Chondromatosis of the knee: description, symptoms, causes and treatment

One of the most dangerous pathologies of the synovial membrane is undoubtedly the chondromatosis of the knee joint. About the causes, symptoms and treatment of this disease is enough information, hundreds of scientific and medical works are devoted to the study of this issue, but to this day scientists have not found an effective means of combating the disease.

Description of chondromatosis

If you try to describe the disease in two words, you can say that it is a pathological process of ossification of the joints. With the development of the disease, the synovial membrane tissues rapidly acquire a more dense structure, which leads to the appearance of a multitude of benign tumors and a curvature of the limb. In a predominant number of cases, the chondromatosis of the knee joint leads the patient to disability.

In addition, the main threat in the disease is its latent flow. Most often, the ailment does not manifest itself for a long time. At the initial stages of suspected pathological proliferation of cartilaginous tissue is almost impossible because of the absence of pain in the patient. Changes occur slowly, and it is often possible to detect the ailment already when fragments of grown cartilage fall into the inter-articular spaces.

Factors of illness and risk groups

The course of the disease largely depends on the factor that provoked it. For example, heredity is one of the most probable causes of joint chondromatosis. Symptoms and treatment of the disease in this case also have certain characteristics. Chondromatosis is more common in men aged 20 to 40 years. At the same time in childhood, the disease is confirmed very rarely. Among a number of reasons for the growth of cartilage is worth noting:

• Infection of the body - the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms provokes abnormal biochemical reactions in the blood, which leads to the degeneration of the synovial membrane;
• Failures in the metabolism of the joint tissues;
• Excessive physical stress, affecting the condition of the knee joints;
• Intensive sports;
• Pathology of the musculoskeletal system.

It's time to see a doctor: symptoms and manifestations of joint pathology

Once again, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the disease is hidden. Most often it is detected during the passage of preventive examinations. Until the neoplasms reach a centimeter size, the patient may not feel signs and symptoms of chondromatosis. Treatment of knee joints will bring the maximum benefit, if you start it immediately, ie, when the first alarming "bells" appear:

• Uncharacteristic crunching in the limbs during movement or even small physical exertion;
• Aching and drawing pain at rest;
• Difficulties in moving (as a rule, indicate the presence of large growths);
• Swelling of the legs in the region of the knee;
• Elevated body temperature in the area of swelling.

Whether it is necessary to be surveyed at suspicion on a chondromatosis?

When referring to specialists, the patient should be ready to undergo a comprehensive examination of knee joints. To make the correct decision about further therapeutic actions the doctor can only after conducting a qualitative diagnosis. The results of the studies will allow to give an adequate assessment of the condition of the patient's joints, develop a complex of effective medical measures to improve the blood supply of the affected areas and restore the normal production of synovial fluid. Only a competently drawn up plan of specialists will help at least slow down the further development of dystrophic changes in tissues.

Methods of diagnosis

Suspecting the patient for chondromatosis of the knee joints, the doctors will direct him to the following clinical procedures:

• Radiography - will accurately determine the stage of pathology;
• Ultrasound - most often the study reveals the number of neoplasms that have reached large sizes;
• Arthroscopy - is rightfully considered the most informative diagnostic method, since it implies local penetration of endoscopic equipment into the joint area with its visual detailed examination;
• MRI or CT - the most effective way to study the knee is to study the use of contrast fluid;
• Sampling biological material for biopsy - confirms the good quality of the disease.

It is worth noting that most of the above procedures are recommended for passage by the patient only after revealing the characteristic signs of pathology on the radiographic image.

Treatment of chondromatosis with pills: how effective?

From diagnostic conclusions, it is more dependent on which treatment of the knee joint chondromatosis is prescribed to the patient. At the initial stages of the disease, it is advisable to apply the methods of conservative therapy. The only therapeutic tactics, whose action is aimed at directly combating the disease, can be called mechanical extrusion of formations. The remaining types of conservative therapy bring the patient only symptomatic help. These include the appointment of painkillers, drugs for the elimination of edema, antipyretic drugs, etc. Palliative treatment of the knee joint chondromatosis is not able to stop the progression of the disease and fully restore the patient's motor activity. It helps only a short time to eliminate some manifestations of pathology, but it does not give even the slightest guarantee for preventing relapse.

Operations on the knee joint

A more effective alternative to conservative treatment is a surgical operation. Invasive intervention with synovial chondromatosis of the knee in the late stages is a real chance for the patient to recover. By an operative method carry out:

• Elimination of cartilaginous formations;
• Removal of synovial bags in case of significant predominance of affected areas;
• Installation of dentures.

The latter option of surgical treatment is resorted to in extreme necessity (for example, in case of recurrence of the disease after an operation already performed, considerable deformation of the lower limbs).

Therapeutic arthroscopy: what are the features?

To penetrate the cavity of the articular bag, a specialist does not have to use open technique. This type of surgery implies invasiveness and traumatism of tissues, which can not be said about the technique of arthroscopy, mentioned earlier as a diagnostic procedure. Its essence as a medical measure is the ability to eliminate even the smallest damage to the joint by making two small incisions. Through them, an arthroscope is introduced-a special tube, at the end of which is placed a tiny video camera, and other instruments of the surgeon. The monitor displays a real picture of the chondromatosis of the knee joint, which allows the doctor to keep the situation under control, doing a truly jeweler's job of eliminating tumors.

This type of surgery is designed to remove damaged parts of the meniscus, ligaments, manipulation of the affected cartilage. In comparison with the classical operating technique, one of the advantages of arthroscopy is its insignificant invasiveness. To gain access to the tissues and the diseased joint, several 5 mm incisions are made. In this arthroscopy solves the most important task of the surgeon - to ensure the maximum visualization of the process in the application of the toolkit.

The terms of rehabilitation after arthroscopy

If we talk about the timing of recovery after surgical treatment, open intervention is less of a priority. After arthroscopy, patients with knee joint chondromatosis undergo rehabilitation much faster, because:

• It is possible to stand on the foot with a supporting load the same day after the manipulation;
• Patients can go without support for the second or third day;
• The terms of the disabled period are halved: from 5-6 weeks to three;
• Return to the sports activities can be 1.5-2 months after the operation;
• Return to the old way of life and increased physical exertion maybe in 3-4 months.

The length of stay in the inpatient department is minimal - from 1 to 3 days after the manipulation. The length of stay in the hospital with open postoperative trauma is about 20-30 days. The high cost of surgery for arthroscopy of the knee joint chondromatosis is the only disadvantage of this treatment. The price of the procedure depends largely on several factors:

• Severity of the disease;
• Place of treatment (budgetary institution or private clinic);
• Cost of related materials, medications, endoprostheses, implants, fixators, etc.

Complications of chondromatosis without treatment

Thanks to a timely operation, the patient has every chance to get rid of chondromatosis forever. Ignoring benign formations, their growth will inevitably lead to deformation and joint dysfunction. Moreover, untreated chondromatosis serves as a favorable condition for the occurrence of other, no less dangerous diseases (coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, rheumatism) that can not be treated. At the first symptoms or suspicion on them it is necessary, without delaying, to address for consultation to the orthopedist.