Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a degenerative-dystrophic disease.With this disease, 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, as it is responsible not only for the mobility of the foot, but also helps to support the weight of the person.It serves as a connecting "bridge" between the femur, tibia and fibula.The knee joint is supported by various ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and symptoms
With gonarthrosis, the blood circulation in the small vessels of the bones is interrupted, then the cartilaginous covering of the joints and the surrounding tissues begin to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of the cartilage decreases and is covered with cracks and cramps.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a complete medical examination and x-ray examination.Of course, every person should know about the symptoms of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- during movement, the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the area of damage;
- movements in the injured knee become limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the injured knee;
- stiffness;
- 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 worth knowing that the severity of certain symptoms does not indicate the degree of progression of the disease.However, with the development of gonarthrosis, the severity of symptoms also increases steadily.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have long been known to specialists;they were described almost a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized as salt deposition, and this statement is not a myth.Osteoarthritis is actually accompanied by the deposition of salts in the tissues of the knee, including the ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several degrees of gonarthrosis development, which indicate the severity of the patient's condition.So, there are three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint:
Symptoms of gonarthrosis of the first degree are reduced to periodic pain, usually after exercise, as well as minor deformations of the joint.It is not unusual to see a tumor in the affected area.
As for the second degree of arthrosis, at this stage there is an increase in the primary symptoms.The intensity and duration of the pain in the knee increases, there are creaks and difficulty in bending.The connection increases in volume and its deformation already becomes pronounced.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the third degree is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also at rest.There is limited mobility and a sharp disturbance in walking.The joint deforms and takes an O or X shape.
Treatment
Before you start fighting gonarthrosis of the knee joint, you should definitely find a good specialist, get an examination plan from him and discuss treatment methods.However, one should not blindly follow all the doctor's recommendations;the patient himself must also understand the essence of his recommendations, understand the mechanism of action of the prescribed drugs, and perhaps at the same time turn to another specialist.Each patient should be aware of the essence of the prescribed treatment procedures and understand why they are prescribed to him.
The therapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint includes a series of therapeutic measures aimed at solving the following problems:
- pain relief;
- improving nutrition of articular cartilage and its rapid recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the area of the affected joint;
- reducing pressure on damaged joints and increasing the distance between them;
- strengthening the muscles surrounding the injured joint;
- increasing joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require treatment, which includes surgical operations.
Gonarthrosis of the first degree requires treatment, which includes physiotherapeutic procedures.The initial stage of the disease is practically not detected on x-ray.The following symptoms are characteristic of the first degree of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- stiffness;
- pain and discomfort in the area of the affected joint;
- reduction of pain after movements during the day.
Gonarthrosis of the second degree involves treatment with medications.Symptoms at this stage are considered severe pain, up to the feeling of difficulty in bending the leg at the knee.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods in restoring the functions of knee joints with gonarthrosis is physical therapy, after which the following is observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- improving the mobility of the diseased joint;
- decrease in muscle tension;
- increasing the tone of weakened muscles.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis
In combination with drug treatment, according to the indications of a specialist, gymnastics should also be performed, which is usually indicated in the initial stages of the disease.To a greater extent, gymnastics is used for preventive purposes.Therapeutic exercises for knee arthrosis contribute to:
- improving nutrition of articular cartilage;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthening the ligaments and muscles that support the joint;
- reduction of pain and a positive effect on the general health of the patient.
Treatment should begin as soon as possible, as the whole process takes 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 delay the treatment either.The patient must prevent degenerative processes in time.
Folk remedies to combat gonarthrosis
Treatment with traditional methods is widely practiced by patients suffering from gonarthrosis.However, you should remember that in any case it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common medicine in the treatment of arthrosis.The leaves of this plant must be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety side is facing down.Then, you should put the leaves in a container and pour hot water into it.The injured area should be smeared with vegetable oil and the leaves should be applied, wrapping the knee with polyethylene and securing it with a warm scarf.
Regular sunflower oil is considered another traditional remedy.It should be heated and rubbed on the sore joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will go away.
Cabbage is no less popular in folk medicine.For the treatment of gonarthrosis, its leaves are smeared with honey and applied to the injured joint at night.It is better to continue the course of treatment for a month.
In the initial stage of the disease, you can do some exercises.It is best to do them in a physical therapy room.The set of exercises should be systematic and regular, several times a day.After exercise, it is better to rest a little with a warm compress on the injured joint.Also, instead of exercise therapy, you can simply go for a walk, swim in the pool or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Following a diet and visiting a massage room are also considered integral methods to combat gonarthrosis.Scientists have proven that overweight people belong to the first risk group, since extra pounds put considerable stress on the knees, as a result of which the joints are worn out and deformed.
Food for arthrosis should be balanced and regular.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle contributes to prevention and quick recovery.
As for the massage, it should only be performed by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps improve tissue nutrition, strengthens and develops knee muscles, preventing subsequent deformation and atrophy.However, these methods are most important in the initial stage of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination.
Remember!You cannot diagnose yourself!Since many diseases are associated with joint lesions that resemble arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake in identifying a disease.