Joints and arthrosis
Femorotibial gonarthrosis
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis is chronic wear of the cartilage in a joint associated with an imbalance between the production and degradation of bone cells.
Arthrosis is a complex phenomenon involving physical and metabolic factors.
In a joint, the cartilage covers the end of the bone and plays a role in the mobility of the joint with minimal friction. The cells are replaced at the same rhythm as they are destroyed. The joint thus preserves all its mobility capacities.
When the cells are replaced more slowly than they are destroyed, and/or the physical constraints, such as shocks or repeated friction, are too significant, the metabolic balance of the joint becomes deregulated. Wear of the cartilage then starts with cracks which gradually deepen until actual holes are formed (ulcerations). The bone can be completely bare in places and the bone surfaces come into direct contact with each other.
The phenomenon tends to auto-amplify. It results in a painful limitation of joint mobility: the joint becomes stiffer and stiffer.
The pain associated with arthrosis occurs when the joint is used and calms down when at rest. Certain inflammatory forms are nevertheless also painful at night.
Arthrosis can affect all the joints in the body but is most often seen in the knees, hands, spinal column and hips. It is favoured by physical or hereditary factors, by age or by obesity.
What is gonarthrosis?
Gonarthrosis is chronic wear of the cartilage in the knee joint. It can be situated in several places: between the femur and the tibia (internal or external femorotibial arthrosis), between the femur and the patella or kneecap (femoropatellar arthrosis) or between the femur, tibia and kneecap (global arthrosis).
When the axis of the knees is not perfectly horizontal (bow legs or knock-knees), the pressure exerted by body weight is not distributed evenly at the level of the joint. Certain parts of the articular surfaces rub more than others and the cartilage wears down and deteriorates.
Excess weight is an evident risk factor for gonarthrosis, but it can also occur following a past history of trauma such as a fracture or serious sprain with torn ligaments.
Orthopaedic treatment
The orthopaedic solution has two objectives: to decrease the pain and increase the stability of the joint. The whole makes it possible to increase the claudication distance.
Elasticated knee supports made from a fabric of natural origin, strengthened with a foam cushion make it possible to conserve the heat (analgesic effect) and to improve the sensations of the positioning of the knee. The leg feels better, which has a stabilising and reassuring effect.
If there is a varus deformity ("bow legs") or a valgus deformity ("knock-knees"), wearing corrective orthopaedic insoles helps ease the pressure on the painful area.
The medical management must be global. Weight loss may be recommended by your doctor in order to decrease the constraints that weigh down on the damaged joint.
In all cases, it is important to continue a physical activity in order to maintain a good physical and psychological condition.
Orthopaedic management can fit into the framework of a medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or orthopaedist for advice.
