Osteoarthritis refers to degenerative pathological processes in articular-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Osteoarthritis is characterized by limited motor abilities and severe pain.The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, because there are many effective anti-arthrosis therapeutic methods: medications, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why pathology develops.
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can cause the knee to lock.Statistics show that patients who have a meniscus removed develop knee osteoarthritis in 90% of cases;
- Other injuries such as sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.This factor occurs more frequently in young patients;
- Obesity causes a greater load on the joint structures, especially the knees, as all the excess weight puts pressure on the lower extremities.And if, in addition to obesity, the patient also has varicose veins, there is a high probability of developing a severe form of gonarthrosis, which is difficult to treat;
- Greater load on the knees, typical of athletes, porters, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis has the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, leading to the development of Baker's cyst;
- The pain at first is weak and intermittent, but with the development of pathological processes it becomes intense and constant.Furthermore, the process of such a transition can last several years, until a factor appears that causes an exacerbation;
- Cracking in the knee, causing pain.A similar symptom appears already at the second or third stage of the development of gonarthrosis;
- Impaired joint mobility is manifested by the inability to bend the limb, and the patient experiences severe pain.At the same time, a joint deformation develops, which is visible without the need for special devices.
Degree of development of the pathology.
Gonarthrosis is characterized by three degrees of development.The first degree is characterized by the presence of slight pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis with increased cyst formation may develop.The damage to the articular cartilage is not noticeable from the outside, but it has already been activated and is gradually gaining intensity.
When performing a flexion movement, pain symptoms can be complemented by a specific crunch.This sign is considered specific to knee osteoarthritis.
With gonarthrosis of the second degree, the joint space narrows, which is clearly visible on the x-ray.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any movement, even slight, of the knee causes acute pain.These symptoms disappear quickly after a short rest, but after the next activity they appear again.
A typical sign of third degree gonarthrosis is a noticeable deformity of the knee.In addition, it is no longer possible to get rid of pain by stopping movement, because pain is present even in a calm state.
Approach to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Complex therapeutic tactics can solve the following problems:
- Strengthen the muscles that support the joints, increase the elasticity and flexibility of tendon and ligament tissues;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Accelerate recovery processes and improve nutrition in the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- Normalize blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression in the affected area;
- Increases the distance between the bones.
The treatment processes are based on the prescription of medications, surgery, special diet, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Drugs used
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint is based on the use of medications that provide symptomatic treatment and stop the progression of gonarthrosis.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs and chondroprotectors cope well with these tasks.These drugs effectively relieve pain, but are contraindicated for long-term use to avoid the development of unwanted side reactions.Therefore, the duration of NSAID treatment should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal drugs that are often prescribed for gonarthrosis, the following deserve attention:
Hormonal drugs are prescribed in cases where NSAIDs do not cope with the pathological process.But hormone therapy is characterized by a large number of side effects, so it does not last long.
Chondroprotective drugs restore joint functions quite effectively.These drugs have a complex effect: they reduce pain symptoms, stabilize pathological processes and provide increased nutrition to the articular cartilage.There are newer chondroprotectors that, in addition to the effect of restoring joint tissue, are also endowed with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Sometimes surgical treatment is necessary.Treatment of knee osteoarthritis is possible through several surgical methods:
- Arthroscopy;
- Endoprostheses;
- Osteotomy.
The simplest option for surgical intervention is arthroscopy, during which the affected areas of the joint are removed using small punctures.
The main objective of arthroscopy intervention is to prolong the functionality and performance of the knee affected by osteoarthritis.
But the most definitive surgical method is endoprosthesis, which consists of replacing the joint fraction of the knee with an artificial implant.The effectiveness of this operation is approximately 90%.As for osteotomy, this operation involves performing an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures also play an important role in complex anti-arthrosis therapy.They facilitate the course of gonarthrosis, eliminate pain, relieve spasms of muscle tissue and shorten the duration of regeneration.And if electrophoresis is used with the drug, then the dose of this drug for the patient when taken orally is reduced.
The goals of physiotherapeutic procedures for gonarthrosis are to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptomatic signs, accelerate joint regeneration, and improve nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet irradiation and magnetotherapy are used to relieve pain.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed.In addition, ecotherapy, darsonvalization and medicinal baths are indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of therapeutic measures against osteoarthritis is largely determined by a properly formulated diet.Because?Sometimes, the cause of osteoarthritis processes is metabolic disorders, in the development of which poor diet plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which increases stress on the knee joints.That is why it is recommended to follow a diet during and after treatment for gonarthrosis to prevent joint pathology.
Diet therapy for knee osteoarthritis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with fortified compounds and essential microelements.At the same time, it is necessary to control the calorie content of the foods you eat to avoid extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended to spend more calories than you consume, then your body weight will return to normal.
exercise therapy
Therapeutic and gymnastic treatment is rightly considered one of the main elements of the complex treatment of gonarthrosis.Performing exercises helps strengthen and restore joint activity.The main thing is to perform the elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie face down.Raise your legs one by one;
- From a side position, raise the limb with a delay of several seconds;
- From a prone position, raise your legs and perform abduction and extension movements.
Attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensive patients and other cardiac patients, because it causes an increase in blood pressure.
It is useful to perform a friction massage in the direction from the knee joint to the hip joint.The massage ends by caressing the skin.
Methodology of a rheumatologist.
The method of treating gonarthrosis according to a rheumatologist's program is based on the use of physiotherapy along with drug therapy:
- Take NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Topical pain relief medications, such as ointments and creams;
- Injectable infusions into the joint;
- manual therapeutic procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
As a result of the use of this technique, previous mobility is restored, blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is relieved, and the cells of the joint receive increased nutrition.
author's technique
This patented technique has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save a patient from osteoarthritis without the use of surgery or medications.This technique is a mixture of physiotherapy and kinesitherapy treatment methods.Each patient receives a private treatment regimen and training program.
The use of pain relievers is not recommended for the patient, as this problem can be easily solved by applying ice to the knee and a contrast shower.As a result of regular training according to the method:
- The patient is relieved of pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive increased nutrition;
- The previous functionality of the knee is restored.
These classes are carried out under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massages, swimming and sauna are indicated as additional therapy.