Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a degenerative-dystrophic disease.With this disease, the cartilage tissue is destroyed and the joint is deformed.
As a rule, gonarthrosis affects people over 40 years old.This disease occurs twice as often in women than in men.
The knee joint is one of the largest joints in the human body.It is characterized by a high degree of mobility, because it is not only responsible for the mobility of the foot, but also helps to support the weight of the person.The femur serves as a connecting "bridge" between the tibia and fibula.The knee joint is supported by various ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and symptoms
With gonarthrosis, the blood circulation in the small bone vessels is disturbed, then the cartilaginous cover of the joint and surrounding tissues begins to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of cartilage decreases, it is covered with cracks and depressions.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a comprehensive medical examination and X-ray examination.Of course, every person should know about the symptoms of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- when moving, the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the damaged area;
- movements in the injured knee are limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the painful knee;
- hardness;
- The final result of the disease can be considered joint deformation: the most common is O-shaped or valgus, that is, X-shaped.
It is important to know that the severity of certain symptoms does not indicate the degree of development of the disease.However, with the development of gonarthrosis, the severity of symptoms also increases continuously.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have been known to experts for a long time;they were described about a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized as salt deposition, and this statement is not a myth.Arthrosis is actually accompanied by the deposition of salts in the knee tissues, including ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several degrees of the development of gonarthrosis, which indicate the severity of the patient's condition.Thus, there are three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint:
Symptoms of first-degree gonarthrosis usually decrease to periodic pain after exercise, as well as after minor deformation of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a lump in the affected area.
As for the second degree of arthrosis, an increase in initial symptoms is observed at this stage.The intensity and duration of pain in the knee increases, stiffness and difficulty in bending appear.The joint increases in volume and its deformation is already noticeable.
Osteoarthritis of the third degree of the knee joint is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also during rest.There is limited mobility and severe gait disturbance.The joint deforms and becomes O- or X-shaped.
Treatment
Before starting the fight against gonarthrosis of the knee joint, you should definitely find a good specialist, get an examination plan from him and discuss treatment methods.However, you should not blindly follow all the doctor's recommendations;the patient himself must understand the essence of his recommendations, understand the mechanism of action of the prescribed drugs and, perhaps, turn to another specialist in parallel.Each patient should be aware of the essence of the prescribed treatment procedures and understand why they are prescribed to him.
Therapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint includes a number of therapeutic measures aimed at solving the following problems:
- pain reliever;
- nutrition of articular cartilage and its rapid recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the affected joint area;
- reducing pressure on damaged joints and increasing the distance between them;
- strengthening the muscles surrounding the painful joint;
- increased joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require surgical treatment.
First-degree gonarthrosis requires treatment that includes physiotherapeutic procedures.The initial stage of the disease is practically not detected on X-rays.The following symptoms are characteristic of the first degree of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- hardness;
- discomfort and discomfort in the affected joint area;
- reduction of pain after daytime activities.
Secondary gonarthrosis involves drug treatment.Symptoms at this stage are considered to be severe pain in the knee to the feeling of difficulty in bending the leg.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods to restore the functions of knee joints with gonarthrosis is physical therapy, after which the following is observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- improve the mobility of the diseased joint;
- decrease in muscle tension;
- to increase the tone of weakened muscles.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis
Along with drug treatment, gymnastics should be performed according to the instructions of a specialist, which is usually indicated in the early stages of the disease.More gymnastics is used for preventive purposes.Therapeutic exercises for knee arthrosis help:
- improving nutrition of articular cartilage;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthening of joint supporting ligaments and muscles;
- reduction of pain and a positive effect on the general health of the patient.
Treatment should start as soon as possible, because the whole process takes quite a long time and requires an integrated approach.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely return the joint to its previous form, but you should not postpone the treatment either.The patient should prevent degenerative processes in time.
Folk remedies to combat gonarthrosis
Treatment with traditional methods is widely used by patients suffering from gonarthrosis.But you should remember that in any case you need to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common remedy in the treatment of arthrosis.The leaves of this plant should be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety side faces down.Then you need to put the leaves in a container and pour boiling water into it.The painful place should be lubricated with vegetable oil and leaves should be drawn, the knee should be wrapped with polyethylene and closed with a warm scarf.
Regular sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It should be heated and applied to the painful joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will disappear.
Cabbage is not less popular in folk medicine.To treat gonarthrosis, its leaves are rubbed with honey and applied to the painful joint at night.It is better to continue the course of treatment for a month.
You can do some exercises in the initial stage of the disease.It is better to do them in the physiotherapy room.A set of exercises should be systematic and regular several times a day.After exercise, it is better to rest a little by putting a warm compress on the painful joint.Also, instead of exercise therapy, you can simply go for walks, swim in the pool, or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Adhering to a diet and visiting a massage room are also considered integral methods of combating gonarthrosis.Scientists have proven that overweight people fall into the first risk group, because extra pounds create significant stress on the knees, resulting in wear and deformation of the joints.
Nutrition for arthrosis should be balanced and regular.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps in both prevention and speedy recovery.
As for massage, it should be performed only by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps improve nutrition of tissues, strengthens and develops knee muscles, prevents deformation and subsequent atrophy.However, these methods are most relevant in the initial stage of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination.
Don't forget!You cannot diagnose yourself!Since many diseases are accompanied by joint lesions similar to arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake when identifying a disease.