Arthrosis of the knee joint: symptoms and treatment, exercises, medications

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also known as gonarthrosis) is a change in the knee joint, as a result of which the articular cartilage is destroyed, the knee is deformed and the movements of the knee are limited.The article will help you learn about the symptoms and start the necessary treatment in time.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Experts divide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

1. The cause of the primary form is a congenital defect of the joint, and the period of development of the disease occurs in childhood and adolescence.
2. The secondary form can develop at any age.

Experts name the main causes of the disease:

• poor posture;
• overweight;
• various types of knee joint injuries;
• disorders of mineral metabolism and metabolism;
• the presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased load on the knee joints;
• impaired calcium metabolism due to taking hormonal drugs;
• operations to remove the meniscus;
• presence of arthritis;
• weak ligament apparatus;
• menopause and menopause in women.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joints can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages and symptoms of arthrosis

Depending on the symptoms and the approach to the disease, experts divide the disease into 3 stages.

The initial or 1st stage of arthrosis

At this stage, slight pain occurs with increased load on the knee.The initial phase can last from 1 year to several years.In order to prevent the stage from developing into a more severe form, several measures must be taken to restore the deformed cartilage, strengthen the ligaments and restore the movement of the knee.

At this stage, timely treatment will allow you to completely get rid of the pathology.But most patients ignore the symptom in the form of mild pain, so they do not consult a doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist or surgeon.

Average or 2nd stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease appear more clearly, so it cannot be ignored.Doctors note that most patients seek medical help at stage 2.An accurate diagnosis can be made at this stage.Timely treatment can stop the disease progressing to stage 3.

Serious symptoms include:

• sore knees due to hypothermia;
• the presence of a soft crackle;
• swelling or swelling in the knee joints;
• severe knee pain when climbing stairs or other forms of increased stress;
• pain and tingling in the calves;
• stiffness when bending and straightening the knee.

The last or 3rd stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible, and it is impossible to stop the development of the pathology.But the treatment alleviates the patient's condition for a while.Never ignore symptoms or self-medicate, as this can lead to a change in gait, walking with a cane, or disability.

In addition to the above, doctors also raise the main symptoms of stage 3:

• pathologies of the endocrine system (thyroid problems, diabetes);
• hereditary and age factors.

Diagnostic methods

The specialist makes a diagnosis based on the patient's medical history and the results of laboratory and instrumental tests.

Laboratory tests include:

• general blood test.With the help of the study, you can identify the causative agent of the disease and assess the degree of inflammation.
• general urinalysisit allows to identify or exclude the autoimmune origin of the disease and to assess whether the source of the pathology is the kidneys and urinary tract.
• biochemical blood test, which is divided into many others, the indicators of almost all studies are outside the normal range.

Laboratory tests are carried out during the period of exacerbation of the disease, since during remission all indicators are within normal limits.

The instrumental studies are:

• radiography.It is performed in two projections - postero-anterior and lateral.Usually, to compare the diseased and healthy knees, the doctor takes an X-ray of both knees.
• arthroscopy.This procedure should be understood not only as a study, but also as a mini-operation.The thing is, through a small hole in the knee, the doctor inserts a small LED guide, and the computer screen shows a complete picture of the internal state of the knee;the resulting pieces of tissue are sent to the laboratory if cartilaginous or malignant tumors are suspected.As for operations, the shape of the meniscus can be corrected endoscopically, and polyps and chondrophytes can be removed.In addition to the diagnosis of arthrosis, other diseases can also be performed and examined, since the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to get a complete picture of the state of the body.
• Ultrasound (ultrasound examination).This research method has two important advantages over X-rays: it is harmless, and thanks to its wide visualization ability, it helps to see the soft tissues of the joint.
• CT (computed tomography).The examination is an improved form of radiography, since in this procedure the doctor takes several images, and thanks to these, a three-dimensional image of the affected organ is created on a computer.This form is used less often than others due to the time required and the large amount of radiation.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless.MRI also allows you to get a better view of soft tissues than CT.However, MRI is as rarely used as CT because its use requires high material costs and it cannot be used in patients with metal objects (pins, crowns) in their bodies.CT and MRI are contraindicated in people weighing more than 120 kg.
• scintigraphy.Expensive and radiation-intensive method.Therefore, it is used in cases where cheaper methods are ineffective.In this test, a substance is introduced into the patient's body, which reacts to the diseased organ and localizes around it.
• tomographyThe test is based on thermal radiation of the body's surface.The affected organ is typically manifested in the form of changes with an elevated temperature.The tomograph is a bulky instrument and the procedure is expensive, so this test is performed only in large clinics.

Medicines to treat and relieve symptoms

Experts note that treatment cannot begin without relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.Therefore, doctors prescribe various non-steroidal (that is, non-hormonal) drugs.But you should not take it longer than prescribed, because this group of drugs does not treat the disease, but relieves the symptoms while the disease progresses.

Ointments for arthrosis

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint in the presence of symptoms such as swelling and pain is rarely possible without ointments.

Unlike other forms of drug release, this group has clear advantages:

• quickly reduces pain and inflammation;
• ease of use makes it easy to combine with other treatment methods, such as physiotherapy;
• has no negative effect on the liver.

Many years of experience in the treatment of arthrosis and the study of positive opinions among patients made it possible to identify a number of effective ointments that have a warming vasodilating effect.They contain red pepper extract, bee and snake venom.

Gymnastics for arthrosis

Gymnastics is one of the important methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint, which should be used during the period of remission after the symptoms of pain have been eliminated.

It promotes:

• improving the nutrition and general health of the articular cartilage:
• pain relief;
• strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
• increasing the mobility of the joints.

If you want to see the positive effect,you should exercise daily or every other day, increasing the load to 30 minutes per training session.

1. Warming up.You should walk on your toes or heels for 3-5 minutes.
2. Pedal an imaginary bicycle 20-30 times (10-15 times with each leg).
3. Lying on your stomach, bend and straighten your knees 10-15 times.With each bend, hold your leg in this position for 5 seconds.
4. Lie on your back and stretch your legs.Lift your leg and bend it at the knee.The corner should be parallel to the floor.
5. Lying on your right side, lift your left leg, pull it toward your stomach, and then stretch it back as far as possible.Turn to the other side and repeat the exercise.Repeat 5-6 times for each leg.

Exercise should be avoided if:

• hernia of the abdomen or thigh;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• infectious diseases;
• blood diseases;
• rehabilitation period after surgery.

Rubs and compresses

Various rubbings and poultices are widely used in the treatment of arthrosis.Their significant advantages include the availability of ingredients and the absence of side effects.

• Garlic.Pour 1 head of vegetables with any vegetable oil (200 ml), cover and leave in a dark and cool place for 7 days.Then wash off the product overnight.To eliminate specific odors, cover your knees with a thick gauze bandage and rinse thoroughly with water in the morning.
• Egg.Mix vinegar with 1 yolk in a 1:1 ratio and immediately rub a little of the product into your knees.Apply 3 per week.After rubbing, wrap your knee with something warm.
• Honey.Mix 100 grams of honey and 3 grams of mummy and immediately rub it into the knee.Wrap your knees.
• Cabbage.Soak a piece of woolen material in the juice of the vegetable and apply it to your knee.
• Oatmeal.Cook regular porridge with 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water.You cannot boil the flakes for longer than 7 minutes!Place the viscous product on a clean cloth and apply to the knee.

Wraps

According to experts, arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and drug treatment are listed above) can be cured with various types of wraps.Honey and herbs are the most effective.

According to research, honey wraps help:

• restores tissues and intra-articular cartilage destroyed by the disease;
• eliminates pain and inflammation;
• burns excess cholesterol.

It is worth noting that honey is most effective in combination with cinnamon.

As for herbal wraps, the above features:

• bark of willow, oak, birch, poplar;
• roots of valerian, calendula, burdock;
• hop, birch, nettle leaves;
• herbs wild rosemary and St. John's wort;
• chamomile flower, calendula.

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with hirudotherapy

One of the most effective methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint is hirudotherapy, that is, treatment with leeches.It can be used at the first symptoms and should only be used on the instructions of the treating physician and under the supervision of a specialist.Before the first procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Do not treat with leeches:

• children and the elderly;
• in patients with reduced blood clotting, low blood pressure, severe exhaustion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, stomach ulcers, digestive problems, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia, and hemophilia;
• women during pregnancy and lactation.

In order for the treatment to be effective, 1-2 procedures must be performed every 5-6 months.The treatment can be done more often or less often - it all depends on the stage of the disease.If after 1-3 sessions the patient feels better and does not experience allergic reactions, the treatment with leeches can be continued.

Otherwise, the patient is given a 9-month break, and if the allergy reappears or there is no improvement, the hirudotherapy treatments are stopped.During the treatment, the specialist treats the knee with an odorless product and then checks the suitability of the leeches to be used.

To do this, leeches are placed in a container with water.If the leeches stick to the wall, they can be used.The specialist places 2-6 leeches on the patella.

When sucking, leeches release a number of useful enzymes into the human body that help:

• restoration and strengthening of immunity;
• restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• eliminates swelling and adhesions.

Hirudotherapy cannot be used as a separate treatment method.For greater effectiveness, experts recommend combining it with physiotherapy, physical therapy and medication.

Taking a turpentine and pine bath

In eliminating the symptoms of arthrosis, balneotherapy, that is, bathing with various medicinal effects, is not the least important.Experts note that there are many types of spas, but turpentine and pine baths are particularly effective.They can be taken not only at balneological resorts, but also at home.

But despite their advantages, they should be abandoned:

• patients with heart disease;
• cancer, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, arteriosclerosis, arterial hypertension,
• if the patient has suffered a heart attack or stroke;
• in the presence of skin diseases;
• pregnant women.

For a turpentine bath, you need to mix 10 grams of baby soap and 0.75 ml of salicylic acid and pour the mixture with 500 ml of boiling water.While the mixture cools, you need to fill the bathtub with hot water.When the mixture has cooled to 45 degrees, add turpentine and pour 15-20 ml of the mixture into the bath.

The presence of turpentine in the bathroom may seem elevated.Therefore, you cannot increase the dose by more than 20 ml 1 time.Baths should be taken daily for 10-14 days, gradually increasing the dose of the turpentine mixture to 80 ml per procedure.After bathing, rinse off the mixture with warm water and put on warm clothes or lie down under a blanket.

For the pine bath, you will need pine needles or branches.About 25-30 branches need to be broken into small pieces to fit in the pan.Before preparing the decoction, rinse the branches and remove dirt, add water and cook for 5-10 minutes.The finished soup is filtered and poured into a hot water bath.

Bathe for 10-15 minutes.Then you need to dry yourself and put on warm clothes.It is not recommended to do physical work and put stress on your knees.A pine bath cure can include 7-12 procedures, which can be done every other day or every day.After six months, the course can be repeated.This procedure prolongs the period of remission and stops the progression of the disease.

Use of chondroprotectors

Arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment with folk remedies are listed below) cannot be cured without chondroprotectors - a group of drugs aimed at restoring and nourishing cartilage tissue.All drugs in this group are divided into 5 groups.Medicines for the treatment of arthrosis belong to group 4.

They are made on the basis of:

• glucosamine;
• chondroitin sulfate;
• avocado and soy extracts;
• hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid;
• synthesis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Specialists prescribe chondroprotectors together with painkillers.But unlike the latter, the former must be taken throughout life, since only in this case can the development of arthrosis be slowed down and disability stopped.The effect of taking chondroprotectors is visible only after 2-8 days.

Medicines are available in the form of gels, ointments, tablets and injections.A solution injection is given in the knee.

Diet: what foods are allowed, nutritional rules and approximate diet

Being overweight negatively affects the development of arthrosis - the disease progresses faster than in patients of normal weight.Therefore, it is recommended for those suffering from overweight to lose extra pounds.At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to starve or sit on mono-diets or diets with dietary restrictions.

The permitted products are:

• Hormone-free cultured meat that can be boiled, fried, steamed or steamed.If you don't have access to farm meat, you can buy normal meat, but you have to get rid of the skin and fat, because all the harmful substances that are fed or injected into animals and poultry accumulate there.It is better to limit the consumption of such meat to 1-2 times a week, and the rest of the time you can eat vegetables or fish.
• fruits and vegetables that can be fried or steamed to taste.
• all types of cereals (except instant cereals).
• pectin-containing products: currants, fructose jelly;
• fermented milk products;
• egg;
• whole grain bread and pasta.

It is important to exclude from the diet:

• cakes, sweets and white bread;
• alcoholic beverages and beer;
• various types of fast food and snacks;
• sausages and other prepared meat products.

In case of arthrosis, 1200 Kcal should be consumed per day.It should be eaten in portions, i.e. in small portions every 2-3 hours.

Folk remedies

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment can be easily carried out with the help of traditional medicine:

• If arthrosis is accompanied by swelling, a blue clay poultice will help.To do this, the clay must be diluted with water to a creamy consistency and placed on a thick cloth folded 4-6 times and applied to the joint.Wrap your knee in gauze or other cloth to prevent the poultice from sliding off.Leave it on for 2-3 hours, then rinse with warm water.The material is washable and reusable.
• Experts recommend giving up natural tea and coffee and replacing it with decoctions and infusions.For example, cranberry decoction.For him 2 tsp.berries should be poured into 1 liter.with boiling water and let it stand for an hour wrapped in a towel.Drink 3-4 times a day.
• The massage ointment helps to get rid of pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease.To do this, mix 50 grams of petroleum jelly with 10 grams of crushed hops, sweet clover and St. John's wort.The product should be infused for 2-3 hours in a dark place.Rub it in with light massaging movements.You can wrap your knees.

How long is the rehabilitation period?

It is impossible to say clearly how long the rehabilitation of arthrosis will take, since the timing depends on various factors.For example, the age and lifestyle of the patient, the extent and severity of the disease.

Usually, the recovery period lasts 1-2 months, during which the patient, with the help of a specialist:

• removes inflammatory and pain syndromes;
• he learns physical exercises and adjusts his diet.

In order for the period of remission to last as long as possible, the patient should exercise regularly and see a doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint, by eliminating the symptoms and taking the right approach to treatment, allows you not to leave your usual rhythm of life.