What is gonarthrosis?
Gonarthrosis is the medical term for degenerative changes - arthrosis, or chronic, progressive osteoarthritis of the knee joints. It is characterized by gradual wear and tear of the articular cartilage, which serves as a cushioning function that allows the bones in the knee joint to move smoothly. As the disease progresses, the cartilage becomes thinner and can become damaged or completely destroyed, leading to pain, swelling and reduced range of motion in the joint. In this disease, the degeneration process also includes: ligament bones, joint capsule and other elements that make up the knee joint.
Treatment of gonarthrosis is aimed at relieving symptoms and improving joint function. It can include pharmacotherapy (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), physiotherapy, lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss or strengthening exercises) and, in advanced cases, surgical interventions such as knee arthroscopy or knee endoprosthesis. Left untreated, it leads to degeneration of the knee joint and, with age, to mobility disability.
Causes of degeneration of the knee joint
- Aging - as we age, joint cartilage naturally loses its elasticity and ability to heal itself, which increases the risk of damage.
- Genetic factors - in some families, there is a greater predisposition to developing osteoarthritis, suggesting that the condition is hereditary.
- Anatomical abnormalities - abnormal alignment of the limbs, such as valgus or scaphoid knees, can lead to uneven loading on the joint and accelerate the degenerative process.
- Long-term overloading - regular and intense loading of the knee joint, such as that associated with a profession or certain sports, can increase the risk of degeneration.
- Injuries to the knee joint - ligament and meniscus injuries, as well as fractures in the joint and past surgeries, can lead to degeneration of the joint in the future.
- Overweight and obesity - increased body weight puts stress on the joints, which can contribute to faster wear and tear of the joint cartilage.
- Joint diseases - other joint diseases, whether orthopedic, rheumatologic or autoimmune, can contribute to the development of knee degeneration.
While many factors can contribute to the development of knee degeneration, it is often a combination of many. It is important to identify and address possible causes in order to delay the progression of the disease and alleviate its symptoms.

What are the symptoms of knee degeneration?
Knee degeneration causes a variety of symptoms, which can vary in intensity depending on the severity of the disease. Knee degeneration can develop unnoticed, producing no major symptoms in its initial stage. Therefore, the first symptoms are often ignored by patients. They end up at the orthopedist at a later stage of the disease, when they begin to have difficulty walking and when pain in the front part of the knee joint intensifies and walking up stairs becomes a challenge.
- Knee pain - this is the most characteristic symptom of the disease. It can worsen when walking (knee pain when walking), squatting, going down or climbing stairs, and after sitting in one position for a long time. Knee pain can be sharp, stabbing or dull and worsen during activity. In the later stage of the disease, there are also characteristic night pains.
- Stiffness and restriction of joint mobility - the knee joint may become stiff, which can make it difficult to perform daily physical activities.
- Swelling of the knee joint - this can be caused by exudation and thickening of the synovial membrane.
- Crackling - Patients may feel a crackling or crunching sensation in the knee joint during movement.
- Increased skin warmth - the skin around the knee joint may be redder and warmer to the touch due to the inflammatory phase of osteoarthritis.
- Loss of muscle strength - the muscles around the knee joint, especially the quadriceps of the thigh, can weaken, which can lead to feelings of knee instability.
How can knee degeneration be diagnosed?
To diagnose whether we have knee degeneration, we should visit an experienced orthopedist. During the visit, the doctor will interview us, asking about the characteristics of the pain, the circumstances of its occurrence, previous injuries, physical activity, genetic load and other symptoms. The specialist will also conduct a physical examination during which he will assess the severity of pain, stability, the presence of swelling, range of motion of the knee joint, muscle strength and also the functionality of ligaments and meniscus.
To confirm the diagnosis, the orthopedist may order additional imaging studies. The basis for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee is a radiological examination (X-ray of the knee joints under load). The X-ray shows narrowing of the joint space (caused by loss of cartilage), the presence of osteophytes (bony growths) and possible bone deformities. Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sometimes ultrasound (ultrasound) are also used in the evaluation of connective tissue structures, including cartilage. Once all the information is gathered, the orthopedic doctor can make a diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment.

How is knee osteoarthritis treated?
Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for knee osteoarthritis, but there are a number of treatments that can help alleviate pain and improve quality of life, and even delay the progression of the disease. Early detection of gonarthrosis is crucial to the treatment process. It most often begins with non-surgical methods, or conservative treatment.
- Lifestyle changes - certain changes in daily life can protect the knee joint and slow the progression of knee degeneration.
- Regular physical activity - to alleviate pain and improve joint function, movement is recommended, switching from high-impact activities (running or tennis) to lower-impact activities (such as swimming or cycling).
- Weight loss - weight reduction can significantly reduce the load on the knee joint and relieve pain.
- Specialized exercises - special exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint can help stabilize the joint and reduce pain. An experienced physical therapist can help develop an appropriate exercise plan.
- Assistive devices - usually used to relieve pressure on the joint to reduce pain; the use of orthoses can help stabilize the joint and reduce pain.
- Pharmacotherapy - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used under medical supervision, can relieve pain and inflammation.
- Injections - injecting corticosteroids directly into the knee joint can provide temporary relief of symptoms, especially when effusions are present.
- Hyaluronic acid injections - hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant in the joint and can help improve mobility and reduce pain.
Knee degeneration - surgical treatment
If the pain associated with knee degeneration does not resolve with non-surgical treatment and causes disability, then the doctor may recommend surgery.
- Arthroscopy - a procedure in which a doctor inserts cameras through small incisions to diagnose and specialize tools to treat joint problems, such as meniscus or cartilage damage.
- Osteotomy - a surgical procedure that cuts and realigns the bones to reduce stress on the damaged part of the joint. Knee osteotomy is used for early stage osteoarthritis that has damaged only one side of the knee joint. By shifting weight off the damaged side of the joint, an osteotomy can alleviate pain and significantly improve the function of the knee joint affected by gonarthrosis.
- Knee endoprosthesis - is the replacement of the knee joint with an artificial endoprosthesis. This procedure is usually proposed for patients with knee degeneration at an advanced stage, who do not respond to other treatment methods.
The choice of the appropriate treatment method depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's age, general health and the patient's preference. It is important to regularly consult with an orthopedic doctor to monitor the progress of the disease and adjust the treatment plan, as well as proper rehabilitation.
Related articles:
Learn about other possible injuries to the knee joint.
Bibliography:
- National Library of Medicine - Knee Osteoarthritis - Hunter Hsu; Ryan M. Siwiec. - 2023
- National Library of Medicine - The Epidemiology, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joern W.-P. Michael, PD Dr. med.,*,1 Klaus U Schlüter-Brust, Dr. med.,1 and Peer Eysel, Prof. Dr. med.1
- Physiopedia - Knee Osteoarthritis - Fien Selderslaghs, Laura Van Der Perren, Mirabella Smolders, Liese Magnus
- Medical News Today - The stages of osteoarthritis of the knee - Medically reviewed by Brenda B. Spriggs, M.D., MPH, FACP — By Valencia Higuera — Updated on April 26, 2023