Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: symptoms and treatment, exercises, medications

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also called gonarthrosis) is an injury to the knee joint leading to the destruction of articular cartilage, deformity of the knee, and limitation of knee movement.The article will help you know the symptoms and start the necessary treatment in a timely manner.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Experts divide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

1. The cause of the primary form is a congenital abnormality of the joint, and the period of development of the disease occurs during childhood and adolescence.
2. The secondary form can develop at any age.

Experts call the main causes of the disease:

• poor posture;
• be overweight;
• various types of knee joint injuries;
• disorders of mineral metabolism and metabolism;
• the presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased load on the knee joints;
• impaired calcium metabolism due to taking hormone-containing drugs;
• operations to remove the meniscus;
• presence of arthritis;
• weak ligamentous apparatus;
• menopause and menopause in women.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joints can be bilateral or unilateral.

Osteoarthritis stages and their symptoms

Depending on the symptoms and approach of the disease, experts divide the disease into 3 stages.

Initial or 1st stage of osteoarthritis

At this stage, slight pain appears with increased loads on the knee.The initial phase can last from 1 year to several years.To prevent the stage from developing into a more serious form, a number of measures must be taken to restore deformed cartilage, strengthen ligaments and restore movement of the knee.

At this stage, timely treatment will allow you to completely get rid of the pathology.But most patients ignore the symptom in the form of mild pain and therefore do not consult a doctor.Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist or surgeon.

Medium or 2nd stage osteoarthritis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease appear more clearly and therefore cannot be ignored.Doctors note that it is at stage 2 that most patients seek medical attention.At this stage, a precise diagnosis can be made.Prompt treatment can stop the progression of the disease to stage 3.

Serious symptoms include:

• painful knees from hypothermia;
• presence of a slight crackling sound;
• swelling or swelling of the knee joints;
• severe knee pain when climbing stairs or other forms of increased stress;
• pain and tingling in the calves;
• stiffness when bending and straightening the knee.

The last or 3rd stage of osteoarthritis

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible and it is impossible to stop the development of the pathology.But the treatment will temporarily alleviate the patient's condition.You should never ignore symptoms or self-medicate, as this can lead to a change in gait, walking with a stick, or disability.

In addition to the above, doctors include the main symptoms of stage 3:

• pathologies of the endocrine system (thyroid problems, diabetes);
• hereditary and age-related factors.

Diagnostic methods

The specialist makes a diagnosis based on the patient's medical history and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies.

Laboratory tests include:

• general blood test.Thanks to the study, you can identify the causative agent of the disease and assess the degree of inflammation.
• general urine testallows you to identify or exclude the autoimmune origin of the disease and assess whether the source of the pathology is the kidneys and urinary tract.
• biochemical blood test, which is divided into many others, the indicators in almost all studies lie outside the normal range.

Laboratory tests are carried out during the period of exacerbation of the disease, since during remission all indicators are within normal limits.

Instrumental studies include:

• x-ray.It is performed in two projections - postero-anterior and lateral.Usually, to compare diseased and healthy knees, the doctor takes an x-ray of both knees.
• arthroscopy.This procedure should be understood not only as a study, but also as a mini-operation.The fact is that through a small hole in the knee, the doctor inserts a small LED driver inside and the computer screen displays a complete picture of the internal state of the knee;the tissue fragments obtained are sent to the laboratory in case of suspicion of a cartilaginous or malignant tumor.As for operations, the shape of the menisci can be corrected by endoscopy, polyps and chondrophytes can be removed.In addition to the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, other diseases can be carried out and examined, since the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to have a complete picture of the state of the body.
• Ultrasound (ultrasound examination).This research method has two important advantages over X-rays: it is harmless and allows you to see the soft tissues of the joint thanks to its broad visualization capabilities.
• CT (computed tomography).The examination is an improved form of x-ray, because in this procedure the doctor takes several photos and thanks to them a three-dimensional image of the affected organ is created on a computer.This form is used less frequently than others due to the time required and the large amount of radiation.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless.MRI also provides a better image of soft tissues compared to CT.But MRI is as rarely used as CT, because its use requires high material costs and cannot be used on patients whose body contains metal objects (knitting needles, crowns).CT and MRI are contraindicated in people whose weight exceeds 120 kg.
• scintigraphy.Expensive and radiation-intensive method.Therefore, it is used in cases where less expensive methods are ineffective.In this study, a substance is introduced into the patient's body that reacts to the diseased organ and localizes around it.
• tomographyThe study is based on thermal radiation from the body surface.Usually the affected organ manifests itself in the form of high temperature lesions.A tomograph is a bulky instrument and the procedure is expensive, so this study is carried out only in large clinics.

Medicines to treat and relieve symptoms

Experts note that treatment cannot begin without relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.Therefore, doctors prescribe various non-steroidal (i.e. non-hormonal) medications.But you cannot take them longer than planned, because this group of drugs does not treat the disease, but alleviates the symptoms as the disease progresses.

Ointments for osteoarthritis

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in the presence of symptoms such as swelling and pain is rarely possible without ointment.

Unlike other forms of drug release, this group has obvious advantages:

• quickly reduces pain and inflammation;
• ease of use facilitates combination with other treatment methods, such as physiotherapy;
• there are no negative effects on the liver.

Many years of experience in the treatment of osteoarthritis and studies of positive patient reviews have made it possible to identify a number of effective ointments with a warming vasodilator effect.They contain red pepper extract, bee and snake venoms.

Gymnastics for osteoarthritis

Gymnastics is one of the important methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which should be used during the remission period after the elimination of painful symptoms.

It promotes:

• improve the nutrition of articular cartilage and general health:
• pain reduction;
• strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
• increased joint mobility.

To see the positive effect,you need to exercise daily or every other day, increasing the load to 30 minutes per workout.

1. Warm.You should walk on your tiptoes or heels for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Pedal an imaginary bicycle 20 to 30 times (10 to 15 times with each leg).
3. Lying on your stomach, bend and straighten your knees 10 to 15 times.At each turn, hold the leg in this position for 5 seconds.
4. Stretch your legs while lying on your back.Raise your leg and bend your knee.The heel should be parallel to the ground.
5. Lying on your right side, lift your left leg, pull it toward your stomach, then stretch it as far as possible.Return to the other side and repeat the exercise.Repeat 5 to 6 times for each leg.

Exercise should be avoided if:

• hernia of the abdomen or thighs;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• infectious diseases;
• blood diseases;
• rehabilitation period after operations.

Rub and compress

Various frictions and compresses are widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Their significant advantages include the availability of ingredients and the absence of side effects.

• Garlic.Pour 1 head of vegetable with any vegetable oil (200 ml), cover with a lid and leave in a dark, cool place for 7 days.Then rinse the product overnight.To eliminate a specific odor, cover the knee with a thick gauze bandage and rinse with plenty of water in the morning.
• Egg.Mix vinegar with 1 yolk 1:1 and immediately rub a little product onto the knee.Apply 3 per week.After rubbing, wrap your knee with something warm.
• Dear.Mix 100 grams of honey and 3 grams of mumiyo and immediately rub the knee.Wrap your knee.
• Cabbage.Soak a piece of wool with the vegetable juice and apply it to the knee.
• Oatmeal.Cook regular porridge from 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water.You cannot boil the flakes for more than 7 minutes!Place the viscous product on a clean cloth and apply to the knee.

Wraps

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and drug treatment are listed above) can, according to experts, be cured with different types of wraps.The most effective are honey and herbs.

According to research, honey wraps help:

• restore tissues and intra-articular cartilage destroyed by the disease;
• eliminate pain and inflammation;
• burn excess cholesterol.

It should be noted that honey is most effective when combined with cinnamon.

As for herbal wraps, the above properties have:

• bark of willow, oak, birch, aspen;
• roots of valerian, comfrey, burdock;
• leaves of hops, birch, nettle;
• herbs wild rosemary and St. John's wort;
• chamomile flowers, calendula.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with hirudotherapy

Hirudotherapy, that is, treatment with leeches, is considered one of the most effective methods for treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint.It can be used at the first symptoms and must be directed by the attending physician and under the supervision of specialists.Before the first procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

You should not deal with leeches:

• children and the elderly;
• patients who suffer from decreased blood clotting, hypotension, severe exhaustion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, stomach ulcers, digestive system problems, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia and hemophilia;
• women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

For the treatment to be effective, 1-2 procedures should be performed every 5-6 months.Treatment can be carried out more or less often - it all depends on the stage of the disease.If after 1-3 sessions the patient feels improvements and does not have allergic reactions, treatment with leeches can be continued.

Otherwise, the patient benefits from a 9-month break and, if the allergy reappears or if there is no improvement, the hirudotherapy sessions are stopped.During the treatment, the specialist treats the knee with an odorless product and then checks the suitability of the leeches that will be used.

To do this, the leeches are placed in a container with water.If the leeches stick to the walls, they can be used.The specialist places 2 to 6 leeches on the kneecap.

When sucked, leeches release a number of useful enzymes into the human body that will help:

• restore and strengthen immunity;
• restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• eliminate swelling and adhesions.

Hirudotherapy cannot be used as a separate treatment method.For greater effectiveness, experts recommend combining it with physiotherapy, physiotherapy and medication.

Take turpentine and pine baths

Not the least important in eliminating the symptoms of osteoarthritis is balneotherapy, that is, taking various baths with a therapeutic effect.Experts note that there are many types of medicinal baths, but turpentine and pine baths have proven to be particularly effective.They can be taken not only in health resorts, but also at home.

But despite their benefits, they should be abandoned:

• patients with heart disease;
• in the presence of cancer, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure,
• whether the patient has suffered a heart attack or stroke;
• in the presence of skin diseases;
• pregnant women.

For a turpentine bath, you will need to mix 10 grams of baby soap, 0.75 ml of salicylic acid and pour the mixture with 500 ml of boiling water.While the mixture cools, you need to fill the tub with hot water.When the mixture has cooled to 45 degrees, add turpentine and pour 15-20 ml of the mixture into the bath.

The presence of turpentine can make the temperature in the bathroom seem high.Therefore, you cannot increase the dose once more than 20 ml.Baths should be taken daily for 10-14 days, gradually increasing the dose of the turpentine mixture up to 80 ml per procedure.After taking a bath, you need to rinse off the mixture with warm water and put on warm clothes or lie down under a blanket.

For pine baths, you will need pine needles or branches.About 25 to 30 branches should be broken into small pieces so that they fit in the pan.Before preparing the decoction, rinse the branches and remove any dirt, add water and cook for 5-10 minutes.Filter the finished broth and pour it into a hot water bath.

You need to take a bath for 10 to 15 minutes.Then you need to dry off and put on warm clothes.It is not recommended to engage in physical work and put pressure on your knees.Treatment with pine baths can consist of 7-12 procedures, which can be taken every other day or daily.After six months, the course can be repeated.This procedure will prolong the remission period and stop the progression of the disease.

Use of chondroprotectors

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (symptoms and treatment with folk remedies are listed below) cannot be cured without chondroprotectors - a group of drugs aimed at restoring cartilage tissue and its nutrition.All drugs in this group are divided into 5 groups.Medicines intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis belong to group 4.

They are carried out on the basis of:

• glucosamine;
• chondroitin sulfate;
• avocado and soy extracts;
• hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid;
• synthesis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Chondroprotectors are prescribed by specialists in combination with painkillers.But unlike the latter, the former must be taken throughout life, because only in this case can the development of osteoarthritis be slowed down and the disability stopped.The effect of taking chondroprotectors is visible only after 2-8 days.

Medicines are available in the form of gels, ointments, tablets and injections.An injection of a solution is given into the knee.

Diet: what foods are allowed, nutritional rules and approximate diet

Excess weight negatively affects the development of osteoarthritis - the disease progresses faster than in patients of normal weight.Therefore, people suffering from overweight are recommended to lose extra pounds.But at the same time, it is strictly forbidden to starve or follow a mono-diet or a diet with food restrictions.

Authorized products include:

• Farmed, hormone-free meat that can be boiled, baked, simmered or steamed.If you don't have access to farm-raised meat, you can buy regular meat, but you need to get rid of the skin and fat, because all the harmful substances that are fed or injected to animals or poultry accumulate there.It is better to limit the consumption of this meat to 1-2 times a week, and the rest of the time it is vegetable or fish dishes.
• fruits and vegetables that can be baked or simmered according to your tastes.
• all types of cereals (except instant cereals).
• pectin-based products: currants, fructose jelly;
• fermented milk products;
• eggs;
• wholemeal bread and pasta.

It is important to exclude from the diet:

• pastries, sweets and white bread;
• alcoholic beverages and beer;
• various types of fast food and snacks;
• sausages and other types of prepared meat products.

For osteoarthritis, you must consume 1200 Kcal per day.You need to eat fractionally, that is, every 2-3 hours in small portions.

Folk remedies

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, its symptoms and treatment can easily be carried out using traditional medicine:

• If osteoarthritis is accompanied by swelling, a blue clay compress will come to the rescue.To do this, you need to dilute the clay with water to a creamy consistency, place it on a thick cloth folded 4-6 times and apply it to the joint.Wrap the knee in gauze or other fabric so that the compress does not slip.Leave on for 2-3 hours and rinse with lukewarm water.The fabric can be washed and reused.
• Experts recommend abandoning natural tea and coffee and replacing them with decoctions and infusions.For example, a decoction of lingonberries.For him 2 tbsp.berries should be poured 1 liter.boiling water and leave for an hour, wrapped in a towel.You should drink 3-4 times a day.
• Massage ointment will help eliminate pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease.To do this, you need to mix 50 grams of petroleum jelly with 10 grams of crushed hops, sweet clover and St. John's wort.You need to infuse the product for 2-3 hours in a dark place.Rub with light massaging movements.You can wrap your knee.

How long is the rehabilitation period?

It is impossible to say unambiguously how long osteoarthritis rehabilitation will last, since the timing depends on various factors.For example, the patient's age and lifestyle, the degree and severity of the disease.

In general, the recovery period lasts 1-2 months, during which the patient, with the help of specialists:

• removes inflammatory and pain syndromes;
• learns physical exercises and adjusts nutrition.

In order for the remission period to last as long as possible, the patient should regularly exercise and consult a doctor.Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, with the elimination of symptoms and an appropriate approach to treatment, will allow you not to leave your usual rhythm of life.