Osteoarthritis of the knee is often found in patients suffering from pathological changes in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system.Gonarthrosis is based on the deformation of the articular cartilage.Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the knee, which experiences constant increasing stress, is diagnosed mostly in 40-50-year-old patients.Sometimes deforming arthrosis manifests itself in adolescence and young adulthood.
Limited mobility of the knee joint disrupts 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 how to restore the joy of movement.
Causes of disease development
Arthrosis of the knee joint is considered a polyetiological disease.Often, the pathology is provoked by a combination of a number of factors that do not always have a clear etiology.
There are two types of gonarthrosis:
- primitive;
- Medium.
Classification is carried out according to the principle of reason.In some patients, the articular cartilage is affected by several 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 advise patients to prevent the disease and follow preventive measures.
The main causes of the disease:
- Basic form.Open dependence on risk factors.For most patients, knee problems arise from constant, high loads in this area.GonArthroz affects support workers, loaders and athletes;
- Medium.Damage to the articular cartilage occurs against the background of systemic pathologies.Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the knee develop against hemochromatosis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and congenital curvature of the lower extremities.Another reason is responsibility: the disease manifests itself in every 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 the disease:
- pain in the knee when moving;
- It is difficult to bend and straighten the knee joint in the morning;
- In a severe stage, deep deformations develop, joint jams, subluxations and dislocations occur;
- With some movements, a characteristic clicking sound is heard in the knee.
The pathological danger is the incompletely studied mechanism of the development of gonarthrosis.The last link affects the initial factors, degenerative changes are initiated by renewed vitality.At each turn, the condition of the cartilage deteriorates, tissue elasticity decreases, and the disease advances again.In the main form of pathology, it is difficult for the doctor to determine the moment that triggered the activation of negative changes.
Which doctor should I contact?
Joint deformation is a pathology that requires an integrated approach to treatment.Not all patients know which doctor treats arthrosis.
If symptoms appear, visit:
- therapist(Prescribe tests, determine the main diseases, refer to a specialist for endocrine disorders, congenital pathologies;
- Rheumatologist.He will determine the cause of the joint deformity and conduct additional studies of the affected area.The doctor will prescribe conservative treatment, prescribe physiotherapy and therapy therapy for arthrosis at home;
- arthrologistA very rare specialty.Highly qualified doctors are seen in large clinics;He thoroughly knows the problems of arthrosis and arthritis.The main specialty is surgical intervention for complex cases and severe pathologies.A good doctor is hard to come by: there are few specialists;
- Orthopedics.The doctor will help patients with advanced pathologies of the knee joint if conservative treatment is not enough.An orthopedic surgeon performs organ-sparing operations and endoprosthetics.
Home remedies
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint at home?It is difficult to fight against deformations of the articular cartilage in the knee area;The polyethiology of the pathology constantly leads to a new cycle of the disease.Regular use of drugs, massage, exercise therapy and folk remedies are required.The patient must follow a diet and be disciplined when prescribing procedures and special exercises.
Many patients ask: "Why is the treatment so expensive?"The reason is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, chondroprotectors, gels, ointments for inflammation in monthly (or more) courses.Good results are noticeable only with regular use of effective drugs.Later, the patient asks for help, especially if a complex operation is necessary, he wants a longer and more expensive therapy.
The main methods of treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- medicines;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- diet;
- Special exercises;
- massage;
- healthy lifestyle;
- Vitamin therapy;
- folk treatment.
The doctor always encourages patients to practice discipline and therapeutic activities at home.Many methods require almost no financial costs: all that matters is the desire to defeat arthrosis and the regularity of the procedures.
Drug therapy
Take medications prescribed by your rheumatologist:
- Chondroprotectors for arthroprotectors of drugs that restore flexibility and functionality 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;
- compressed with an active anti-inflammatory effect.They act faster than ointments;
- Vitamins, dietary supplements.Dietary supplements containing calcium and magnesium are recommended to strengthen muscles and bones.
Massage and self-massage
The doctor will conduct several sessions in the office and show the patient the basic techniques so that he can self-massage the problematic knee.Competent measures improve the condition of the damaged area.
Massage your palm, palm, fingertips, fingers or fist with yourself.Move gently on the knee, apply strong pressure to the affected area: strong patting, blows, active kneading of the tissues, often worsen the condition.
Main methods:
- The first stage illuminates counterclockwise, the second stage is circular movements;
- Press one palm on the bad knee, tap lightly with the fingers of the other;
- Maintain the original position of our palm, not with your fingers, but on the edge of your palm;
- Gently stroke the knee 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.
Need it!Before the procedure, apply ointment or gel with anti-inflammatory effect to the pain.Use pharmaceutical drugs or home mixtures: the effectiveness of the treatment will increase.
Therapeutic exercise
The doctor in the Exercise Therapy Department will show exercises and gymnastics for arthrosis of the knee joint that the patient should do at home.Regular exercise improves blood circulation in the painful joint, helps to heal arthrosis or reduce negative symptoms.
How to proceed:
- Warm up the courtier: self-massage for 5 minutes;
- Sit in a comfortable chair: you should feel comfortable;
- First exercise: Lightly swing the affected leg.Important: The legs do not touch the ground, the amplitude is small.Duration - 2 minutes;
- Second exercise.Put your feet on the floor.Raise the heel of the mouth foot, rest well on the toes, wait 6-7 seconds, slowly lower yourself to the full foot.Rest for 20-30 seconds and repeat the "Stomp" exercise.The optimal frequency depends on how you feel;It is recommended to load the leg and knee for up to three minutes;
- The third exercise.Doctors call it "softening".Starting position - sitting in a chair.Put the foot of pain on the heel, the other is firmly pressed to the ground, the toes are slightly bent with a short pause between movements.Do a few repetitions starting from the knee position.
Many orthopedists and rheumatologists believe that the treatment method for gonarthrosis with limited joint mobility is outdated.Most modern clinics offer rehabilitation using special gymnastics.Regular exercise maintains the comfort and mobility of cartilage tissue and joints.
Folk remedies and recipes
Proven home remedies:
- herbal infusions.Use nettle, chamomile, hortaetail, birch leaves and buds;
- Rub with sunflower oil, dandelion tincture (yellow flower heads);
- Compressed with a decoction of chamomile, celandine, fresh cabbage pulp (or whole leaves);
- Fresh celery juice for internal use.Drink 1 tbsp.l.Write 40 minutes before your appointment, three times a day;
- From steamed birch leaves, burdock;
- honey massage.After the procedure, apply burdock leaves to the injured knee.
Recommended diet
In order to effectively treat arthrosis at home, it is important to follow certain nutritional rules.A nutritionist will tell you which foods and products will keep your musculoskeletal system healthy.
Enter more often in the menu:
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- sprouted wheat (with sprouts up to 3 mm);
- fermented milk products;
- almonds;
- bone broth jelly meat;
- Fresh and boiled vegetables are the basis of the diet;
- shell containers with gelatin for cartilage elasticity;
- bran bread;
- Lean fish;
- durum wheat pasta.
The minimum amount allowed is:
- Muffins;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- Confectionery products.
Prohibited:
- any alcohol;
- fatty meat;
- citrus;
- ready semi-finished meat products, canned food.
Preventive measures
Since gonarthrosis does not bother you, take care of your joints when it is such an unpleasant disease.If you identify pathological signs, contact your doctor at an early stage, before joint tissue mobility and flexibility.In advanced cases, untimely treatment leads to disability.
Prevents joint diseases:
- dose the load on your legs during active sports;
- Create a diet that includes foods and meals that contain calcium, magnesium, and gelatin;
- If the work does not involve lifting or moving heavy objects, complying with safety rules and carrying loads exceeding a certain limit;
- Massage yourself regularly to prevent arthrosis, especially if you have constant stress on your feet;
- Eat right, limit "harmful" foods;
- Body weight control (excess weight means extra stress on the joints);
- Get regular exams and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
Attention to the health of the MusculoSkeletal system ensures its functioning at any age.If gonarthrosis is detected, consult a doctor.Treatment of arthrosis at home is an important element of successful therapy.