Arthrosis refers to degenerative pathological processes in articular-cartilage tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Arthrosis is characterized by limited motor skills and severe pain.The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, because there are many effective therapeutic methods against arthrosis: medications, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why the pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can lead to locking of the knee.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 often present in young patients;
- Obesity leads to 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, which is typical for athletes, loaders, etc.;
- Pathological joint processes such as arthritis, etc.;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee arthrosis
Arthrosis has the following symptomatic manifestations:
- Fluid accumulations 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.Moreover, the process of such a transition can develop over several years, until a factor appears that provokes a deterioration;
- Cracking in the knee, causing pain.A similar symptom appears already in the second or third stage of the development of gonarthrosis;
- Impaired joint mobility is manifested by the inability to bend the limb and the patient experiences severe pain.In parallel with this, articular deformation develops, which is visible without any special equipment.
The rate of development of the 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 further cyst formation.The damage to the articular cartilage is not visible from the outside, but it has already been activated and is gradually gaining intensity.
When moving with bending, pain symptoms can be supplemented by a specific crack.This sign is considered specific for knee arthrosis.
With gonarthrosis of the second degree, the joint space is narrowed, which is clearly visible on the X-ray.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any movement, even a slight one, of the knee causes acute pain.Such symptoms disappear quickly after a short rest, but after the next activity they appear again.
A typical sign of gonarthrosis of the third degree is a visible deformation of the knee.Moreover, it is no longer possible to get rid of the pain by stopping the movement, because the pain is present even in a quiet state.
Approach to the treatment of knee arthrosis
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 in the cartilage structures of the knee;
- Normalize blood flow in the affected area;
- Increased joint mobility;
- Reduction of compression in the affected area;
- Increase the distance between the bones.
Treatment processes are based on the prescription of 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 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 they are contraindicated for long-term use to avoid the development of unwanted side reactions.Therefore, the duration of NSAID therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal medications 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 hormonal therapy is characterized by an abundance of side effects, 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.There are the latest chondroprotectors, which, along with the effect of restoring joint tissue, are also equipped with 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 small holes.
The main goal of arthroscopic 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 a fraction of the knee joint with an artificial implant.The effectiveness of this operation is about 90%.As for osteotomy, this operation involves making an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the exact anatomical position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures also have one of the main roles in complex therapy against arthrosis.They facilitate 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 objectives of physiotherapeutic procedures for gonarthrosis are to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptomatic signs, accelerate joint regeneration and increase nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet radiation and magnetic therapy are used to relieve pain.To eliminate inflammatory processes, infrared laser therapy or UHF treatment procedures are prescribed.In addition, ultrasound therapy, darsonvalization and medicinal baths are indicated.
Diet therapy
The success of therapeutic measures against arthrosis is mainly 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 adds stress to the knee joints.This is why it is recommended to follow a diet during the treatment of gonarthrosis and after it to prevent joint pathology.
Diet therapy for knee arthrosis is based on the consumption of foods rich in fortified ingredients and essential microelements.At the same time, you should monitor the caloric content of the foods you eat in order to avoid extra pounds.If you are overweight, it is recommended to spend 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 strengthen and restore joint activity.The main thing is to perform the elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie on your stomach.Raise your 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 abducting and spreading movements.
Watch out!This exercise is contraindicated for patients with hypertension and other heart patients, because it causes an increase in blood pressure.
It is useful to perform a friction massage in the direction from the knee joint to the hip joint.The massage ends with stroking the skin.
The methodology of a rheumatologist
The method of treating gonarthrosis according to a rheumatologist's program is based on the use of physiotherapy together with drug therapy:
- Taking NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective medications;
- Topical pain-relieving medications such as ointments and creams;
- Injection infusions into the joint;
- Manual therapeutic procedures;
- Physiotherapy;
- Light physical activities.
As a result of using this technique, previous mobility is restored, blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is alleviated and joint cells receive increased nutrition.
The author's technique
This proprietary technique has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save a patient from arthrosis without the use of surgery or medications.This technique is a mixture of physiotherapeutic treatment methods and kinesitherapy.Each patient receives a private treatment regimen and training schedule.
The use of painkillers is not recommended for the patient, because this problem can be easily treated by applying ice to the knee and a contrast shower.As a result of regular training according to the method:
- The patient is freed from pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive increased nutrition;
- The previous functionality of the knee is restored.
Such classes take place under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massage procedures, swimming and sauna are indicated as additional therapy.