Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a non -inflammatory disease of the knee, in which blood circulation is disrupted in the cartilage tissue. This disease is also called osteoarthritis of the knee. This type of arthrosis occupies one of the first places among others.
Etiology and pathogenesis
So what is gonarthrosis? This is a degenerative change in the cartilage that covers the joint. Knee arthrosis has been known for over a hundred years. In cartilage, due to osmotic stress, metabolic processes take place. If the cartilage is compressed, lubricant is released, and then it is absorbed. Therefore, cartilage is always preserved. With constant overload, this process is disrupted, and the cartilage becomes thinner. The condition of the collagen fibers that make up the cartilage is disturbed, the cartilage tissue is no longer so elastic.
Because bones rub against each other when walking (cartilage does not soften the friction), bone growths or spikes appear. As a result of these changes, osteophyte growth occurs. This is the growth of a dense structure of bone tissue. In addition, the synovium becomes irritated and becomes inflamed. All this leads to limited limb movement.
Often, arthrosis of the inside of the knee occurs. Moreover, mature and elderly people are susceptible to this disease, but the disease can also occur in young people, in particular, in athletes.
Poor blood supply leads to cartilage abrasion, exposing the bone in the joints. And the whole joint is deformed, that is, deformed knee arthrosis occurs.
Causes and classification of diseases
The disease is divided into types according to etiology: primary and secondary gonarthrosis. Primary or idiopathic gonarthrosis occurs with a background of complete well -being. It usually occurs in older people, especially in women. Secondary develops after knee grass or infectious disease. Post -traumatic gonarthrosis can be avoided if inflammation or damage to the knee is removed in time.
Different types of knee joint arthrosis are also divided according to localization:
- Right side gonarthrosis - this type only affects the right joint, people who play sports more often suffer from this arthrosis.
- Left side gonarthrosis - the left joint is affected accordingly.
- Bilateral gonarthrosis - both joints are destroyed, the most severe type of disease, people over fifty years of age are prone to it.
All of these species are almost indistinguishable from each other in the course of the disease (i. e. , clicks and pain are always present). But bilateral gonarthrosis is usually more pronounced, because the two joints are concerned. In addition, any type of this disease, if the form runs, will be more pronounced and the pain will be more severe. To imagine how the disease looks, it is better to look at the photo.
Attract! Of all the diseases affecting the knee, arthrosis occurs in 53% of cases. I mean, that's more than half.
Why does this disease occur? Here are the main reasons for the development of this disorder:
- metabolic disorders;
- hormonal imbalances;
- endocrine disorders;
- increased capillary fragility;
- overload and injuries;
- heredity and congenital anomalies;
- inflammatory diseases.
Being overweight is considered a major risk factor.
Stages of gonarthrosis of the knee joint
There are different stages of gonarthrosis. There are three of them, of course, the first degree is the earliest and it is weakly manifested, and the last degree is a serious deformity of the joints. In the first stage of the disease, it may go unnoticed, but then treatment will be difficult, so you should carefully monitor the symptoms:
- The first stage of the disease is characterized by slight discomfort, fatigue. Sometimes there may be restrictions on movement, but very few. At this stage, the joint is not yet deformed, but a slight narrowing of the joint gap can be seen on x-ray.
- The second stage is indicated by more pronounced pain, especially after walking. When changing the position of the joint, there is a spasm and a click. At this stage, atrophy of the thigh muscles can occur, and the full flexion angle of the leg is significantly limited. On x-rays, you can see the growth of osteophytes and the bone becoming flat.
- In the third stage, severe pain occurs, swelling may appear. Since osteophytes can break, it may feel like a clogged joint. This is a sharp pain and inability to move freely. For X-ray images, deformities, changes in the joints and bones of the foot are visible.
In the last stages of the disease, it will take a long time to treat the joint, and it is impossible to cure it completely.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
How can gonarthrosis of the knee be recognized? The symptoms of the disease vary, but the main symptom is pain. At first, it can be very weak and irregular, but over time, the discomfort increases, there are problems with walking, because after a long activity, not only fatigue occurs, but also pain.
The symptoms of the disease increase gradually, starting with mild discomfort and weakness in the legs. The following are the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis:
- tightness felt below the knee;
- excessive fatigue after walking;
- aches and pains after activity;
- discomfort after sleep;
- throbbing and clicking when bending the knee;
- limb edema;
- impaired mobility of joints;
- lameness.
Sometimes gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis. Synovitis is an inflammation of the lining of the joints. Already in the first stage of arthrosis, these complications may occur. But most of the time it goes away without treatment. And stage 2 knee joint gonarthrosis can be complicated not only by synovitis, but also by Baker’s cyst. The pain in this case becomes very strong and excruciating even at rest.
Fact! The most common is arthrosis after knee trauma. It does not occur immediately, but gradually, with normal physical load. Post -traumatic arthrosis is felt at first as simple fatigue, and only with time can pain occur.
Methods of Treatment
Gonarthrosis is an incurable disease, whether unilateral or bilateral gonarthrosis. It is not possible to return a joint to a completely healthy state. However, treatment must be carried out, it will help relieve severe pain and slow down the destruction of joints. In addition, it is important to follow a diet. The folk method is also useful. There are several types of treatments for this disease.
The following are the main methods used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis:
- Drug use - tablets, injections and ointments.
- Physiotherapy - various physiotherapy procedures.
- Therapeutic physical training and massage are mandatory methods for treatment and rehabilitation.
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics are mandatory components of therapy. Without regular exercise, it is impossible to restore composition and get rid of pain, especially for forms such as bilateral arthrosis (it can lead to deformities). Proper physical activity will help overcome the disease faster. But you can do the training only under the guidance of an experienced coach, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Medical therapy
What medications are used as primary treatment? Drug therapy involves the use of the following types of drugs:
- Painkillers and anti -inflammatory drugs - relieve pain, swelling and relieve redness.
- Chondroprotectors are agents that help restore cartilage tissue.
- Medication to be injected into the joint that relieves inflammation.
- Means with hyaluronic acid, it is also injected into the joints when the inflammation goes away.
Specialists usually prescribe external agents that help relieve unpleasant symptoms. Often these are gels and ointments with a warming effect. They increase blood circulation. You can lubricate the affected joint several times a day, according to the instructions. You can use gels and ointments in thin layers, sometimes you need to lubricate lightly, and sometimes rub well.
What else is used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation in arthrosis? The doctor may prescribe a warming compress with Dimexide or medical bile. In addition, during illness, medications are often used based on extracts from avocado and soy. But treatment with this drug is long - at least six months.
Manual therapy and physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective way to treat gonarthrosis. The procedure improves blood circulation, helps slow down the process of destruction. This procedure is excellent for post -traumatic arthrosis. What is usually prescribed for arthritis? Here is the procedure:
- magnetotherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- UFO;
- UHF;
- paraffin application;
- electrophoresis with novocaine;
- diadynamic currents.
With respect to manual therapy, it alleviates the patient’s condition and prevents cartilage destruction. The following are the main goals pursued by such therapies:
- restore knee function;
- facilitate public welfare;
- reduce the manifestation of disease symptoms;
- activate blood flow;
- helps restore joints.
It is advisable to massage after exercise therapy, when the muscles are warmed up.
There are several methods of manual therapy:
- Sweden - the uniqueness of the method lies in the combination of joint movement by rubbing.
- Oriental - normalizes blood circulation.
- Finland - similar to Sweden, but differs in the intensity of impact and direction of movement.
Which method to choose should be decided by the chiropractor, taking into account the recommendations of the attending physician. There should be no pain during the session. If discomfort appears, this indicates a lack of specialist qualifications, so you should immediately stop the session, otherwise the situation may worsen.
Nuance! During such therapy, not only the damaged area is massaged, but also the tissues around it.
Folk methods of treatment of gonarthrosis
In folk medicine, various ointments and compresses are used. But you can also use some internal means. You can take some effective recipes and use them regularly. For the preparation of folk remedies, available products are used. But we must remember that this method is additional, not basic. Therefore, medical treatment is also necessary.
Jerusalem artichokes
Affordable products that are effective in the treatment of knee arthrosis. One and a half kilograms of leaves of this plant should be mixed with boiling water (10 liters) and left for half an hour. When the infusion has cooled a little, you should lower the leg with the sore joint there. You can do this procedure every day or every other day.
Love
Compressed honey will help relieve pain and relieve swelling. To do this, lubricate the knee with honey and apply a tight bandage. It needs to wear it for a day, then the honey must be washed and rubbed again with fresh product. The course of treatment is at least four days, and more is possible. You can also do a honey massage - just massage your knees, smear honey on them. The sequence should last a quarter of an hour.
burdock
Another affordable product that can be used for knee treatment. You can make compresses from burdock. It is necessary to slightly crush the leaves so that the juice comes out, and then sprinkle it with vodka. Wrap the diseased joint with film and insulation. It is necessary to store such a compressor overnight. And the next day, grease the burdock leaves with honey and make such a compressor, on the third day, grease the leaves with a mass of vodka and garlic. Compresses must be alternated and treated like this for a month.
Combined ointment
For severe pain, you can use a special ointment. It's easy to set up. It should take a tablespoon of hop cones, fresh sweet clover flowers and St. John’s wort flowers. Mix with two tablespoons of Vaseline one tablespoon of collection and grind well. Before bed, you need to rub the ointment into the aching joints.
Dandelion
Simple flowers, dandelions, can also be used. Flowers should be washed and dried. Then crush until a sour cream -like consistency. This mass must be applied to the joints and covered with polyethylene for several hours. In addition, when using this drug, significant physical activity will be required, that is, you must walk at least three thousand steps a day.
cherry
Cherries can be used inside. These berries help with arthrosis, but are contraindicated for problems with the stomach and intestines, because the fruits have a sharp and sour taste. They can irritate the mucous membranes. For treatment, you need to eat a glass of cherries four times a day, each time washing it with warm boiled milk. Treatment is long - two months.
Nettles
Nettles will also help solve the problem. Half a glass of fresh nettle juice should be mixed with the same amount of honey and medicinal alcohol. All insisted in a dark place for two weeks. After that, you need to drink a tablespoon half an hour before meals, diluted in half a glass of water. This must be done three times a day.
Important! Any herbs and other products can be used to make ointments or healing drinks only if it is not allergic.
Prognosis of recovery
Since the violation is not treated, you have to go through it. But with timely visits to the doctor and the correct diagnosis, it is possible to significantly improve the patient's condition and slow down the progression of the disease. Of course, with age, the disease will progress, but if the doctor’s recommendations are followed, arthrosis will progress more slowly.
It is very important to use not only medications and ointments, but also additional treatment methods. Therefore, charging should be done periodically, even after the medication is canceled. Massage can be done in the course. For example, once every two months. It is very useful to regularly engage in swimming or cycling, it unloads the joints.