How often do we see that older people, who get up after a long session, limp and say they have sat? In fact, stiffness in the joints that disappears after active movements is the first sign of osteoarthritis. The treatment of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint depends completely on the symptoms and negligence of the pathological process. With this disease, as with many others, the effectiveness of treatment depends completely on early diagnosis and proper therapy.
Gonarrosis (knee osteoarthritis) is a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which the cartilage tissue suffers the most. This disease is characterized by a chronic course in which the referral periods are replaced by exacerbations. It is worth noting that pathogenetic changes in the joints can gradually develop, for years destroying cartilage fibers, which guarantees the normal functioning of the joint.
The treatment of knee osteoarthritis is a long and laborious process that has many key factors. To the question of whether it is possible to cure the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, doctors always respond that 90% of success depends on the patient himself and his desire to recover. The osteoarthritis of the knee joint is equally subject to 40 -year -old women and men. As statistics show, every fifth resident of the planet is familiar worldwide with this ailment. In order not to resort to radical treatment methods, it is necessary to contact a specialist for a thorough examination and treatment.
The causes of knee osteoarthritis
What is the osteoarthritis of the knee joint and why does it arise? Questions that primary to the patients of the metrics who hurt their diagnosis. Before talking about the causes that cause the development of the disease, it is worth noting that in its origin, the osteoarthritis of the knee can be of two types:
- primary or idiopathic, which occurs as a result of a congenital articular pathology;
- Secondary, which arises as a complication of another disease.
Every day, a person's knee joints experience a great load while walking, susceptible to injury and excessive physical effort. But knee joints suffer more if the patient suffers from obesity for a long time. Each kilogram of excess weight has an additional load throughout the musculoskeletal system. People have a greater risk of developing knee osteoarthritis:
- with excess body weight;
- have an anamnesis of osteoporosis;
- with a genetic predisposition;
- Minor beneficial vitamins and trace elements;
- suffering metabolic disorders;
- committed in traumatic sports.
All the above factors contribute to the slow destruction of the cartilage, which provides not only the movement, but also prevents joint injuries. In the initial stage of the disease, cartilage fibers only crack and dilute, but with the advanced stage of gonarrosis, its complete destruction occurs.
Obviously, on knowledge, how to properly treat knee osteoarthritis, it depends not only on the patient's good, but also the preservation of life and its quality. Medicine is known for many cases when the negligence of the patients themselves became the cause of their disability.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint
To timely identify the disease and prevent its progression, it is necessary to know the symptoms of the disease, which is the basis of the diagnosis. Before the disease is felt, patients a few years earlier, notice an unpleasant crunch in the joints that occurs when performing physical exercises. Already at this stage it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or traumatologist to assign a condoprotective course and select the necessary year complex.
Such simple events can stop the destruction of cartilage fibers and maintain health and activity for the patient. But, as the daily medical practice shows, unfortunately, such conscious patients can only be found in isolated cases. Often, the patient seeks medical help only when there are irreversible degenerative articulation changes.
Initially, the disturbing symptoms are felt alone after making a significant physical effort, the subsequent pain and discomfort in the area of the affected joints constantly bother, regardless of the load or other external factors.
Then, the symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint are:
- Discomfort in the joints that occurs after the dream of the night (morning rigidity);
- Pain syndrome, which occurs at the bottom of prolonged physical stress;
- a feeling of an unpleasant burning sensation when climbing the stairs;
- Night pain that occurs in the joints and muscles of the lower extremities;
- The weakness of the lower extremities.
With the advanced stage of the disease, patients indicate the swelling of the affected joint, which can occur in the same limbs or both. With an exacerbation of the disease, patients indicate a local increase in temperature and hyperemia. The objective symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be seen in the photo. The treatment of the disease depends mainly on the negligence of the pathological process, as well as the severity of the symptoms of the disease.
Doctors distinguish three severity from this disease:
I Distribute: Patients point to pain and light swelling after prolonged loads. After the dream of the night, the fatigue in the legs disappears, but there may be a slight stiffness in the knees, which passes in itself after 5-10 minutes of active movements.
II Grade: It occurs in the absence of proper treatment when the first signs appear. At this stage, the disease acquires a chronic character and is complicated by the rapid destruction of cartilage tissue. Patients complain of pain of constant pain in the joints, as well as a frequent crunch when the movement of the body. At this stage, the treatment must be medications, and popular methods and lines for external use only complement basic therapy.
III Grade: It is the most neglected and severe form of gonarrosis. Patients are exhausted by continuous pain in knee joints, practically stop moving completely. Constant stiffness and pain can lead to partial or complete disability, that is, disability.
How to treat the osteoarthritis of the knee joint
If it is the question of what is the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, integral information is given, then the answer to the question: how to cure osteoarthritis is interested in each patient. It is worth noting that gonarrosis is difficult to treat, but with a complex approach and a sufficient effort of the patient, it can achieve persistent remission or even a complete recovery.
The treatment of this disease in large medical centers is dedicated to an orthopedist. Naturally, there are no such specialists in the small district or in rural hospitals. In this situation, a traumatologist, surgeon or therapist can be treated with arthrosis of the joints.
Based on an objective inspection and collection of an anamnesis, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis, which is only possible after a laboratory and instrumental exam.
After receiving and evaluating the results of the investigation, the doctor will confirm the diagnosis, will prescribe an intensive treatment course, after which a long period of rehabilitation will follow. A positive result will come, but not immediately, it is necessary, first of all, to arm yourself with patience and perseverance. The best therapeutic effect can be achieved only with an integrated approach to the treatment of the disease.
What medications are used to treat knee osteoarthritis?
So, for some reason, it happens that most patients are afraid to go to the doctor and resort to treatment with popular remedies. Do not abandon the many years of experience of our ancestors and popular recipes for them, but it is necessary to understand and accept the fact that it must influence the same cause of the disease. Pharmaceutical treatment is better faced with this task.
Do not be afraid of expensive treatment, side effects and prolonged themselves of the disease. The modern pharmacological industry offers a wide range of identical means in action and composition, but of different prices categories. In addition, an experienced doctor who knows how to cure the osteoarthritis of the knee joint will select the safer medicine for patient's health, which will maximize the risk of lateral or allergic reactions.
From medications for the treatment of coxarcher, medications of such groups are used:
- non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs;
- condoprotectors;
- Anesthetic drugs for drug lock.
These three groups of medications are mandatory in the complex therapy of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Due to the negligence and severity of the pathological process, the doctor can prescribe a hormonal injections course that is used if the conservative treatment of previous medications.
It is worth remembering that steroid medications (hormonal) are prescribed only in emergency cases, since they affect the functioning of all endocrine glands, causing malfunction in the work of the entire organism during prolonged use.
Preparations for the treatment of gonarrosis are divided into drugs:
- for internal reception;
- for parenteral administration (injection);
- For external use.
Recently, hyaluronic acid injections within the joint have been very popular among doctors. Due to its composition and consistency, this substance is very similar to a synovial (intra -articular) liquid that provides the articulation with mobility, depreciation and nutrition.
Drug injections based on hyaluronic acid are performed only after eliminating the acute inflammatory process. This manipulation is performed by a doctor in a hospital. After the introduction of the drug, a thin protective film is formed, which avoids the friction of the cartilage surfaces of the joint.
It is better to combine the same medication in different forms of release, for systemic and local exposure. With the ineffectiveness of pharmacological therapy, they resort to radical surgical treatment.
Endoprotetics
The surgical intervention belongs to the radical treatment methods of osteoarthritis, which are aimed at the partial or complete restoration of the structure and function of the affected joint. Depending on the seriousness of the pathological process, surgery can be of different volumes:
- Arthroscopy is the most common and soft intervention method, which can be used even at an early stage of disease development; It is characterized by minor tissue trauma, eliminates the affected areas of the joint that cause painful sensations;
- Osteotomy: Surgery, which is shown in patients with significant deformation of the affected joint; By its nature, it resembles an artificially fracture, as a result of which all parts of the deformed joint are compared in the correct position;
- Endoprostthetics is the deepest surgical intervention, but also more effective, as a result of which a partial or completely joint implant is replaced; As statistics show, this method of intervention in almost all cases greatly facilitates the patient's condition and improves the quality of his life.
After surgical treatment, a rehabilitation procedures course is prescribed, whose action is aimed at:
- Return of the motor capacity of the joint;
- increasing the muscle force of the limb;
- Maximum established prosthesis protection.
In most cases, for the recovery period it takes 3 to 6 months. The recovery of the first 2 months is carried out under the close control of doctors. It is later recommended to participate in soft sports: swimming, yoga, walking.
Treatment of osteoarthritis at home
In addition to the traditional impact on the home, you can also treat the osteoarthritis of the knee joint with the help of popular remedies. Many patients use the leaves for the entire family plant: Burdock for this purpose. To carry out the procedure, it is better to take the freshly cut leaves of the plant, rinse them under running water, fold them with a battery and put a pan or a bowl of hot water on them.
In order for the effect of the procedure to be maximum, it is necessary to apply the leaves in the joint, greased with vegetable oil with a spongy side to the body. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use natural honey. The blade is left on the knee throughout the night, wrapping with a movie and a wool scarf at the top. It is recommended to perform 20-30 procedures for the course.
It is no less effective for the treatment of the osteoarthritis of the house to use blue clay, from which a suede-shaped mass is prepared, then the mixture is applied to a fabric napkin and applies to the affected joint for 45-60 minutes.
Good reviews in the treatment of osteoarthritis have ordinary beets. To eliminate joint pain, it is necessary to cover it with fresh beet at night, wrap it with plastic and warm scarf at the top. To obtain the first results, it is enough to do 5-10 regular procedures.
As mentioned above, the osteoarthritis of the knee joints often occurs in overweight patients. Naturally, in the context of pharmacological treatment, it is necessary to take care of weight reduction and facilitate joint work. For this purpose, it is recommended to eat at the beginning of a correct balanced diet, where the bet is made in fresh vegetables, fruits, protein products.
You must reject products such as chocolate, butter, smoked meats and salts, carbonated drinks and fast meals. For a comfortable weight loss, it is recommended to use dairy products, boiled meat and fish dishes, vegetable stews and drinks and fruit compotes. It is recommended to consume carbohydrate cereals, which will provide useful substances and energy to the body.