Gonarthrosis: What are The Symptoms?
Pain
The basic symptom is pain, which leads the patient to the doctor. The pain of a “mechanical” increases when it starts to move or walk. If you keep moving the joint pain to give in after a time to rise again. With rest yields.
When it evolves noticeable clicks with the movement, to be gradually limited.
Patellofemoral osteoarthritis in the patient feels pain in the front of the knee, and sometimes reflected in the back (the popliteal space). Typically, increases with the stairs, and above all to download. If prolonged sitting with knees bent, the pain forces the patient to lift the knee straight because the pain subsides.
In tibiofemoral osteoarthritis pain side note inside, outside, or both, of the knee. In some cases it may be diffuse or noted only in the popliteal fossa. Increases in walking on rough terrain. In advanced cases pain even walking on level ground.
Progressive limitation of joint mobility
Over time appears contracture or stiffness of the knee, the left in a flexed position, it is impossible to stretch. So that the gestures of everyday life such as tying a shoe, into the tub or get on a bus, they become very difficult or impossible.
There may be phases of increased pain, called crises or outbreaks. The pain is inflammatory, increases at night and rest does not eliminate it. The knee then becomes inflamed, reddened, thickens and increases in skin temperature.
What evidence can you ask for?
Radiographs of the area
The joint space is the region of union between the two bones of the joint, which appears in the image plate apparently empty, but is actually occupied by cartilage, which is invisible to X-rays In osteoarthritis the cartilage destruction that space makes narrow: it is the joint impingement.
The bone in the area appears very white (highlighting more compact X-rays).
Be seen protruding beak-shaped edges (osteophytes).
For the diagnosis of osteoarthritis do not need more tests but for the study of the possible causes and according to the suspicions of the doctor may be necessary:
Joint fluid analysis
Storage diseases, rheumatoid, infections.
Imaging techniques
As the CT (computed tomography scan or) or MRI (magnetic resonance), useful to assess such a possible femoral condyle avascular necrosis, osteochondritis, meniscal or ligament injuries, etc..