The main cause of acute knee pain in patients over 50 years of age is gonarthrosis (deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint).
The disease is characterized by rapid progression and can cause disability and inability to work, therefore, timely detection of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint and treatment of the disease, including at home, are the main tasks in the examination of patients at risk. for pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis
The knee joint is one of the most mobile joints in the human skeleton, prone to injury and other mechanical damage. It connects the tibia and femur, as well as the larger sesamoid bone, located in the quadriceps femoris tendons (patella or patella). The joint surfaces are covered with cartilaginous tissue - a dense, elastic substance that surrounds the chondrocytes (oval cells formed from chondroblasts) and creates a protective shell around them and also acts as a shock absorber.
The composition of cartilage contains collagen - a fibrillar protein, which is the main element of connective fibers and provides cartilage strength and elasticity - and glucosamine. Glucosamine is a substance produced by cartilage. Glucosamine is part of synovial fluid - a yellowish elastic mass that fills the joint cavity and acts as a lubricant. If the synthesis of glucosamine and proteoglycans is impaired, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, which leads to the exposure of parts of the joint and the occurrence of severe pain, therefore, the treatment of 1st degree knee arthrosis always includes the use of chondroprotective drugs.
What happens in joints with osteoarthritis:
- the cartilage becomes soft and loose, and deep ulcerations appear on its surface;
- the synovial membrane thickens;
- the composition of synovial fluid changes, its secretion decreases;
- there is a sprain of the ligaments and joint capsule;
- the joint cavity is filled with exudate - an inflammatory fluid released from blood vessels during a period of acute inflammation.
In the absence of timely and adequate treatment, arthrosis leads to complete deformation and destruction of the knee joint, while the patient may experience unnatural mobility and complete immobility of the joint. To stop the process of destruction of the articular and cartilaginous surface in case of diagnosed knee arthrosis, the doctor may suggest arthroplasty - a surgical operation to replace the damaged joint with an artificial prosthesis of adequate size.
The cost of primary knee replacement varies by region and can range from $255 to $1, 465.
If there are indications, the operation can be done according to the quota within the CHI program.
Classification and etiological factors
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be primary and secondary. Primary osteoarthritis is diagnosed in cases where it is impossible to accurately determine the cause of the pathology. If the deformation of cartilage was preceded by other diseases and pathologies, knee injuries, then arthrosis is considered secondary, that is, developing against the background of a primary disease.
The main causes of secondary osteoarthritis of the knee joints include:
- various dysplasias and other pathologies in which abnormal tissue development and formation occurs;
- neurodystrophic diseases of the lumbar or cervical spine;
- inflammation of the knee joint (arthritis);
- joint injuries and microtraumas;
- surgical removal of a damaged meniscus or part of it (meniscectomy);
- diseases of the endocrine system and hormonal disorders, in which the rate of metabolic reactions slows down, metabolism in bone tissue is disturbed.
Primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint usually develops in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or, conversely, who regularly experience increased physical activity in the knee joint. Overweight patients, people over 50 years old, residents of environmentally unfavorable areas, patients with various types of addiction to toxic substances (smokers, drug addicts, alcoholics) are also at increased risk for the development of gonarthrosis.
Regular hypothermia can contribute to inflammation and further deformation of the knee joint, so people prone to diseases of the musculoskeletal system are advised to observe the temperature regime and abandon activities associated with prolonged exposure to low temperatures (work outdoors, in refrigerators and freezers, etc. ). d. ).
Women over 45 years old who are interested in how to treat osteoarthritis of the knee should know that a triggering factor in the development of the pathology can be the reduction of estrogen synthesis, which can occur after menopause and with some gynecological diseases: endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroid , fibroadenoma, endometriosis. A negative factor is also various diets that limit the intake of foods rich in minerals, vitamins and other elements necessary for joint health.
Signs and symptoms
For the prognosis of future life to be as favorable as possible, it is important not only to know how to treat osteoarthritis of the knee, but also what symptoms the disease manifests. This is necessary for timely access to a specialist and early detection of possible deformities and other injuries of the knee joint. In the initial phase, the pathology presents very few symptoms, therefore, it is possible to identify 1st degree knee arthrosis only after carrying out hardware and instrumental diagnoses.
Early symptoms of the disease include:
- morning stiffness in the knee;
- pain when walking when walking a distance of more than 1-1. 5 km;
- knee pain with prolonged sitting (more than 2 hours in a row);
- knee joint pain after prolonged standing;
- knee pain that occurs late in the day or in the first half of a night's sleep.
If the patient does not receive the necessary treatment at this stage, the disease will progress. To choose the right drug for arthrosis of the knee joint, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scan, radiography, etc. ) and determine the degree of deformation, the level of synovial fluid in the joint cavity, the density cartilage tissue and the synovial membrane. The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the 2nd and 3rd degree knees are shown in the table below.
| diagnostic sign | Knee osteoarthritis 2 degrees | Knee osteoarthritis 3 degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Pain when resting at night | It can appear when changing body position or getting out of bed. | Occurs without any movement. |
| Ability to use public transport (except low-floor buses) | The patient feels pain when climbing stairs, but with certain restrictions can use public transport without assistance. | The patient cannot get on the bus or tram on his own due to limited mobility of the knee joint. |
| lameness | lightly expressed. | Lameness is strongly pronounced, additional supports (sticks) are needed for movement. |
| Knee stiffness after waking up | Lasts less than 10-15 minutes. | It lasts about 20-30 minutes or more. |
| pain when walking | Occur after passing 800-1000 m. | They start at the beginning of the movement and intensify after covering a distance of less than 500 m. |
| Self-service capability | Usually saved. | The patient cannot perform a series of actions without external help. |
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint at home
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be carried out with the help of:
- medical methods;
- physical therapy exercises;
- massage.
The use of traditional medicine recipes is only possible after consultation with the treating physician and should not replace the main treatment prescribed by a specialist.
The choice of drugs and treatment methods depends not only on the patient's age and chronic diseases, but also on the stage of arthrosis and the degree of deformation of the cartilaginous and joint surface.
1st degree osteoarthritis
This is the mildest form of osteoarthritis, which in most cases can be cured with minor medication corrections and additional measures: massage, exercise therapy, physical therapy. The most effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, regardless of its stage, is laser therapy. This is the main method of physiotherapy, which gives quite good results in the initial stage of arthrosis.
It helps to achieve the following effect:
- the degree of inflammation in the joint cavity decreases;
- pain intensity decreases;
- the tissue regeneration process is stimulated;
- the need for glucocorticosteroids and other drugs with serious side effects disappears.
As an alternative to laser therapy, the physician may offer pulse magnetotherapy, acupuncture, electromyostimulation, and electrophoresis.
All these methods are quite effective in treating osteoarthritis.with a degree of deformation not exceeding 20-25%, but the effectiveness of the treatment will be greater if combined with physical therapy and massage exercises.
Orthopedists and surgeons note the positive effect of using aquatic exercises aimed at developing muscle strength in the legs.
Patients with knee arthrosis of 1-2 degrees can receive sanatorium treatment (during a period of stable remission), including mud therapy, sauna heating, therapeutic baths. Overweight patients are given a special diet, as obesity is one of the main factors in the development of osteoarthritis of the knees.
Arthrosis 2 degrees
Treatment of 2nd degree knee arthrosis includes physical therapy and massage (outside the acute period), special nutrition, physical therapy exercises, and medication. It is very important to reduce the load on the damaged joint: limit walking, avoid movements that require knee flexion. With rapidly progressive arthrosis, the use of special orthotics is indicated - orthopedic devices designed to fix the diseased joint and limit its mobility.
The drug treatment regimen may include the following drugs:
- chondroprotectors;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid;
- glucocorticosteroid hormone injections.
The diet for patients with knee osteoarthritis should contain a sufficient amount of collagen-rich foods.
This one:
- products with gelling additives (jelly, jelly, jelly, aspic);
- products with added pectin;
- fish fat.
Almost all fruits and berries contain essential amino acids and minerals to keep joints healthy and mobile, but these foods must be consumed.limited in diabetic patients.
Arthrosis 3 degrees
The treatment of 3rd degree osteoarthritis of the knee does not differ from the therapy used for 2nd degree osteoarthritis.
With its ineffectiveness and severe limitation of movement, the patient receives surgical treatment with more prostheses of the damaged joint.
popular methods
Before learning how to treat knee joints at home with alternative medicine prescriptions, you need to consult a doctor. The use of the methods listed below is only allowed for 1st degree osteoarthritis and in the early stage of 2nd degree osteoarthritis.
Nettle and lemon infusion
This infusion should be taken orally 20-30 minutes before meals. A single dose is 50-80 ml.
To prepare the infusion, you must:
- Mix 100 g of dried or fresh nettle leaves with three peeled garlic heads;
- pass the mixture through a meat grinder;
- add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- mix everything, add 250 ml of boiling water and cover;
- insist for 4 hours.
The duration of treatment in this way is at least 60 days. In the first week, the infusion should be taken 1 time a day, for the next 7-10 days - 2 times a day. From the third week of treatment, the number of doses should be increased to 3 times a day.
Honey ointment for joints
This ointment helps relieve inflammation and reduce pain. The first result is noticeable after a week of daily use, but to get a stable result, you need to apply it for 30-45 days.
To prepare the ointment, you must:
- melt 2 tablespoons of butter;
- mix the oil with two spoons of honey and one spoon of 6% apple cider vinegar;
- Place the mixture in the fridge to set.
Apply this ointment to your knees 2-3 times a day (the last time - before going to bed).
Bath with Dandelions
For such a bath, tincture of dandelion roots is used. To prepare it, you need to mix 120 g of crushed dandelion roots with 150 ml of vodka and insist in a dark place for a day. Before taking a shower, the contents of the container must be poured into the water and stirred. It is recommended to take such a bath 1-2 times a week. After the procedure, knee pain subsides and joint mobility is gradually restored. The effectiveness of the treatment will be greater if you add 150 g of sea salt enriched with iodine and bromine to the water.
Assessments
- "Only injections of hyaluronic acid helped me with osteoarthritis. A very good drug with minimal side effects and high efficiency. Now I feel almost no pain in my knees, although before I could not even walk down the stairs without help. "
- "It seems to me that osteoarthritis of the knees is such a disease that nothing can cure it. You can ease the pain a little, but it will still come back. During exacerbations, I am treated with ficus and Jerusalem artichoke. than pills, only there is no damage to the heart and liver.
- "I was also diagnosed with 2nd degree osteoarthritis of the knee joint. The reason was probably overweight (at the time I weighed more than 130 kg). inflammation and hormonal injections. I did everything according to the instructions - the arthrosis disappeared completely.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a serious pathology of the musculoskeletal system, prone to rapid progression. The treatment regimen should be selected by the attending physician after a comprehensive diagnosis and identification of the degree of degenerative, dystrophic processes and deformation of the cartilaginous and articular surface. The prognosis of treatment depends on compliance with medical prescriptions and timely seeking medical help.