Arthrosis refers to degenerative pathological processes in articular-cartilaginous tissues, followed by their thinning and destruction.Arthrosis is characterized by limited motor abilities and intense pain.Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is quite multifaceted, because there are many effective anti-arthrosis therapeutic methods: medications, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why pathology develops
Gonarthrosis develops for the following reasons:
- Damage to the meniscus, which can lead to knee locking.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 joint structures, especially the knees, since 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.;
- Joint pathological 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 weak and intermittent at first, but with the development of pathological processes it becomes intense and constant.Moreover, the process of such a transition can take place over several years, until a factor provoking an exacerbation appears;
- Crunching in the knee, causing pain.A similar symptom appears already at the 2nd or 3rd stage of 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 devices.
Degree of development of pathology
Gonarthrosis is characterized by three degrees of development.The first degree is characterized by the presence of slight pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis may develop with further cyst formation.Articular cartilaginous damage is not noticeable from the outside, but it has already become active and is gradually gaining intensity.
When bending movement, pain symptoms can be supplemented by a specific crunch.This sign is considered specific to knee arthrosis.
With gonarthrosis of the second degree, the joint space narrows, which is clearly visible on radiography.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any, even slight movement of the knee causes acute pain.Such symptoms quickly subside after a short rest, but after the next activity they appear again.
A typical sign of third degree gonarthrosis is a noticeable deformity of the knee.Moreover, it is no longer possible to get rid of pain by stopping movement, because pain is present even in a calm state.
Approach to the treatment of knee arthrosis
Complex therapeutic tactics can solve the following problems:
- Strengthen the muscles that support joints, increase the elasticity and flexibility of tendon and ligament tissues;
- Get rid of pain symptoms;
- Accelerate recovery processes and improve nutrition in the cartilaginous structures of the knee;
- Normalize 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 the prescription of medications, surgery, a special diet, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Drugs used
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic treatment and stop 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 in order to avoid the development of unwanted side reactions.Therefore, the duration of NSAID therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal medications 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 endowed with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Operation
At times there is a need for surgical treatment.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 punctures.
The main goal of arthroscopy 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 the knee-articular fraction with an artificial implant.The effectiveness of this operation is about 90%.As for osteotomy, this operation involves performing an artificial fracture, after which the bone is fixed in the anatomically correct position.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures also have one of the leading roles 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 dosage 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 articular regeneration and enhance nutrition of the damaged joint.
Ultraviolet irradiation 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 anti-arthrosis measures is largely determined by a properly formulated diet.Why?At times, the cause of arthrosis processes is metabolic disorders, in the development of which poor nutrition plays an important role.
An unbalanced diet leads to obesity, which adds to the stress on the knee joints.That is why it is recommended to follow a diet during treatment of gonarthrosis and after it to prevent joint pathology.
Diet therapy for knee arthrosis is based on the consumption of foods enriched with fortified compounds and essential microelements.At the same time, you need to monitor the calorie 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 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.Raise your legs one by one;
- From a position on your side, lift the limb with a delay of several seconds;
- From a position on your stomach, raise your legs and perform abducting and spreading movements.
Attention!This exercise is contraindicated for hypertensive patients and other heart patients, because it causes a rise 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 treating gonarthrosis according to the program of a rheumatologist is based on the use of physiotherapy coupled with drug therapy:
- Taking NSAIDs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Pain-relieving topical 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, former mobility is restored, blood supply to the affected knee is normalized, pain is relieved, and the joint cells receive increased nutrition.
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 and kinesitherapy treatment methods.Each patient receives a private treatment regimen and a training schedule.
The use of painkillers is not recommended for the patient, because this problem can easily be dealt with by applying ice to the knee and a contrast shower.As a result of regular training according to the method:
- The patient is relieved of pain;
- Bone joints, joints and cartilage begin to receive increased nutrition;
- The knee's former functionality is restored.
Such classes are conducted under the supervision of an experienced instructor in specialized clinics.Massage procedures, swimming, and sauna are indicated as additional therapy.