KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS (GONARTHROSIS)
Untreated cartilage damage to the knee results in premature joint wear and tear and arthrosis.
Cartilage damage, knee arthrosis (gonarthrosis)
Knee joint arthrosis and premature joint wear in the knee.
Untreated cartilage damage results in premature joint wear and tear and arthrosis in the knee joint. Knee arthrosis defines the progressive wear and tear of the knee joint. Joint arthrosis cannot be cured in principle. Conservative therapies (medication and physiotherapy) reduce the joint pain. A medical assessment of cartilage damage and arthrosis is strongly recommended.
Knee arthritis? Accident-related or chronic knee complaints? Joint wear and tear?
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Cartilage damage, joint wear and knee arthrosis
The movable knee joint connects the thigh and the shin in an anatomically optimal way. The smooth cartilage tissue and sliding layers in the knee prevent the angular bones from rubbing against each other and allow hard impacts during walking to be elastically absorbed.
Even minor cartilage damage leads to a disruption of the complex balance in the knee joint. Accident-related cartilage damage occurs in younger patients where a piece of cartilage is broken out, e.g. in a skiing accident. Injuries to the cartilage are very painful, especially if the underlying bone is damaged.
Untreated cartilage damage results in premature joint wear and tear and arthrosis in the knee joint.
Degenerative cartilage damage mainly affects patients with a monotonous knee load or due to O- or X-leg malposition, gout or rheumatism or previous meniscus or cruciate ligament damage.
Causes and symptoms
Knee joint arthrosis (gonarthrosis) is a wear and tear disease that can cause severe pain. Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of the cartilage layer of the knee through pathological wear and tear, so that ultimately bone rubs against bone because there is no cartilage left.
The cause of knee arthrosis is manifold. A common reason is incorrect loading due to bow legs or knock-knees. Chronic polyarthritis can also destroy the cartilage layer. Other reasons are old cruciate ligament or meniscus injuries or knee joint infections.
Arthrosis complaints of the knee usually begin insidiously, typically with so-called "starting pain", the "rusty knee joint" early in the morning.
Clarification and treatment
Arthrosis cannot be cured in principle.
Depending on the stage of arthrosis, conservative methods (remedial gymnastics), medication, joint cleansing, various methods of cartilage regeneration, cartilage transplantation and surgical treatment Arthrosis can avoid complete joint wear and tear and replacement of severely impaired knee joints.
Conservative and surgical knee therapies
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Sport accident knee
Injuries to the knee often occur during sport, as it is subject to high stress and is also very susceptible to injury. A sudden change of direction, an unfortunate fall or an overload can lead to torn ligaments, meniscus damage or strains.
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Conservative knee therapy
Conservative knee therapy comprises non-surgical measures for the treatment of knee problems. The aim is to relieve pain, improve mobility and maintain or restore knee function.
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Torn meniscus
A tear can be caused by sudden twisting movements, sports injuries or age-related wear and tear. Typical symptoms are pain, swelling, restricted movement or "jamming" in the knee.
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Patella
The kneecap (patella) is a small, flat, triangular bone on the front of the knee. It sits in the tendon of the thigh muscle and protects the knee joint. At the same time, it improves the leverage of the thigh muscle, which is important for extending the leg.
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Cruciate ligament rupture
A cruciate ligament rupture is a common injury in the knee joint in which one of the two cruciate ligaments - usually the anterior one - tears partially or completely. These ligaments stabilize the knee and prevent excessive movement of the tibia in relation to the thigh.
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Knee arthrosis (gonarthrosis)
Knee osteoarthritis, also known as gonarthrosis, is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in the knee joint slowly breaks down. As a result, the bones in the joint increasingly rub directly against each other, which can cause pain, stiffness and restricted movement.
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Knee prosthesis for knee osteoarthritis
If conservative treatment methods such as physiotherapy, painkillers or injections no longer provide sufficient relief, a knee prosthesis can be an effective solution for advanced knee osteoarthritis.