Arthrosis refers to degenerative pathological processes in articular-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Arthrosis is characterized by limited motor ability and intense pain.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, because there are many effective anti-arthrosis therapeutic methods: drugs, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why the pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus that can cause the knee to lock.Statistics show that 90% of patients with removed meniscus develop knee arthrosis;
- Sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.As with other injuries, this factor is present more often in young patients;
- Obesity causes increased stress on joint structures, especially the knees, especially as the weight puts pressure on the lower extremities.If, in addition to obesity, the patient also has varicose veins, then there is a possibility of developing a severe form of gonarthrosis, which is difficult to treat;
- Athletes, loaders, etc.An increased load on the knees, which is typical for;
- Joint pathological processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee arthritis
Arthrosis has the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity leads to the development of baker's cyst;
- At first, the pain is weak and intermittent, but with the development of pathological processes, it becomes intense and constant.Moreover, such a transition process can take place over several years until a factor appears;
- Knocking on the knee causes pain.A similar symptom already appears in the stage of development of gonarthrosis in the 2nd or 3rd stage;
- Disabled people are not able to joint mobility, bend their limbs, the patient experiences severe pain.In parallel, visible articular deformation develops without any special device.
The degree of development of pathology
Gonarthrosis is characterized by three degrees of development.The first degree is characterized by a slight pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis can further develop with cyst formation.Articular crack damage is not noticeable from the outside, but it has already become active and is gradually gaining intensity.
When making a moving movement, pain symptoms can be added with a certain crisis.This sign is considered specific for knee arthrosis.
With gonarthrosis of the second degree, it is clearly visible on radiographs in the joint space.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any, even a slight movement of the knee causes sharp pain.Such symptoms quickly subside after a short rest, but reappear after the next activity.
A typical sign of third-degree gonarthrosis is a noticeable deformation of the knee.Moreover, it is no longer possible to get rid of the pain by stopping the movement, because the pain is also present in a quiet state.
Approach to the treatment of knee arthrosis
Complex therapeutic tactics can solve the following problems:
- Strengthen the muscles that support joints, increase the elasticity and flexibility of tendon and ligament tissues;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Accelerate recovery processes and improve nutrition in the cartilage structures of the knee;
- Normalize blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression in the affected area;
- Increase the distance between the bones.
Treatment processes include drugs, surgery, a special diet, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Medicines 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.Non-steroidal 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 prevent the development of unwanted side reactions.Therefore, the duration of NSAID therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Hormonal drugs often prescribed for gonarthrosis include:
When NSAIDs do not cope with the pathological process, hormonal drugs are prescribed.But hormonal therapy is characterized by an abundance, 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 articular cartilage with increased nutrition.In addition to the effect of restoring joint tissue, there are also the latest chondroprotectors that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Sometimes surgical treatment is needed.Treatment of knee arthrosis is possible using several surgical methods:
- Arthroscopy;
- Endoprosthetics;
- Osteotomy.
The easiest option for surgical intervention is arthroscopy, during which the affected areas of the joint are removed through a small puncture.
The main goal of arthroscopy intervention is to prolong the functionality and performance of the knee affected by arthrosis.
But the most definitive surgical method is endoprosthetics, which involves replacing the knee-articular fraction with an artificial implant.The efficiency of this operation is about 90%.As for osteotomy, this operation consists in performing an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures also have one of the leading roles in complex anti-arthrosis therapy.They alleviate the course of gonarthrosis, relieve pain, relieve spasms of muscle tissue and shorten the recovery period.If electrophoresis is used with medication, the patient's dose of this medication is reduced orally.
The goals of physiotherapeutic procedures for gonarthrosis are to relieve pain, reduce the severity of symptomatic signs, accelerate articular regeneration and increase nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet radiation and magnetic therapy are used to relieve pain.Infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed to eliminate inflammatory processes.In addition, ultrasound therapy, Darsonvalization and medicinal baths are indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of therapeutic arthrosis measures is mainly determined by a properly formulated diet.Why?Sometimes the cause of arthrosis processes is metabolic diseases, poor nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which adds stress to the knee joints.Therefore, it is recommended to follow a diet during the treatment of gonarthrosis and to prevent joint pathology.
Diet therapy for knee arthrosis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with fortified compounds and necessary micronutrients.At the same time, you should monitor the calorie content of the food you eat to prevent extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended to burn more calories than you consume, then your body will return to normal.
Therapy
Therapeutic and gymnastic treatment is rightfully considered one of the leading elements of the complex treatment of gonarthrosis.Functional exercises help strengthen and restore joint function.The main thing is to perform the elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie on your stomach.Raise your leg one at a time;
- In a position next to you, raise the limb with a delay of a few seconds;
- In a position on your stomach, raise your legs and perform abduction and spreading movements.
Attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensive patients and other heart patients because it causes an increase in blood pressure.
A rubbing massage in the direction from the knee joint to the hip joint is useful.The massage ends by tapping the skin.
The methodology of a rheumatologist
According to a rheumatologist program, the method of treating gonarthrosis is based on the use of physiotherapy combined with drug therapy:
- taking NSAIDs;
- Food protective drugs;
- Topical pain relievers 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 former mobility is restored, the blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is relieved, and joint cells receive increased nutrition.
Author technique
This proprietary technique has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save a patient from arthrosis without surgery or drugs.This technique is a mixture of physiotherapeutic and kinonsaphy treatment methods.Each patient receives a specific treatment regimen and training schedule.
The use of painkillers is not recommended for the patient, as this problem can be easily solved by applying ice and contrast shower.According to the committee, as a result of regular training:
- The patient is relieved of pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive increased nutrition;
- The former function of the knee is restored.
Such classes are conducted in specialized clinics under the supervision of an experienced instructor.Massage procedures, swimming and sauna are shown as additional therapy.