The word gonarthrosis comes from two Greek words, "gono" meaning joint and "arthron" meaning inflammation.

Gonarthrosis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the joint between the femur and the kneecap "patellofemoral osteoarthritis", or between the femur and the tibia "tibiofemoral osteoarthritis".
Knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis) is a chronic disease that damages the cartilage and bone of the knee.

It can be difficult to tell if you have gonarthrosis. The symptoms are not always easy to notice, and it can take months or years for them to develop.
The pain associated with gonarthrosis can be intermittent and not always present at all times. It can be worse in cold weather or when the joint is weight-bearing, but it can also simply come and go for no apparent reason.

CAUSES OF GONARTHROSIS

Several factors can be responsible for knee osteoarthritis: poor posture, leg misalignment, and/or excessive strain on the joint (carrying heavy loads, overweight).
A sedentary lifestyle can also play an important role, but gonarthrosis can also be caused by trauma, such as a fall or injury.

Risk factors

Among all the risk factors, the one that comes up most frequently in the most common cases of gonarthrosis, as you might expect, is being overweight, but we can also mention:
• Age: Obviously, joints become more fragile over time and consequently, age becomes a risk factor for the onset of chondropathy.
• Gender: there is an increase (after menopause) in knee osteoarthritis in women.
• Diabetes is also a rapidly growing risk factor.
• Architectural anomalies: Genu varum or genu valgum.
• Heredity.
• Various joint traumas.
• Certain professions: whose activity heavily involves leg flexion, such as tile layers, for example, who are constantly on the ground.
• Intensive sports practice: football, skiing, rugby, etc.

SYMPTOMS OF GONARTHROSIS

The main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are:
• swelling
• pain
• stiffness
• limited range of motion.

Osteoarthritis between the femur and tibia (tibiofemoral): manifests as "mechanical" knee pain, which results in limited knee mobility.
Knee pain is more pronounced when climbing or descending stairs, or while walking. It is generally not painful when your joint is at rest.
Osteoarthritis between the femur and patella (patellofemoral): manifests as knee pain when descending stairs and prolonged sitting. The pain intensifies during knee flexion, a sensation of cracking or crepitation when bending the knee is generally observed.
The progression is often unpredictable: the pain is initially intermittent, then bothersome, especially when playing sports.

TREATMENTS FOR GONARTHROSIS

Knee osteoarthritis can be difficult to treat, but there are several therapeutic options that can help relieve pain and improve joint mobility. It is important to discuss with a doctor to find the most suitable treatment for your situation.

Here are some treatment options for knee osteoarthritis:
• Nutritional coaching (in case of overweight)
• Wearing a knee brace
• Apply heat or cold to your kneecap (heat for stiffness and cold for pain)
• Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve joint flexibility and mobility.
• Slow-acting symptomatic anti-arthritic drugs for several months. • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain and inflammation, with attention to side effects. • Corticosteroid injections can also be used to relieve pain.  

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to replace the damaged joint surface with synthetic bone or a knee prosthesis.

GONARTHROSIS AND SPORT

It is important to stay active when you have knee osteoarthritis, but it is also important to choose activities that do not put too much stress on your knees. For example, you can try aquatic activities such as swimming or aqua aerobics, as the water supports your weight and reduces pressure on your knees. You can also try activities such as cycling or walking, making sure not to overstrain your knees. Stretching exercises are also recommended.
It is important to remember that every person is different and that exercises that work for one person may not be suitable for another. Discuss with your doctor or physical therapist to get advice on activities suitable for your health and needs.