How often do we see that older people, getting up after a long sitting, are limping and say that they have sat down. In fact, the stiffness in the joints that disappears after active movements is the first sign of arthrosis. The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is completely dependent on the symptoms and neglect of the pathological process. With this disease, as with many others, the effectiveness of treatment completely depends on early diagnosis and adequate therapy.
Gonarthrosis (knee arthrosis) is a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which cartilage tissue suffers most. This disease is characterized by a chronic course in which periods of remission are replaced by exacerbations. It is worth noting that pathogenetic changes in the joints can develop gradually, for years destroying cartilage fibers, which ensure the normal functioning of the joint.
Treatment of knee arthrosis is a long and laborious process that has many key factors. To the question of whether it is possible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint, doctors always answer that 90% of success depends on the patient himself and his desire to recover. The arthrosis of the knee joint is equally subject to both women and men aged 40 years. As statistics show, every fifth resident of the planet is familiar all over the world with this ailment. In order not to resort to radical treatment methods, it is necessary to contact a specialist in a timely manner for a thorough examination and treatment.
The causes of knee arthrosis
What is arthrosis of the knee joint and why it arises - questions that are primarily asked to the doctor patients who heard their diagnosis. Before talking about the causes that provoke the development of the disease, it is worth noting that in its origin, knee arthrosis can be of two types:
- primary, or idiopathic, which occurs as a result of a congenital joint pathology;
- Secondary, arising as a complication of another disease.
Every day, the knee joints of a person experience a large load while walking, amenable to injury and excessive physical exertion. But the knee joints suffer most if the patient suffers from obesity for a long time. Each kilogram of excess weight has an additional load on the entire musculoskeletal system. People have increased risk of developing knee arthrosis:
- with excess body weight;
- having an anamnesis of osteoporosis;
- with a genetic predisposition;
- minor beneficial vitamins and trace elements;
- suffering from metabolic disorders;
- engaged in traumatic sports.
All of the above factors contribute to the slow destruction of cartilage, which provides not only movement, but also prevents joint injuries. At the initial stage of the disease, the cartilage fibers are only slightly cracked and thinned out, but with the advanced stage of gonartrosis, their full destruction occurs.
Obviously, on knowledge - how to properly treat arthrosis of the knee - depends not only the well -being of the patient, but also the preservation of life and its quality. Medicine is known for many cases when the negligence of the patients themselves became the cause of their disability.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint
In order to timely identify the disease and prevent its progression, it is necessary to know the symptoms of the disease, which is the basis of the diagnosis. Before the disease makes itself felt, patients a few years before, they notice an unpleasant crunch in the joints that occurs when performing physical exercises. Already at this stage it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or traumatologist so that they assign a course of chondroprotectors and select the necessary complex of exercise exercises.
Such simple events can stop the destruction of cartilage fibers and maintain health and activity to the patient. But, as daily medical practice shows, unfortunately, such conscious patients can be found only in isolated cases. Often the patient seeks medical help only when there is irreversible degenerative joint changes.
Initially, disturbing symptoms make themselves felt only after performing significant physical exertion, later pain and discomfort in the area of the affected joints are constantly bothering, regardless of the load or other external factors.
So, the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint are:
- Discomfort in the joints that occurs after night sleep (morning stiffness);
- pain syndrome, which occurs against the background of prolonged physical stress;
- a feeling of an unpleasant burning sensation when climbing the stairs;
- night pain that occurs in the joints and muscles of the lower extremities;
- The weakness of the lower extremities.
With the advanced stage of the disease, patients note the swelling of the affected joint, which can occur on the same limbs or on both. With an exacerbation of the disease, patients note a local increase in temperature and hyperemia. The objective symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint can be seen in the photo. The treatment of the disease primarily depends on the neglect of the pathological process, as well as the severity of the symptoms of the disease.
Doctors distinguish three severity of this disease:
I degree - patients note pain and slight swelling after prolonged loads. After night sleep, fatigue in the legs disappears, but there may be a slight stiffness in the knees, which passes in itself after 5-10 minutes of active movements.
II degree - occurs in the absence of adequate treatment when the first signs appear. At this stage, the disease acquires a chronic character and is complicated by the rapid destruction of cartilage tissue. Patients complain of constant aching pain in the joints, as well as a frequent crunch when body movement. At this stage, treatment must be medication, and folk methods and linifications for external use only complement the basic therapy.
III degree - is the most neglected and severe form of gonarthrosis. Patients are exhausted by ongoing pain in the knee joints, practically cease to fully move. Constant stiffness and pain can lead to partial or complete disability, that is, disability.
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint
If the question of what arthrosis of the knee joint is, comprehensive information is given, then the answer to the question - how to cure arthrosis is interested in each patient. It is worth noting that gonarthrosis is difficult to treat, but with a complex approach and sufficient effort from the patient, you can achieve persistent remission or even complete recovery.
The treatment of this disease in large medical centers is engaged in an orthopedist. Naturally, there are no such specialists in small district or rural hospitals. In this situation, a traumatologist, surgeon or therapist may be treated with arthrosis of the joints.
Based on an objective inspection and collection of an anamnesis, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis, which is possible only after a laboratory and instrumental examination.
Having received and evaluate the research results, the doctor will confirm the diagnosis, prescribe an intensive treatment course, after which a long rehabilitation period will follow. A positive result will come, but not immediately, it is necessary, first of all, to arm yourself with patience and perseverance. The best therapeutic effect can be achieved only with an integrated approach to the treatment of the disease.
What drugs are used to treat arthrosis of the knee
So for some reason it happens that most patients are afraid to go to the doctor and resort to treatment with folk remedies. Do not abandon the many years of experience of our ancestors and folk recipes for them, but it is necessary to understand and accept the fact that you need to influence from the inside on the very cause of the disease. Pharmaceutical treatment copes best with this task.
Do not be afraid of expensive treatment, side effects and prolonged getting rid of the disease. The modern pharmacological industry offers a wide range of means identical in action and composition, but of different price categories. In addition, an experienced doctor who knows how to cure arthrosis of the knee joint will select the drug the most safe for the patient’s health, which will maximize the risk of side or allergic reactions.
From medications for the treatment of coxarthrosis, medicines of such groups are used:
- anti -inflammatory drugs of non -steroidal type;
- chondroprotectors;
- Anesthetic drugs for drug blockade.
These three groups of drugs are mandatory in the complex therapy of arthrosis of the knee joint. By the neglect and severity of the pathological process, the doctor can prescribe a course of hormonal injections that are used if the ineffective of conservative treatment of the above drugs.
It is worth recalling that steroid (hormonal) drugs are prescribed only in cases of emergency, since they affect the functioning of all endocrine glands, causing a malfunction in the work of the whole organism during prolonged use.
Preparations for the treatment of gonarthrosis are divided into drugs:
- for internal reception;
- for parenteral (injection) administration;
- For external use.
Recently, injections of hyaluronic acid inside the joint have been very popular among doctors. Due to its composition and consistency, this substance is very similar to a synovial (intra -articular) liquid that provides the joint with mobility, depreciation and nutrition.
Injections of drugs based on hyaluronic acid are made only after removing the acute inflammatory process. This manipulation is carried out by a doctor in a hospital. After the introduction of the drug, a thin protective film is formed in it, which prevents the friction of the cartilage surfaces of the joint.
It is best to combine the same drug in different forms of release - for systemic and local exposure. With the ineffectiveness of drug therapy, they resort to radical surgical treatment.
Endoprosthetics
Surgical intervention belongs to the methods of radical treatment of arthrosis, which are aimed at partial or complete restoration of the structure and function of the affected joint. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, surgery can be of different volumes:
- Arthroscopy is the most common and gentle method of intervention, which can be used even at an early stage of development of the disease; It is characterized by minor tissue trauma, eliminates the affected areas of the joint that cause painful sensations;
- Osteotomy - surgery, which is shown to patients with significant deformation of the affected joint; By its nature, it resembles an artificially made fracture, as a result of which all parts of the deformed joint are compared in the correct position;
- Endoprosthetics is the most deep, but also the most effective surgical intervention, as a result of which a part or completely joint implant is replaced; As statistics show, this method of intervention in almost all cases greatly facilitates the patient's condition and improves the quality of his life.
After surgical treatment, a course of rehabilitation procedures is prescribed, the action of which is aimed at:
- Return of the motor capacity of the joint;
- increasing the muscle strength of the limb;
- Maximum protection of the established prosthesis.
In most cases, for the recovery period it takes from 3 to 6 months. The first 2 months recovery is carried out under the close control of doctors. Later it is recommended to engage in gentle sports - swimming, yoga, walking.
Treatment of arthrosis at home
In addition to the traditional impact at home, you can also treat arthrosis of the knee joint with the help of folk remedies. Many patients use the leaves for all the familiar plant - burdock for this purpose. To carry out the procedure, it is best to take freshly cut the leaves of the plant, rinse them under running water, fold them with a pile and put a pan or a bowl of hot water on them.
In order for the effect of the procedure to be maximum, it is necessary to apply the leaves on the joint, greased with vegetable oil with a fluffy side to the body. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use natural honey. The sheet is left on the knee for the whole night, wrapping with a film and a woolen scarf on top. It is recommended to make 20-30 procedures for the course.
It is no less effective for the treatment of arthrosis of the house to use blue clay, from which a gruel-shaped mass is prepared, then the mixture is applied to a fabric napkin and applied to the affected joint for 45-60 minutes.
Good reviews in the treatment of arthrosis have ordinary beets. To eliminate the pain in the joint, it is necessary to cover it with fresh beets at night, wrap it with plastic and warm scarf on top. To obtain the first results, it is enough to make 5-10 regular procedures.
As mentioned above, arthrosis of the knee joints often occurs in patients with overweight. Naturally, against the background of drug treatment, it is necessary to take care of reducing weight and facilitating the work of the joints. For this purpose, it is recommended to eat on the principle of a correct balanced diet, where the bet is made on fresh vegetables, fruits, protein products.
You should refuse products such as chocolate, butter, smoked meats and salting, carbonated drinks and fast foods. For a comfortable weight loss, it is recommended to use dairy products, boiled meat and fish dishes, vegetable casseroles and fruit fruit drinks and compotes. It is recommended to consume cereals from carbohydrates, which will provide the body with useful substances and energy.