Osteoarthritis is a group of diseases that occur for various reasons, but the clinical manifestations and course are similar. At the heart of all osteoarthritis is the defeat of the components of the joint. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease with impaired function of the affected joint. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease in which the cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments and periarticular muscles of the knee joint are damaged. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the treatment of which requires an integrated approach, also requires your attention. And also at least a basic understanding of why and how the disease develops.
Gonarthrosis: causes
The causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be:
- Joint injuries: According to scientific literature, about a third or even half of cases of osteoarthritis are preceded by trauma. A person can accidentally trip over the street or damage a joint while playing sports. First of all, there will be a sharp pain, which subsequently dulls and becomes slightly painful, but will not cause much discomfort. Usually, in most cases, the joint will heal quickly on its own and show no signs of injury. But in rare cases, this unfavorable coincidence of circumstances can provoke the development of osteoarthritis.
- Long-term joint overload: It is believed that people whose profession is associated with prolonged excessive stress on the joints (professional athletes, postmen) may face the development of early osteoarthritis of the joints.
- Inflammation of the joints (arthritis of the knee joint): with inflammation of the joint, biological and morphological changes occur, blood flow is disturbed, so it is arthritis that causes arthritis of the joints of the knee. knee (secondary osteoarthritis).
Additional risk factors
- Heredity. Usually, osteoarthritis of the joints is not directly inherited, but the "catalysts" in the development of osteoarthritis can be the peculiarities of metabolism, the structure of cartilage tissue, which are simply transmitted genetically. Also, the possibility of osteoarthritis can arise if a person has joint abnormalities or underdevelopment, birth trauma.
- Overweight. Excess weight is an "aggravating" circumstance in the development of osteoarthritis: that is to say, it is not directly related, but weight gain has a significant burden. It should be remembered that in obese people osteoarthritis of the knee joints is more severe than in others.
- Chronic stress. It is a well-known fact that in case of excessive experiences, the adrenal glands release "stress hormones", due to them there is a deterioration in the blood supply and a decrease in the production ofhyaluronic acid, which is an important component for the normal functioning of the joint. Due to chronic stress and the above aggravating circumstances, osteoarthritis can occur.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
- Pain. One of the initial and main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is pain in the knee joint. It should be noted that the pain in the knee will occur only during physical exertion: when walking, running, squatting and lying down, this pain will disappear, and after some time it will completely disappear (until thenext load).
- Cracks in the joint. Unlike the "crunch" of joints in healthy people, the crunch of joints affected by osteoarthritis has a different tone: it is rough and "dry".
- Joint stiffness. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree is usually not expressed as much by the stiffness as in the following degrees. But as the progression progresses, the range of motion in the affected joint decreases dramatically.
- Deformation of the knee joint. With the progression of knee osteoarthritis, pathological formations develop in the articular-bone spines. It is because of them that the appearance of the joint may be different from that of a healthy joint. In addition, the appearance of the joint can be somewhat "bulky", this is due to an excessive accumulation of intra-articular fluid (synovitis).
The evolution of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects women more often than men. This disease often progresses after the age of forty, but sometimes it occurs earlier, usually after injuries and in professional athletes. More complex and severe knee osteoarthritis occurs, as we wrote earlier, in obese women, as well as in people with severe varicose veins.
The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of minor pain in the knee. Often the pain occurs when a person has to stand for a long time, going down and up stairs. When a person goes to bed, the pain goes away, but when you have to get up, the first steps become very painful for them.
There are three degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 1 degree
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree is characterized by sometimes severe pain in the knee, but at the same time the bones that form the knee joint remain undeformed, but due to synovitis the knee mayappear slightly swollen. If there is too much intra-articular fluid, it can spread to the popliteal fossa. This condition is called Baker's cyst. If you were diagnosed with such a diagnosis, then you do not need to worry, this is not an oncological neoplasm, it is reduced under the influence of drugs prescribed by a doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree begins 2-3 months after the onset of the disease. During this time, the knee pain is usually worse. This pain no longer occurs simply during physical exertion, but accompanies a person with any movement. Usually at this time, a distinct tightening of the knee "joins" the pain in the joint. Grade 2 knee osteoarthritis, in addition to severe pain and tightening, is accompanied by a decrease in the ability to bend the leg in the knee joint. The deformity of the joint manifests itself immediately: the bony structures change shape, and when palpated, the joint becomes hard and "rough".
Osteoarthritis of the knee grade 3
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 3rd degree is characterized by constant severe pain, it is even difficult for a person to be in a lying position: he is forced to seek a position in which he could rest. The knees become sensitive to climatic changes, the pains begin towards the night. Grade 3 knee osteoarthritis is accompanied by a final decrease in mobility, it becomes impossible for a person to bend the leg at the knee joint more than 90 °. Sometimes with grade 3 knee osteoarthritis it is not possible to fully straighten the leg, a person has to walk on slightly bent legs. In some cases, the deformity of the legs develops in the form of an O-shape or an X-shape. In extreme cases, it is necessary to treat a high degree of operable osteoarthritis.
Gonarthrosis of the knee: treatment. What is important to know when treating the knee with medication
Despite the abundance of advertisements promising a miraculous ointment for joint pain, you should understand that it is impossible to cure knee osteoarthritis with just one method, an integrated approach is necessary.
If you find the first signs of osteoarthritis in yourself, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. This can be an arthrologist, a rheumatologist, an orthopedist or, first of all, a general practitioner.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: NSAID treatment
So, how do you treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint? Usually, for the treatment of the joints, these non-steroidal (non-hormonal) substances are used to relieve the inflammation process in the joint. Knee osteoarthritis is treated with drugs that may have antipyretic and analgesic effects. Remember that drugs in this group should not be taken all the time. they are able to "mask" the symptoms of the disease. Note: do not self-medicate, act only under the guidance of a competent specialist, who is able to prescribe treatment for you, depending on the individual parameters of your body, taking into account contraindications to the use of drugs.
In recent years, new-generation drugs have been used in practice: they are selective agents that work in the same way as NSAIDs, but less often give unpleasant side effects and do not cause complications.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment with chondroprotectors
With osteoarthritis of the knee joint, you can take substances that nourish the cartilage tissue of the joint and restore its structure. These drugs are chondroprotectors. These drugs are more effective if you have grade 1 knee osteoarthritis, because with extreme knee osteoarthritis there is almost nothing to restore - all the cartilage is practically destroyed. To achieve the effect of chondroprotectors, it is necessary to use them for a long time: at least 2-3 courses of treatment, which usually takes a year and a half. Remember, although there are few contraindications for this group of medicinal substances, their use should be agreed with your doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment with vasodilators
Vasodilator drugs are a good complex therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They help restore the joint by improving blood circulation and relieving spasms of small vessels. A nice bonus in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, including vasodilator drugs, can be the elimination of nighttime pain in the damaged joint. If you want to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, vasodilators are best used together with chondroprotectors, so that nutrients from chondroprotectors enter the joint in greater quantities and circulate there more actively. Remember that the use of any drug substance should be coordinated with your doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: medicinal ointments and creams
Curing ointments for osteoarthritis are often used as a trap by marketers for desperate patients. Remember that treatment with ointment from osteoarthritis of the knee joint to an extreme degree will not give an effect, but in the early stages, the cream and ointment can significantly relieve the disease. Pain relieving ointments can be used to improve circulation in the joint. These drugs help to eliminate painful spasms in the joint, increase blood circulation. In addition, you can use ointments made from bee and snake venom. These ointments have an irritant effect that increases blood circulation in the damaged joint. Remember that many ointments based on poisons can cause an allergic reaction, therefore only a specialist should allow their use.
Therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Therapeutic physical culture for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is an effective method of treatment in combination with drugs and physiotherapy.
You need to remember that restorative gymnastics for knee osteoarthritis is the main method of treatment, because we cannot strengthen the muscles and blood vessels of the knee joint and activate the blood supply with a drug. In addition, remedial gymnastics is the most budgetary and effective treatment that does not require unnecessary material expenses.
But it is necessary to deliberately carry out exercise therapy complexes for osteoarthritis: do not rush to do 200 squats a day or 100 kicks. In no case should you give a strong dynamic load, and instead of active flexion-extension, do static exercises. Unfortunately, most patients don't like to do only static exercises, as they are the most energy-intensive and tiring, but if you can last for 2-3 weeks, exercising regularly, you will not only improve the condition of the exercise. knee joint. , but also find an increase in strength and increase performance.
How to do it right
The exercises should be performed very gently and gently, stretching the ligaments and joints with gentle pressure. Do not allow severe pain while exercising. Aim for graduality and regularity, do not rush things: the expected effect will be achieved only with constant moderate effort.
Remember that strength exercises should not be used in the first time after operations on the abdominal and thoracic organs, with fever, critical days in women. It is absolutely necessary to pay attention not only to the joints, but also to put pressure on the muscles of the abdominal press and back. This is necessary so that it is through the muscles of the abdomen and back that the main blood flow to the limbs passes.
Exercise complexes are available for free on the Internet, try to do a variety of exercises for 30-40 minutes a day, every day, following our instructions.
We wish you perseverance and willingness to make the old ease of movement!
Physiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
If you ask whether it is possible to apply physiotherapeutic methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint, we will answer you - definitely!
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment - laser therapy
Laser therapy is the use of a beam of light for therapeutic purposes, consisting of spectra of ultraviolet, infrared and red radiation. The effect of the laser has anti-inflammatory, decongestant and analgesic effects. Usually the laser therapy course consists of 15 sessions. Laser therapy is a relatively safe treatment method, but osteoarthritis cannot be cured with just one laser, it is an additional treatment method.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment - cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is the effect of local cooling on the joint. There are two methods of cryotherapy: using a cryosauna and applying liquid nitrogen directly to the joint. The latter method is believed to be the most effective for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. With the help of cryotherapy, it is possible to improve the blood supply to the joint, improve metabolic processes and relieve muscle spasms. The course of treatment is usually 10 to 12 sessions per day.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment - magnetotherapy
Magnetotherapy - exposure to a magnetic field. A fairly common method of physiotherapy treatment in hospitals and clinics. Exposure to a magnetic field has an anti-edema effect, causes non-contact electrical muscle stimulation, and reduces joint inflammation. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor - physiotherapist.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: treatment - ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy - sound wave therapy. Ultrasound for osteoarthritis helps improve blood supply, reduce muscle spasms, and has analgesic effect. To enhance the therapeutic effect of ultrasound, a drug is applied to the affected joint. With the help of ultrasonic waves, the drug more easily penetrates the tissues.
Osteoarthritis of the knee: heat treatment
Heat treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is used in 1 or 2 stages of the disease. This method includes treatment with ozokerite, paraffin and mud. It is the latter that deserves special attention: the mud treatment of osteoarthritis can be performed at home. It is necessary to dilute the healing mud with water and heat it to a temperature of 60 °, then mix the resulting mass with unheated mud, cool it to 38-42 ° and apply a2-3 cm thick layer on the affected joint. Cover the mixture with an oilcloth and a warm blanket. Leave on for 30 minutes. Perform the procedure every other day with a course of 10-12 procedures.
Diet and Herbal Medicine for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint
Diet for osteoarthritis is an important factor in the success of treatment. But it should be understood that the development of osteoarthritis is not associated with any nutritional peculiarities, but it is overweight that contributes to the appearance of osteoarthritis of the lower extremities. Nevertheless, you need to lose weight correctly: in no case should you starve or sit on rigorous diets, because, as you know, after quitting hard diets, the weight is regained, and, often, in even larger quantities.
We need to know that being overweight is also a disease, but it can and should be treated. With obesity, the regulation of the centers of appetite and satiety is disturbed, but it is possible to "guide them on the right path".
First of all, you need to recognize that there is a problem that is often associated with poor eating habits. Second, you need to learn how to set realistic goals for yourself. A 10-15% weight reduction from baseline is a great result. Believe me, even if you lose weight even by 5% of the original, you will immediately feel relief - there will be a decrease in blood pressure, and the condition of the joints will improve.
Goal of losing weight
In any case, if you have set yourself a goal of losing weight, then you will need to reconsider your diet, your composition and the amount of food you eat. Cut back on confectionery, baked goods, and all kinds of "fast" carbohydrates.
For starters, we recommend that you try an easy way to eat. Prepare your usual diet by placing your regular portion on a plate. Now eat only half the food on your plate. You will soon notice that you only eat the whole portion out of habit, although you need very little to satisfy your hunger. Even if you are hungry, slowly eat half your portion and rest for 10 minutes. You will be surprised that after this time you just did not want to finish the remaining portion: the hunger is gone, and with it the frantic desire to eat everything. After two months of such a "sub-diet" you will see a noticeable result. Give it a try!
In addition to the correct food intake, one should not forget about a sufficient amount of liquid. People who do not have severe cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, as well as those who do not have edema, can safely increase the amount of fluid they drink up to 2 liters per day.
Alternative treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Herbal medicine for osteoarthritis. It is important to note that infusions and decoctions for osteoarthritis are weaker than the above methods, but they may be of relative advantage.
During the month, you can take one of the following infusions:
remember, you just need to take each infusion or decoction separately, and then replace it with another. Don't drink it all at the same time!
Decoction of birch for osteoarthritis
Decoction of birch for osteoarthritis: 1 tablespoon of birch buds should be poured with a glass of boiling water, boil the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes and leave to infuse for 1 hour, warmly covering the container. After an hour, you need to strain and add the broth with boiled water to the original volume. Take a quarter (1/4) cup of infusion 4 times a day, one hour after meals for a month.
Linden tea for osteoarthritis
Infusion of linden for osteoarthritis: 3 tablespoons of linden flowers should be poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled over low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled and filtered. Take a hot infusion 1 glass 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks.
Burdock decoction for osteoarthritis
Burdock decoction for osteoarthritis: 1 tablespoon of burdock roots should be poured with 1 cup of boiling water, simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring often, after which the broth should be cooled to room temperature and filtered. Take the hot broth in half a cup (1/2) 3 times a day before eating it for a month.
Alder infusion for osteoarthritis
Alder infusion for osteoarthritis: 2 tablespoons of cones of gray alder (Alnus incana) should be poured with 1 glass of boiling water, kept on low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled and filtered. Take a third (1/3) cup of alder cone infusion 3 times a day half an hour before eating for a month.
Collection of medicinal herbs for osteoarthritis
Collection of medicinal herbs for osteoarthritis: mix in equal parts willow bark, parsley roots, black elder flowers and nettle leaves, carefully chop. Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture with 1 liter of boiling water and boil over low heat for 5-10 minutes, then let stand 2 hours and drain. Take this collection in half a glass 4 times a day for half an hour before eating. The duration of treatment is 1 month.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that osteoarthritis is a very unpleasant disease, in front of it it is necessary to draw the right conclusions from the disease, to reduce negative emotions, to begin to fight for your full physical and spiritual health, respectingthe recommendations that we have proposed. Then you will definitely beat the disease!