Osteoarthritis of the knee joint often occurs in patients suffering from pathological changes in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system.Gonarthrosis is due to deformation of the articular cartilage.Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the knee, subject to constant increased load, is most often diagnosed in patients aged 40-50 years.Sometimes deforming osteoarthritis manifests itself in adolescence and young adulthood.
Restricted mobility of the knee joint disrupts its function and causes severe discomfort to the patient.Therapy is lengthy, expensive and not always successful.It is important to know how to prevent gonarthrosis, how to treat it at home and what methods can be used to restore the joy of movement.
Reasons for the development of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is considered a polyetiological disease.Often the pathology is provoked by a combination of several factors that do not always have a clear etiology.
There are two types of gonarthrosis:
- primary;
- secondary.
The classification is based on the causal principle.In some patients, the articular cartilage is affected by several negative factors;It is not always possible to determine what was the trigger for the development of the pathology.
The treatment of gonarthrosis of unknown etiology is more complex and lengthy;The problem with the knee joint causes great discomfort and worsens the quality of life.For this reason, doctors recommend patients to prevent the disease and take preventive measures.
Main causes of the disease:
- Primary form.Clear dependence on risk factors.For most patients, knee problems arise from constant, high stress in this area.Gonarthrosis affects assistants, loaders and athletes;
- secondary.Damage to articular cartilage occurs against the background of systemic pathologies.Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the knee develop against the background of hemochromatosis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and congenital curvature of the lower extremities.Another reason is heredity: the disease manifests itself in every generation.
Danger!In some cases, doctors cannot determine exactly the cause of the development of gonarthrosis;The form of pathology is called idiopathic.
Characteristic symptoms
Main symptoms of the disease:
- pain in the knee when moving;
- in the morning it is difficult to bend and straighten the knee joint;
- in a severe stage, deep deformities develop, joint congestion, subluxations and dislocations occur;
- During some movements, a characteristic clicking noise can be heard in the knee.
The danger of pathology is the incompletely studied mechanism of development of gonarthrosis.The last link influences the initial factors, degenerative changes are initiated with renewed vigor.With each turn, the condition of the cartilage deteriorates, the elasticity of the tissue decreases, and the disease progresses again.With the primary form of pathology, it is difficult for a doctor to determine the moment that gives the impetus to the activation of negative changes.
Which doctor should I contact?
Joint deformities are a pathology that requires an integrated treatment approach.Not all patients know which doctor treats osteoarthritis.
If signs of illness occur, visit:
- therapist(prescribe tests, identify underlying diseases, refer to a specialist in endocrine disorders and congenital pathologies);
- Rheumatologist.He will determine the cause of the joint deformity and conduct additional examinations of the affected area.The doctor prescribes conservative treatment, prescribes physiotherapy and arthrosis therapy at home;
- arthrologistA fairly rare specialty.Highly qualified doctors can be found in large clinics;You know exactly the problems of osteoarthritis and arthritis.The main specialization is in complex cases and surgical interventions for serious pathologies.It is difficult to find a good doctor: there are few specialists;
- Orthopedist.The doctor helps patients with advanced diseases of the knee joint when conservative treatment is not enough.An orthopedic surgeon performs organ-preserving operations and endoprosthetics.
Home treatment methods
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint at home?Deformations of the articular cartilage in the knee area are difficult to combat;The polyetiology of pathology constantly leads to a new round of the disease.Treatment with regular medication, massage, exercise therapy and folk remedies is required.The patient must follow a diet and be disciplined in prescribing procedures and special exercises.
Many patients ask: “Why is treatment so expensive?”The reason is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, chondroprotectors, gels and ointments against inflammation in monthly (or more) courses.Good results can only be seen with regular use of effective medication.The later the patient seeks help, the longer and more expensive the therapy becomes, especially if a complex operation is necessary.
The main methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint:
- medication;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- Diet;
- special exercises;
- Massage;
- healthy lifestyle;
- vitamin therapy;
- Folk remedies
The doctor always encourages patients to be disciplined and do some therapeutic activities at home.Many methods practically do not require material costs: the only important thing is the desire to defeat arthrosis and the regularity of the procedures.
Drug therapy
Take the medications prescribed by your rheumatologist:
- Chondroprotectors for arthrosis of the knee joint - drugs that restore the elasticity and functionality of cartilage tissue;
- nonsteroidal compounds to relieve inflammation in the affected area;
- Creams, gels, ointments for arthrosis of the knee joint to improve blood circulation and relieve pain;
- Compresses with active anti-inflammatory effects.They work faster than ointments;
- Vitamins, nutritional supplements.Calcium and magnesium supplements are recommended to strengthen muscles and bones.
Massage and self-massage
The doctor conducts several sessions in the office and shows basic techniques so that the patient can massage the problematic knee independently.Competent measures will improve the condition of the damaged area.
Perform self-massage with your palm, palm edge, fingertips, or fist.Gently approach the painful knee and apply strong pressure to the affected area: strong tapping, blows and active kneading of the tissue often worsen the condition.
Basic techniques:
- The first stage consists of light stroking movements in a clockwise direction, the second stage consists of circular movements counterclockwise.
- Press one palm onto the sore knee and tap it lightly with the fingertips of the other hand.
- Maintain the starting position of the palm and tap not with your fingers, but with the edge of your palm.
- Gently stroke the knee in circles, gradually increasing the pressure (but moderately);
- During therapy, massage the affected area twice a day for 10-15 minutes.For prevention, it is enough to carry out a light massage every 7 days.
Advice!Before the procedure, apply an ointment or gel with an anti-inflammatory effect to the painful knee.Use medicines or homemade mixtures: the effectiveness of the treatment is increased.
Therapeutic exercise
The doctor in the exercise therapy practice will show you exercises and gymnastics for arthrosis of the knee joint, which the patient should do at home.Regular exercise improves blood flow to a painful joint, helps heal osteoarthritis or reduces negative symptoms.
How to proceed:
- Warm the sore spot: perform self-massage for 5 minutes;
- Sit in a comfortable chair: you should feel comfortable;
- First exercise: gently rocking the affected leg.Important: The legs do not touch the floor, the amplitude is small.Duration – 2 minutes;
- second exercise.Place your feet on the floor.Raise the heel of the sore leg higher, rest well on your toes, wait 6-7 seconds and slowly lower yourself to your full foot.Take a 20-30 second break and repeat the “stamping” exercise.The optimal frequency depends on how you feel;It is recommended to put weight on your feet and knees for up to three minutes;
- third exercise.Doctors call it “slapper.”Starting position – sitting on a chair.Place the sore leg on the heel, the other is pressed firmly to the floor, lightly tap the toe and take a short break between movements.Do several repetitions, starting with the sore knee condition.
Many orthopedists and rheumatologists consider the treatment method with limited joint mobility for gonarthrosis to be outdated.Most modern clinics offer rehabilitation with special gymnastics.Regular exercise maintains flexibility and mobility of cartilage tissue and joints.
Folk remedies and recipes
Proven home remedies:
- herbal teas.Use nettle, chamomile, horsetail, birch leaves and buds;
- Rubbing with sunflower oil, dandelion tincture (yellow flower heads);
- Compresses 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;
- Compress from steamed birch leaves, burdock;
- Honey massage.After the procedure, apply burdock leaves to the sore knee.
Recommended diet
In order to effectively treat osteoarthritis at home, it is important to adhere to certain dietary rules.A nutritionist will tell you which dishes and products keep your musculoskeletal system healthy.
Include the following in your diet more often:
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- germinated wheat (with sprouts up to 3 mm);
- fermented milk products;
- Almond;
- jellied meat with bone broth;
- fresh and cooked vegetables are the basis of the diet;
- jellied foods with gelatin for the elasticity of the cartilage;
- bran bread;
- lean fish;
- Durum wheat pasta.
Minimum permitted quantity:
- muffins;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- Confectionery.
Forbidden:
- any alcohol;
- fatty meat;
- citrus fruits;
- finished semi-finished products from meat, canned food.
Prevention measures
Take care of your joints while such an unpleasant disease as gonarthrosis does not bother you.If you notice any pathological symptoms, consult your doctor early, before the mobility and elasticity of the joint tissue is completely lost.In advanced cases, premature treatment leads to disability.
Prevent joint diseases:
- dose the load on your legs during active sports;
- Create a diet that includes foods and dishes that contain calcium, magnesium and gelatin.
- If the work involves lifting or moving heavy objects, follow safety regulations and do not carry loads that exceed a certain limit.
- Regularly perform self-massage to prevent arthrosis, especially with constant stress on your legs;
- eat right, limit “harmful” foods;
- Control of body weight (excess weight means additional stress on the joints);
- Get regular checkups and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
Attention to musculoskeletal health ensures activity at all ages.If gonarthrosis is detected, consult a doctor.Treating osteoarthritis at home is an essential part of successful therapy.