Probably everything was heard of arthrosis (deforming osteoarthrosis).The disease is included in the top three of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal apparatus.Despite such popularity, not everyone can with confidence say that he owns complete information about this articular disease.Since osteoarthrosis of the lower extremities is most often diagnosed, we will tell in detail about the knee's arthrosis and the methods of its treatment.
Brief about Arthrosis of the knee joint
So what is it - the osteoarthritis of the knee and how much do we know about it?In medicine, there are several names of this disease that each characterize the pathology of its part.
So the term "gonarthrosis" makes it clear where the pathological process develops (from the Greek Gony - knee).
The name "Arthrosis" (Arthros - Joint) means a sick -inflammatory disease where degeneration and atrophy of cartilage tissue occur.
There is another, most accurate concept - deforming osteoarthrosis.With a long flow patient, not only the surface of the knee joint is affected, but also near ligaments, tendons and muscles.Blood circulation worsens, trophy (nutrition) is upset, and metabolism in periarticular tissue is disturbed.The cartilage is quickly thinned and destroyed, bone growth (oste whites) is formed on the surfaces of the joint, the ligaments thicker and losing elasticity.All of this leads to the growing restriction of the mobility of the collection, up 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 providing the development of arthrosis:
- various damage to the lower extremities;
- Increased body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hereditary disposal for diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Violation of metabolism.
The sickness develops slowly and for several years the symptoms of joint injury are absent.Nevertheless, degenerative changes gradually take place in the articular structures.As a result, pain and crunch appear as one goes, which limits the mobility of the knee, atrophy of the nearby muscles of the thigh and the lower leg develops.
The symptoms of deforming osteoarthritis depend on the degree of damage to the knee joint and become more intense and acute as the process progresses.
Therefore, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.It should be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure arthrosis, but it is very possible to suspend its development.The sooner therapy begins, the more chances of a successful result and lowers the risk of complications.
Treatment methods of 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 probably won't receive a clear and concrete answer.HONARTROSE therapy is a long process that includes a whole complex of therapeutic goals.Treatment of any pathology always begins with the collection of a history and diagnosis.
When planning the treatment of the treatment, the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the disease stage, the degree of injury to the joint, the presence and the severity of the pain syndrome.The overall therapy of osteoarthrosis of the knee as well as a drug that helps everyone at once does not exist.The fight against articular pathology should be complex and include not only drugs but also physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises and recipes for traditional medicine.With failure in all conservative measures, surgical intervention is performed.
Drug therapy
All medications used in the fight against deforming osteoarthritis can be conditioned in two groups:
- Medicines that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroid hormones);
- Means that the recovery of the joint and prevents its additional destruction (chondroprotectors, including hyaluronic acid).
The treatment of gonarthrosis always begins with drugs from the first group that quickly eliminates the pain syndrome.It is the pain in the joint that the patient is most a little bit of the patient.
NSAID
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate severe pain, discomfort, removal of edema and inflammation of the articular and nearby tissue.These drugs can be used orally, intramuscularly or locally, directly in the field of the affected joint.
For external use, different ointments and gels are used.Anesthetic effect usually occurs fast enough and continues for several hours.Ointments are also good at using them for a long time after coordinating the duration of the course with the participating specialist.
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 to people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and elderly patients.
Corticosteroids
If the treatment of NSAIDs is ineffective and painful syndrome, the doctor may prescribe intra -articular injections of hormonal drugs.They act much more effective than drugs in the non -steroidal group.
Due to the many unwanted consequences, glucocorticosteroid hormones are introduced into the intra-articular cavity of the affected knee, which is no more than once every 10-14 days and only in a period of pronounced worsening.
Chondroprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent further destruction of the joint and contribute to the restoration of the surface of the cartilage plates.
Chondroprotectors enhance nutrition of intra -articular tissue, saturates the synovial fluid with the necessary trace elements, reduces pain, edema and inflammation.They can be used in the form of tablets, ointments, intra -articular injections.
The course of medicine that restores the cartilage structure lasts at least 4-5 months.The result is a sustained and long -term effect for several years.
When talking about Chondroprotectors, one cannot refrain from mentioning the III generation.In addition to Chondroprotector, these products do not contain -Asteroidal anti -inflammatory supplement, making it possible to reduce the amount of drugs taken and achieve good results.
Preparations of hyaluronic acid are almost sufficient for synovial fluid in its composition.After hit the joint, the fabric creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage plates that protect them during movements.
Intra -articular injections of hyaluronic acid are prescribed only during sustained 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 performing operations that differ in the level of trauma:
- Arthroscopy- The most gentle method of surgical intervention.It can be used even in the early stages of arthosis of the knee joint.The procedure is suitable for young people who carry an active lifestyle and can be repeated if necessary.
- Osteotomy.The operation is prescribed for patients with severe deformation of the joint.During the procedure, an artificial fracture of the deformed bone is performed.Then the experts give it anatomically and physiologically correct fusion.
- Endoprotetics.The most radical type of surgical intervention.During the operation, the joint is replaced by the implant.Despite the complexity of the performance and duration of improvement, endoprotetics is the best alternative to arthrodesis (joints of joints to end the immobilization of the joint).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
In the initial stages of the development of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective.They quickly eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasms, prevent the destruction of cartilage and accelerate its regeneration.
Using physiotherapeutic dimensions, drugs can be administered through the skin directly in the affected joint.Most often the following physiotherapists are prescribed with arthrosis of the knee:
- Magnetotherapy (10-20 sessions);
- medical baths (radon, mud, bischophytic, hydrogen sulfide);
- Middle volume Ultraviolet irradiation (6-7 times);
- UHF therapy;
- Electrophoresis with solutions of anti -inflammatory, vascular, painkillers;
- Darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine which treatment is needed in a particular case, the duration of therapy can only be a specialist focusing on the degree of injury to the joints, the patient's age and the presence of contemporary diseases in him.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of the successful therapy for deforming osteoarthrosis.Charging strengthens the muscles, improves blood circulation, returns to the joints lost flexibility.
An approximate set of exercises
Classes are selected for each patient individually.LFK must be engaged regularly, which gradually increases the load on the joint.Exercises are best performed several times a day for 10-15 minutes.
After an evening exercise, it is recommended to take a shower with a comfortable water temperature, after which you need to rub the sick with a terry towel and massage with anti -inflammatory ointments.
Therapy with folk remedies
Folk methods for treatment are very popular among patients suffering from arthrosis of the knee joints.All kinds of compressions, rubbing and ointments from medical herbs were widely used.Before using recipes for traditional medicine, consult a doctor.It should be remembered that under no circumstances can they replace the most important drug therapy.
With severe pain in the joint, you can prepare a compress of 100 grams of honey and a tablespoon of food salt.The procedure is performed at night.
Among patients, heating of compresses of salt, sand or grain is very popular.It is easy to manufacture them - it is enough to heat the chosen product in a saucepan, pour it into a bag and into a warm but not burning state and attached to the joint.
In addition to these remedies to combat arthrosis of the knees, you can use applications from paraffin, cabbage compression or burdock leaves.
The use of recipes for traditional medicine, it must be remembered that gonarthrosis with their help 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 deformation, it is necessary to regularly play sports, monitor the correct nutrition, avoid damage and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort is displayed in the knee area, contact your doctor immediately.Only a specialist can make a diagnosis and say how to treat arthrosis of the knee.Self -medication only exacerbates the disease.