Osteoarthritis refers to degenerative pathological processes in the articular-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Osteoarthritis is characterized by limited motor skills and intense pain.Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, since there are many effective antiarthrosis therapeutic methods: drugs, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why the pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can lead to locking of the knee.Statistics show that patients with a removed meniscus develop knee osteoarthritis in 90% of cases;
- Other injuries such as sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.This factor is more often present in young patients;
- Obesity leads to increased stress on joint structures, particularly the knees, as all the excess weight puts pressure on the lower limbs.And if, along with obesity, the patient also has varicose veins, then there is a high probability of developing a severe form of gonarthrosis, which is difficult to treat;
- Increased load on the knees, typical of athletes, loaders, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis presents the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Accumulation of fluids in the joint cavity, which leads 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.Moreover, the process of such a transition can last several years, until a factor appears that causes an exacerbation;
- Knee crunches causing pain.A similar symptom appears already at the 2nd or 3rd stage of development of gonarthrosis;
- Impaired joint mobility is manifested by the inability to bend the limb, and the patient feels severe pain.In parallel with this, joint deformation develops, which is visible without 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 may develop with further cyst formation.Joint cartilage damage is not noticeable from the outside, but it is already active and is gradually gaining intensity.
During the bending movement, pain symptoms can be complemented by a specific crunch.This sign is considered specific to knee osteoarthritis.
With second-degree gonarthrosis, the joint space narrows, which is clearly visible on the x-ray.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any movement, even minimal, of the knee 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 a noticeable deformity of the knee.Furthermore, it is no longer possible to eliminate 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 the tendon and ligament tissues;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Accelerate recovery processes and improve nutrition in the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- Normalizes blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression in the affected area;
- Increases the distance between bones.
Treatment processes are based on the prescription of medications, surgical interventions, a special diet, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Drugs used
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic treatment and stop further progression of gonarthrosis.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs and chondroprotectors cope well with such 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 therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal drugs often prescribed for gonarthrosis 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 restore joint functions quite effectively.These drugs have a complex effect: they reduce pain symptoms, stabilize pathological processes and provide the articular cartilage with increased nutrition.There are the latest chondroprotectors which, in addition to the effect of restoring joint tissue, also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Sometimes surgical treatment is necessary.Treatment of knee osteoarthritis is possible using several surgical methods:
- Arthroscopy;
- Endoprosthesis;
- Osteotomy.
The simplest option for surgical intervention is arthroscopy, during which the affected areas of the joint are removed through small punctures.
The main objective of arthroscopy surgery is to prolong the functionality and performance of the knee affected by osteoarthritis.
But the most definitive surgical method is the endoprosthesis, which involves the replacement of the articular fraction of the knee with an artificial implant.The effectiveness of this operation is approximately 90%.As with osteotomy, this operation involves performing an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures also have one of the main roles in complex antiarthritic 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, the patient's dosage of this drug when taken orally is reduced.
The goals of physiotherapeutic procedures for gonarthrosis are the elimination of pain, reduction of the severity of symptomatic signs, acceleration of joint regeneration and improvement of nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet irradiation and magnetic therapy are used to relieve pain.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed.Ultrasound therapy, darson evaluation and medicinal baths are also indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of antiarthritis therapeutic measures is largely determined by a properly formulated diet.Why?Sometimes, the cause of arthritic processes are metabolic disorders, in the development of which poor nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which adds to the stress on the knee joints.This is why it is recommended to follow a diet during and after the treatment of gonarthrosis to prevent joint pathologies.
Dietary therapy for knee osteoarthritis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with fortified compounds and essential microelements.At the same time, you need to monitor the calorie content of the foods you eat to avoid extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended to consume more calories than you expend, then your body weight will return to normal.
Physical 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 on your stomach.Raise your legs one by one;
- From a position on your side, lift the limb with a delay of a few seconds;
- From the prone position, lift your legs and perform abduction and widening 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 in the direction from the knee joint to the hip joint.The massage ends with a caress on the skin.
Methodology of a rheumatologist
The method of treatment of gonarthrosis according to the program of a rheumatologist is based on the use of physiotherapy combined with drug therapy:
- Taking NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Topical pain-relieving medications such as ointments and creams;
- Injection infusions into the joint;
- Manual therapeutic procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
As a result of using this technique, the previous mobility is restored, the blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is relieved, and joint cells 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 patient is not recommended to use painkillers, 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 knee function is restored.
Such lessons are conducted under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massage, swimming and sauna are indicated as additional therapy.