Knee arthrosis: symptoms and treatment, exercises, medications

Arthrosis of the knee joint (also known as gonarthrosis) is a change in the knee joint that results in the destruction of articular cartilage, deformity of the knee, and limited knee movement. This article will help you understand the symptoms and start the necessary treatment in time.

Arthritis of the knee joint

Specialists divide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

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

Experts name the main causes of the disease:

• bad posture;
• overweight;
• various knee injuries;
mineral metabolism and metabolic disorders;
• presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased stress on the knee joints;
• impairs calcium metabolism due to the intake of hormone-containing drugs;
• meniscus removal operations;
the presence of
• arthritis;
• weak tape device;
• menopause and menopause in women.

Arthrosis of the knee joints can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages and symptoms of arthrosis

Depending on the symptoms and approach of the disease, professionals divide the disease into 3 stages.

Initial or 1st stage of arthrosis

At this stage, there is mild pain with increased stress on the knee.The initial phase can last from 1 to several years.A number of measures should be taken to restore deformed cartilage, strengthen the ligaments, and restore knee movement to prevent the section from worsening.

At this stage, timely treatment completely eliminates the pathology. But most patients ignore the symptom in the form of mild pain, so they don’t go to the doctor. Knee arthrosis is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist or surgeon.

Middle or 2nd stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced, so it is impossible to ignore them. Doctors note that patients go to a doctor in stage 2. An accurate diagnosis can be made at this stage. Timely treatment makes it possible to stop the grade 3 transition of the disease.

Severe symptoms include:

• sore knees with hypothermia;
• the presence of a soft crackle;
swelling or swelling in the knee area;
• severe knee pain when climbing stairs or other increased stress;
• pain and tingling in calves;
• Stiffness of knee flexion and extension.

The last or 3rd stage of arthrosis

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible, it is impossible to stop the development of the pathology. But the treatment eases the patient’s condition for a while. Under no circumstances should you ignore the symptoms or self-medicate as this may lead to a change in gait, walking with a stick or disability.

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

• pathology of the endocrine system (thyroid problems, diabetes);
• Hereditary and age factors.

Diagnostic Methods

The specialist diagnoses the patient's words based on the anamnesis, as well as the results of laboratory and instrumental tests.

Laboratory tests include:

• complete blood count.Research can help you identify the cause of the disease and assess the extent of inflammation.
• General Urine Analysisallows the autoimmune origin of the disease to be identified or ruled out and whether it is a source of renal and urinary tract pathology.
• Biochemical Blood Test, which is divided into many others, the indicators of almost all tests are outside the normal range.

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

The instrumental studies are as follows:

• X-ray.They are performed in two projections - back-front and side. Usually, the doctor takes a picture of both knees to compare the affected and healthy knees.
• arthroscopy.This procedure should be understood not only as research but also as a mini-operation. The fact that through a small hole in the knee, the doctor inserts a small LED guide inside and a full image of the inside of the knee is displayed on the computer screen, the resulting pieces of tissue are sent to a laboratory if cartilage or malignancy is suspected. endoscopically can correct the shape of the meniscus, remove polyps and chondrophytes. In addition to diagnosing arthrosis, other diseases can be performed and studied because the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to get a complete picture of the condition of the body.
• Ultrasound(ultrasound).This test method has 2 important advantages over X-rays - it is harmless and helps to see the soft parts of the joint due to its wide imaging ability.
• CT (computed tomography).The study is an X-ray of the improved form, as this procedure involves the doctor taking several images and creating a three-dimensional image of the affected organ on a computer. This format is used less frequently than others due to time costs and large amounts of radiation.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless. MRI allows you to get a better picture of soft tissues compared to CT. MRI is used as infrequently as CT because its use requires a high cost of materials and is not applicable to patients who have metal objects (pins, crowns) in their body. CT and MRI are contraindicated in people weighing more than 120 kg.
• scintigraphy.Expensive and radiation-related method. Therefore, it is used in cases where cheaper methods are ineffective. In this study, a substance is injected into a patient’s body that responds to and localizes around the patient’s organ.
• tomography.The test is based on heat radiation from the body surface. Usually, the affected organ manifests itself in the form of foci of elevated temperature. The tomograph is a cumbersome device, the procedure is expensive, so this examination is only performed in large clinics.

Medications for the treatment and relief of symptoms

Experts note that it is impossible to start treatment without relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.This is why doctors prescribe a variety of non-steroidal (i. e. , non-hormonal) medications. But it should not take longer than the prescribed period, as this group of drugs does not cure the disease but relieves the symptoms and the disease progresses in the meantime.

Ointments for arthrosis

Treatment of knee arthrosis with symptoms of edema and pain is rarely done without ointments.

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

• quickly reduces pain and inflammation;
The ease of use of
• makes it easier to combine with other treatments such as physiotherapy;
• has no harmful effects on the liver.

Many years of experience in the treatment of arthrosis and research into positive feedback from patients have revealed a number of effective ointments that have a warming vasodilating effect. They contain red pepper extract, bee and snake venom.

Gymnastics for arthrosis

Exercise is an important method of treating knee arthrosis that should be used during remission after the symptoms of pain have disappeared.

Contributes by:

• Improving the nutrition and general health of articular cartilage:
• analgesia;
• strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
• increased joint mobility.

To achieve a positive effect,should be exercised daily or every other day, increasing the load for 30 minutes per workout.

1. Warming up. You should walk on tiptoe or corner for 3-5 minutes.
2. Pedal an imaginary bike 20-30 times (10-15 times with each foot).
3. Lie on your stomach, bend and straighten your knees 10-15 times. For each bend, hold your foot in this position for 5 seconds.
4. Stretch your legs out while lying on your back. Raise your legs and bend your knees. The corner should be parallel to the floor.
5. Lying on your right side, lift your left leg, pull it to your stomach, then stretch it back as far as it will go. Turn to the other side and repeat the exercise. Repeat 5-6 times for both feet.

Training should be canceled if:

• abdominal or hip hernia;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• infectious diseases;
• blood diseases;
• rehabilitation period after surgeries.

Rubs and compresses

Various abrasions and compresses are widely used in the treatment of arthrosis. Significant benefits include the availability of ingredients and the absence of side effects.

• Garlic.Pour 1 head of vegetables with any vegetable oil (200 ml), cover and leave in a dark and cool place for 7 days. Then wash the product overnight. To eliminate the specific odor, cover your knees with a thick gauze bandage and rinse thoroughly with water in the morning.
• Eggs.Mix the vinegar with 1 yolk in a 1: 1 ratio and rub your knees slightly immediately. Apply 3 a week. After rubbing, wrap your knees in something warm.
• Honey.Mix 100 grams of honey and 3 grams of mummy and rub your knees immediately. Wrap your knees.
• Cabbage.Soak a piece of wool fabric in vegetable juice and secure it to your knees.
• Oatmeal.Boil a regular porridge of 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water. Do not boil flakes for more than 7 minutes! Place the viscous product on a clean cloth and place it on your knees.

Wraps

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and medication are described above) can be treated with various types of wraps, according to experts. The most effective are honey and herbs.

Research shows that honey wraps help:

• to restore tissues and intraarticular cartilage destroyed by the disease;
• eliminates pain and inflammation;
• Burn excess cholesterol.

It is worth noting that honey in combination with cinnamon is most effective.

As for plant wraps, it has the following properties:

• willow, oak, birch, poplar bark;
• valerian, comfrey, burdock roots;
• hops, birch, nettle leaves;
• wild rosemary and St. John's wort herbs;
• chamomile flower, marigold.

Treatment of knee arthrosis with hirudotherapy

One of the most effective methods of knee arthrosis is hirudotherapy, ie treatment with leeches. It should be used for the first symptoms and should be supervised by your doctor and specialists. You should familiarize yourself with the contraindications before the first procedure.

Do not use leech therapy:

• children and the elderly;
• patients with decreased blood clotting, hypotension, severe exhaustion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia and haemophilia;
• Women during pregnancy and lactation.

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

Otherwise, the patient is given a 9-month break, and if the allergy reappears or does not improve, the hirudotherapy sessions are stopped. During the treatment, the specialist treats the knee with an odorless agent and then checks the suitability of the leeches used.

To do this, place the leeches in a container with water. If the leeches stick to the walls, they can be used. The specialist puts 2-6 leeches on the kneecap.

When suckling, leeches release a number of useful enzymes into the human body that help:

• restores and strengthens the immune system;
• restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• eliminates swelling and sticking.

Hirudotherapy should not be used as a separate treatment. For greater effectiveness, experts recommend combining it with physiotherapy, physiotherapy practices, and taking medications.

Buy turpentine and pine baths

Balneotherapy, ie the performance of baths with various therapeutic effects, is not the last place to eliminate the symptoms of arthrosis.Experts note that there are many types of therapeutic baths, but turpentine and pine baths have shown particular effectiveness. They can be taken not only in balneological resorts, but also at home.

But despite their benefits, they have to be discarded:

• heart patients;
• in the presence of oncological diseases, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension
• if the patient has had a heart attack or stroke;
• in the presence of skin diseases;
• for pregnant women.

For a turpentine bath, mix 10 grams of baby soap, 0. 75 ml of salicylic acid and pour over 500 ml of boiling water. While the mixture has cooled, you should fill the tub with hot water. When the mixture has cooled to 45 degrees, add turpentine and pour 15-20 ml of the mixture into the bath.

The temperature in the bathroom can rise due to the presence of turpentine.Therefore, the dose should not be increased more than 1 time by more than 20 ml. Baths should be taken daily for 10-14 days, gradually increasing the dose of the turpentine mixture to 80 ml in one procedure. After bathing, wash the mixture with warm water and put on a warm cloth or lie under a blanket.

Pine baths require pine needles or branches. About 25-30 branches should be chopped to fit in the pot. Before preparing the broth, float and dirt, rinse the branches, pour water and cook for 5-10 minutes. Strain the finished broth and pour into a hot water bath.

Take a bath for 10-15 minutes.Then wipe dry and put on a warm cloth. It is not recommended to do physical work and strain your knees. A pine bath treatment course can include 7-12 procedures that can be done every other day or daily. After six months, the course can be repeated. This procedure prolongs the duration of remission and stops the development of the disease.

Using chondroprotectors

Arthrosis of the knee joint (symptoms and folk remedies are listed below) cannot be cured without chondroprotectors - a group of drugs designed to restore cartilage tissue and its nutrition. All drugs in this group are divided into 5 groups. Medicines for the treatment of arthrosis belong to group 4.

Made from:

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

Chondroprotectors are prescribed by specialists along with painkillers.But unlike the latter, the former must be taken throughout life, as only then can the development of arthrosis be slowed and the disability stopped. The effect of taking chondroprotectors is only visible after 2-8 days.

The products are available as gels, ointments, tablets and injections. A solution is injected into the knee with a solution.

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

Being overweight negatively affects the development of arthrosis - the disease progresses faster than in patients of normal weight. Therefore, overweight people are advised to lose those pounds. However, it is categorically impossible to starve and sit on monodiets or with dietary restrictions.

Authorized products include:

• Hormone-free agricultural meat that can be cooked, fried, steamed or steamed. If you do not have access to farm meat, you can buy the usual one, but you need to get rid of skin and fat, as any harmful substances that accumulate are fed or injected into animals or poultry. It is better to limit the consumption of such meat 1-2 times a week and have vegetable or fish dishes for the rest of the time.
• Fruits and vegetables that can be baked or steamed to taste.
• All kinds of cereals (except instant cereals).
• products with pectin: currants, jelly on fructose;
fermented dairy products;
• eggs;
• Wholemeal bread and pasta.

Important to exclude from the diet:

• bakery products, confectionery and white bread;
• alcoholic beverages and beer;
• various fast food restaurants and snacks;
• Sausages and other prepared meat products.

In case of arthrosis, 1200 Kcal should be consumed daily.You should eat in portions, ie every 2-3 hours, in small portions.

Folk remedies

Arthritis, symptoms and treatment of the knee can be easily done with traditional medicine:

• If arthrosis is accompanied by edema, a blue clay compress will save you. To do this, dilute the clay with water to the condition of the cream and place it on a dense tissue folded 4-6 times and fix it on the joint. Wrap your knees in gauze or other cloth to prevent the compress from slipping. Hold for 2-3 hours and rinse with warm water. The fabric is washable and reusable.
• Experts recommend giving up natural tea and coffee and replacing them with decoctions and infusions. For example, cranberry decoction. For him 2 ek. berries should be poured 1 liter. with boiling water and leave wrapped in a towel for one hour. You should drink 3-4 times a day.
• Massage ointment helps to relieve pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease. He needs to mix 50 grams of Vaseline, 10 grams of chopped hops, sweet clover and St. John’s wort. You should stick the product for 2-3 hours in a dark place. Rub in with light massage movements. You can wrap your knees.

How long is the rehabilitation period

It is not possible to say clearly how long it takes to rehabilitate arthrosis, as the timing depends on various factors. For example, the age and lifestyle of the patient, the extent and severity of the disease.

Usually, the recovery period is 1-2 months, during which the patient, with the help of specialists:

• removes inflammatory and pain syndromes;
• learns exercise and adjusts nutrition.

In order for the remission period to last as long as possible, the patient should exercise regularly and consult a physician. Arthrosis of the knee joint, by eliminating the symptoms and taking the right approach to treatment, allows you to stay out of your normal life rhythm.