Everything has probably been heard of osteoarthritis (deformation of osteoarthrosis).The disease is included in the first three of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal apparatus.However, despite such popularity, everyone cannot confidently say that he has complete information on this joint disease.Since the osteoarthrosis of the lower limbs is most often diagnosed, we will tell in detail knee osteoarthritis and the methods of its treatment.
Briefly on osteoarthritis of the knee joint
So what is it-osteoarthritis of the knee and how much do we know?In medicine, there are several names of this disease, each characterized the pathology on their part.
Thus, the term "gonarthrosis" clearly indicates where the pathological process develops (from the Greek Gony knee).
The name "osteoarthritis" (Arthros - articulation) means a poorly inflammatory disease in which the degeneration and atrophy of the cartilage tissues occur.
There is another most precise concept - distorting osteoarthrosis.With a long fluid pathology, not only is the surface of the knee joint, but also the ligaments, tendons and muscles nearby.The blood circulation deteriorates, the trophy (nutrition) is upset and the metabolism in the periarticular tissues is disturbed.The cartilage is thinner quickly and destroyed, bone growth (osteophytes) are formed on the lateral surfaces of the joint, the ligaments thicken and lose elasticity.All this leads to the growing restriction of the mobility of the joint, until the complete absence of movements.
The main cause of the disease is age -related changes.In addition, there are a number of additional factors causing the development of osteoarthritis:
- various injuries of the lower limbs;
- increase in body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Hereditary predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Metabolism violation.
The disease develops slowly and for several years, the symptoms of joint lesions are absent.However, degenerative changes are gradually taking place in joint structures.Consequently, the pain and the crunch appear by walking, limiting mobility in the knee, the atrophy of the muscles near the thigh and the bottom of the leg is developing.
The symptoms of the deformation of osteoarthritis depends on the degree of damage to the knee joint, becoming more intense and acute as the process progresses.
Therefore, do not pay a visit to the doctor.It must be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure osteoarthritis, but it is quite possible to suspend its development.Therapy earlier begins, the more the result of a successful result there is a success and the more the risk of complications.
Disease treatment methods
If the patient comes to the doctor with the question: "Doctor, I have the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, tell me how and what to treat" - he will probably not receive an unambiguous and concrete answer.Honartrose therapy is a long process that includes a whole complex of therapeutic measures.The treatment of all pathology always begins with the collection of an anamnesis and a diagnosis.
When planning treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, the degree of damage to the joint, the presence and severity of the pain syndrome.Unified knee osteoarthrosis therapy, as well as a drug that helps everyone at the same time, does not exist.The fight against joint pathology should be complex and include not only drugs, but also physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises and traditional medicine recipes.With the failure of all conservative measures, surgery is carried out.
Pharmacotherapy
All drugs used in the fight against distortion of osteoarthritis can be divided conditionally into two groups:
- Drugs that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroid hormones);
- Means that restore the joint and prevent its additional destruction (chondroprotective, including hyaluronic acid).
Treatment of gonarthrosis always begins with drugs from the first group, which quickly eliminate pain syndrome.It is the pain in the joint that the patient is the most suffered from the patient.
NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to remove severe pain, discomfort, elimination of edema and inflammation of joint tissues and nearby.These drugs can be used orally, intramuscular or local, directly in the area of the affected joint.
For external use, various ointments and gels are used.The anesthetic effect, as a rule, occurs fairly quickly and persists for several hours.The ointments are also good for using them for a long time, after coordinating the course of the course with the participating specialist.
The course of treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken inward does not exceed two weeks because they have many side effects.
Consequently, Ains in prudence are prescribed to people with chronic gastrointestinal tract diseases 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-steeroid group.
Due to the many undesirable consequences, glucocorticosteroid hormones are introduced into the intra-articular knee cavity affected no more than 10 to 14 days and only during a pronounced exacerbation period.
Chondroprotector
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent additional destruction of the joint and contribute to the restoration of the surface of the cartilage plates.
Chondroprotectors improve nutrition of intra-articular tissues, saturate synovial fluid with the necessary trace elements, reduce pain, edema and inflammation.They can be used in the form of tablets, ointments, intra-articular injections.
The course of treatment with drugs that restore the cartilage structure lasts at least 4 to 5 months.The result is a persistent and prolonged effect for several years.
Speaking of chondroprotectors, generation III cannot be made.These products contain, in addition to chondroprotector, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory supplement, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of drugs taken and obtain good results.
Hyaluronic acid preparations are almost adequate to synovial fluid in its composition.Having hit the joint, the substance creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage plates which protect them during the movements.
Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid are only prescribed during persistent remission.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is only used in extreme cases when conservative treatment does not give positive results.Modern medicine has different ways to carry out operations that differ in the level of trauma:
- Arthroscopy- The soft method of surgical intervention.It can be used even at the early stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.The procedure is suitable for young people leading an active lifestyle and can be repeated if necessary.
- Osteotomy.The operation is prescribed to patients with severe deformation of the joint.During the procedure, an artificial fracture of the deformed bone is carried out.Then, the experts provide him with an anatomically and physiologically correct fusion.
- Endoprosthetics.The most radical type of surgical intervention.During the operation, the joint is replaced by the implant.Despite the complexity of the execution and the duration of the recovery, the endoprothetics is the best alternative to arthrodesis (joint joints in order to complete the immobilization of the joint).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
In the early stages of the development of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective.They quickly remove pain, relieve muscle spasms, prevent the destruction of cartilage and accelerate its regeneration.
Using physiotherapeutic measures, drugs can be administered by the skin directly into the affected joint.Most often, with knee osteoarthritis, the following physiotherapists are prescribed:
- Magnetotherapy (10 to 20 sessions);
- Medical baths (radon, mud, bischophytic, hydrogen sulfide);
- Ultraviolet -medium -volume ultraviolet irradiation (6–7 times);
- UHF-therapy;
- Electrophoresis with anima-inflammatory, vascular and analgesic drug solutions;
- Darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine which treatment is necessary in a particular case, the duration of the therapy's prices can only be a specialist, by focusing on the degree of damage to the joints, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases in him.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of successful therapy to distort osteoarthrosis.The load strengthens the muscles, improves blood circulation, returns to the lost joints of flexibility.
An approximate exercise set
The classes are selected for each patient individually.LFK must be engaged regularly, gradually increasing the load on the joint.It is best to do exercises several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
After an evening exercise, it is advisable to take a shower with a comfortable water temperature, after which you should rub the patients with a Terry towel and a massage with anti-inflammatory ointments.
Therapy with folk remedies
Popular treatment methods are very popular in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joints.All kinds of compresses, friction and ointment of medicinal herbs have been widely used.Before using traditional medicine recipes, you need to consult a doctor.It should be remembered that in no case can they replace the main drug therapy.
With intense pain in the joint, you can prepare a compress of 100 grams of honey and a tablespoon of food salt.The procedure is done at night.
Among the patients, the compresses of warming salt, sand or cereals are very popular.It is easy to make them - just heat the selected product in a saucepan, pour it into a bag and a hot but not burning state, and set to the joint.
In addition to these means, to fight against osteoarthritis of the knees, you can use applications from paraffin, cabbage compress or burdress sheets.
By applying recipes for traditional medicine, it must be remembered that with their help, gonarthrosis cannot be healed.You can only reduce the manifestations of the disease and improve the quality of human life.
Conclusion
To avoid age -related joint deformation, it is necessary to do sports regularly, monitor correct nutrition, avoid injury and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort in the knee area appears, you should immediately contact the doctor.Only a specialist can make a diagnosis and say how to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.Self-medication will only increase the disease.