Arthrosis refers to degenerative pathological processes in articular-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Osteoarthritis is characterized by limited motor skills and severe pain.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, as there are many effective anti-arthrosis therapeutic methods: medications, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can cause the knee to lock.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 present in young patients;
- Obesity leads to increased stress on joint structures, especially on the knees, as 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, porters, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis has the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, leading to the development of Baker's cyst;
- The pain is initially weak and intermittent, but with the development of pathological processes it becomes intense and constant.Furthermore, the process of this transition can last several years, until a factor appears that causes an exacerbation;
- Crushing on the knee, causing pain.A similar symptom appears already at the 2nd or 3rd stage of gonarthrosis development;
- Impaired joint mobility is manifested by the inability to bend the limb and the patient experiences severe pain.In parallel with this, joint deformation develops, which is visible without any special devices.
Degree of development of 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 subsequent formation of cysts.The articular cartilaginous damage is not externally noticeable, but it has already become active and is gradually gaining intensity.
By bending the movement, pain symptoms can be complemented by a specific crisis.This sign is considered specific to knee osteoarthritis.
In second-degree gonarthrosis, the joint space narrows, which is clearly visible on x-ray.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any movement, even slight, of the knee causes sharp pain.These symptoms quickly disappear after a short rest, but after the next activity they reappear.
A typical sign of third-degree gonarthrosis is a noticeable deformity of the knee.Furthermore, it is no longer possible to get rid of the pain by stopping movements, because the 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 tendon and ligament tissues;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Accelerate recovery processes and improve nutrition of the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- Normalize blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression on the affected area;
- Increase the distance between the bones.
Treatment processes are based on prescription medications, surgery, special diet, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Drugs used
The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the use of medications that provide symptomatic treatment and prevent the progression of gonarthrosis.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal and chondroprotective drugs cope well with these tasks.These drugs effectively relieve pain, but are contraindicated for prolonged use in order to avoid the development of undesirable side reactions.Therefore, the duration of NSAID therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal medications frequently 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 medications restore joint functions quite effectively.These drugs have a complex effect - they reduce pain symptoms, stabilize pathological processes and provide increased nutrition to the articular cartilage.These are the most recent chondroprotectors that, in addition to the effect of restoring joint tissue, are also endowed with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Sometimes there is a need for surgical treatment.Treatment of knee arthrosis is possible using several surgical methods:
- Arthroscopy;
- Endoprostheses;
- Osteotomy.
The easiest option for surgical intervention is arthroscopy, during which the affected areas of the joint are removed using small punctures.
The main objective of arthroscopic intervention is to prolong the functionality and performance of the knee affected by osteoarthritis.
But the most definitive surgical method is endoprosthesis, which involves replacing the joint fraction of the knee with an artificial implant.The effectiveness of this operation is about 90%.In osteotomy, this operation involves creating an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures also play one of the main roles in complex antiarthrosis therapy.They facilitate the course of gonarthrosis, eliminate pain, relieve muscle tissue spasms and shorten the duration of regeneration.And if electrophoresis is used with the medicine, the dosage of that medicine for the patient when taken orally is reduced.
The objectives of physiotherapeutic procedures for gonarthrosis are to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptomatic signs, accelerate joint regeneration and improve nutrition of the injured joint.
Ultraviolet irradiation and magnetic therapy are used to relieve pain.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed.In addition, ultrasound, darsonvalization and medicinal baths are indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of antiarthrosis therapeutic measures is largely determined by a properly formulated diet.Why?Sometimes the cause of arthrosis processes are metabolic disorders, in the development of which poor nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which increases stress on the knee joints.That is why it is recommended to follow a diet during and after gonarthrosis treatment to prevent joint pathologies.
Diet 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 burn more calories than you consume, then your body weight will return to normal.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic and gymnastic treatment is rightfully considered one of the main elements of the complex treatment of gonarthrosis.Performing exercises helps to strengthen and restore joint activity.The main thing is to perform the elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie face down.Raise your legs one by one;
- From a lateral position, raise the limb with a delay of several seconds;
- Lying face down, raise your legs and perform abduction and opening movements.
Attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensive patients and other heart disease patients, as it causes an increase in blood pressure.
It is useful to carry out a frictional massage in the direction from the knee joint to the hip joint.The massage ends by stroking the skin.
Methodology of a rheumatologist
The method of treating gonarthrosis according to the rheumatologist's program is based on the use of physiotherapy combined with drug therapy:
- Taking NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective medications;
- Topical pain relief medications, such as ointments and creams;
- Joint injection infusions;
- Manual therapeutic procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
As a result of using this technique, anterior mobility is restored, the blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is relieved, and the joint cells receive increased nutrition.
Author's technique
This proprietary 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 physiotherapeutic and kinesitherapy treatment methods.Each patient receives a private treatment regimen and training schedule.
The use of painkillers is not recommended for the patient, as this problem can be easily resolved by applying ice to the knee and contrast bath.As a result of regular training according to the method:
- The patient is relieved from pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive greater nutrition;
- The former functionality of the knee is restored.
These classes are taught under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massage, swimming and sauna procedures are indicated as additional therapy.