The arthrosis of the knee joint (gonartrosis) is a disease that is characterized by the destruction of cartilage, a change in the shape of the joint and the loss of its functions. The initial changes occur at the molecular level, the cartilage begins to become thinner, darken and crack. In the end, the cartilage completely disappears, which leads to Immobilization legs.
Causes of the disease
There are many factors of the occurrence of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- Injury. All kinds of fractures, dislocations, etc. lead to development even at a young age. The damaged joint blocks the ability to bend and unbend the leg. Therapy provides for fixing the leg in a motionless position, which significantly worsens blood circulation. As a result, the ailment of the knee joint develops.
- Damage to meniscus. With any injury of this organ and when it is removed, gonartrosis will immediately develop.
- Strong physical activity. Often, elderly people do not understand the severity of their physical activity and try to engage in the same way as at a young age. But this is fraught with injuries. Even inconspicuous and small injuries bring significant harm to the joints. Therefore, any physical activity after 40 years should be moderate. In old age, cartilage is already much thinner than in youth, and they cannot withstand heavy physical exertion. Especially adversely for the knee joints is influenced by running on an asphalt surface and squatting. If possible, replace these exercises.
- Obesity and excess weight. The excess weight itself cannot affect the health of the joints, but it may well damage the meniscus. Full people can hardly tolerate such damage, and the knee heals for a very long time. With an excess of excess weight, the entire load falls precisely on the knees. It is difficult when overweight is combined with varicose veins. Then the most severe and dangerous form of arthrosis develops.
- Weak ligamentous apparatus. Weakened ligaments are usually combined with joint mobility. At the same time, a person can have a very flexible body and easily sit, for example, on the twine. Such activity leads to microtrauma of the knee, which will lead to arthrosis.
- Various ailments of the joints. Often the consequence of arthritis becomes arthrosis of the knee joint.
- Poor metabolism.This situation contributes to poorly obtaining tissue of beneficial substances. The lack of calcium worsens the condition of the bones and the cartilage.
- Stressful situations.Constant nervous tension can adversely affect the joints of the body. The accumulated fatigue must be removed with rest and a change in the situation. Such a disease mainly suffers from people who have reached 50 years of age, and basically these are women.
There were great and small joys before arthrosis, sometimes insignificant problems. You can find out in more detail what it is, what are the main causes of this disease.
Symptoms of developing arthrosis of the knee
Determine that you have started gonartrosis only a specialist, but you must turn to it by finding the following symptoms:
- Pain.Pain does not develop at a rapid speed. Usually this disease is accompanied by weak pain for many months or years. Further, the pain intensifies and the patient feels it at rest. Especially the pain manifests itself after long walks. You can remove it with a vacation, but it will appear again, if you go through a few more kilometers.
- The deformation of the knee.At the later stages of development of the disease, the knee acquires a swollen appearance. Its form is preserved.
- Synovitis.The condition when the liquid accumulates in the knee is the name "synovitis. "It leads to the formation of a baker's cyst. Such a cyst is especially clearly visible in the straightened state of the leg.
- Cryst in the knee.This phenomenon appears with arthrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degrees. Cryst is accompanied by pain.
Degree of disease
1 degree
With especially active movements, slight pain appears. A synovial fluid can accumulate in the joint and lead to the formation of a baker cyst. The pain instantly passes at rest. The damage to the joint is outwardly not noticeable, but the cartilage is already starting their deformation. This degree of disease requires additional examinations, not counting the X -ray.
2degree
The joint gap is noticeably narrowed and leads to deformation of the cartilage. On radiography, this picture is clearly visible. Any movement with the participation of the knee joint causes acute pain. A characteristic crunch appears, which can be heard when the knee bends. The pain passes at rest. Soon, the knee completely stops moving, and the doctor can determine the external changes in bones.
3 degree
A large amount of salts is laid in the joint cavity. The cartilage is completely thinner. The disease becomes visually very noticeable.
Medical treatment
There are many methods for eliminating arthrosis of the knee joint:
- Chondroprotector.Such drugs in their composition have a lion's share of substances necessary for the normal functioning of the knee joint: chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. These drugs do not treat symptoms, but the disease itself. They restore cartilage, promote the production of joint fluid and normalize its special properties. In the third stage, this treatment method will not help, because there is essentially nothing to restore. In the first two stages, treatment takes place slowly, it takes time for several treatment courses and regular use of drugs.
- Nonsteroidal anti -inflammatory drugs."Nesteroid" means "not hormonal". They eliminate symptoms: pain, inflammation. That is, they are used in combination with treatment. By eliminating the pain, you can go further on treatment: physiotherapy, massages or exercises. It is difficult to do something from this if the pain is unbearable. Drugs should be used temporarily.
- Ointments.As in the case of previous drugs, ointments are removed symptoms. Warming ointments for blood circulation in the knee are recommended only if there is no synovitis.
- Injections in the joint.The so -called "ambulance" for joints in acute pain. Injections are carried out by three types of drugs:
- Hyaluronic acidor "liquid prostheses". Replace the synovial fluid and thereby protect the cartilage from even greater destruction. The most effective way, but the most expensive.
- Corticosteroids.They suppress pain and eliminate inflammation, but do not treat.
- Chondroprotector.They are used less often, since effectiveness is many times lower than that of other drugs.
- Manual and physiotherapy.In combination with taking drugs and injections gives a good result. It helps only at 1 and 2 stages of the disease.
- Compresses.More effective than ointments and creams. Examples: Bishophyte, medical bile.
- Gymnastics.Let's talk about this in more detail below.
Treatment of gonarthrosis according to the method of Dr. Bubnovsky
Doctor of Medical Sciences has developed a unique technique to combat arthrosis of the knee joint. An important point in this treatment method is that it eliminates medication and surgical interventions. The doctor claims that the main reason for the development of the disease is the lack of joint fluid, which ceases to play the role of bone lubrication.
Before determining the exercises, it is necessary to conduct x -ray of the knee joint. The treatment methodology is determined by the degree of damage and development of the disease. You can get acquainted with this in this video.
The basis of the methodology: physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy, treatment treatment. Instead of ointments, a simple ice compress is used.
The doctor is sure that it is necessary to treat without special drugs, and attention to blood circulation, replenishment of joint fluid and muscle restoration.
Home treatment
At home, the treatment of gonarthrosis will help physiotherapy exercises. Thanks to it, you will strengthen the joints, improve blood circulation in them. For various types of gonarthrosis, the doctor will select the necessary exercises. Here are a few of them.
Traditional medicine will also help you. The use of various lotions for removing edema and pain has long been practiced by many patients. Here are a few useful recipes:
- Burry leaves.Take 5 burdock leaves and hold them over boiling water so that they become soft. Lubricate the sore knee with vegetable oil and add steamed leaves. Wash your leg with cling film and warm scarf. Leave the lotion for a couple of hours.
- Egg shell, kefir.Grind the shell 2 eggs and mix with 1 spoon of kefir. Apply the composition to the knee, wrap it with fabric and cling film, lie down under the blanket. Lift it like a couple of hours, after - rinse the composition with water. Such treatment can be used daily.
Treatment of the disease of the knee joint, like many other diseases, should be carried out comprehensively. Some medications are not enough to improve the state of the organ. You must regularly use moderate physical activity and avoid any kind of injury. Do not start the disease, but try to get rid of it as soon as possible. You will feel the charm of your rich life. You can travel a lot and engage in sports freely.