Knee osteoarthritis: symptoms and treatment, exercises, medications.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint (also called gonarthrosis) is an injury to the knee joint, as a result of which the articular cartilage is destroyed, the knee is deformed, and the movement of the knee is limited. The article will help you to know the symptoms and start the necessary treatment in a timely manner.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Specialists subdivide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

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

Experts call the main causes of the disease:

• bad posture;
• being overweight;
• various types of knee injuries;
• disorders of metabolism and metabolism of minerals;
• the presence of endocrine diseases;
• increased stress on the knee joints;
• alteration of calcium metabolism due to the intake of drugs containing hormones;
• meniscus removal operations;
• presence of arthritis;
• weak ligamentous apparatus;
• menopause and menopause in women.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joints can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages of osteoarthritis and its symptoms

Depending on the symptoms and the focus of the disease, specialists divide the disease into 3 stages.

Initial or first stage of osteoarthritis

At this stage, mild pain appears with increased stress on the knee.The initial stage can last from 1 to several years.To prevent the stage from worsening, a series of measures must be taken to restore the deformed cartilage, strengthen the ligaments and restore the movement of the knee.

At this stage, timely treatment will completely eliminate the pathology. But most patients ignore the symptom in the form of mild pain and therefore do not go to the doctor. Knee osteoarthritis is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist, or surgeon.

Middle or 2-stage osteoarthritis

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease appear more pronounced and therefore cannot be ignored. Doctors note that stage 2 is when most patients seek medical help. At this stage, an accurate diagnosis can be made. Timely treatment allows you to stop the transition of the disease to the third degree.

Serious symptoms include:

• knees sore with hypothermia;
• the presence of a soft crunch;
• swelling or swelling in the knee area;
• severe knee pain when climbing stairs or other forms of increased stress;
• pain and tingling in calves;
• Stiffness in flexion and extension of the knee.

Last or third stage of osteoarthritis

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible, it is impossible to stop the development of pathology. But the treatment will alleviate the patient's condition for a while. In no case should you ignore the symptoms or self-medicate, as this can lead to a change in gait, walking with a cane or a disability.

The main symptoms of stage 3, in addition to the above, are referred by doctors:

• endocrine system pathology (problems with the thyroid gland, diabetes);
• hereditary and age factors.

Diagnostic methods

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

Lab tests include:

• complete blood count.With the help of research, you can identify the causative agent of the disease and assess the degree of inflammation.
• general urinalysisallows you to identify or exclude the autoimmune origin of the disease and assess whether the source of kidney and urinary tract pathology.
• biochemical blood test, which is divided into many others, the indicators of almost all studies are outside the normal range.

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

Instrumental studies include:

• Radiography.It is performed in two projections: posterior-anterior and lateral. Usually the doctor takes a picture of both knees to compare the affected and healthy knees.
• arthroscopy.This procedure should be understood not only as an investigation, 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 a complete picture of the internal state of the knee is displayed on the computer screen, the resulting tissue fragments are sentto the laboratory if there is a suspicion of a cartilaginous or malignant tumor. Endoscopically it is possible to correct the shape of the menisci, remove polyps and chondrophytes. In addition to diagnosing osteoarthritis, other diseases can be carried out and investigated, since the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to get a complete picture of the state of the body.
• Ultrasound(ultrasound).This examination method has 2 important advantages over X-rays: It is harmless and helps to see the soft tissue of the joint due to its extensive imaging capabilities.
• CT (computed tomography).The study is a form of radiography in an improved way, since during this procedure the doctor takes several photographs and thanks to them a three-dimensional image of the affected organ is created on the computer. This form is used less often than others due to time costs and a large amount of radiation.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless. Also, MRI allows you to get a better image of soft tissues compared to CT scan. But MRI is used as rarely as computed tomography, since its use requires high material costs and cannot be applied to patients in whose body there are metal objects (pins, crowns). CT and MRI are contraindicated in people who weigh more than 120 kg.
• scintigraphy.An expensive and radiation-related method. Therefore, it is used in cases where less expensive methods are ineffective. In this study, a substance is injected into the patient's body that reacts to the diseased organ and is located around it.
• tomography.The study is based on thermal radiation from the body surface. Usually, the affected organ manifests itself in the form of foci with increased temperature. The tomograph is a cumbersome instrument and the procedure is expensive, so this study is carried out only in large clinics.

Medications to treat and relieve symptoms

Experts point out that it is impossible to start treatment without relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.Therefore, doctors prescribe several non-steroidal (ie, non-hormonal) medications. But you cannot take them for longer than the prescribed period, as this group of drugs does not cure the disease, but relieves the symptoms and the disease progresses in the meantime.

Ointments for osteoarthritis

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with symptoms of swelling and pain is seldom performed without ointments.

Unlike other forms of drug delivery, this group has clear advantages:

• quickly reduces pain and inflammation;
• the ease of use makes it easy to combine with other treatments, such as physiotherapy;
• there is no negative effect on the liver.

Years of experience treating osteoarthritis and researching positive feedback among patients have revealed a number of effective ointments that have a warming vasodilator effect. They contain red pepper extract, bee and snake venom.

Gymnastics for osteoarthritis

Gymnastics is one of the important methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which should be used in the period of remission after pain symptoms have been eliminated.

Contributes to:

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

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

1. Warm up. You must walk on your toes or heels for 3-5 minutes.
2. Pedal an imaginary bike 20-30 times (10-15 times with each foot).
3. Lying on your stomach, bend and straighten your knees 10 to 15 times. With each push-up, hold your leg in this position for 5 seconds.
4. Extend your legs while lying on your back. Raise your leg and bend your knee. The heel should be parallel to the floor.
5. Lying on your right side, lift your left leg up, pull it toward your stomach, and then stretch it back as far as possible. Roll to the other side and repeat the exercise. Repeat 5-6 times for each leg.

The exercise should be abandoned if:

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

Rub and compress

Various rubs and compresses are widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Its 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 and leave in a cool, dark place for 7 days. Then wash the product overnight. To remove the specific odor, close the knee with a thick gauze bandage and rinse thoroughly with water in the morning.
• Egg. Mix vinegar with 1 yolk 1: 1 and immediately rub a little on the knee. Apply 3 per week. After rubbing, wrap the knee in something warm.
• Honey.Mix 100 grams of honey and 3 grams of mummy and immediately rub the knee. Wrap the knee.
• Cabbage.Soak a piece of wool fabric in the juice of a vegetable and apply it to the knee.
• Oatmeal.Boil a regular porridge of 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water. Do not 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 listed above) can, according to experts, be cured with various types of bandages. The most effective are honey and herbs.

According to research, honey wrappers help:

• to restore tissue and intra-articular cartilage destroyed by the disease;
• eliminate pain and inflammation;
• burns excess cholesterol.

It is worth noting that honey is most effective when combined with cinnamon.

As for herbal wraps, the above properties have:

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

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with hirudotherapy

One of the most effective methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint is hirudotherapy, that is, treatment with leeches. It can be used at the first symptoms and should be directed by the treating physician and under the supervision of specialists. Before the first procedure, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Don't use leeches:

• children and the elderly;
• patients suffering from decreased blood clotting, hypotension, severe body depletion, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, stomach ulcers, problems with the digestive system, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia and hemophilia;
• women during pregnancy and lactation.

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

Otherwise, the patient is given a break for 9 months and if the allergy reappears or does not improve, the hirudotherapy sessions are stopped. During treatment, the specialist treats the knee with an odorless agent and then checks the suitability of the leeches to be used.

For this, leeches are placed in a bowl of water. If the leeches stick to the walls, then they can be used. The specialist puts 2-6 leeches on the kneecap.

By sucking, leeches release a series of useful enzymes in the human body that will help:

• restore and strengthen the immune system;
• restoration of blood circulation and metabolic processes;
• removes swelling and adhesions.

Hirudotherapy cannot be used as a separate treatment. For greater effectiveness, experts recommend combining it with physical therapy, physical therapy exercises, and taking medications.

Taking turpentine and pine baths

Balneotherapy, that is, taking several baths with therapeutic effect, is not the last place to eliminate the symptoms of osteoarthritis.Experts note that there are many different types of therapeutic baths, but turpentine and pine baths have shown particular efficacy. They can be taken not only in health spas, but also at home.

But despite their benefits, they should be discarded:

• patients with heart disease;
• in the presence of oncological diseases, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension
• if the patient has suffered a heart attack or stroke;
• in the presence of skin diseases;
• for pregnant women.

For a turpentine bath, you 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 is cooling, you should 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.

Due to the presence of turpentine, the temperature in the bath may seem high.Therefore, you should not increase the dose 1 time more than 20 ml. Baths should be taken daily for 10-14 days, gradually increasing the dose of the turpentine mixture to 80 ml in a single procedure. After bathing, wash off the mixture with warm water and put on warm clothing or lie down under a blanket.

For pine baths, you need pine needles or branches. About 25-30 branches need to be broken into small pieces to fit in the pot. Rinse the branches before preparing the broth, float and soil, pour water and cook for 5-10 minutes. Strain the finished broth and pour it into a hot water bath.

Bathe for 10-15 minutes.Then dry with a cloth and put on warm clothes. It is not recommended to do physical work and load your knees. The pine bath treatment course can include 7 to 12 procedures, which can be taken every other day or every day. After six months, the course can be repeated. This procedure will prolong the period of remission and stop the development 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. Medications for the treatment of osteoarthritis belong to group 4.

They are made 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 together with pain relievers.But, unlike the latter, the former must be taken throughout life, since only in this case is it possible to slow down the development of osteoarthritis and stop the disability. The effect of taking chondroprotectants is visible only after 2-8 days.

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

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

Excess weight negatively affects the development of osteoarthritis: the disease progresses faster than in patients of normal weight. Therefore, overweight people are advised to lose those extra pounds. But at the same time, it is categorically impossible to starve yourself and follow mono diets or diets with dietary restrictions.

Allowed products include:

• Hormone-free farm meat that can be boiled, baked, stewed, or steamed. If there is no access to free-range meat, then you can buy the usual one, but you need to get rid of the skins and fat, since all the harmful substances that are fed or injected into animals or poultry accumulate there. It is better to limit the consumption of such meat to 1-2 times a week, and the rest of the time there are vegetable or fish dishes.
• fruits and vegetables that can be baked or cooked to your liking.
• all types of cereals (except instant cereals).
• pectin products: gooseberries, fructose gelatin;
• fermented dairy products;
• eggs;
• whole grain breads and pasta.

Important to exclude from the diet:

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

With osteoarthritis, 1200 Kcal should be consumed per day.You should eat fractionally, that is, every 2-3 hours in small portions.

Folk remedies

Knee osteoarthritis, symptoms and treatment can be easily done with traditional medicine:

• If osteoarthritis is accompanied by edema, then a compress of blue clay will come to the rescue. To do this, you need to dilute the clay with water to the state of cream and put it on a dense cloth folded 4-6 times and glue it to the joint. Wrap the knee with gauze or other cloth so that the compress does not slip. Keep for 2-3 hours and rinse with warm water. The fabric can be washed and reused.
• Experts recommend leaving natural tea and coffee and replacing them with decoctions and infusions. For example, a decoction of lingonberries. For him, 2 tsp. berries need to pour 1 liter. boiling water and leave for an hour, wrapped in a towel. You need to drink 3-4 times a day.
• The massage ointment will help to eliminate pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease. To do this, you need to mix with 50 grams of petroleum jelly, 10 grams of chopped hops, sweet clover and St. John's wort. You need to insist on 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 unequivocally how long osteoarthritis rehabilitation will last, as the timing depends on several factors. For example, the age and lifestyle of the patient, the degree and severity of the disease.

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

• eliminates inflammatory and painful syndromes;
• learn to exercise and adjust nutrition.

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