Arthrosis refers to the degenerative pathological processes of articular-cartilaginous tissues, which are followed by their thinning and destruction.Arthrosis is characterized by limited motor skills and intense pain.The treatment of knee arthrosis or gonarthrosis is quite diverse, as there are many effective therapeutic methods against arthrosis: drugs, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can lead to locking of the knee.Statistics show that in the case of a removed meniscus, arthrosis of the knee joint develops in 90% of cases;
- Other injuries such as sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.This factor occurs more often in young patients;
- Obesity leads to increased strain on the joint structures, especially the knees, as excess weight always puts pressure on the lower limbs.And if, along with obesity, the patient also has varicose veins, there is a high probability of developing a severe form of gonarthrosis, which is difficult to treat;
- Increased load on the knees, which is typical for athletes, loaders, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes, such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the knee
Arthrosis has the following symptoms:
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, which leads to the formation of a Baker's cyst;
- The pain is initially weak and intermittent, but with the development of pathological processes it becomes intense and constant.In addition, the process of such a transition takes place over several years until the aggravating factor appears;
- It crunches in the knee, causing pain.A similar symptom appears already in the 2nd or 3rd stage of development of gonarthrosis;
- Impaired joint mobility manifests itself in the inability to bend the limb, and the patient feels severe pain.At the same time, joint deformation develops, which can be seen without any special equipment.
The degree of development of the pathology
Gonarthrosis is characterized by three degrees of development.The first degree is characterized by the presence of mild pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis may develop with further cyst formation.The articular cartilage damage is not noticeable from the outside, but it has already become active and is gradually getting stronger.
When bending, the pain symptoms can be supplemented with a special crunch.This sign is characteristic of arthrosis of the knee.
In the case of secondary gonarthrosis, the joint space narrows, which is clearly visible on the radiograph.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any movement of the knee, even a slight one, causes acute pain.Such symptoms disappear quickly after a short rest, but reappear after the next activity.
A typical sign of third-degree gonarthrosis is noticeable deformity of the knee.Moreover, it is no longer possible to get rid of the pain by stopping movement, because the pain is also present in a calm state.
Approach to the treatment of knee arthrosis
Complex therapeutic tactics can solve the following problems:
- Strengthen the muscles that support the joints, increase the elasticity and flexibility of the tendons and ligaments;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Speeding up recovery processes and improving nutrition in the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- Normalizes blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression on the affected area;
- Increase the distance between the bones.
Treatment processes include prescription medication, surgery, special diet, physiotherapy procedures, physical therapy, etc.are based on.
Medicines used
The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic treatment and stop the further progression of gonarthrosis.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs and chondroprotectors cope well with such tasks.These drugs effectively relieve pain, but their long-term use is contraindicated in order to avoid the development of unwanted side effects.Therefore, the duration of NSAID treatment should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal drugs often prescribed for gonarthrosis, the following deserve attention:
Hormonal drugs are prescribed in cases where NSAIDs cannot cope with the pathological process.But hormone therapy is characterized by an abundance of side effects, so it does not last long.
Chondroprotective drugs are quite effective in restoring joint functions.These drugs have a complex effect - they reduce the symptoms of pain, stabilize the pathological processes, and provide the articular cartilage with increased nutrition.There are the latest chondroprotectors, which, together with the restoration of joint tissues, also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Occasionally, surgical treatment is required.Knee arthrosis can be treated with several surgical methods:
- Arthroscopy;
- Endoprostheses;
- Osteotomy.
The simplest method of surgical intervention is arthroscopy, during which the affected areas of the joint are removed with small punctures.
The main goal of the arthroscopic intervention is to prolong the functionality and performance of the knee affected by arthrosis.
But the most definitive surgical method is endoprosthesis, which involves the replacement of the knee joint fraction with an artificial implant.The efficiency of this operation is about 90%.As for the osteotomy, this operation involves an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in an anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures also play a leading role in complex anti-arthrosis therapy.They facilitate the course of gonarthrosis, eliminate pain, relieve spasms of muscle tissue and shorten the regeneration period.And if electrophoresis is used with the drug, then the patient's dose of this drug is reduced orally.
The aim of physiotherapy procedures for gonarthrosis is to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptoms, accelerate joint regeneration and increase nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet radiation and magnetic therapy are used to relieve pain.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed.In addition, ultrasound therapy, darsonvalization and spas are included.
Diet therapy
The success of therapeutic measures against arthrosis is largely determined by a properly prepared diet.Why?The cause of arthritic processes is sometimes metabolic disorders, in the development of which improper nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which increases the load on the knee joints.That is why it is recommended to follow a diet during and after the treatment of gonarthrosis in order to prevent joint pathologies.
Dietary therapy for knee arthrosis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with enriched compounds and essential microelements.At the same time, you need to monitor the calorie content of the food you eat to avoid extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended to spend more calories than you consume, then your weight will return to normal.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic and gymnastic treatment is rightly considered one of the leading elements of the complex treatment of gonarthrosis.Performing exercises helps to strengthen and restore joint activity.The point is to execute the elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie on your stomach.Raise your legs one at a time;
- Raise the limb from the side after a few seconds delay;
- From a prone position, raise your legs and perform abduction and extension movements.
Attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensive patients and other heart patients because it causes an increase in blood pressure.
It is useful to perform a rubbing massage from the knee joint to the hip joint.The massage ends with stroking the skin.
Rheumatologist's methodology
According to the rheumatologist's program, the method of treating gonarthrosis is based on the use of physiotherapy combined with drug therapy:
- taking NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Pain-relieving topical medications, such as ointments and creams;
- Injection infusions into the joint;
- Manual therapy procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
By applying the technique, the previous mobility is restored, the blood supply of the affected knee is normalized, the pain is alleviated, and the joint cells receive increased nutrition.
Author's technique
This patented technique has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save the patient from arthrosis without surgery or drugs.This technique is a mixture of physiotherapy and kinesitherapy treatment methods.Each patient receives an individual treatment regimen and exercise plan.
The use of painkillers is not recommended for the patient, because this problem can be easily solved with knee ice and contrast shower.As a result of regular training according to the method:
- The patient is relieved of pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage receive increased nutrition;
- The previous functionality of the knee is restored.
Such classes are conducted under the supervision of an experienced instructor in special clinics.As additional therapy, massage treatments, swimming and sauna are recommended.