Arthrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which degenerative changes occur in the articular surfaces of the cartilage, gradually the cartilage becomes thinner and destroyed. The main symptoms of the disease are pain and limitation of movement. And due to the pathological proliferation of cartilage and bone tissue, a gradual deformation of the joint occurs, which aggravates functional limitations.
The knee joint is one of the most common localizations of arthrosis (knee arthrosis is also called gonarthrosis). Its symptoms are manifested to varying degrees in almost 30% of the adult population. Due to the fact that with this disease discomfort during walking develops rather quickly, patients, as a rule, consult a doctor in the early stages of 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 a diet, massage and exercise therapy.
Let's talk about the methods of treatment in more detail.
Drug therapy
Drug therapy for gonarthrosis has the following goals:
- reduction of pain sensations;
- improving the nutrition of the articular cartilage;
- normalization of blood and lymph microcirculation processes;
- return of the previous range of motion.
Medicines can be used at any stage of the disease, but they are only adequately effective for minor knee lesions.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotective drugs are the only group of drugs that act directly on the cause of the disease. The most effective products are those containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
If you start treating arthrosis of the knee joint with chondroprotectors in the early stages, then there is the likelihood of significant results in therapy: it is possible not only to slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but also to partially restore it. It is important to note that drugs in this group must be taken in courses for a long time (at least a 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 in 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 physiotherapy exercises and massage - this is important for severe knee damage. Since these medications can damage the walls of the stomach, 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 through the surface 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 soon as possible. Usually, injectable forms of drugs are used for intra-articular administration.
Other groups of drugs
An important group of drugs used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee (topically) are vasodilators, which improve microcirculation in the affected area and facilitate lymph drainage.
Most often, compresses are used for these purposes, the effectiveness of which is somewhat higher than that of ointments. Noteworthy:
- Dimexide has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, improves blood flow properties and tissue nutrition. Unlike many similar drugs, it penetrates deeply into the tissues.
- Medical bile has a warming and resorbing effect, it is most effective in case of concomitant inflammatory changes in the articular membranes.
- Bischofite is a natural mineral that warms and improves microcirculation in the affected area.
Also, for the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint in the initial stages, the intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid has relatively recently begun to be used. It is the main component of synovial fluid, therefore, thanks to its use, abrasion of the articular surfaces of the cartilage is significantly reduced. When treating gonarthrosis, it is very important to ensure that this substance does not enter the bloodstream. In this case, the risk of embolic complications increases when the drug enters the arteries of the internal organs and leads to impaired blood flow. The cost of the procedures is quite high.
Stretching
With arthrosis, the size of the intra-articular gap gradually decreases, due to this, the friction of the articular surfaces against each other increases. As a result, the pain sensations increase, and there is a significant limitation of mobility. To increase the distance between the cartilages, in some cases, the use of apparatus traction (traction) is indicated. Thanks to such procedures, the load on the joint and the severity of the symptoms of the disease are reduced. Usually 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. Their effects are: pain relief, muscle spasm relief, restoration of range of motion. However, these methods of treatment are effective only in the early stages of pathology, since with pronounced deformation of bone and cartilaginous tissues, it becomes difficult to perform manipulations.
Hirudotherapy
The use of medicinal leeches can be useful in the treatment of gonarthrosis: thanks to such procedures, blood properties, local blood flow and tissue nutrition are improved. It is also possible to activate regenerative processes in the cartilaginous tissue and increase the amount of intra-articular fluid.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are used, as a rule, as an additional method of treatment. Most often electrophoresis is used: with its help, external drugs penetrate much deeper than with conventional application to the skin surface.
You can also use ultrasound, magnetic devices, laser radiation. Thanks to their effect, microcirculation and tissue nutrition improves, the processes of destruction and deformation slow down.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee is carried out 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 the operation, it is possible to remove excess tissue that restricts mobility.
In advanced cases, complete or partial endoprosthetics are performed using titanium structures. The operation is very traumatic, and the duration of the rehabilitation period after it can reach several months. However, a well-performed prosthetics will help restore joint function even in seemingly hopeless cases.
Home treatment
You can also treat arthrosis of the knee at home, but you must first coordinate all your actions with your doctor so as not to harm yourself.
Diet
Compliance with a diet plays an important role in the treatment of gonarthrosis, since it is with food that the substances necessary for the renewal of cartilage and bone cells are supplied.
In the presence of excess weight, a properly selected diet will reduce it and thus reduce the load on the musculoskeletal system.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics and physiotherapy exercises are an integral part of the treatment of gonarthrosis. Thanks to the exercises, the muscles of the thigh and lower leg are strengthened, the mobility of the limb increases, and the condition of the ligaments improves. By improving the blood supply to the affected area, the delivery of nutrients and oxygen is increased. It is very important to perform an individual exercise therapy complex on a regular basis. From time to time, it is advisable to work with an instructor - so you can control the correctness of the exercises and, if necessary, change them.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can also be used to treat arthrosis of the knee joints at home. For this, portable UHF devices, small magnets, paraffin compresses are used. During the procedures, it is necessary to achieve maximum muscle relaxation, and during the course of physiotherapy it is desirable to reduce the load on the affected limb. To do this, you can use a walking cane: leaning on it, a 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.
Folk ways
There are many popular recipes that can bring tangible benefits in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint. Here is some of them:
- chopped warmed horseradish root should be tied to the knee at night;
- in case of pain, you can drink a glass of onion broth (a liter of boiling water for two onions) three times a day;
- baths with a decoction of malt and senna herbs are recommended to be taken several times a week;
- with severe inflammation, you can wipe the knee joint with a lemon wedge or tie a compress of oatmeal.
Conclusion
There is no definite 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 possible only to slow down (stop) the process of joint destruction and only partially restore the lost functions. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to prevention and to carry it out from an early age.