The diseases of the joints in the human body, occurring in a context of degenerative changes, ominous of a common name – oa. They can be of different origin, but they have mechanisms of development. However, depending on what part of the oporno-impellent device involved in the process of the disease, this disease has its own name. If the disease develops in the knee joint, it bears the name of gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the knee. To maintain the function of the knee and to avoid the handicap, in its advanced form of the disease require hospitalization and surgical treatment. And in the early stages of the disease in the early symptoms, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with the help of medication, massage and other methods can be successful at home.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee, the mechanism of development
The knee is the knee (osteoarthritis) of the knee, which is quite frequent in the medical practice of the disease, especially in patients older than 40 years.
Anatomical structure of the knee a little more difficult than other joints. It is not covered by the muscles and makes a movement in a plane, and its healthy biomechanics is very dependent on the functional status of the hip joint and the ankle.
When the knee osteoarthritis occurs gradually the destruction of the cartilage that covers the surface sustainableuse of the bones of the knee.
The joint is deformed not disrupted by its function. The patient feels pain in the knees, trouble walking.
According to statistics, women suffer from this disease are more likely than men. And especially attentive to the signs of the development of the disease should be the ladies having excess weight and a tendency to varicose veins.
The reasons for the appearance of the pathology
There are two forms of osteoarthritis of the knee: primary and secondary.
Primary begins its development very early in childhood or adulthood.
The cause of this pathology serves the poor training of the device of the ligaments or articular surfaces. And broken biomechanics of the authority, and it is subject to disproportionate to his capacity for work. This leads to degenerative changes in the knees of both feet.
Secondary. This form of osteoarthritis is a consequence of another disease or injury of the knee joint. The degenerative process can affect both knees or only one of them.
The main causes of the appearance of secondary osteoarthritis of the knee are:
- diseases of the bones of the lower extremities, contusions and sprains of the knees, which are accompanied by damage to the cartilage tissues in the joint or ligaments;
- flat feet, causes the displacement of the center of gravity of the body and increase the pressure on the foot;
- the rapid removal of the meniscus, leading to a fast deterioration of all the structures of the knee joint;
- the disease of the blood vessels of the lower limbs, affecting the nutrition of the cartilage tissue;
- too high physical load, which are characteristic for athletes;
- violations of metabolic processes in the body and excess weight;
- arthritis, in particular, if the course of the disease is accompanied by an abundant formation of fluid in the articular cavity;
- the hereditary factors.
The degree and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee
All the cunning of the knee lies in the fact that this disease develops quite slowly and, in this case, the first step is almost asymptomatic. For months, or even years, the patient may not be suspected of disease, only occasionally complained of a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
The initial stage of osteoarthritis of the knee joint gives low pain during the first morning of not, when driving on the stairs, if you practice a physical activity. None of the external changes in the configuration of the knee is not the case.
Upon the occurrence of the second phase of development of the disease, pain, economic more serious, occur during movement and are accompanied by a pronounced crunch. The cavity of the knee joint is inflamed, it is liquid form. During the inspection and the palpation is visible to start by the deformation of the authority. The amount of movement in it decreases.
For the third stage of the knee characterized the syndrome, the pain does not pass, even in the absence of movement. Many patients also complain of an increase pain before the weather changes. The knee joints of patients who are at this stage of development of the disease, almost lose their motor function.
The deformation of the knees is explicit, the patient's leg to take On the form X or form. Strongly the evolution of the process.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which develops on the background of the injury, occur more rapidly. The knee swells, appear permanent, painful, which intensified after the year. Later, occurs the sensation of stiffness in the joint. During the post-traumatic form of the disease first signs that major changes may pass in a few months.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the disease based on the analysis of the patient's complaints, risk factors, clinical symptoms and the results of the research tools.
The most simple and inexpensive method to obtain reliable information on the state of the joint is x-ray diagnostics. It has at least two effects: direct and side. Pictures allow you to reveal the extent of the lesions cartilaginous and bony surfaces of the joint.
Ultrasound of the knee joint gives the possibility to analyze the amount and condition of liquid in the cavity of the joint to assess the condition of the soft tissues – vascular, ligaments, muscles.
Magnetic resonance imaging and positron give the greatest amount of information. They allow you to create a comprehensive a model in three dimensions of investigation of the authority.
Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis to the house
Depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of the injury to body doctor is an individual plan of treatment for each patient. Osteoarthritis is always requires a systematic approach to the treatment!
The second and the third phase of development of the disease to cure osteoarthritis is quite impossible, but if the results of the treatment can achieve long-term remission, when the manifestations of the pathology are completely absent or minimal.
In the initial phase can be almost a full recovery, if well diagnosed the causes of osteoarthritis and there is a possibility to resolve the issue of a patient's excess weight, for example).
The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint has the following objectives:
- the elimination of the pain;
- the maximum recovery of the victim of the cartilage and ligamentous apparatus;
- the increase in the amplitude of movements of the knee joint.
And for their implementation must apply the entire complex of treatment activities.
The drug treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
At the outset, it is important to facilitate the patient's condition, reducing pain and inflammation. This task a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of the last generation. These drugs have significant advantages compared to their predecessors, the side effects were dehydration of the cartilage, which has led to his pursuit of the destruction. Effectively in reducing inflammation and pain, NSAIDS of the new generation has no harmful effects on the cartilage of the articular surface. But all the same a long time it should be taken with caution and only on doctor's prescription.
Quickly at home to relieve pain, reduce inflammation contributes to the compresses of the solution Dimexidum of novocaïne and hydrocortisone.
Quite often the patients knee to help relieve the pain and inflammation in the joint cavity are introduced hormonal treatment. Are also appointed the means, relax the muscles and relieve vascular spasms, improving blood circulation.
After removing the acute inflammatory process in the period of remission is very well-established intra-injection of hyaluronic acid which acts as a real joint fluid. By wrapping surfaces are deformed, by protecting and penetrating into the interior of the cartilage, it improves its elasticity.
In a complex of a drug therapy with osteoarthritis of the knee joint patient necessarily prescribed chondroprotectors for all to restore the cartilaginous tissue in the form of ointments, tablets, injections.
Their main components glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate – are necessary to the body to stimulate the synthesis of joint fluid, improve the properties of lubricants, cartilage repair.
Physiotherapy and massage
Massage and effects of physiotherapy exercises meant to reduce pain, relax the clips and muscle spasms around the affected area in the knee, improve blood circulation and nutrition of articular tissues, adjust the position of the bone, increase the amount of movement.
Nutrition for osteoarthritis of knee
An important element in the treatment of osteoarthritis is the diet.
Patients with excess weight, it is necessary to get rid of the extra pounds.
Scientists estimate that one-half of to reduce the intensity of pain and significantly improve mobility of knee joints with osteoarthritis, you can, if you in only 10 % of the excess weight. The man needs to re-assess your diet and give up some products, in particular the acute, smoked and marinated products, fatty meat and alcohol.
The largest part of the map should be fresh vegetables or steam from the kitchen between them. Meat products cost more to prepare the jelly, because this dish contains collagen and elastin, cartilage cells for all restore its normal structure. You need to increase your intake of calcium-rich foods. For information: calcium in large quantities is present in high quantities in cheese, the products of fermented milk, solid cheese, milk and sesame. Particularly useful dishes containing gelatin: jelly fish, custards, jelly. In gelatine a lot of chondroprotectors necessary to strengthen the cartilage and prevent injuries and thinning.
The use by the doctor knee with osteoarthritis of the knee can cut off the pain syndrome in the acute period and restorer of the mobility of the joint. The effect is obtained thanks to a direct reduction of the load on the affected joint. Jockstrap promotes the restoration of blood circulation in the tissue and the nutrition of the cartilage.
Popular ways to treat
The use of methods of traditional medicine is possible as an auxiliary therapy. Animals with a doctor's permission, and can give a certain effect only with the osteoarthritis of 1 degree and the initial phase of the oa of 2 degrees.
The infusion of nettle, garlic, and lemon juice. To prepare the drink, you need to:
- mix 100 g of nettle leaves with three peeled garlic heads;
- pass the mixture through a mincer;
- add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- mix everything together, add 250 ml of boiling water and cover with a lid;
- leave to infuse for 4 hours.
Ready-to-drink by the oral route in an amount of 50 ml in 20 to 30 minutes before meals. In the first week of the infusion need to take 1 times a day, in the 8-14 days – 2 times per day. From the fifteenth day, the number of receptions need to increase up to 3 times per day. The treatment is of long duration, at least 2 months.
Tincture of roots upright and cinquefoil. A mixture of powdered roots pour vodka in a ratio of 2 to 1. Insist tool, you must within a period of 3 weeks in a dark place. Finished tincture is taking 1 tablespoon before each meal.
Distillery of the infusion golden mustache. To prepare the dye 15 the kolentsi golden mustache is poured 0.5 liters of vodka and insist in a period of growing. Finished the dye is also took 1 tablespoon before eating 3-4 times per day.
Bath with dandelions. For the cooking bath used in the dyeing of dandelion roots. To prepare it, you need 120 g of roots of dandelion, mix with 150 ml of vodka and insist in a dark place during the day. Ready-to-brew pour into a container with warm water, stir, turn down to it on knees.
Take the bath, it is recommended 1 to 2 times per week. You can use this solution to compress. After the procedure the pain in the knees becomes less, and improves the mobility of joints. The effectiveness of the treatment will be higher if you add to the water 150 g sea salt enriched with iodine and bromine.
The surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Reflexes in case of irreversible lesions of the joint, and involves the prosthetic – implantation of metal prosthesis to the site of the ruins of the authority.