Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint - complex methods of dealing with degenerative-dystrophic pathology, which destroys articular and bone tissues. Doctors - orthopedic surgeons and surgeons - use drug therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures, massages, recommend exercise therapy complexes that relieve the condition, relieve pain and restore mobility to the knee joint. Drug treatment and physical therapy are effective when osteoarthritis of the knee is in its early stages. Most often, if the disease is neglected, joint replacement surgery is resorted to.
Methods of traditional and alternative medicine are also widespread, for example hirudotherapy, heating with sand, compresses based on medicinal herbs, Chinese plasters, Tibetan balms. Before resorting to the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with folk remedies, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the adequacy of the chosen technique.
Knee osteoarthritis therapy
The choice of therapy method depends on the stage in which the disease is, other diseases in the medical history and the individual characteristics of the organism.
drug
The main goals of the drugs that are prescribed for osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- Reduce pain;
- stop the inflammatory process;
- inhibit degenerative changes in the joint joint;
- Restoration of the lost mobility of the knee joint.
Drugs for osteoarthritis of the knee are divided into:
- Pain reliever and anti-inflammatory;
- Chondroprotectors;
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.
If the tablets don't give any visible results, they resort to injections that are given directly into the joint. This process is known as blockage. Chondroprotectors, anesthetics, corticosteroid hormones, hyaluronic acid are used for injections.
If a patient is diagnosed with grade 1 gonarthrosis, he is prescribed:
- Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs. These tablets have a high frequency of side effects, so they should not be taken for long periods of time, otherwise erosions and stomach ulcers may occur.
- Simple analgesics.
- Ointments that irritate the skin, including bee venom, snake venom, chilli pepper extract and other preparations.
- Glucosaminoglycans or chondroprotectors are divided into natural, complex and monopreparations. They relieve pain, restore the mobility of the affected joint and inhibit degenerative processes.
It is important to know. Chondroprotectors are prescribed as a background treatment. They must be taken for a long period of 3 months to six months. You can't try to replace the pills your doctor prescribed with cheaper counterparts. They may not work and time will be wasted and the person will develop grade 3 osteoarthritis of the knee which is accompanied by serious complications such as: B. Synovitis is afflicted.
Traditional methods
Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee are recommended to eat woodlice, nettles and celery. Salads can be prepared from fresh woodlice and seasoned with a little vegetable oil.
Nettle can be added to vegetable soups, or you can make an infusion of garlic and lemon:
- For 100 g of garlic cloves you will need 3 medium-sized lemons and 250 g of nettle leaves.
- Pass all ingredients through a meat grinder.
- Pour the resulting mixture with 3 liters of boiling water and leave in a warm place for a day.
The infusion must be taken daily. Limit yourself to 70 ml of the product on the first day and gradually increase the dose up to three times a day.
You can make compresses from a decoction of burdock rhizome:
- 3 tbsp. Pour the crushed raw materials with a glass of boiling water.
- Insist on 15 minutes.
- Cooling down.
- Moisten gauze in the broth and apply to the affected joint.
- Wrap the painful area and let it sit overnight.
A useful and general tonic for osteoarthritis of the knee is a boiled broth made from beef bones. The healing effect is achieved by gelatin, which is released through prolonged heat treatment.
To make the broth, take the beef knees and hooves, place them in a large saucepan and pour water over them so that they completely cover the bones.
Bring to the boil and simmer until the meat and gristle are easily detached from the bones. 100 ml of broth should be taken before meals.
physical therapy
If a person is diagnosed with grade 1 or 2 gonarthrosis, the doctor may prescribe various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Paraffin applications are warming procedures that prevent the development of degenerative processes in the joint.
- Plasmolifting, when a drug based on the patient's own blood is injected into the joint cavity. Biologically active substances contained in the blood plasma have a healing effect. They provoke the healing and restoration of the affected bone and muscle structures.
- Cryotherapy or local exposure to liquid nitrogen on a sore site. The procedure relieves pain and starts regeneration of the damaged joint.
- Laser therapy, an effective method that allows you to stop the inflammatory process in a short time and stimulate the metabolism.
- Ultrasound with glucocorticoid, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, stops degenerative processes.
- Medical electrophoresis with anesthetic is the action of an electric current on the affected joint, which promotes the penetration of drugs directly into the joint joint.
- Shock wave therapy, which acts on the damaged area with low-frequency sound waves and accelerates the blood circulation and metabolism in the diseased joint.
On a note. Physiotherapy procedures can be carried out at home using a magnetotherapy device, which allows you to relieve swelling and painful sensations, as well as stop the inflammatory process.
Hirudotherapy
Alternative medical methods include leech therapy or hirudotherapy.. . .This treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee has many advantages:
- a lasting analgesic effect is achieved within 3 months, which allows you to stop drug therapy;
- Metabolic processes are stimulated, the microcirculation of the blood in the area of the affected joint is improved;
- Swelling subsides;
- the mobility of the joint is restored;
- Clots, often formed by the development of osteoarthritis of the knee, are eliminated.
Hirudotherapy gives the best results in the initial stages of the development of the disease. The healing effect on the affected area is due to the enzymes that leeches release into the patient's blood after sucking on the sore knee. These are chemically active substances that:
- dissolve thrombotic compounds, prevent blood clotting;
- lower cholesterol levels;
- Break down hyaluronic acid.
On a note. Enzymes like eglin and kininase can replace non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.
Special exercises
Recreational gymnastics is an effective method of treating pathologies that affect the articular joints. The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the muscles that support the damaged joint and make it flexible again.
With osteoarthritis of the knee, strength exercises, prolonged walking or running are contraindicated. Lessons must be alternated with breaks.
The positive effect will be felt if you exercise regularly for at least six months. Approximate set of exercises:
- Swinging legs of moderate amplitude. It is better to do it while sitting on a high chair or table so that the legs are suspended in the air.
- Without changing position, you can alternately lift your legs, straighten your knees, and hold the pose for at least 3 seconds.
- The next exercise is a bike. It is performed lying on the floor. First, simulate slow cycling, gradually accelerate the pace, then slow down again.
- From the prone position, you need to slowly bend your knee and pull it towards your stomach. Then gently straighten the bent extremity as well until the muscles are tense. It is necessary to hold the pose for 8 seconds. Then, lower your heel to the floor and slowly straighten your leg until it returns to its original position.
A number of therapeutic exercises are suitable for treating osteoarthritis of the knee. A physical therapist should be consulted before charging.
massage
This method cannot get rid of the disease, but it can relieve symptoms, relieve exacerbations, and also increase the effectiveness of physical therapy and drugs.
massagewith osteoarthritis of the knee:
- relaxes spasmodic muscles around the affected joint;
- accelerates the healing process;
- "Washes out" toxic substances that have accumulated in the tissue as a result of inflammation.
The following methods are used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee:
- Japanese, which acts on the affected areas with the help of selective physical exertion;
- Swedish uses rubbing, caressing a sore joint with the palms of the hands;
- Finnish, if all kneading movements are done with the thumbs.
The massage includes not only the mechanical action on the affected extremity, but also the massage of the lower spine. During the procedure, the person shouldn't feel any pain in the damaged joint.
Self-massage at home is allowed. First of all, you should study the technique of performing massage movements:
- stroke;
- Rub;
- Knead;
- Knocking or finger shower;
- Vibration.
Basic rules for the procedure:
- Self-massage takes place on an empty stomach.
- It is better if a person takes a shower or a warm bath at this time (the water temperature should not exceed 36-38 ° C).
- The procedure is done before 2: 00 p. m. in the morning as it tones the body.
- All movements are carried out with care, there should be no spots, bruises on the skin, a person should not feel pain during self-massage.
- The procedure begins on the largest thigh muscle and moves from the knee joint towards the inguinal fold.
- At the end of the exposure, it is recommended to bend and straighten the leg at the knee several times.
Important. Before resorting to self-massage, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic surgeon.
Disease prevention
Various reasons lead to osteoarthritis:
- Obesity;
- wrong lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- genetic predisposition.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee includes various measures, for example, diet, avoidance of alcohol and smoking, physical education, which eliminates increased stress on the knee joints. Health sport activities include:
- Nordic walking, which uses special equipment such as ski poles;
- Yoga, which increases the flexibility of the joints, accelerates the metabolism, has a beneficial effect on the whole body;
- Exercise bike activities that keep your knee joints healthy.
If a person leads an active lifestyle - inline skating, cycling, skiing, they must pay attention to protective equipment that prevents micro-injuries and significant knee injuries. All physical activity should be moderate and sporting activities should be alternated with rest.