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

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also called gonarthrosis) is a lesion of the knee joint, resulting in destruction of the articular cartilage, deforming the kneecap, and limiting knee motion.The article will help you know about the symptoms and start the necessary treatment on time.

osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Experts divide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

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

Experts point out the main causes of the disease:

• poor posture;
• being overweight;
• Various types of knee joint injuries;
• Disorders of mineral metabolism and metabolism;
• presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased load on the knee joints;
• Impaired calcium metabolism due to taking hormone-containing drugs;
• Operation to remove the meniscus;
• presence of arthritis;
• weak ligamentous apparatus;
• Menopause and menopause in women.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages of arthrosis and their symptoms

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

Early or first stage of arthrosis

At this stage, mild pain appears with increasing load on the knee.The initial phase can last from 1 year to several years.To prevent the stage from developing into a more serious form, a number of measures should be taken aimed at restoring the deformed cartilage, strengthening the ligaments, and restoring movement in the knee.

At this stage, timely treatment will completely rid you of pathology.But most of the patients ignore the symptom as mild pain and hence do not consult a doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint is treated by orthopedists, rheumatologists or surgeons.

Average or second stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease appear more clearly and hence cannot be ignored.Doctors say most patients seek medical help at Stage 2.At this stage, an accurate diagnosis can be made.Timely treatment can prevent the disease from progressing to stage 3.

Serious symptoms include:

• Pain in knees due to hypothermia;
• the presence of a soft crunch;
• swelling or inflammation in the knee joints;
• Severe pain in the knees when climbing stairs or during other types of increased stress;
• Pain and tingling in the calves;
• Stiffness when bending and straightening the knee.

Final or third stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible, and it is impossible to stop the development of pathology.But with treatment, the patient's condition will improve for some time.You should never ignore symptoms or self-medicate, as this may lead to gait changes, walking with a stick, or disability.

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

• Endocrine system pathologies (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 the study, you can identify the causative agent of the disease and assess the degree of inflammation.
• general urine testAllows you to identify or exclude the autoimmune genesis of the disease and assess whether the kidneys and urinary tract are the source of the pathology.
• biochemical blood test, which is divided into several 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.

Instrumental studies include:

• Radiography.It is performed in two projections – postero-anterior and lateral.Usually, doctors take X-rays of both knees to compare the diseased and healthy knees.
• arthroscopyThis process should be understood not only as a study, but also as a mini-operation.The fact is that through a small hole in the knee, the doctor inserts a small LED conductor inside and the computer screen displays a complete picture of the internal state of the knee;If a cartilaginous or malignant tumor is suspected, the resulting tissue pieces are sent to the laboratory.As far as surgery is concerned, the shape of the menisci can be corrected endoscopically, polyps and chondrophytes can be removed.In addition to diagnosing arthrosis, other diseases can be examined and examined, since the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to get a complete picture of the condition of the body.
• ultrasound (Ultrasound examination).This research method has two important advantages over X-ray: it is harmless and its wide visualization capabilities allow visualization of the soft tissues of the joint.
• CT (computed tomography).The examination is an advanced form of radiography, because in this procedure, the doctor takes several photographs and thanks to them a three-dimensional image of the affected organ is created on the computer.This form is used less frequently than others due to the time it takes and the large amount of radiation.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).Unlike the previous method, this one is more harmless.MRI also allows you to get a better picture of soft tissues than CT.But MRI is used as rarely as CT, because its use requires high material costs and cannot be used on patients who have any metal objects in their body (knitting needles, crowns).CT and MRI are prohibited for people whose weight is more than 120 kg.
• ScintigraphyExpensive and radiation-intensive method.Therefore, it is used in cases where less expensive methods are ineffective.In this study, a substance is injected into the patient's body that reacts to the diseased organ and localizes around it.
• tomographyThis study is based on thermal radiation emanating from the body surface.Typically, the affected organ appears as lesions with elevated temperature.The tomograph is a bulky 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 relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.Therefore, doctors prescribe various non-steroidal (i.e. non-hormonal) drugs.But you cannot take them for longer than prescribed, because this group of drugs does not cure the disease, but rather reduces the symptoms as the disease progresses.

Ointment for arthrosis

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

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

• Quickly reduces pain and swelling;
• Ease of use makes it easy to combine with other treatment methods such as physiotherapy;
• There is no negative effect on the liver.

Many years of experience in the treatment of arthrosis and the study of positive reviews among patients have made it possible to identify several effective ointments that have a warming vasodilator effect.These contain red chilli 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 pain symptoms are eliminated.

It promotes:

• Improves nutrition and general health of articular cartilage:
• Pain reduction;
• Strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
• Increase joint mobility.

To see positive effects,You need to exercise daily or every other day, increasing the load to 30 minutes per workout.

1. Excited.You will have to walk on toes or heels for 3-5 minutes.
2. Peddle 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 turn, hold the leg in the same position for 5 seconds.
4. While lying on your back, spread your legs.Lift your leg and bend it at the knee.The heels should be parallel to the floor.
5. Lying on your right side, lift your left leg, pull it towards 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.

Exercise should be avoided if:

• hernia of the abdomen or thighs;
• heart disease;
• infectious diseases;
• blood disease;
• Rehabilitation period after operation.

rubs and presses

Various rubbing and compresses are widely used in the treatment of arthrosis.Their important advantages include the availability of ingredients and the absence of side effects.

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

wraps up

According to experts, osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and drug treatment are listed above) can be treated with a variety of wraps.The most effective are honey and herbal.

According to research, honey wraps help:

• Restore tissue and intra-articular cartilage destroyed by disease;
• Eliminate pain and swelling;
• Burn excess cholesterol.

It is worth noting that honey is most effective when combined with cinnamon.

As far as herbal wraps are concerned, the above properties are:

• bark of willow, oak, birch, aspen;
• 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 considered to be hirudotherapy, that is, treatment with leeches.It can be used at the first symptoms and should be directed by the attending physician and under the supervision of specialists.Before the first procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

You should not undergo treatment with leeches:

• Children and elderly people;
• Patients who suffer from decreased blood clotting, hypotension, severe exhaustion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosions, stomach ulcers, digestive tract problems, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia, and hemophilia;
• Women during pregnancy and lactation.

For the treatment to be effective, 1-2 procedures should be done every 5-6 months.Treatment can be done more or less often - it all depends on the stage of the disease.If after 1-3 sessions the patient feels improvement and does not experience allergic reactions, treatment with leeches can be continued.

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

To do this, leeches are kept in a vessel of water.If leeches stick to the walls, they can be used.The specialist places 2-6 leeches on the knee cap.

Upon suction, leeches release a number of useful enzymes into the human body that will help:

• restore and strengthen immunity;
• Restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• Eliminate swelling and adhesions.

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

Taking a Turpentine and Pine Bath

Balneotherapy, that is, taking various baths with therapeutic effect, is no less important in eliminating the symptoms of arthrosis.Experts say that there are many types of medicinal baths, but turpentine and pine baths have shown special effects.These can be taken not only in balneological resorts, but also at home.

But despite their benefits, they should be abandoned:

• heart disease patients;
• In the presence of cancer, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension,
• If the patient has had 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, 0.75 ml of salicylic acid and pour the mixture into 500 ml of boiling water.While the mixture is cooling, you need to fill the bathtub with hot water.When the mixture cools down to 45 degrees, add turpentine and pour 15-20 ml of the mixture into the bath.

Due to the presence of turpentine, the temperature of the bathroom may appear to increase.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 per procedure.After bathing, you need to wash off the mixture with warm water and wear warm clothes or lie down under a blanket.

For a pine bath you will need pine needles or branches.About 25-30 branches need to be broken into small pieces so that they fit in the pan.Before preparing the decoction, wash the branches and remove any dirt, add water and cook for 5-10 minutes.Filter the finished broth and pour it into a hot water bath.

You will have to take bath for 10-15 minutes.You should then dry yourself and wear warm clothes.It is not recommended to perform physical exertion and put pressure on the knees.A course of treatment with pine baths can include 7-12 procedures, which can be taken every other day 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 (symptoms and treatment with folk remedies are listed below) cannot be cured without chondroprotectors - a group of drugs aimed at restoring cartilage tissue and its nutrition.All the medicines of this group are divided into 5 groups.Medicines intended for the treatment of arthrosis belong to group 4.

These are based on:

• Glucosamine;
• Chondroitin Sulfate;
• avocado and soy extracts;
• Hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid;
• Synthesis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate.

Chondroprotectors are prescribed by specialists along with painkillers.But, unlike the latter, the former should be taken throughout life, because only in this case can the development of arthrosis be slowed down and disability prevented.The effect of taking chondroprotectors is visible only after 2-8 days.

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

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

Overweight negatively affects the development of arthrosis - the disease progresses faster than in patients with normal weight.Therefore, people suffering from overweight are advised to lose extra pounds.But at the same time, it is strictly forbidden to starve or sit on mono-diets or diets with dietary restrictions.

Authorized products include:

• Hormone-free farmed meat, which can be boiled, baked, broiled or steamed.If you don't have access to farm meat, you can buy regular meat, but you should get rid of the skin and fat, as all the harmful substances fed or injected into the animal or poultry accumulate there.It is better to limit the consumption of such meat to 1-2 times a week, and eat vegetable or fish dishes the rest of the time.
• Fruits and vegetables that can be cooked or steamed to suit your taste.
• All types of grains (except instant grains).
• Products containing pectin: currants, fructose jelly;
• 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;
• A variety of fast food and snacks;
• Sausages and other types of prepared meat products.

For arthrosis you will have to consume 1200 kcal daily.You should eat fractionally, i.e. in small portions every 2-3 hours.

folk remedies

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

• If arthrosis is accompanied by inflammation, a blue clay compress will come to the rescue.To do this, you need to dilute the clay with water to a creamy consistency and place it on a thick cloth folded 4-6 times and apply to the joint.Wrap the knee in gauze or other cloth so that the compress does not slip.Leave for 2-3 hours and wash off with warm water.The cloth can be washed and reused.
• Experts recommend giving up natural tea and coffee and replacing them with decoctions and infusions.For example, lingonberry decoction.2 spoons for that.Berries need to be poured into 1 liter.Boiling water and wrap in a towel and leave for an hour.You need to drink 3-4 times a day.
• Massage ointment will help relieve pain and swelling at any stage of the disease.For this you have to mix 50 grams of petroleum jelly with 10 grams of crushed hops, sweet clover and St. John's wort.You need to keep the product in a dark place for 2-3 hours.Rub with light massaging movements.You can wrap your knee.

How long does the rehabilitation period last?

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

In general, the recovery period lasts 1-2 months, during which the patient, with the help of specialists:

• Removes inflammation and pain syndrome;
• Learns physical exercise and adjusts nutrition.

In order for the remission period to continue as long as possible, the patient should exercise regularly and visit the doctor.Arthrosis of the knee joint, with the elimination of symptoms and proper approach to treatment, will allow you not to abandon your usual rhythm of life.