Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: symptoms and treatment, exercises, drugs

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also called gonarthrosis) is an injury to 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 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 development period of the disease occurs during 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 damage;
• violation of mineral metabolism and metabolism;
• the presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased load on knee joints;
• disturbance of calcium metabolism due to taking drugs containing hormones;
• operations to remove the meniscus;
• the presence of arthritis;
• weak garden apparatus;
• menopause and menopause in women.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joints can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages of arthrosis and their symptoms

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 appears in the knee with increased loads.The initial stage can last from 1 year to several years.To prevent the stage from turning into a more severe form, a number of measures should be taken aimed at restoring deformed cartilage, strengthening ligaments and restoring movement in the knee.

Timely treatment at this stage will allow you to completely get rid of the pathology.However, most patients ignore the symptom in the form of mild pain and therefore do not consult a doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist or surgeon.

Middle or 2nd stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease are more obvious and therefore cannot be ignored.Doctors note that most of the patients turn to the doctor at the 2nd stage.At this stage, an accurate diagnosis can be made.Timely treatment can stop the disease from progressing to the 3rd stage.

Severe symptoms include:

• painful knees due to hypothermia;
• the presence of a mild crisis;
• swelling or swelling in the knee joints;
• severe knee pain when climbing stairs or other forms of increased stress;
• pain and tingling in 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.However, the treatment will alleviate the patient's condition for a while.You should never ignore symptoms or self-medicate, as this can lead to gait changes, walking with a cane, or disability.

In addition to the above, doctors note the main symptoms of the 3rd stage:

• 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 studies.

Laboratory tests include:

• general blood test.Using research, you can determine the cause of the disease and assess the degree of inflammation.
• general urine testallows to determine 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, divided into many others, the indicators of almost all studies are outside the normal range.

Laboratory tests are performed during the exacerbation of the disease, because during remission all indicators are within normal limits.

Instrumental studies include:

• radiography.It is carried out in two projections - postero-anterior and lateral.Usually, the doctor takes X-rays of both knees to compare diseased and healthy knees.
• arthroscopy.This procedure should be understood not only as research, but also as a mini-operation.The fact is that the doctor inserts a small LED conductor through a small hole in the knee, and a complete picture of the internal state of the knee is displayed on the computer screen;the resulting tissue pieces are sent to the laboratory if a cartilaginous or malignant tumor is suspected.As for operations, the shape of the menisci can be corrected endoscopically, polyps and chondrophytes can be removed.In addition to the diagnosis of arthrosis, other diseases can also be carried out and examined, because 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 compared to X-rays: it is harmless and helps to see the soft tissues of the joint due to its wide visualization capabilities.
• CT (computed tomography).The examination is an improved form of radiography, because in this procedure, the doctor takes several pictures, and thanks to them, a three-dimensional image of the affected organ is created on the computer.Due to the time required and the large amount of radiation, this form is used less often than others.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless.MRI also provides better imaging of soft tissues than CT.However, MRI is rarely used like CT because its use requires high financial costs and cannot be used in patients with metal objects in their bodies (knitting needles, crowns).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 study, a substance is introduced into the patient's body that reacts to the diseased organ and is localized around it.
• tomographyThe study is based on thermal radiation from the surface of the body.Typically, the affected organ manifests itself in the form of lesions with high temperature.The tomograph is a large device and the procedure is expensive, so this study is performed only in large clinics.

Medicines to treat and relieve symptoms

Experts note that treatment cannot begin without pain relief and inflammation.Therefore, doctors prescribe various non-steroidal (that is, non-hormonal) drugs.However, you cannot take them more than prescribed, because this group of drugs does not cure the disease, but relieves the symptoms as the disease progresses.

Ointments for arthrosis

In the presence of symptoms such as swelling and pain, the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is rarely possible without ointments.

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

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

Many years of experience in the treatment of arthrosis and the study of positive feedback among patients allowed us to identify a number of effective ointments with a warming vasodilator effect.They contain red pepper extract, bee and snake venom.

Gymnastics for arthrosis

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

Promotes:

• improvement of articular cartilage nutrition and general health:
• reduction of pain;
• strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
• increasing joint mobility.

To see the positive effectyou need to train daily or every day, increasing the load for each exercise to 30 minutes.

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

Exercises should be avoided in the following cases:

• abdominal or thigh hernia;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• infectious diseases;
• blood diseases;
• rehabilitation period after operations.

Rubbing and compresses

Various rubs and compresses are widely used in the treatment of arthrosis.Their significant advantages are the presence of substances and the absence of side effects.

• garlic.Pour 1 head of vegetable with any vegetable oil (200 ml), cover with a lid and leave in a dark and cool place for 7 days.Then wash the product overnight.To eliminate a specific smell, cover the knee with a thick gauze bandage and wash it thoroughly with water in the morning.
• egg.Mix vinegar with 1 yolk in a ratio of 1:1 and immediately rub some of the product on the knee.Apply 3 times a week.After rubbing, wrap your knee with something warm.
• Honey.Mix 100 grams of honey and 3 grams of mummy and immediately rub it on the knee.Wrap your knee.
• Cabbage.Wet a piece of woolen material with juice from the vegetable and apply it to the knee.
• Oatmeal.Cook ordinary porridge from 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water.Flakes should not be boiled for more than 7 minutes!Place the viscose product on a clean cloth and apply to the knee.

Bandages

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and drug treatment are given above), according to experts, can be treated with different types of bandages.The most effective ones are honey and herbal ones.

According to research, honey wraps help:

• restore tissue and intra-articular cartilage destroyed by the disease;
• relieve pain and inflammation;
• burn excess cholesterol.

It should be noted that honey is most effective when combined with cinnamon.

As for herbal dressings, they have the above characteristics:

• willow, oak, birch, aspen bark;
• roots of valerian, comfrey, burdock;
• leaves of hop, birch, nettle;
• herbs wild rosemary and St. John's wort;
• chamomile flowers, 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 be prescribed by the attending physician and under the supervision of specialists.Before the first procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

You should not treat with leeches:

• children and the elderly;
• patients suffering from reduced blood coagulation, hypotension, severe exhaustion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, peptic ulcer, problems with the digestive system, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia and hemophilia;
• women during pregnancy and lactation.

For the treatment to be effective, 1-2 procedures should be performed every 5-6 months.Treatment can be carried out more often or less - it all depends on the stage of the disease.If after 1-3 sessions the patient feels better and no allergic reactions occur, then treatment with leeches can be continued.

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

For this, leeches are placed in a bowl with water.If the leeches stick to the walls, then it can be used.The specialist puts 2-6 leeches on the knee cap.

When proteins are absorbed, they release a number of useful enzymes into the human body, which will help:

• restore and strengthen immunity;
• restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• relieve swelling and adhesions.

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

Taking turpentine and candle baths

Balneotherapy, that is, taking various baths with a therapeutic effect, is not the least important to eliminate the symptoms of arthrosis.Experts note that there are many different types of medicated baths, but turpentine and pine baths have shown particular effectiveness.They can be taken not only in balneological resorts, but also at home.

However, despite their benefits, they should be avoided:

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

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

The presence of turpentine can cause the temperature in the bathroom to rise.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 turpentine mixture to 80 ml for each procedure.After taking a bath, rinse the mixture with warm water and put on warm clothes or lie under a blanket.

Pine needles or branches are needed for pine baths.About 25-30 branches need to be cut into small pieces so that they fit in the pan.Before preparing the decoction, rinse and clean the branches, add water and cook for 5-10 minutes.Strain the finished broth and pour it into a hot water bath.

You need to take a bath for 10-15 minutes.Then you need to dry yourself and put on warm clothes.It is not recommended to engage in physical labor and put stress on your knees.A course of treatment with candle baths can include 7-12 procedures that can be taken daily or daily.After six months, the course can be repeated.This procedure will prolong the period of remission and stop the progression of the disease.

Use of chondroprotectors

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

They are made on the basis of:

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

Chondroprotectors are prescribed by specialists along with pain relievers.However, unlike the second, the first must be taken throughout life, because only in this case the development of arthrosis can be slowed down and disability can be stopped.The effect of taking chondroprotectors appears only after 2-8 days.

Medicines are available in the form of gels, ointments, tablets and injections.An injection with a solution is given to the knee.

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

Excess weight has a negative effect on the development of arthrosis - the disease develops faster than in patients with a normal weight.Therefore, overweight people are advised to get rid of extra pounds.But at the same time, it is strictly forbidden to starve or sit on mono-diets or diets with dietary restrictions.

Permitted products include:

• Hormone-free meat that can be boiled, baked, baked or steamed.If you do not have access to farm meat, you can buy regular meat, but you need to get rid of the skin and fat, because all the harmful substances that are fed or injected into animals or birds accumulate there.It is better to limit the consumption of such meat to 1-2 times a week, the rest of the time there are vegetable or fish dishes.
• fruits and vegetables cooked or baked to your liking.
• all types of cereals (except whole grains).
• pectin products: currant, fructose gel;
• fermented milk products;
• eggs;
• wholemeal bread and pasta.

It is important to exclude from the diet:

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

For arthrosis, you need to consume 1200 Kcal per day.It is necessary to eat sharply, that is, every 2-3 hours in small portions.

Folk treatment

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

• If arthrosis is accompanied by swelling, a compress made of blue clay will help.To do this, it is necessary to dilute the clay with water to a creamy consistency and put it on a thick cloth folded 4-6 times and apply it to the joint.Wrap your knee with gauze or another cloth so that the compress does not slip.Leave for 2-3 hours and wash with warm water.The fabric can be washed and reused.
• Experts advise to give up natural tea and coffee and replace them with decoction and infusion.For example, a decoction of lingonberries.For him 2 tsp.1 liter of berries should be poured.leave for an hour wrapped in hot water and a towel.Drink 3-4 times a day.
• Massage ointment will help to get rid of pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease.For this, you need to mix 50 grams of petroleum jelly with 10 grams of crushed hops, sweet clover and St. John's wort.The product should be brewed in a dark place for 2-3 hours.Rub with light massage movements.You can close your knee.

How long is the rehabilitation period?

It is impossible to say unequivocally how long the rehabilitation of arthrosis will last, because the time depends on various factors.For example, the age and lifestyle of the patient, the degree and severity of the disease.

In general, the recovery period lasts 1-2 months, during which the patient is assisted by specialists:

• eliminates inflammatory and pain syndromes;
• learns physical exercises and regulates nutrition.

In order for the remission period to last as long as possible, the patient should exercise regularly and consult a doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint will allow you not to leave your usual rhythm of life with the elimination of symptoms and the right approach to treatment.