Probably everything was heard about arthrosis (deformation of osteoarthrosis).The disease is included in the first three of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Despite such popularity, however, not everyone can say with confidence that they have complete information about this joint disease.As osteoarthrosis of the lower limbs is most often diagnosed, we will talk in detail about knee arthrosis and methods of treatment.
Briefly about knee arthrosis joint
So what is it - knee arthrosis and how much do we know about it?There are several names in medicine, each of which characterizes the pathology, in turn.
So, the term "gonarthrosis" becomes clear where the pathological process develops (from the Greek gony - the knee).
The name "arthrosis" (arthros - joint) means a diseased -inflammatory disease in which degeneration and atrophy of cartilage tissues occur.
There is another, most accurate concept - deformation of osteoarthrosis.With a long flowing pathology, not only the surface of the knee joint is affected, but also nearby connections, tendons and muscles.Blood circulation worsens, the trophy (nutrition) is upset and the metabolism in periarticular tissues is impaired.Cartilage quickly becomes thinner and destroyed, bone plants (osteophytes) are formed on the lateral surfaces of the joint, the ligaments thicken and lose elasticity.All this leads to the increasing restriction of the mobility of the joint, to the complete absence of movements in it.
The main cause of the disease is age -related changes.In addition, there are a number of additional factors that provoke the development of arthrosis:
- various injuries to the lower limbs;
- increased body weight;
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Disruption of metabolism.
The disease develops slowly and for several years the symptoms of joint damage are absent.Nevertheless, degenerative changes are gradually carried out in the joint structures.As a result, the pain and crunching occur during walking, limiting mobility in the knee, atrophy of the nearby muscles of the thigh and lower legs develops.
The symptoms of deformation of osteoarthritis depend on the degree of damage to the knee joint, becoming more intensive and acute as the process progresses.
Therefore, do not delay a visit to your doctor.It must be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure arthrosis, but it is quite possible to stop its development.The earlier therapy begins, the more chances of a successful result and reduce the risk of complications.
Methods of treating the disease
If the patient comes to the doctor with the question: "Doctor, I have arthrosis of the knee joint, tell me how and what to treat" - he will most likely not get an unambiguous and specific answer.Honarthrosis therapy is a long process that involves a whole complex of therapeutic measures.Treatment of each pathology always begins with the collection of anamnesis and diagnosis.
When planning treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the stage of the disease, the degree of damage to the joint, the presence and severity of the pain syndrome.Unified therapy for knee osteoarthrosis, as well as a medicine that helps everyone at once, does not exist.The fight against joint pathology should be complex and include not only medicines but also physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic exercises and recipes of traditional medicine.With the failure of all conservative measures, surgery is performed.
Drug therapy
All medicines used in the fight against osteoarthritis deformation can be conditionally divided into two groups:
- medicines that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroid hormones);
- It means that they restore the joint and prevent it from further destruction (chondroprotectors, including hyaluronic acid).
The treatment of gonarthrosis always begins with medication from the first group, which quickly eliminates pain syndrome.The pain in the joint is that the patient was most affected by the patient.
Nsaid
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate severe pain, discomfort, remove edema and inflammation of the joint and nearby tissues.These medicines can be used orally, intramuscularly or topically, directly on the area of the affected joint.
Different ointments and gels are used for outdoor use.The anesthetic effect, as a rule, occurs quickly enough and lasts for several hours.Mahi are also good for using them for a long time, coordinating the duration of the course with a visit.
The course of treatment with non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs taken inward is no more than two weeks as they have many side effects.
Therefore, NSAIDs with caution are prescribed for people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and elderly patients.
Corticosteroids
If the treatment of NSAIDs is an ineffective and painful syndrome, the doctor may prescribe intracematic injections of hormonal drugs.They act much more effective than non -steroidal drugs.
Due to the many undesirable effects, glucocorticosteroid hormones are introduced into the intra-articular cavity of the affected knee no more than once every 10-14 days and only during pronounced exacerbation.
Chondroprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent the joint destruction and contribute to the restoration of the cartilage surface.
Chondroprotectors improve the nutrition of intra -articular tissues, saturate the synovial fluid with the necessary trace elements, reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.They can be used in the form of tablets, ointments, intraiorticular injections.
The course of treatment with drugs that restore cartilage structure lasts for at least 4-5 months.The result has been a constant and prolonged effect for several years.
Speaking of chondroprotectors, the III generation cannot be mentioned.These products contain, in addition to the chondroprotector, a non -steroidal anti -inflammatory supplement, which allows to reduce the amount of medicines taken and to achieve good results.
Hyaluronic acid preparations are almost adequate for the synovial fluid in its composition.After hitting the joint, the substance creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage slabs that protect them during movements.
Hyaluronic acid intracelicular injections are prescribed only during persistent remission.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is only used in extreme cases where conservative treatment does not produce positive results.Modern medicine has different ways of conducting operations that differ in the level of trauma:
- Arthroscopy- The most joyful method of surgery.It can be used even in the early stages of knee arthrosis.The procedure is suitable for young people leading an active lifestyle and can be repeated if necessary.
- Osteotomy.The surgery is prescribed to patients with severe joint deformity.An artificial fracture of the deformed bone is performed during the procedure.Then the experts provide it anatomically and physiologically correct merger.
- EndoprotheticsSThe most radical type of surgery.During the operation, the joint is replaced by the implant.Despite the complexity of the execution and the duration of recovery, endoprothetics is the best alternative to arthrodesis (joints at the ends of the joints to complete the joint immobilization).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee arthrosis
In the initial stages of the development of the disease, physiotherapy procedures are very effective.They quickly eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasm, prevent the destruction of cartilage and accelerate its regeneration.
Using physiotherapy measures, medicines can be administered through the skin directly in the affected joint.Most often, the following physiotherapists are prescribed with knee arthrosis:
- Magnetotherapy (10-20 sessions);
- medical baths (radon, mud, bicofit, hydrogen sulfide);
- Medium -volume (6-7 times);
- UHF therapy;
- electrophoresis with solutions of anti -inflammatory, vascular, analgesic drugs;
- Darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine which treatment is needed in a certain case, the duration of the course of therapy can only be a specialist, focusing on the degree of damage to the joints, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases in it.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of successful therapy for deformation of osteoarthrosis.Charging strengthens the muscles, improves blood circulation, returns to the lost flexibility of the joints.
Approximation
The classes are selected for each patient individually.LFK should be engaged regularly, gradually increasing the load of the joint.Exercises are best done several times a day for 10-15 minutes.
After an evening exercise, it is advisable to take a shower with a comfortable water temperature, after which you should rub the patients with Terry towel and massage with anti -inflammatory ointments.
Folk remedies
Folk methods of treatment are very popular with patients suffering from knee arthrosis.All types of compresses, rubbing and ointments from medicinal herbs were widely used.Before using traditional medicine recipes, you should consult a doctor.It should be remembered that in no case can they replace basic drug therapy.
With severe joint pain, you can prepare a compress of 100 grams of honey and a tablespoon of nutritional salt.The procedure is performed at night.
Among patients, warming compresses of salt, sand or cereals are very popular.It's easy to make them - it is enough to heat the selected product into a pan, pour it into a bag and in a hot but not burning condition and attach to the joint.
In addition to these agents, to fight your knee arthrosis, you can use paraffin applications, cabbage compression or birco leaves.
By applying recipes for traditional medicine, it must be remembered that with their help, gonarthrosis cannot be cured.You can only reduce the manifestations of the disease and improve the quality of human life.
Conclusion
To prevent age -related joint deformity, you need to exercise regularly, monitor proper nutrition, avoid injuries and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort occurs in the knee area, you should contact your doctor immediately.Only a specialist can diagnose and say how to treat knee arthrosis.Suicide will only worsen the disease.