Osteoarthritis is a group of diseases that arise for various reasons, but are similar in clinical manifestations and course.The basis of all arthrosis is damage to the components of the joint. Arthrosis disease is a progressive disease with dysfunction of the affected joint.Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease in which damage occurs to the cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, and periarticular muscles of the knee joint.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 this disease occurs.
Gonarthrosis: causes
The causes of arthrosis of the knee joint can be:
- Joint injuries: According to the scientific literature, about a third and perhaps half of cases of arthrosis are preceded by injury.A person may accidentally trip on the street, or damage a joint while playing sports.First, there will be a sharp pain, which will subsequently dull and become slightly aching, but not causing much discomfort.Usually, in most cases, the joint will soon recover on its own and will not show signs of injury.But in rare cases, this unfavorable combination of circumstances can provoke the development of arthrosis.
- Long-term overload of the joint: it is believed that those people whose profession is associated with prolonged excessive load on the joints (professional athletes, postmen) may experience the development of early arthrosis of the joints.
- Inflammation of the joints (arthritis of the knee joint): when the joint becomes inflamed, biological and morphological changes occur, blood flow is disrupted, therefore, it is arthritis that causes arthrosis of the knee joints (secondary arthrosis).
Additional risk factors
- Heredity.Usually, arthrosis of the joints is not directly inherited, but “catalysts” in the development of arthrosis can be the characteristics of metabolism and the structure of cartilage tissue, which are transmitted genetically.Also, the possibility of arthrosis may occur if a person has joint abnormalities or underdevelopment, or birth injuries.
- Overweight.Excess weight is an “aggravating” circumstance in the development of arthrosis: that is, it is not directly related, but weight gain puts a greater burden.It must be remembered that in obese people, arthrosis of the knee joints is more severe than in others.
- Chronic stress.It is a well-known fact that during excessive stress, the adrenal glands secrete “stress hormones”, causing a deterioration in blood supply and a decrease in the production of hyaluronic acid, which is an important component for the normal functioning of the joint.As a result of chronic stress and the aggravating circumstances listed above, arthrosis may occur.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
- Pain.One of the initial and main symptoms of knee arthrosis is pain in the knee joint.It is noteworthy that pain in the knee will only occur during physical activity: when walking, running, squats, and in a lying position this pain will go away, and after a while it will go away completely (until the next exercise).
- Crunching in the joint.In contrast to the “crunching” of the joints of healthy people, the crunching of joints affected by arthrosis has a different tone: it is rough and “dry”.
- Joint stiffness.Arthrosis of the knee joint of the 1st degree is usually not expressed by stiffness as much as in subsequent degrees.But as it progresses, the range of motion in the affected joint decreases significantly.
- Deformation of the knee joint.As gonarthrosis progresses, pathological formations develop in the joint - bone spines.It is because of them that the appearance of the joint may be different from that of a healthy one.In addition, the appearance of the joint may be somewhat “bulky”, this is due to excessive accumulation of intra-articular fluid (synovitis).
Course of arthrosis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis of the knee more often affects women than men.This disease often progresses after forty, but sometimes occurs earlier, usually after injuries and in professional athletes.Gonarthrosis is more complex and severe, as we wrote earlier, in obese women, as well as in people with pronounced varicose veins.
The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of minor pain in the knee.Often, pain occurs when a person has to stand on his feet for a long time, when going up or down stairs.When a person lies down, the pain goes away, but when he needs to get back on his feet, the first steps become very painful for him.
There are three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint
Arthrosis of the knee joint 1st degree
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the 1st degree is characterized by intense pain in the knee at times, but at the same time, the bones forming the knee joint remain undeformed, but due to synovitis, the knee may seem slightly swollen.If there is too much intra-articular fluid, it can spread to the popliteal fossa.This condition is called a Baker's cyst.If you have been diagnosed with this, there is no need to worry, this is not an oncological tumor, it decreases under the influence of drugs prescribed by the doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 2nd degree
Arthrosis of the knee joint 2 degrees begins 2-3 months after the onset of the disease.At this time, pain in the knee joint usually intensifies.This pain no longer occurs simply during physical activity, but accompanies a person with any movement.Usually at this time, the pain in the joint is accompanied by a distinct crunch in the knee.Gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, in addition to intense pain and crunching, is accompanied by a decrease in the ability to flex the leg at the knee joint.Deformation of the joint immediately appears: the bone structures change shape, and when palpated, the joint becomes hard and “rough.”
Arthrosis of the knee joint 3rd degree
Arthrosis of the knee joint of the 3rd degree is characterized by constant intense pain; it is even difficult for a person to lie down: he is forced to look for a position in which he could rest.The knees become sensitive to weather changes, and closer to night the aching pain begins.Gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 3rd degree 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 gonarthrosis, it is not possible to fully straighten the leg; a person has to walk on slightly bent legs.In some cases, an O-shaped or X-shaped leg deformity develops.In extreme cases, high-grade arthrosis has to be treated surgically.
Gonarthrosis of the knee joint: treatment.What is important to know when treating knee joints with medication?
Despite the abundance of advertising promising a miraculous ointment for joint pain, you need to understand that it is impossible to cure gonarthrosis with any one method; an integrated approach is required.
If you discover the first signs of arthrosis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.This could be an arthrologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist or, first, a general practitioner.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with NSAIDs
So, how to treat arthrosis of the knee joint?Typically, non-steroidal (non-hormonal) substances that can relieve inflammation in the joint are used to treat joints.Knee gonarthrosis is treated with drugs that can have an antipyretic and analgesic effect.Remember, medications in this group cannot be taken continuously, becausethey are able to “mask” the symptoms of the disease.Please note: do not self-medicate, act only under the guidance of a competent specialist who can prescribe treatment for you based on the individual parameters of your body, taking into account contraindications to the use of medications.
In recent years, new generation drugs have been used in practice: they are selective agents that act in the same way as NSAIDs, but are less likely to give unpleasant side effects and do not cause complications.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with chondroprotectors
For arthrosis of the knee joint, you can take substances that nourish the cartilage tissue of the joint and restore its structure.Such drugs are chondroprotectors.Such drugs are most effective if you have grade 1 gonarthrosis of the knee joint, since with extreme gonarthrosis there is almost nothing to restore: all the cartilage is practically destroyed.To get the effect of chondroprotectors, you need to use them for a long time: at least 2-3 courses of treatment, which usually takes a year and a half.Remember, although this group of medicinal substances has few contraindications, their use should be agreed with your doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with vasodilators
Vasodilator drugs are a good complex therapy for the treatment of arthrosis.They help restore the joint by improving blood flow and relieving spasm of small vessels.A pleasant bonus in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, including with vasodilators, can be the elimination of night pain in the damaged joint.If you want to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, vasodilators are best used with chondroprotectors, thus, the nutrients of the chondroprotectors will penetrate into the joint in greater quantities and will circulate more actively in it.Remember, the use of any medications must be discussed with your doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: medicinal ointments and creams
Therapeutic ointments for arthrosis are often used as a trap by marketers for desperate patients.Remember that treating extreme knee arthrosis with ointment will not have an effect, but in the initial stages, cream and ointment can significantly alleviate the condition.To improve blood circulation in the joint, you can use pain-relieving ointments for joints.Such drugs help eliminate painful spasms in the joint and increase blood circulation.You can also use ointments based on bee and snake venom.These ointments have an irritating effect that increases blood circulation in the damaged joint.Remember, many poison-based ointments can cause an allergic reaction, so permission to use them should only be given by a specialist.
Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis of the knee joint
Therapeutic physical training for arthrosis of the knee joint is an effective method of treatment in combination with medication and physiotherapeutic techniques.
You must remember that therapeutic exercises for gonarthrosis are the main method of treatment, because no medications can strengthen the muscles and blood vessels of the knee joint and activate blood supply.In addition, therapeutic exercises are the most budget-friendly and most effective treatment that does not require unnecessary material expenses.
But it is necessary to perform exercise therapy complexes for arthrosis carefully: do not rush to do 200 squats a day or 100 leg swings.In no case should you give intense dynamic loads, but instead of active flexion-extension, do static exercises.Unfortunately, most patients do not like to do static exercises, because they are the most energy-consuming and tiring, but if you can hold out for 2-3 weeks, exercising regularly, you will not only improve the condition of the knee joint, but also find an increase in strength and increased performance.
How to do it correctly
The exercises must be performed very smoothly and gently, stretching the ligaments and joints with light pressure.Intense pain should not be allowed when performing exercises.Aim for gradualness and regularity, do not rush things: the expected effect will only be achieved with constant moderate loads.
Remember that strength exercises should not be used for the first time after operations on the abdominal and thoracic organs, during fever, or during menstruation in women.It is absolutely necessary to pay attention not only to the joints, but also to put stress on the abdominal and back muscles.This is required so that it is through the muscles of the abdomen and back that the main blood flow goes to the limbs.
Sets of exercises are freely available on the Internet, try to perform a variety of exercises for 30-40 minutes a day every day, following our instructions.
We wish you perseverance and will to return to your former ease of movement!
Physiotherapy for arthrosis of the knee joint
If you ask whether it is possible to use physiotherapeutic treatment methods for arthrosis of the knee joint, we will answer - absolutely!
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with laser therapy
Laser therapy is the use for therapeutic purposes of a light beam consisting of ultraviolet, infrared, and red radiation spectra.The effect of laser has anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and analgesic effects.Typically, a course of laser therapy treatment consists of 15 sessions.Laser therapy is a relatively safe treatment method, but it is impossible to cure arthrosis with laser alone; it is an additional method of treatment.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with 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.It is believed that the latter method is the most effective for arthrosis of the knee joint.With the help of cryotherapy, you can improve blood supply to the joint, improve metabolic processes, and relieve muscle spasms.The course of treatment is usually 10-12 daily sessions.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with magnetotherapy
Magnetotherapy is exposure to a magnetic field.A fairly common physiotherapeutic method of treatment in hospitals and clinics.Exposure to a magnetic field has an anti-edematous effect, causes non-contact electrical stimulation of muscles, and reduces joint inflammation.The course of treatment is prescribed by a physiotherapist.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment with ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy is treatment using sound waves.Ultrasound for arthrosis helps improve blood supply, reduce muscle spasms, and has an analgesic effect.To enhance the therapeutic effect of ultrasound, a medicinal substance is applied to the affected joint.With the help of ultrasonic waves, the drug penetrates tissue more easily.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: thermal treatment
Thermal treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint is used at stages 1-2 of the disease.This method includes treatment with ozokerite, paraffin, and mud.It is the latter that deserve special attention: treatment of arthrosis with mud can be done at home.You should dilute the healing mud with water and heat it to a temperature of 60°, then mix the resulting mass with unheated mud, cooling it to 38-42° and apply a 2-3 cm thick layer to the affected joint. Cover the mixture with oilcloth and a warm blanket on top.Leave for 30 minutes.Carry out the procedure every other day with a course of 10-12 procedures.
Diet and herbal medicine for arthrosis of the knee joint
Diet for arthrosis is an important factor in successful treatment.But we must understand that the development of arthrosis is not associated with any dietary habits, but it is excess weight that contributes to the development of arthrosis of the lower extremities.However, you need to lose weight correctly: under no circumstances should you starve or go on strict diets, because as you know, after leaving strict diets, the weight will be gained again, and often in even greater quantities.
We need to know that excess weight is also a disease, but it can and should be treated.With obesity, the regulation of the appetite and satiety centers is disrupted, but it is possible to “set them on the right path.”
First, you need to recognize the problem, which is often associated with poor eating habits.Secondly, you need to learn to set realistic goals for yourself.A weight reduction of 10-15% from the initial level is an excellent result.Believe me, even if you lose weight even by 5% of the original weight, you will immediately feel relief: your blood pressure will decrease and the condition of your joints will improve.
Goal to lose weight
In any case, if you have set a goal to lose weight, then you will have to reconsider your diet, composition and amount of food consumed.Reduce your consumption of confectionery products, baked goods, and various types of “fast” carbohydrates.
To begin with, we recommend trying a simple way of eating food.Prepare your regular meal by putting your usual portion on a plate.Now, eat only half of the food on your plate.Soon you will notice that you simply eat the entire 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 simply do not want to finish the remaining portion: the hunger has disappeared, and with it the frantic desire to eat everything.After two months of this “under-diet” you will see a noticeable result.Try it!
Along with proper food intake, one must not forget about sufficient fluid intake.Those people who do not have severe cardiovascular diseases or kidney diseases, and who do not suffer from edema, can safely increase the amount of fluid they drink to 2 liters per day.
Alternative treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint
Herbal medicine for arthrosis.It is important to note that infusions and decoctions for arthrosis help less than the above methods, but they can be of relative benefit.
Within a month you can take one of the following infusions:
remember, you need to take each infusion or decoction only separately, then replace it with another.Don't drink it all at once!
Birch decoction for arthrosis
Birch decoction for arthrosis: pour 1 tablespoon of birch buds with a glass of boiling water, boil the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes, and let it brew for 1 hour, covering the container warmly.After an hour, you need to strain and add boiled water to the broth to the original volume.Take the infusion of a quarter (1/4) glass 4 times a day, an hour after meals for a month.
Linden infusion for arthrosis
Linden infusion for arthrosis: pour 3 tablespoons of linden flowers with a glass of boiling water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes, then cool and strain.Take the infusion warm, 1 glass 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks.
Burdock decoction for arthrosis
Burdock decoction for arthrosis: 1 tablespoon of burdock roots should be poured with 1 glass of boiling water, simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently, after which the decoction should be cooled at room temperature and strained.Take the decoction warm, half (1/2) cup 3 times a day before meals for a month.
Alder infusion for arthrosis
Alder infusion for arthrosis: 2 tablespoons of gray alder (Alnus incana) cones should be poured with 1 glass of boiling water, kept on low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled and strained.Take an infusion of alder cones, one third (1/3) of a glass, 3 times a day half an hour before meals for a month.
Collection of medicinal herbs for arthrosis
Collection of medicinal herbs for arthrosis: mix equal parts of willow bark, parsley roots, black elderberry flowers and nettle leaves, chop thoroughly.Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture into 1 liter of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes, then leave for 2 hours and strain.Take this mixture half a glass 4 times a day half an hour before meals.The course of treatment is 1 month.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that arthrosis is a very unpleasant disease, when faced with it, it is necessary to draw the right conclusions from the disease, reduce negative emotions, and begin to fight for your full physical and spiritual health, following the recommendations we offer.Then you will definitely defeat the disease!