Osteoarthritis of the knee joint often occurs in patients who experience pathological changes in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system.Gonarthrosis is based on deformation of articular cartilage.Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the knee, which constantly experiences increased pressure, is most often diagnosed in patients aged 40-50 years.Sometimes the deformation of arthrosis manifests itself in adolescence and young adulthood.
Limited mobility of the knee joint interferes with its function and causes serious discomfort to the patient.Therapy is long, expensive, and not always successful.It is important to know how to prevent gonarthrosis, how to treat it at home, and what methods will restore the joy of movement.
The reason for the development of this disease
Arthritis of the knee joint is considered a polyetiological disease.Often pathology is provoked by a combination of several factors that do not always have a clear etiology.
There are two types of gonarthrosis:
- main;
- secondary.
Classification is carried out according to the causal principle.In some patients, articular cartilage is affected by some negative factors;It is not always possible to determine what is the impetus for the development of pathology.
Therapy for gonarthrosis of unknown etiology is more complex and lengthy;Problems with the knee joint cause many problems and worsen the quality of life.For this reason, doctors recommend that patients prevent this disease and follow preventive measures.
The main causes of this disease:
- main form.A clear dependence on risk factors.For most patients, knee problems arise from constant, high loads in this area.Gonarthrosis affects auxiliary workers, loaders, and athletes;
- secondary.Damage to articular cartilage occurs against the background of systemic pathology.Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the knee develop against the background of hemochromatosis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and congenital curvature of the lower leg.Another reason is hereditary: this disease manifests itself in each generation.
Take note!In some cases, doctors cannot accurately determine the cause of the development of gonarthrosis;The pathological form is called idiopathic.
Characteristic symptoms
The main symptoms of this disease:
- pain in the knee when moving;
- In the morning, it is difficult to bend and straighten the knee joint;
- In severe stages, deep deformation develops, joint congestion, subluxations and dislocations occur;
- With some movement, a characteristic clicking sound is heard in the knee.
Pathological danger is the incompletely studied mechanism of the development of gonarthrosis.The final link affects the initial factor, degenerative changes are launched with renewed vigor.With each turn, the condition of the cartilage worsens, tissue elasticity decreases, and the disease progresses again.In the main form of pathology, it is difficult for doctors to determine the time that gave impetus to the activation of negative changes.
Which doctor should I contact?
Joint disability is a pathology that requires an integrated approach to treatment.Not all patients know which doctor treats arthrosis.
If signs of illness appear, visit:
- therapist(Prescribing tests, identifying underlying diseases, referring to specialists for endocrine disorders, congenital pathologies);
- Rheumatologist.He will determine the cause of the joint deformity and conduct additional studies in the affected area.The doctor will prescribe conservative treatment, prescribe physiotherapy as well as therapy for arthrosis at home;
- arthrologistPretty special that's rare.Qualified doctors are seen in large clinics;They really know the problem of arthrosis and arthritis.The main specialization is complex cases, surgical intervention for severe pathologies.It's hard to find a good doctor: There are few specialists;
- Orthopedist.Doctors will help patients with advanced pathology of the knee joint, when conservative treatment is insufficient.An orthopedic surgeon performs organ-sparing surgery and endoprosthetics.
Treatment methods at home
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint at home?It is difficult to combat articular cartilage defects in the knee area;Pathological polyetiology always leads to a new round of the disease.Treatment with the use of medicines, massage, exercise therapy, and the usual medicines are needed.The patient must follow a diet and discipline when prescribing special procedures and exercises.
Many patients ask: "Why is treatment so expensive?"The reason is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, chondroprotectors, gels, ointments for inflammation in a monthly course (or more).Only with the use of effective drugs is a good result.Then patients seek help, longer and more expensive therapy, especially if complex operations are required.
The main methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint:
- medicines;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- diet;
- special training;
- Massage;
- healthy lifestyle;
- vitamin therapy;
- People's recovery.
Doctors always encourage patients to be disciplined and carry out some therapeutic activities at home.Many methods require almost no material costs: all that matters is the desire to defeat arthrosis and the regularity of the procedure.
Drug therapy
Take medications prescribed by your rheumatologist:
- Chondroprotectors for arthrosis of the knee joint - drugs that restore the elasticity and function of cartilage tissue;
- non-steroidal compounds to relieve inflammation of the affected area;
- creams, gels, ointments for arthrosis of the knee joint to improve blood circulation and relieve pain;
- compresses with active anti-inflammatory effects.They act faster than ointments;
- Vitamins, supplements.Food supplements with calcium and magnesium are recommended to strengthen muscles and bones.
Massage and self-massage
The doctor will conduct several sessions in the office and demonstrate the basic techniques so that the patient can massage the problematic knee by himself.Competent actions improve the condition of the damaged area.
Perform self-massage with your palms, the sides of your palms, your fingertips, or your fists.Gently act on the painful knee, maintaining strong pressure on the affected area: strong patting, blows, active kneading of the tissue often aggravates the condition.
Basic Techniques:
- The first stage is a clockwise stroking light, the second stage is a counterclockwise circular movement;
- Press one palm to the sore knee, tap lightly with the fingertips of the other hand;
- Maintaining the initial position of the palm, tapping not with your fingers, but with the edge of your palm;
- Slowly bend the knees in a circle, gradually increasing the pressure (but moderately);
- During therapy, massage the affected area twice a day for 10-15 minutes.For preventive purposes, it is enough to do a light massage once every 7 days.
Advice!Before the procedure, use an ointment or gel with an anti-inflammatory effect on the sore knee.Use pharmaceutical drugs or homemade mixtures: the effectiveness of the treatment will increase.
Therapeutic exercises
The doctor in the exercise therapy office will show exercises and gymnastics for arthrosis of the knee joint, which the patient should do at home.Regular exercise improves blood circulation in painful joints, helps heal arthrosis or reduce negative symptoms.
How to proceed:
- Heat the sore spot: Do self-filling for 5 minutes;
- Sit in a comfortable chair: You should feel comfortable;
- First exercise: rock the affected leg lightly.Important: The feet do not touch the floor, the amplitude is small.Duration - 2 minutes;
- second exercise.Place your feet on the floor.Raise the heel of the sore leg higher, rest well on your toes, wait 6-7 seconds, slowly lower yourself to your full foot.Rest for 20-30 seconds and repeat the "stomp" exercise.The optimal frequency depends on how you feel;It is advisable to load the legs and knees for up to three minutes;
- third exercise.Doctors call it "slapper."Starting Position - Sitting on a chair.Place the sore foot on the heel, the other pressed firmly to the floor, lightly hitting the foot with short breaks between movements.Do several repetitions, starting from the knee pain position.
Many orthopedists and rheumatologists believe that treatment methods with limited joint mobility for gonarthrosis are outdated.Most modern clinics offer rehabilitation using special gymnastics.With regular exercise, flexibility and mobility of cartilage tissue and joints are maintained.
Folk remedies and recipes
Proven Home Remedies:
- herbal infusion.Use nettle, chamomile, horsetail, birch leaves and buds;
- rubbing with sunflower oil, dandelion tincture (yellow flower head);
- compress by boiling chamomile, celandine, pulp of fresh cabbage (or whole leaves);
- Fresh celery juice for internal use.Drink 1 tbsp.L. 40 minutes before your appointment, write three times a day;
- compresses from steamed birch leaves, burdock;
- honey massage.After the procedure, apply Burdock leaves to the sore knee.
Recommended diet
To effectively treat arthrosis at home, it is important to follow certain dietary rules.The nutritionist will tell you which dishes and products will make your musculoskeletal system healthy.
Include in your menu more often:
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- grow wheat (with shoots up to 3 mm);
- fermented milk products;
- almonds;
- meat jellied bone broth;
- Fresh and boiled vegetables are the basis of the diet;
- jellied dishes with gelatin for cartilage elasticity;
- Bran Bread;
- Lean Fish;
- Durum wheat pasta.
Minimum quantity allowed:
- muffins;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- Confectionery products.
Prohibited:
- any alcohol;
- fatty meat;
- Citrus;
- Semi-ready meat products, canned food.
Preventive measures
Take care of your joints while unpleasant diseases like gonarthrosis do not bother you.If you identify pathological symptoms, contact your doctor at an early stage, before the mobility and elasticity of the joint tissue is completely lost.Immediate treatment in advanced cases leads to disability.
Prevent joint diseases:
- dose of load on your legs during active sports;
- Create a diet that includes foods and dishes containing calcium, magnesium, gelatin;
- If the work involves lifting or moving heavy objects, follow safety rules and do not carry loads beyond certain limits;
- Do it yourself regularly to prevent arthrosis, especially with constant pressure on your feet;
- Eat right, limit "dangerous" foods;
- weight control (excess weight means extra pressure on the joints);
- Get regular exams and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
Attention to the health of the musculoskeletal system ensures activity at any age.If gonarthrosis is detected, consult a doctor.Treatment of arthrosis at home is an important element in successful therapy.