Osteoarthritis of the knee joint often occurs in patients suffering from pathological changes in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system.Gonarthrosis is based on deformation of the articular cartilage.Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the knee, which constantly experiences increased stress, is most often diagnosed in patients aged 40–50 years.Sometimes deforming arthrosis manifests itself in adolescence and young adulthood.
Limited mobility of the knee joint disrupts its functioning and causes serious discomfort to the patient.Therapy is lengthy, costly, and not always successful.It is important to know how to prevent gonarthrosis, how to treat it at home, and what methods will restore the joy of movement.
Reasons for the development of the disease
Arthrosis 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 carried out according to 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 impetus for the development of pathology.
Therapy for gonarthrosis of unknown etiology is more complex and lengthy; the problem with the knee joint causes a lot of trouble and worsens the quality of life.For this reason, doctors recommend that patients prevent the disease and follow preventive measures.
Main causes of the disease:
- primary form.Clear dependence on risk factors.For most patients, knee problems arise from constant, high loads on this area.Gonarthrosis affects auxiliary workers, 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.
Take note!In some cases, doctors cannot accurately determine the cause of the development of gonarthrosis; the form of pathology is called idiopathic.
Characteristic symptoms
Main signs of the disease:
- pain in the knee when moving;
- in the morning it is difficult to bend and straighten the knee joint;
- at a severe stage, deep deformations develop, the joint jams, subluxations and dislocations occur;
- With some movements, a characteristic clicking sound is heard in the knee.
The danger of pathology is the incompletely studied mechanism of the development of gonarthrosis.The final link affects the initial factors, degenerative changes are launched with renewed vigor.With each turn, the condition of the cartilage worsens, the elasticity of the tissue decreases, and the disease progresses again.In the primary form of pathology, it is difficult for a doctor to determine the moment that gives impetus to the activation of negative changes.
Which doctor should I contact?
Joint deformity is a pathology that requires an integrated approach to treatment.Not all patients know which doctor treats arthrosis.
If signs of illness appear, visit:
- therapist(prescribe tests, identify underlying 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 plus therapy for arthrosis at home;
- arthrologistQuite a rare specialty.Highly qualified doctors are seen in large clinics; they thoroughly know the problems of arthrosis and arthritis.The main specialization is complex cases, surgical intervention for severe pathologies.It is difficult to get to a good doctor: there are few specialists;
- orthopedist.The doctor will help patients with advanced pathologies of the knee joint, when conservative treatment is not enough.An orthopedic surgeon performs organ-saving surgeries and endoprosthetics.
Treatment methods at home
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint at home?It is difficult to combat deformities of the articular cartilage in the knee area; the polyetiology of the pathology constantly leads to a new round of the disease.Treatment with regular use of medications, massage, exercise therapy, and folk remedies is required.The patient must follow a diet and be disciplined when 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, ointments for inflammation in monthly (or more) courses.Only with regular use of effective drugs are good results noticeable.The later the patient seeks help, the longer and more expensive the therapy, especially if a complex operation is necessary.
The main methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint:
- medicines;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- diet;
- special exercises;
- massage;
- healthy lifestyle;
- vitamin therapy;
- folk remedies.
The doctor always encourages patients to be disciplined and carry out some therapeutic activities at home.Many methods require virtually no material costs: all that is important is the desire to defeat arthrosis and the regularity of procedures.
Drug therapy
Take medications prescribed by your rheumatologist:
- chondroprotectors for arthrosis of the knee joint - medications that restore the elasticity 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;
- compresses with an active anti-inflammatory effect.They act faster than ointments;
- vitamins, dietary supplements.Dietary supplements with 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 basic techniques so that the patient can massage the problematic knee on his own.Competent actions improve the condition of the damaged area.
Perform self-massage with your palm, the edge of your palm, your fingertips, or your fist.Gently act on the sore knee, maintain forceful pressure on the affected area: strong patting, blows, active kneading of tissues often worsen the condition.
Basic techniques:
- the first stage is light stroking clockwise, the second stage is circular movements counterclockwise;
- Press one palm to the sore knee, lightly tap it with the fingertips of the other hand;
- maintain the initial position of the palm, tapping not with your fingers, but with the edge of your palm;
- gently stroke the knee in a circle, gradually increase the pressure (but in moderation);
- 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.
Advice!Before the procedure, apply an ointment or gel with an anti-inflammatory effect to the sore knee.Use pharmaceutical drugs or homemade mixtures: the effectiveness of treatment will increase.
Therapeutic exercise
The doctor at the exercise therapy office will show you exercises and gymnastics for arthrosis of the knee joint, which the patient should do at home.Regular exercise improves blood circulation in a sore joint, helps heal arthrosis or reduce negative symptoms.
How to proceed:
- warm up the sore spot: perform self-massage for 5 minutes;
- sit on a comfortable chair: you should feel comfortable;
- first exercise: light rocking of 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, slowly lower yourself to your full foot.Rest for 20–30 seconds and repeat the “stomp” exercise.The optimal frequency depends on how you feel; it is advisable to load the foot and knee 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 one is pressed firmly to the floor, lightly spank the toe with a short break between movements.Do several repetitions, starting from the condition of the sore knee.
Many orthopedists and rheumatologists believe that the treatment method with limited joint mobility for gonarthrosis is outdated.Most modern clinics offer rehabilitation using special gymnastics.With regular exercise, flexibility and mobility of cartilage tissue and joints are maintained.
Folk remedies and recipes
Proven Home Remedies:
- herbal infusions.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.40 minutes before your appointment, write three times a day;
- compress from steamed birch leaves, burdock;
- honey massage.After the procedure, apply burdock leaves to the sore knee.
Recommended Diet
To effectively treat arthrosis at home, it is important to adhere to certain nutritional rules.A nutritionist will tell you which dishes and products will keep your musculoskeletal system healthy.
Include in your menu more often:
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- sprouted wheat (with sprouts up to 3 mm);
- fermented milk products;
- almond;
- bone broth jellied meat;
- fresh and boiled vegetables are the basis of the diet;
- jellied dishes with gelatin for the elasticity of cartilage;
- bran bread;
- lean fish;
- durum wheat pasta.
Minimum quantity allowed:
- muffins;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- confectionery products.
Banned:
- any alcohol;
- fatty meat;
- citrus;
- ready-made semi-finished meat products, canned food.
Prevention measures
Take care of your joints while such an unpleasant disease as gonarthrosis does not bother you.If you identify symptoms of pathology, contact your doctor at an early stage, before the mobility and elasticity of the joint tissue is completely lost.Untimely treatment in advanced cases leads to disability.
Prevent joint diseases:
- dose the load on your legs during active sports;
- create a diet that includes foods and dishes containing calcium, magnesium, gelatin;
- if the work involves lifting or moving heavy objects, follow safety rules and do not carry loads exceeding a certain limit;
- Do self-massage regularly to prevent arthrosis, especially with constant stress on your legs;
- eat right, limit “harmful” foods;
- body weight control (excess weight means additional stress on the joints);
- Get regular examinations and treat acute and chronic diseases.
Attention to the health of the musculoskeletal system ensures activity at any age.If gonarthrosis is detected, consult a doctor.Treatment of arthrosis at home is an essential element of successful therapy.