Arthrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which degenerative changes occur on the articular surfaces of the cartilage, the cartilage gradually becoming thinner and destroyed. The main symptoms of the disease are pain and limited movement. And due to the pathological proliferation of cartilage and bone tissue, there is a gradual deformation of the joint, which aggravates functional limitations.
The knee joint is one of the most common locations for arthrosis (knee arthrosis is also called gonarthrosis). Its symptoms manifest to varying degrees in nearly 30% of the adult population. Due to the fact that with this disease the discomfort during walking develops quickly, patients, as a rule, consult a doctor in the early stages of the pathology. This fact facilitates the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint and makes it more effective. For therapy, the doctor uses medical and surgical methods of exposure. It is also important to follow your diet, massage and therapeutic exercises.
Let's talk about treatment methods in more detail.
drug therapy
Drug therapy for gonarthrosis has the following objectives:
- reduction in pain sensations;
- improving articular cartilage nutrition;
- normalization of blood and lymphatic microcirculation processes;
- return of previous range of motion.
The medications can be used at any stage of the disease, but are only effective for minor knee injuries.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotective drugs are the only group of drugs that act directly on the cause of the disease. The most effective products are those that contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
If you start treating arthrosis of the knee joint with chondroprotectors in the early stages, there is likely to be significant results from the therapy: it is possible not only to delay the destruction of cartilage tissue, but also to partially restore it. It is important to note that medications in this group must be taken in courses for a long period (at least one year). If taken only occasionally, the treatment will be useless.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a symptomatic effect on arthrosis of the knee joint: they reduce the severity of inflammation and pain. Thanks to this effect, it becomes possible to use active methods of therapy, including physical therapy exercises and massage - this is important for severe knee injuries. Since these medications can damage the stomach walls, regular long-term use of them is not recommended.
To reduce side effects, you can use other dosage forms: suppositories or injections. In this case, it is possible to avoid direct contact of the drug with the gastric mucosa, and the effectiveness of the agent remains high.
Gels or creams containing NSAIDs are relatively ineffective. It was found that only 3% of the active substances penetrate the superficial tissues and reach the intra-articular structures.
Corticosteroid Hormones
The use of corticosteroid hormones is advisable in cases where it is necessary to temporarily reduce the symptoms of the disease as quickly as possible. Typically, injectable forms of drugs are used for intra-articular administration.
Other drug groups
An important group of drugs used to treat arthrosis of the knee (topically) are vasodilators, which improve microcirculation in the affected area and facilitate lymphatic drainage.
Most of the time, compresses are used for these purposes, whose effectiveness is slightly greater than that of ointments. Noteworthy:
- Dimexide has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, improves blood flow properties and tissue nutrition. Unlike many similar medications, it penetrates deep into tissues.
- Medicinal bile has a warming and reabsorption effect, being more effective for concomitant inflammatory changes in joint membranes.
- Bischofite is a natural mineral that warms and improves microcirculation in the affected area.
In addition, for the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint in the early stages, the intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid started relatively recently. It is the main component of synovial fluid, therefore, thanks to its use, the abrasion of the cartilage articular surfaces is significantly reduced. In the treatment of gonarthrosis, it is very important to ensure that this substance does not enter the bloodstream. In this case, the risk of developing embolic complications increases when the drug enters the arteries of the internal organs and leads to decreased blood flow. The cost of the procedures is quite high.
Stretching
With arthrosis, the size of the intra-articular gap gradually decreases, and as a result, the friction of the articular surfaces with each other increases. As a result, the sensations of pain increase and there is a significant limitation in mobility. To increase the distance between the cartilages, in some cases, the use of traction device (traction) is indicated. Thanks to these procedures, the load on the joint and the severity of disease symptoms are reduced. Typically, this method is used in courses of 5-7 procedures.
manual therapy and massage
To treat arthrosis of the knee joint, manual therapy and special massage can be used. Its effects are: pain relief, muscle spasm relief, restoration of range of motion. However, these treatment methods are effective only in the initial stages of the pathology, since with the accentuated deformation of the bone and cartilaginous tissues, it becomes difficult to carry out manipulations.
Hirudotherapy
The use of medicinal leeches can be useful in the treatment of gonarthrosis: thanks to these procedures, blood properties, local blood flow and tissue nutrition are improved. It is also possible to activate regenerative processes in the cartilage tissue and increase the amount of intra-articular fluid.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy procedures are often used as an additional method of treatment. Most of the time, electrophoresis is used: with its help, external drugs penetrate much deeper than with conventional application to the surface of the skin.
You can also use ultrasound, magnetic devices, laser radiation. Thanks to its effect, microcirculation and tissue nutrition improve, the processes of destruction and deformation are slowed down.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention in the treatment of knee arthrosis is performed in case of ineffectiveness of conservative methods. Usually, in this case, the patient has a pronounced deformation of the knee joint and its almost complete immobility. During operation, it is possible to remove excess tissue that restricts mobility.
In advanced cases, complete or partial endoprostheses are performed with titanium frameworks. The operation is very traumatic and the rehabilitation period can last for several months. However, a well-executed prosthesis will help restore joint function, even in seemingly hopeless cases.
home treatment
You can treat osteoarthritis of the knee at home, but you must first coordinate all your actions with your doctor so you don't get hurt.
Diet
Adherence to the diet plays an important role in the treatment of gonarthrosis, as it is with food that the substances necessary for the renewal of cartilage and bone cells are provided.
In the presence of excess weight, a well-selected diet will reduce it and thus lessen the load on the musculoskeletal system.
Physiotherapy
Exercises in gymnastics and physiotherapy are an integral part of the treatment of gonarthrosis. Thanks to the exercises, the muscles of the thigh and leg are strengthened, the mobility of the limbs increases and the condition of the ligaments improves. By improving the blood supply to the affected area, the supply of nutrients and oxygen is increased. It is very important to regularly perform an individual exercise therapy complex. From time to time it is advisable to work with an instructor - so you can control the accuracy of the exercises and, if necessary, change them.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy can also be used to treat arthrosis of the knee joints at home. For this, portable devices for UHF, small magnets, paraffin swabs are used. During procedures, it is necessary to achieve maximum muscle relaxation, and during the course of physical therapy it is desirable to reduce the load on the affected limb. For this, you can use a cane: leaning on it, the person reduces the load on the knee by 40%. For the cane to be effective, it is important to choose the right size for it.
popular ways
There are many popular recipes that can have tangible benefits in treating arthrosis of the knee joint. Here are some of them:
- heated chopped horseradish root should be tied to the knee at night;
- in case of pain, you can drink a glass of onion broth (one liter of boiling water for two onions) three times a day;
- baths with a decoction of malt and senna herbs are recommended several times a week;
- with severe inflammation, you can clean the knee joint with a lemon wedge or tie an oatmeal compress.
Conclusion
There is no definitive answer to the question of how to cure arthrosis of the knee joint. Most experts believe that the disease is incurable and, with the help of modern methods, it is only possible to slow down (stop) the process of joint destruction and only partially restore lost function. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to prevention and do it early.