Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.With this disease, the cartilage tissue is destroyed and the joint is deformed.
As a rule, gonarthrosis affects people over 40 years of age.This disease occurs twice as often in women as in men.
The knee joint is one of the largest joints in the human body.It is characterized by a high degree of mobility, since it is responsible not only for the mobility of the leg, but also helps to support the weight of the person.It serves as a "bridge" connection between the femur, tibia and fibula.The knee joint is supported by several ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and symptoms.
With gonarthrosis, blood circulation in small bone vessels is disturbed, and subsequently the cartilaginous shell of the joint and surrounding tissues begin to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of cartilage decreases and becomes covered with cracks and depressions.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a comprehensive medical examination and radiological examination.Naturally, each person should know the symptoms of the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- while moving, the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the area of damage;
- movements of the injured knee become limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the sore knee;
- rigidity;
- The final result of the disease can be considered deformation of the joint: 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 steadily increases.
Specialists have long known the symptoms of gonarthrosis;They were described almost a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized by salt deposition and this statement is not a myth.In fact, osteoarthritis is accompanied by the deposition of salts in the tissues of the knee, including ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several degrees of development of gonarthrosis, which indicate the severity of the patient's condition.So, there are three degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
The symptoms of first degree gonarthrosis are reduced to periodic pain, usually after exercise, as well as small deformations of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a tumor in the affected area.
As for the second degree of osteoarthritis, at this stage there is an increase in primary symptoms.The intensity and duration of pain in the knee increases, cracking sounds and difficulty bending appear.The joint 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 an acute alteration in gait.The joint becomes deformed and takes on 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 and discuss treatment methods.However, not all doctor's recommendations should be blindly followed;the patient himself must also understand the essence of its recommendations, understand the mechanism of action of the prescribed drugs and, perhaps, at the same time, consult another specialist.Each patient must know the essence of the prescribed treatment procedures and understand why they are prescribed.
Therapeutic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint involves a series of therapeutic measures that aim to solve the following problems:
- pain relief;
- improvement of nutrition of articular cartilage and its rapid recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the affected joint area;
- reduce pressure on damaged joints and increase the distance between them;
- strengthen the muscles surrounding the painful joint;
- increased joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require treatment, which includes surgical operations.
First degree gonarthrosis requires treatment, which includes physiotherapeutic procedures.The initial stage of the disease is practically not detected by x-rays.The following symptoms are characteristic of the first degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- rigidity;
- discomfort and discomfort in the affected joint area;
- Reduction of pain after daytime movements.
Second degree gonarthrosis involves treatment with medications.Symptoms at this stage are considered severe pain, up to the feeling of difficulty bending the leg at the knee.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis.
One of the effective methods of restoring the functions of the knee joints with gonarthrosis is physiotherapy, after which the following is observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- improve the mobility of the diseased joint;
- reduction of 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 phases of the disease.To a greater extent, gymnastics is used for preventive purposes.Therapeutic exercises for knee osteoarthritis contribute to:
- improve the nutrition of articular cartilage;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthen the ligaments and muscles that support the joint;
- reduction of pain and a positive effect on the patient's general health.
Treatment should begin as quickly as possible, since the entire process takes quite a long time and requires an integrated approach.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely return the joint to its previous shape, but it is not advisable to delay treatment either.The patient must prevent degenerative processes in a timely manner.
Folk remedies to combat gonarthrosis.
Treatment with traditional methods is widely practiced by patients suffering from gonarthrosis.However, you must remember that in any case it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common remedy in the treatment of osteoarthritis.The leaves of this plant must be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety side is facing down.Next, you should put the leaves in a container and pour hot water into it.The sore area should be lubricated with vegetable oil and apply leaves, wrapping the knee in polyethylene and securing it with a warm scarf.
Regular sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It should be warmed and rubbed into the sore joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will disappear.
Cabbage is no less popular in folk medicine.To treat gonarthrosis, its leaves are smeared with honey and applied to the painful joint at night.It is better to continue 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 must be systematic and regular, several times a day.After exercise, it is best to rest a little with a warm compress on the sore joint.Also, instead of exercise therapy, you can simply walk, swim in the pool, or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Following a diet and visiting a massage room are also considered comprehensive methods of combating gonarthrosis.Scientists have shown that overweight people fall into the first risk group, since extra kilos put significant stress on the knees, causing the joints to wear out and become deformed.
Nutrition for osteoarthritis should be balanced and regular.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle contributes to both prevention and speedy recovery.
As for massage, it should only be performed by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps to improve tissue nutrition, strengthens and develops knee muscles, preventing their deformation and subsequent atrophy.However, these methods are more relevant at the initial stage of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination.
Remember!You can't diagnose yourself!Since many diseases are accompanied by joint lesions that resemble osteoarthritis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake when identifying a disease.