature that may prevent the performance of normal activities or make even the usual functions of social life difficult.

The knee tends to lock in flexion.

Diagnosis of knee arthrosis

The decrease in the joint rhyme is the first sign of cartilage damage and may allow the diagnosis of initial arthrosis to be made.

Subsequently, other radiological symptoms that are not always evident are observed.

The presence of osteophytes and joint deformities are signs of long-standing arthrosis that ends with radiologically evident ankylosis of the joint.

Gonarthrosis therapy is surgical

In particular, modern prosthetic implants are used that allow total replacement of the joint.

These implants are metal (titanium) and are generally cemented to the bone, especially in the case of a porotic, i.e. weak bone.

Knee prostheses allow walking, under partial load, 3-4 days after surgery.

Full load with return to work takes about 30 days.

In recent years, the mini-prosthesis – or mono-compartmental prosthesis – has become increasingly popular, i.e. a small prosthesis, approximately 3-4 cm, that only covers the worn part and not the entire knee.

This implant can be used in cases of arthrosis of the inner compartment with remarkable success even 20 years after surgery.

Another undisputed advantage of the mini-prosthesis is that it can be applied with a smaller incision, compared to a total prosthesis, of just 8-10 cm.

Recovery is also quicker: ambulation is permitted the day after surgery; full weight-bearing with return to work takes about 30 days.

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