Arthrosis is a degenerative pathological process in joint-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Arthrosis is characterized by limited mobility and severe pain.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is multifaceted, as 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:
- Meniscus damage that can cause the knee to lock.Statistics show that patients with a removed meniscus develop knee arthrosis in 90% of cases;
- Other injuries such as sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.This factor is more common in young patients;
- Obesity puts increased stress on the joint structures, especially 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, characteristic of athletes, loaders, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis
Arthrosis has the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, which leads to the development of Baker's cyst;
- The pain in the beginning is weak and intermittent, but with the development of the pathological processes it becomes intense and constant.In addition, the process of such a transition can last several years until a factor provoking an exacerbation appears;
- Creaking in the knee causing pain.A similar symptom appears already at the 2nd or 3rd stage of gonarthrosis development;
- Impaired mobility of the joints is manifested by the inability to bend the limb and the patient experiences severe pain.In parallel, a joint deformity develops, which is visible without special devices.
Degree of development of the pathology
Gonarthrosis is characterized by three stages of development.The first degree is characterized by the presence of mild pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis may develop with further cyst formation.The damage to the articular cartilage is not noticeable from the outside, but it has already become active and is gradually gaining intensity.
With a bending movement, pain symptoms can be supplemented by a specific crunch.This sign is considered specific for knee arthrosis.
In gonarthrosis of the second degree, the joint narrows, which is clearly visible on the X-ray.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any, even slight movement of the knee causes sharp pain.Such symptoms quickly disappear after a short rest, but after the next activity they reappear.
A typical sign of gonarthrosis of the third degree is a noticeable deformity of the knee.In addition, it is no longer possible to get rid of the pain by stopping the movement, because the pain is present even in a relaxed state.
Approach to treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Complex therapeutic tactics can solve the following problems:
- They strengthen the muscles that support the joints, increase the elasticity and flexibility of the tissues of the tendons and ligaments;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Acceleration of recovery processes and improvement of nutrition in the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- normalization of blood flow in the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce compression in the affected area;
- Increase the distance between the bones.
Treatment processes are based on prescription of drugs, surgery, special diet, physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic gymnastics, etc.
Drugs used
The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic treatment and stop the 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 avoid the development of adverse side effects.Therefore, the duration of NSAID treatment should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal drugs that are often prescribed for gonarthrosis, the following deserve attention:
Hormonal drugs are prescribed in cases where NSAIDs do not cope with the pathological process.But hormone therapy is characterized by an abundance of side effects, so it does not last long.
Chondroprotective drugs quite effectively restore joint functions.These drugs have a complex effect - they reduce pain symptoms, stabilize pathological processes and provide increased nutrition of articular cartilage.There are the latest chondroprotectors, which, in addition to the effect of restoring joint tissue, are endowed with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
Sometimes surgical treatment is needed.Treatment of knee arthrosis is possible through several surgical methods:
- arthroscopy;
- Endoprosthetics;
- Osteotomy.
The easiest option for surgical intervention is arthroscopy, where the affected areas of the joint are removed through small incisions.
The main goal of the arthroscopic intervention is to prolong the functionality and working capacity of the knee affected by arthrosis.
But the most definitive surgical method is endoprosthetics, which involves replacing the knee-joint fraction with an artificial implant.The efficiency of this operation is about 90%.As for the osteotomy, this operation involves making an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in an anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures also have one of the leading places in complex anti-arthrosis therapy.They ease 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, then the patient's dose of this drug when taken orally is reduced.
The goals of physiotherapy procedures for gonarthrosis are to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptoms, accelerate joint regeneration and improve nutrition of the damaged joint.
To relieve pain, ultraviolet radiation and magnetotherapy are used.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF procedures are prescribed.In addition, ultrasound therapy, darsonvalization and healing baths are indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of therapeutic anti-arthrosis measures is largely determined by a properly composed diet.why Sometimes the cause of arthritic processes are metabolic disorders, in the development of which improper nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which puts additional stress on the knee joints.Therefore, it is recommended to follow a diet during treatment of gonarthrosis and after it, in order to prevent joint pathology.
Diet therapy for knee arthrosis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with enriched compounds and essential trace elements.At the same time, you should monitor the calorie content of the foods you eat to avoid extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended that you 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 leading 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.Lift the legs one at a time;
- From a position on your side, raise the limb with a delay of a few seconds;
- From a prone position, lift your legs and perform abduction and stretching movements.
attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensives and other heart patients, as 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 stroking the skin.
Methodology of a rheumatologist
The method of treatment of gonarthrosis according to the rheumatologist's program is based on the use of physiotherapy combined with drug therapy:
- Reception of NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Topical pain relievers such as ointments and creams;
- Injections into the joint;
- Manual therapeutic procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
As a result of the use of this technique, the previous mobility is restored, the blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, the pain is relieved and the joint cells receive increased nutrition.
Author's technique
This patented technique has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save the patient from arthrosis without the use of surgery or drugs.This technique is a combination of physiotherapeutic and kinesitherapeutic treatment methods.Each patient receives an individual treatment regimen and training schedule.
The use of pain relievers for the patient is not recommended, as this problem can be easily solved by applying ice to the knee and a contrast shower.As a result of regular training in the method:
- Pain is relieved by the patient;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive increased nutrition;
- The previous functionality of the knee is restored.
Such classes are held under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massage procedures, swimming and sauna are shown as additional therapy.