Knee joint roughness
Patellar osteoarthritis (colloquially: patellar osteoarthritis) is a medical condition that occurs when the cartilaginous surface of the patella joint wears down and loses its rigidity (it becomes softer). The condition is also known as "runner's knee". Patellar osteoarthritis is common in young athletes, but it also affects older patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis.
Patellar osteoarthritis
Causes and Symptoms
As is clear in the image above of the patella joint, it is located in the front of the knee and moves (or slides) on the cartilage of the lower part of the thigh bone, and the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon between the thigh and the leg work to stabilize it to move in a correct and smooth path. If there is any defect in any of these parts, it may cause a defect in the movement of the patella to rub against the thigh bone, which leads to patellar osteoarthritis. This movement disorder may occur for many reasons, including:
Excessive effort or injury while exercising: This is one of the most common causes, and in these cases the patient feels better when resting and stopping exercise, and the pain increases after exertion (or exercises).
A defect in the alignment of the patella joint: This defect causes a change in the path of the patella joint sliding in the lower part of the thigh bone, which causes friction of the cartilage of the patella joint. In these cases, the patient suffers from pain even when resting and not exerting effort.
Weakness in the thigh muscles: Weakness in the quadriceps and hamstring muscles..
Imbalance in the inner and outer thigh muscles.
Anterior cruciate ligament transplantation: When the anterior cruciate ligament is torn and a sample of the patellar tendon is taken to transplant an anterior cruciate ligament, this increases the risk of developing patellar joint pain and patellar osteoarthritis.
The symptoms of patellar osteoarthritis in general are pain in the knee area, especially on the front side of the knee joint, and the pain may be accompanied by a grinding or squeaking sound when extending and bending the knee. The pain may increase when sitting for a long time with the knee joint bent, or when performing activities that increase the load and stress on the knee joint.
Diagnosis
Clinical examination: The doctor presses on the patella joint in a certain way and moves the knee joint in certain directions to determine the location of the pain and to investigate other knee injuries that may have the same symptoms.
X-rays: Show if there is any damage to the bones, and whether the patient suffers from knee osteoarthritis, and also show if there is a defect in alignment or a defect in the path of the patella joint.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI may be used to accurately show the extent of damage or erosion in the patella cartilage.
Diagnostic arthroscopy: This is used only in special and rare cases.
There are 4 stages of patella osteoarthritis:
Stage 1: This means softening of the patella cartilage and a relative loss of cartilage stiffness.
Stage 2: This means softening and loss of cartilage stiffness in the patella cartilage with friction on the cartilaginous surface.
Stage 3: There is narrowing of the patella joint so that the thickness of the cartilaginous surface becomes thinner, and this means that there is moderate degeneration of the cartilaginous surface tissue of the patella joint.
Stage 4: This means that there is severe degeneration and advanced friction of the cartilaginous surface of the patella joint, so that the bone or part of the bone becomes exposed and unprotected by the cartilage and causes severe pain through bone-to-bone friction.
Stages of patellar osteoarthritis
Treatment
Conservative (non-surgical) treatment methods: Conservative treatment options may be resorted to in the early stages of patellar osteoarthritis, including:
Changing lifestyle by reducing pressure on the joint or changing the patient's sport to one that puts less stress on the knee joint.
Physiotherapy and strengthening the thigh muscles.
Using a brace for the knee joint.
Placing ice on the knee joint after exertion and when in pain.
Using anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and other conservative methods.
Surgical treatment methods: Surgical options may be resorted to to deal with patellar osteoarthritis when conservative methods fail to improve the patient's condition. This may include.
Arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint to remove damaged parts of the patella joint or floating bodies inside the joint that may cause damage to the cartilage or to smooth the cartilaginous surface of the patella joint.
Re-correcting the path of the patella joint, as this works to reduce friction and relieve pressure on the cartilage of the patella joint on one side over the other.
Regenerative therapy: It is considered one of the latest methods for dealing with cases of joint roughness in general, and is considered an alternative treatment for patients with patella osteoarthritis. This treatment program provides an alternative solution that works to relieve pain and improve movement, and is done by extracting the patient's own adipose tissue rich in stem cell-rich fat cells and injecting it into the knee joint. The principle of this method is based on stimulating the healing process and self-healing of the damaged cartilage and tissues in the patella joint, which cannot be achieved through the methods mentioned above. Regenerative therapy is an ideal option for early, moderate and some advanced cases, so we recommend that patients address the conditions before they worsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to consult a doctor?
When you suffer from persistent pain in the knee joint that does not improve after several days, or when you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above in the article.
What are the risk factors for patella osteoarthritis?
The factors are numerous and may be difficult to identify specifically. Some studies show that women are more susceptible to infection due to muscle weakness compared to men. Flatfoot patients are more susceptible to injury due to the greater pressure on the knee. Having a previous knee injury, especially a cruciate ligament tear and patellar tendon ligament transplant. Practicing sports that require great effort and bear great pressure on the knee joint.
What are the ways to prevent patella joint roughness?
Avoid activities that put great pressure on the knee joint. Or wear a knee brace when performing
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