Osteoarthritis is a group of diseases that occur for various reasons, but are similar in clinical manifestations and course. At the heart of all osteoarthritis is the defeat of the components of the joint. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease with impaired joint function. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) is a disease in which the cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, periarticular muscles of the knee joint are damaged. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which requires an integrated approach to treatment, also requires your attention. And also at least a basic understanding of why and how the disease progresses.
Gonarthrosis: causes
Causes of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be:
- Joint Injuries: According to the scientific literature, approximately one third, and perhaps half of arthrosis cases are preceded by trauma. A person may accidentally stumble on the street or damage their wrist while doing sports. First, there will be acute pain, which will then numb and become a little painful, but will not cause much discomfort. Usually, in most cases, the joint heals on its own soon and will show no signs of injury. But in rare cases, this unfavorable coincidence of circumstances can cause the development of arthrosis.
- Prolonged joint overload: It is believed that those people whose profession is associated with long-term excessive stress on the joints (professional athletes, postmen) may face the development of early arthrosis of the joints.
- Inflammation of the joints (arthritis of the knee joint): inflammation of the joint causes biological and morphological changes, blood flow is disturbed, so arthritis is the one that causes arthrosis of the knee joints (secondary arthrosis).
Additional risk factors
- Heredity. Usually arthrosis of the joints is not inherited directly, but the "catalysts" in the development of osteoarthritis may be properties of metabolism, the structure of cartilage tissue, which are only genetically transmitted. Also, the possibility of osteoarthritis can occur if a person has joint abnormalities or underdevelopment, birth trauma.
- Overweight. Being overweight is an "aggravating" circumstance in the development of arthrosis: that is, it is not directly related, but weight gain has a great burden. We must keep in mind 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 the case of excessive experience, the adrenal glands release "stress hormones", which lead to a deterioration in the blood supply and a decrease in the production of hyaluronic acid, which is an important component for normal joint function. reach osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
- Pain. One of the initial and main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is pain in the knee joint. It is significant that knee pain will occur only during physical exertion: when walking, running, squatting and lying down, this pain will disappear, and after a while it will disappear completely (until the next load).
- Cracking in the wrist. Unlike the "cracking" of the joints of healthy people, the cracking of the joints affected by arthrosis has a different tonality: it is rough and "dry".
- Stiff joints. Grade 1 osteoarthritis of the knee is not usually expressed as stiffness as in subsequent stages. But as the progress progresses, the range of motion in the affected joint decreases significantly.
- Knee joint deformity. With the progression of gonarthrosis, pathological formations develop in the articular-bony spines. Because of them, the appearance of the joint can be different from the appearance of a healthy one. In addition, the appearance of the joint can be somewhat "voluminous", which is due to the excessive accumulation of intra-articular fluid (synovitis).
The course of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Knee osteoarthritis most often affects women than men. This disease often progresses after the age of forty, but sometimes occurs earlier, usually after injury and in professional athletes. More complex and serious gonarthrosis continues, 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 knee pain. Often the pain occurs when a person has to stand on his feet for a long time, when he goes down and climbs the stairs. When a person lies down, the pain disappears, but when you need to get up, the first steps become very painful for him.
There are three degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint 1 degree
Grade 1 knee arthrosis is sometimes characterized by severe pain in the knee, but at the same time the bones that make up the knee joint remain undeformed, but due to synovitis the knee may look slightly swollen. If there is too much intra-articular fluid, it can expand to the popliteal fossa. This condition is called Baker's cyst. If you have been diagnosed with such a diagnosis, you do not need to worry, this is not an oncological neoplasm, it decreases under the influence of medications prescribed by a doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint II degree
Grade 2 osteoarthritis of the knee begins 2-3 months after the onset of the disease. At this time the knee pain is usually worse. This pain no longer occurs simply during physical exertion, but accompanies the person with any movement. Usually at this time the pain in the joint is "joined" by a pronounced contraction of the knee. Grade 2 gonarthrosis of the knee joint, in addition to intense pain and crunch, is accompanied by a decrease in the ability to bend the leg at the knee joint. Deformation of the joint is immediately evident: the bone structures change shape, and when palpated, the joint becomes hard and "rough".
Knee osteoarthritis grade 3
Grade 3 osteoarthritis of the knee is characterized by constant intense pain, and it is even difficult for a person to be in a supine position: she is forced to look for a position in which she could rest. The knees become sensitive to weather changes, the aching pains begin towards night. Grade 3 gonarthrosis of the knee joint is accompanied by a final decrease in mobility, it becomes impossible for a person to bend the leg at the knee joint by more than 90 °. Sometimes, with grade 3 gonarthrosis, it is not possible to fully straighten the leg, the person must walk on slightly bent legs. In some cases, the deformity of the legs develops in the shape of the letter O or X. In extreme cases, it is necessary to treat a high degree of arthrosis that is operative.
Knee gonarthrosis: treatment. What is important to know when treating a knee with medication
Despite the abundance of advertising that promises a miraculous ointment for joint pain, you must understand that gonarthrosis is impossible to cure by any method, an integrated approach is needed.
If you find the first signs of osteoarthritis in yourself, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. It could be an arthrologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist or, first, a general practitioner.
Knee Osteoarthritis: Treatment with NSAIDs
So how to treat osteoarthritis of the knee? Usually, non-steroidal (non-hormonal) substances that can alleviate the inflammation process in the joint are used to treat the joints. Knee gonarthrosis is treated with those drugs that may have antipyretic, analgesic effects. Remember, medications from this group should not be taken all the time. they are able to "cover up" the symptoms of the disease. Note: do not engage in self-medication, act only under the guidance of a competent specialist who is able to prescribe treatment based on the individual parameters of your body, taking into account the contraindications to the use of drugs.
In recent years, a new generation of drugs has 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.
Knee osteoarthritis: 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. Such drugs are most effective if you have grade 1 knee joint gonarthrosis, because with extreme gonarthrosis there is almost nothing to restore: all the cartilage is practically destroyed. In order 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 last 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.
Knee osteoarthritis: treatment with vasodilators
Vasodilators are a good complex therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They help restore joints by improving blood flow and relieving cramps in small blood vessels. A pleasant bonus in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, including vasodilators, can be the removal of nocturnal pain in the damaged joint. If you want to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, vasodilators are best used with chondroprotectors, so that the nutrients of chondroprotectors will penetrate into the joint in larger quantities and circulate more actively in it. Keep in mind that the use of any medicinal substance must be coordinated with your doctor.
Knee osteoarthritis: medicated ointments and creams
Medicinal ointments for osteoarthritis are often used by traders as a trap for desperate patients. Remember that treating fat from osteoarthritis of the knee joint of an extreme degree will not give an effect, but in the initial stages, cream and ointment can significantly alleviate the condition. Pain relief ointments can be used to improve circulation in the joint. Such drugs help to eliminate painful spasm in the joint, increase blood circulation. You can also use fats based on bee and snake venom. These fats are irritating which increases blood circulation in the damaged joint. Remember, many poison-based fats can cause an allergic reaction, so only a specialist should give approval for their use.
Therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Therapeutic physical culture of osteoarthritis of the knee is an effective method of treatment in combination with medication and physiotherapy.
You have to remember that corrective gymnastics for gonarthrosis is the main way of treatment, because we cannot strengthen the muscles and blood vessels of the knee joint, nor activate the blood supply by any medications. In addition, remedial gymnastics is the most budget-friendly and most effective treatment that does not require unnecessary material expenses.
But it is necessary to deliberately perform exercise complexes for osteoarthritis: do not rush with 200 squats a day or 100 strokes. In no case should you give an intense dynamic load, and instead of active bending, do static exercises. Unfortunately, most patients do not like to do only static exercises, because they consume the most energy and fatigue, but if you can endure 2-3 weeks, exercising regularly, you will not only improve the condition of the knee joint, but also find increased strength and increase performance.
How to do it right
Exercises must be performed very smoothly and gently, stretching the ligaments and joints with light pressure. Do not allow intense pain during exercise. Aim for gradualness and regularity, do not rush things: the expected effect will be achieved only with constant moderate effort.
Keep in mind that strength exercises should not be used for the first time after abdominal and chest surgeries, with fever, critical days in women. It is absolutely necessary to pay attention not only to the joints, but also to the pressure on the muscles of the abdominal press and back. This is necessary for the main blood flow in the limbs to go through the muscles of the abdomen and back.
Exercise complexes are freely available on the Internet, try to do different exercises for 30-40 minutes a day, every day, following our instructions.
We wish you perseverance and the will to restore the former ease of movement!
Physiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee
If you are asking if it is possible to apply physiotherapeutic methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint, we will answer - definitely!
Knee osteoarthritis: treatment - laser therapy
Laser therapy is the use of a beam of light for therapeutic purposes, which consists of the ultraviolet, infrared, red spectrum of radiation. The effect of the laser is anti-inflammatory, decongestant and analgesic. The course of laser therapy usually consists of 15 sessions. Laser therapy is a relatively safe method of treatment, but osteoarthritis is impossible to cure with a single laser, this is an additional method of treatment.
Knee osteoarthritis: treatment - cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is the effect of local cooling on the joint. There are two methods of cryotherapy: the use of a cryosauna and the application of liquid nitrogen directly to the joint. The latter method is considered 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 joints, improve metabolic processes and relieve muscle cramps. The course of treatment is usually 10-12 daily sessions.
Knee osteoarthritis: treatment - magnetotherapy
Magnetotherapy - exposure to a magnetic field. A fairly common physiotherapeutic method of treatment in hospitals and clinics. Exposure to a magnetic field acts against edema, causes non-contact electrical muscle stimulation and reduces joint inflammation. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor - physiotherapist.
Knee osteoarthritis: treatment - ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy - treatment with sound waves. Ultrasound for osteoarthritis helps to improve blood supply, reduce muscle cramps and has an analgesic effect. To enhance the therapeutic effect of ultrasound, the drug is applied to the affected joint. With the help of ultrasound waves, the drug penetrates the tissues more easily.
Knee osteoarthritis: heat treatment
Thermal treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is used in 1-2 stages of the disease. This method includes treatment with ozokerite, paraffin, mud. It is the latter that deserve special attention: treatment of osteoarthritis with mud can be carried out at home. It is necessary to dilute the medicinal mud with water and heat it to a temperature of 60 °, then mix the resulting mass with unheated sludge, cool to 38-42 ° and apply a layer 2-3 cm thick on the affected joint. Cover the mixture with a cloth 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 remedies for osteoarthritis of the knee
An anti-osteoarthritis diet is an important factor in successful treatment. But we must understand that the development of osteoarthritis is not associated with any peculiarities of diet, but it is excess weight that contributes to the development of osteoarthritis of the lower extremities. However, you must lose weight properly: in no case do not starve or sit on a strict diet, because, as you know, after leaving heavy diets, the weight becomes thicker again, and often in 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 "direct them to the right path".
First, you need to recognize that there is a problem that is often associated with poor eating habits. Second, you need to learn to set realistic goals for yourself. An excellent result is a reduction in weight by 10-15% compared to the initial condition. Trust me, even if you lose as much as 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.
Aim to lose weight
In any case, if you have set a goal to lose weight, you will need to reconsider your diet, composition and amount of food consumed. Cut down on confectionery, bakery products and all kinds of "fast" carbs.
For starters, we recommend trying a simple way of eating food. Prepare your usual diet by putting regular serving on a plate. Now eat only half of the food on the plate. You will soon notice that you are only eating the whole portion out of habit, although you need very little to satisfy your hunger. Even if you are hungry, slowly eat half a meal and rest for 10 minutes. You’ll be surprised that after this time you just don’t want to finish the rest: the hunger is gone, and with it the frantic desire to eat everything. After two months of such an "insufficient diet" you will see a noticeable result. Try it!
In addition to proper food intake, one must not forget about a sufficient amount of fluid intake. Those people who do not have severe cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as those who do not suffer from edema, can certainly increase the amount of fluid they drink up to 2 liters a day.
An alternative treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee
An herbal remedy for osteoarthritis. It is important to note that infusions and decoctions for osteoarthritis help less than the above methods, but they can be of relative benefit.
You can take one of the following infusions during the month:
remember that you need to take each infusion or decoction separately and then replace them with another. Don’t drink it all at once!
Birch decoction for osteoarthritis
Decoction of birch for osteoarthritis: 1 tablespoon of birch buds must be poured a glass of boiling water, cook the mixture on low heat for 15 minutes and let it cook for 1 hour, warmly covering the pot. 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 a meal for a month.
Linden infusion for osteoarthritis
Linden infusion for osteoarthritis: 3 tablespoons of linden flowers should be poured over a glass of boiling water, boiled on low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled and filtered. Take a warm infusion of 1 cup 3 times daily after meals for 3 weeks.
Decoction of burdock for osteoarthritis
Burdock decoction for osteoarthritis: 1 tablespoon of burdock root 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 soup warm in half (1/2) cup 3 times a day before meals for a month.
Infusion of alder from osteoarthritis
Infusion of alder from arthrosis: 2 tablespoons of cones of gray alder (Alnus incana) must be poured with 1 cup of boiling water, keep on low heat for 15 minutes, then cool and filter. Take a third (1/3) cup of alder cone infusion 3 times a day for half an hour before meals for a month.
Collection of medicinal herbs for osteoarthritis
Collection of medicinal herbs for osteoarthritis: in equal parts mix willow bark, parsley roots, black elder flowers and nettle leaves, chop thoroughly. Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture with 1 liter of boiling water and boil on low heat for 5-10 minutes, then leave for 2 hours and drain. Take this collection in 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, it is necessary to draw the right conclusions from the disease, reduce negative emotions, start fighting for your full physical and spiritual health, respecting the recommendations we have proposed. Then you will definitely defeat the disease!