Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a degenerative-dystrophic disease.With this disease, cartilaginous tissue is destroyed and the joint becomes 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, as it is responsible not only for the mobility of the leg, but also helps to support the person's weight.It serves as a “bridge” connecting 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 covering of the joint and surrounding tissues begins to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of the cartilage decreases and it becomes covered with cracks and depressions.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a complete medical examination and radiographic examination.Naturally, each person should know the symptoms of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- when moving, the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the damaged area;
- movements of the injured knee become limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the painful knee;
- stiffness;
- The end result of the disease can be considered joint deformation: the most common is the O-shape or valgus, that is, the X-shape.
It is important to know 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 increases steadily.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have been known to specialists for a long time;they were described almost a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized as salt deposition, and this statement is not a myth.Osteoarthritis is in fact accompanied by the deposition of salts in the knee tissues, including ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several degrees of development of gonarthrosis, which indicate the severity of the patient's condition.Therefore, there are three degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint:
Symptoms of first-degree gonarthrosis are reduced to periodic pain, usually after exercise, as well as minor deformations of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a tumor in the affected area.
In the second degree of osteoarthritis, at this stage there is an increase in primary symptoms.The intensity and duration of knee pain increases, crunching and difficulty bending appear.The joint increases in volume and its deformation becomes pronounced.
Third-degree osteoarthritis of the knee joint is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also at rest.There is limited mobility and a marked gait disturbance.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 from him and discuss treatment methods.However, you should not blindly follow all the doctor's recommendations;the patient himself must also understand the essence of his recommendations, understand the mechanism of action of the prescribed medications, and perhaps also turn to another specialist in parallel.Each patient must be aware of the essence of the prescribed treatment procedures and understand why they are prescribed to him.
Therapeutic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint involves a series of therapeutic measures aimed at solving the following problems:
- pain relief;
- better nutrition of articular cartilage and its rapid recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the affected joint area;
- reducing pressure on damaged joints and increasing 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 on x-rays.The following symptoms are characteristic of the first degree of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- rigidity;
- malaise and discomfort in the affected joint area;
- reduction of pain after daytime movements.
Second-degree gonarthrosis involves treatment with medication.Symptoms at this stage are considered intense pain, up to the sensation of difficulty in bending the leg at the knee.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods for restoring the functions of knee joints with gonarthrosis is physiotherapy, after which the following are 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, as recommended by a specialist, gymnastics should also be performed, generally indicated in the initial stages 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;
- greater mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthening 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, as the entire process is quite time-consuming and requires an integrated approach.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely return the joint to its previous form, but you should not 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, it should be remembered that in any case it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common remedy for treating osteoarthritis.The leaves of this plant must be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety side is facing down.Then you should place the leaves in a container and pour hot water into it.The wound must be lubricated with vegetable oil and applied leaves, wrapping the knee in polyethylene and securing it with a warm scarf.
Ordinary sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It must be warmed up and rubbed into the sore joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will go away.
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 best to continue treatment for a month.
In the initial stage of the disease, you can do some exercises.It's best to do them in a physical therapy room.The set of exercises should be systematic and regular, several times a day.After exercise, it is best to rest for a while with a warm compress on the sore joint.Also, instead of exercise therapy, you can simply go for walks, swim in the pool or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Following a diet and visiting a massage room are also considered integral methods of combating gonarthrosis.Scientists have proven that overweight people fall into the first risk group, since extra pounds put significant pressure 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 rapid recovery.
Massage should only be performed by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps to improve tissue nutrition, strengthens and develops the knee muscles, preventing deformities and subsequent atrophy.However, these methods are most relevant in the initial phase of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination.
To remember!You cannot diagnose yourself alone!Since many diseases are accompanied by joint damage that resembles arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake when identifying a disease.