Arthritis of the knee: symptoms and treatment, exercises, drugs

15 November 2020

Mari

Arthritis of the knee

Specialists divide gonarthrosis into primary and secondary forms:

The cause of the primary form is a congenital joint defect, and the developmental stage of the disease occurs in childhood and adolescence.
A secondary form that can develop at any age.

Experts call the main causes of disease:

poor posture;
overweight;
types of knee injuries;
disturbs the metabolism and metabolism of minerals;
presence of endocrine diseases;
increased stress on the knee joint;
impaired calcium metabolism due to oral hormone-containing drugs;
works to remove the meniscus;
presence of arthritis;
weak ligamentous apparatus;
menopause and menopause in women.

Arthritis of the knee can be bilateral or unilateral.

Stages of joint diseases and their symptoms

Depending on the symptoms and the approach of the disease, specialists divide the disease into 3 stages.

The first or early stage of joint disease

At this stage mild pain appears with the tension of the knee.The first stage can last from 1 year to several years.To prevent the disease from getting worse, it is necessary to take some measures to restore the deformed cartilage, strengthen the ligaments and restore the movement of the knee joint.

At this stage, timely treatment will completely cure the pathology. But most patients ignore symptoms in the form of mild pain and therefore do not seek medical attention. Knee disease is treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist, or surgeon.

Middle or stage 2 of joint disease

At this stage, the symptoms of the disease manifest more clearly and it is therefore impossible to ignore them. Doctors note that in stage 2, most patients seek medical help. At this stage, an accurate diagnosis can be made. Timely treatment allows you to prevent the transition of the disease to 3 degrees.

Serious symptoms include:

knee pain due to hypothermia;
presence of a soft cry;
swelling or swelling in the knee area;
severe knee pain while climbing stairs or other forms of increased stress;
pain and tingling in the calf;
Tense when flexing and stretching knees.

End or 3rd stage of joint disease

At this stage, the consequences of the disease are irreversible, unable to prevent the development of pathology. But the treatment will make the patient's condition get better for a while. In any case, you should not ignore the symptoms or self-medicate, as this can lead to a change in gait, a walking stick or disability.

The main stage 3 symptoms, in addition to the above, are consulted by doctors:

pathology of the endocrine system (thyroid problems, diabetes);
genetic factors and age.

Diagnostic method

Specialist makes a diagnosis based on the patient's verbal medical history and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies.

Laboratory tests include:

whole blood count.With the help of research, you can identify pathogens and evaluate inflammation.
general urine analysisallows you to identify or rule out the autoimmune origin of the disease and to evaluate the origin of the kidney and urinary tract pathology.
biochemical blood test, broken down into many other tests, the indexes of most studies are outside the normal range.

Laboratory tests are done during an exacerbation of the disease, because during remission all indicators are within normal limits.

Instrumental studies include:

.It is performed in two views - after - front and side. Usually, a doctor will take a photo of both knees to compare the affected knee and the healthy knee.
.This process is understood not only as research, but as a small activity. The fact is that through a small hole in the knee, the doctor inserts a small LED lead inside and a complete picture of the condition inside the knee is displayed on the computer screen, resulting in tissue fragments. is sent to a laboratory if it is suspected that a cartilage or malignant tumor is suspected. Endoscopy, you can correct the shape of the meniscus, remove the tumors and membranes. In addition to diagnosing arthritis, you can perform and examine other diseases, as the knee joint is a large organ and allows you to get a full picture of the state of the body.
Ultrasound(ultrasound).This examination has two important advantages over X-rays - it is harmless and helps to see soft tissue of the joint due to its wide imaging capabilities.
CT (computed tomography).This study is an improved form of X-ray, because in the process the doctor takes a number of images and thanks to them, a hologram of the affected organ is produced oncomputer. This form is less commonly used than other methods due to its time consuming and large amount of radiation.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).Unlike the previous method, it is more harmless. In addition, MRI allows you to get better images of soft tissues compared to CT. But MRI is rarely used as CT, since its use requires high material costs and cannot be applied to patients whose body has any metal objects (pins, crowns). CT and MRI are contraindicated in people weighing more than 120 kg.
.An expensive method and involves radiation. Hence, it is used in cases where the less expensive methods are ineffective. In this study, a substance injected into the patient's body reacts with the diseased organ and localizes it around it.
.Research based on heat radiation from the body surface. Usually, the affected organ manifests in the form of foci with increased temperature. The CT scanner is a bulky instrument and an expensive procedure, so this study was only done in large clinics.

Medicines for the treatment and relief of symptoms

Experts note that it is impossible to initiate treatment without relieving pain and eliminating inflammation.Therefore, the doctor prescribes a variety of nonsteroidal (ie, hormone-free) drugs. But it is impossible to take the drug for longer than the prescribed time, because this group of drugs does not cure the disease, but reduces the symptoms and the disease progresses in the meantime.

Ointment for the joints

Treatment of arthritis of the knee joint with symptoms of edema and pain is rarely performed without ointment.

Unlike other forms of drug release, this group has obvious advantages:

rapidly relieves pain and inflammation;
makes it easy to combine with other treatments such as physiotherapy;
has no negative effects on the liver.

Years of experience in the treatment of arthritis and patient response studies have shown that several effective ointments have a warming vasodilator effect. They contain extracts of red pepper, bee venom and snake.

Joint gymnastics

Exercise is one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee, and should be used during remission after pain symptoms have been eliminated.

It contributes to:

improves cartilage nutrition and overall health:
pain relief;
strengthens the muscles and ligaments of the knee joint;
increases joint mobility.

To see a positive effect,should exercise every day or every other day, increasing the load up to 30 minutes per session.

Warm. You need to walk on tiptoes or on tiptoes for 3-5 minutes.
Rode an imaginary bike 20-30 times (10-15 reps with each leg).
Lie on your stomach, bend and straighten knees 10-15 times. With each bend, hold the foot in this position for 5 seconds.
Extend your legs while lying on your back. Raise your legs and bend them at knees. The heel should be parallel to the floor.
Lie on your right side, lift your left leg up, pull it to your stomach, then stretch back as far as you can. Roll to the other side and repeat the exercise. Repeat 5-6 times for each leg.

You should skip the exercise if:

Abdominal or hip herniation;
cardiovascular disease;
infectious diseases;
blood disease;
recovery time after operation.

Erase and compress

Various methods of rubbing and compression are widely used in the treatment of arthritis. Their significant advantages include the availability of ingredients and the absence of side effects.

Garlic.Pour 1 tip of vegetable with any vegetable oil (200 ml), cover and leave in a dark and cool place for 7 days. Then rinse the product overnight. To get rid of specific odors, cover the knee with a thick gauze bandage and rinse with water in the morning.
Eggs.Mix vinegar with 1: 1 yolk and then apply a little on your knees. Apply 3 times per week. After rubbing, wrap the knee with something warm.
Darling.Mix 100 grams of honey with 3 grams of mint and rub right into the knee. Wrap your knees.
Cabbage.Soak a wool cloth with the juice from a vegetable and tap it on the knee.
Oatmeal.Boil a regular pot of porridge with 1-2 tablespoons of flakes in water. Do not boil the flakes for more than 7 minutes! Put the viscous product on a clean cloth and rub it on your knees.

Ending

Osteoarthritis of the knee (the symptoms and drug treatments indicated above), according to experts, can be cured with bandages. The most effective are honey and herbs.

According to research, honey wrap helps:

for the restoration of tissues and cartilage in joints caused by the disease destruction;
removes pain and inflammation;
burns the excess cholesterol.

It should be noted that honey is most effective when combined with cinnamon.

For herbal wraps, the above properties are:

willow bark, oak, birch, fern;
valerian, bellflower, burdock;
hop, birch, nettle leaf;
wild rosemary and St. herbs. John's wort;
chamomile, calendula.

Treatment of the knee joint with therapeutic hirud therapy

One of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee is hirudotherapy, which is the treatment with leeches. Medication can be used when the first symptoms appear and must be under the guidance of the attending physician and under the supervision of specialists. Before the first procedure, you should familiarize yourself with contraindications.

Don't use leech therapy:

children and the elderly;
patient with decreased blood clotting, hypotension, severe physical impairment, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal erosion, stomach ulcers, digestive system problems, cancer, tuberculosis, anemia and hemophilia;
women during pregnancy and lactation.

For the treatment to be effective, one to two sessions should be performed every 5-6 months.Treatment can be done more or less frequently - it all depends on the stage of the disease. If after 1-3 sessions the patient feels improved and does not have allergy, treatment with leeches can be continued.

If not, the patient will be rested for 9 months, and if the allergy reappears or does not improve, then the highly therapeutic high therapy therapy is stopped. During the treatment, the therapist treats the knee with an odorless substance, then examines the leech's nest to use it to see if it is appropriate.

To do this, the leeches were placed in a pot with water. If the leech sticks to the wall, it can be used. Experts put 2-6 leeches on the kneecap.

When a leech is absorbed, leeches release a number of useful enzymes into the human body:

restores and strengthens the immune system;
restores blood circulation and metabolic processes;
removes swelling and adhesion.

Hirudotherapy cannot be used as a separate treatment. For greater effectiveness, experts recommend combining with physical therapy exercises, physiotherapy and medication.

Plastic and resin bath

Balancing therapy, in which a variety of water baths are therapeutic, is not the ultimate in eliminating symptoms of joint disease.Experts note that there are different types of therapeutic baths, but pine and resin baths have shown exceptional effectiveness. They can not only be done at nursing resorts, but also at home.

But despite their benefit, they should be omitted:

patients with heart disease;
in case of cancer, tuberculosis, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension,
if the patient has a heart attack or stroke;
when there is a skin disease;
for pregnant women.

For a resin bath, you need to mix 10 grams of baby soap, . 75 ml of salicylic acid and pour the mixture with 500 ml of boiling water. While the mixture cools, you will need to fill the tub with hot water. Once the mixture has cooled to 45 degrees, add the resin and pour 15-20 ml of the mixture into the bath.

Due to the presence of turpentine, the temperature in the bathroom may rise.Therefore, you should not increase the dose by more than 20 ml per time. Daily baths should be performed for 10-14 days, gradually increasing the dosage of the turpentine mixture to 80 ml in one procedure. After showering, wash off the mixture with warm water and put on warm clothes or cover with a blanket.

To bathe with a pine tree, you need a leaf or a pine branch. About 25-30 branches need to break into many small pieces to plug into the pot. Wash the branches before cooking the broth, floating scum, pouring water to cook for about 5-10 minutes. Strain the finished broth and pour it into a basin of hot water.

Take a shower for 10-15 minutes.Then dry and put on warm clothes. Do not engage in physical labor and knee rest. The bath tub treatment may consist of 7-12 treatments, which can be done every other day or every day. After six months, the course can be repeated. Such a procedure will prolong remission and prevent the development of the disease.

Use the chondroprotectors

Osteoarthritis of the knee (symptoms and remedies with folk remedies listed below) cannot be cured without chondroprotectors - a group of drugs intended to restore cartilage tissue and its nutrition. All drugs in this group are divided into 5 groups. Medicines used to treat joint diseases fall in group 4.

They are created on the basis of:

glucosamin;
chondroitin sulfate;
derived from butter and soybeans;
hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid;
synthesizes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Chondroprotectors are prescribed by specialist doctor in combination with pain relievers.But, unlike the latter, the former has to be taken throughout life, as only in this case can it slow the development of joint disease and end the disability. The effects of taking chondroprotectors are visible after only 2-8 days.

Preparations available in the form of gels, ointments, tablets and injections. One injection with a solution is made in the knee.

Diet: allowed foods, food rules and approximate diet

Excess weight negatively affects the development of joint disease - the disease progresses more rapidly than patients of normal weight. Therefore, overweight people are advised to lose that extra weight. But at the same time, it is completely impossible to fast and sit on a single diet or a diet with diet regimen.

Authorized products include:

hormone-free farm meat can be boiled, grilled, stewed or steamed. If you do not have access to farm meat, you can buy the regular, but you should remove the skin and fat, as all the harmful substances that accumulate there are fed or injected into animals or familieshold. It is better to limit such meats to only 1-2 times a week, while the rest of the time is with vegetables or fish.
fruits and vegetables can be baked or stewed to your liking.
all grains (not including instant cereals).
products with pectin: raspberry, fructose agar;
fermented dairy products;
eggs;
whole wheat bread and pasta.

It's important to exclude from your diet:

baked goods, candies and white bread;
alcoholic beverages and beer;
a wide variety of fast food and snacks;
sausage and other finished meats.

For osteoarthritis, 1200 Kcal should be consumed per day.You need to eat split, ie every 2-3 hours divided into small servings.

Folk remedies

Osteoarthritis of the knee, symptoms and easy treatment with home remedies:

If arthritis is accompanied by edema, a blue clay gauze will come to the rescue. For it, you need to dilute the clay with water into a creamy form and place it on a cloth 4-6 times thicker and attach it to the joint. Wrap the knee with a gauze or other cloth so the compression won't slip. Keep for 2-3 hours and rinse with warm water. Fabrics can be washed and reused.
Experts recommend giving up natural tea and coffee and replacing them with decoctions and infusions. For example: Ganoderma lucidum. For him, 2 teaspoons. berries need to pour 1 liter. Boil water and leave for one hour, wrapped in a towel. You need to take it 3-4 times a day.
Massage ointment will help to get rid of pain and inflammation at any stage of the disease. For it, you need to mix with 50 grams of kerosene, 10 grams of chopped hops, sweet clover and St. seaweed. John's. You need to leave the product for 2-3 hours in a dark place. Gently massage with massage movements. You can wrap your knees.

How long will the recovery time take

It is impossible to say exactly how long it will take to recover from joint disease, as it depends on many different factors. Examples are the patient's age and lifestyle, severity and severity of the disease.

In general, recovery takes 1 to 2 months, with the help of a specialist:

eliminates inflammatory and pain syndromes;
learns to exercise and adjust to diet.

For the longest possible remission, the patient should exercise regularly and see a doctor. Osteoarthritis of the knee with the proper elimination of symptoms and proper treatment will help keep you from moving away from your normal routine.