Knee gonarthrosis is a non-inflammatory disease of the knee, in which blood circulation is disturbed in the cartilage tissue. This disease is also called osteoarthritis of the knee. This type of arthrosis occupies one of the first places among others.
Etiology and pathogenesis
So what is gonarthrosis? These are degenerative changes in the cartilage that covers the joint. Knee osteoarthritis has been known for over a hundred years. In cartilage, due to osmotic pressure, metabolic processes occur. If the cartilage is compressed, a lubricant is released and then absorbed. Thus, the cartilage is constantly nourished. With constant constant loads, this process breaks down and the cartilage becomes thin. The condition of the collagen fibers that make up the cartilage is disturbed, the cartilage tissue is no longer as elastic.
Because the bones rub against each other while walking (cartilage does not soften the friction), bony protrusions or spikes appear. As a result of such changes, osteophyte growth occurs. These are growths of a dense structure of bone tissue. In addition, the synovium becomes irritated and inflamed. All this leads to limited limb mobility.
Most often, osteoarthritis of the inner part of the knee appears. Moreover, mature and elderly people are susceptible to the disease, but the disease can also appear in young people, especially in athletes.
Poor blood supply leads to cartilage erosion, exposing the bone inside the joint. And the whole joint is deformed, that is, deforming osteoarthritis of the knee appears.
Causes and classification of the disease
The disease is divided into types according to the etiology: primary and secondary gonarthrosis. Primary or idiopathic gonarthrosis occurs against the background of complete well-being. It usually occurs in the elderly, mainly women. Secondary develops after knee herb or infectious disease. Post-traumatic gonarthrosis can be avoided if the inflammation or damage to the knee is removed in time.
The different types of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are also divided according to localization:
- Right-sided gonarthrosis - this type affects only the right ankle, people who do sports suffer more often from this osteoarthritis.
- Left-sided gonarthrosis - the left joint is affected accordingly.
- Bilateral gonarthrosis - both joints are destroyed, the most severe type of the disease, people over fifty and older are susceptible to it.
All of these species are almost indistinguishable from each other in the course of the disease (i. e. , clicks and pain are always present). But bilateral gonarthrosis is usually more pronounced because there are two key concerns. In addition, any type of this disease, if the form is in progress, will be more pronounced and the pain will be stronger. To imagine what this disease looks like, it is better to look at the picture.
Interesting! Of all the diseases affecting the knee, osteoarthritis occurs in 53% of cases. I mean, that’s more than half.
Why does this disease appear? Here are the main reasons for the development of this disorder:
- metabolic disorder;
- hormonal imbalance;
- endocrine disorders;
- increased capillary fragility;
- overload and injury;
- heredity and congenital anomalies;
- inflammatory diseases.
Overweight is considered the main risk factor.
Degrees of gonarthrosis of the knee joint
There are different degrees of gonarthrosis. There are three of these, of course, the first degree is initial and poorly manifested, and the last degree is a severe deformity of the joints. In the first stage of the disease, it may not be noticed, but later treatment will be difficult, so you should carefully monitor the symptoms:
- The first stage of the disease is characterized by mild discomfort, fatigue. Sometimes there may be a restriction of movement, but very easy. At this stage, the joint is not yet deformed, but a slight narrowing of the wrist gap can be seen on x-ray.
- The second degree is manifested by more pronounced pain, especially after walking. When you change the position of the joint, there is a click and clicks. At this degree atrophy of the thigh muscles can occur and the angle of complete flexion of the leg is markedly limited. On X-rays, you can see the growth of osteophytes and the flattening of the bones.
- In the third degree, severe pain appears, swelling may appear. Since osteophytes can detach, it may appear as if the joint is blocked. This is a sharp pain and inability to move independently. In terms of X-ray images, deformities, changes in the ankle and ankle bones are visible.
In the final stage of the disease, it will take a long time to treat the joint and it will not be possible to heal completely.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis
How can knee gonarthrosis be recognized? The symptoms of the disease are different, but the main symptom is pain. At first it can be very weak and messy, but over time the worries increase, there are problems with walking, because after a long activity appears not only fatigue, but also pain.
The symptoms of the disease gradually increase, starting with mild discomfort and weakness in the legs. Here are the main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee:
- the tightness is felt below the knee;
- excessive fatigue after walking;
- aches and sharp pains after activity;
- discomfort after sleep;
- crackling and clicking when bending the knee;
- edema of the limbs;
- impaired mobility of the wrist;
- çalim.
Sometimes gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis. Synovitis is an inflammation of the lining of a joint. Already in the first stage of osteoarthritis, this complication can occur. But in most cases it goes away without treatment. And grade 2 knee joint gonarthrosis can be complicated not only by synovitis but also by Baker cyst. The pain in this case becomes very strong and tortured even at rest.
Fact! The most common is post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis. It does not happen immediately, but gradually, with regular physical overload. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis at first feels like simple fatigue and only over time can pain appear.
Treatment Methods
Gonarthrosis is an incurable disease, whether unilateral or bilateral. It is impossible to return the key to a completely healthy state. However, treatment should be performed, it will help relieve severe pain and slow down the destruction of the joint. In addition, it is important to follow a diet. Popular methods are also useful. There are several types of treatment for this disease.
Here are the main methods used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee:
- Use of drugs - tablets, injections and ointments.
- Physiotherapy - various physiotherapy procedures.
- Therapeutic physical training and massage are mandatory methods for treatment and rehabilitation.
Therapeutic and preventive gymnastics is a mandatory component of therapy. Without regular exercise, it is impossible to restore makeup and remove pain, especially for a form such as bilateral osteoarthritis (it can lead to disability). Proper physical activity will help to cope with the disease faster. But you can perform exercises only under the guidance of an experienced trainer, so as not to aggravate the condition.
Medical therapy
What drugs are used as the main treatment? Drug therapy involves the use of the following types of drugs:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain, swelling and relieve redness.
- Chondroprotectors are agents that help restore cartilage tissue.
- Medications to be injected into joints that relieve inflammation.
- Means with hyaluronic acid, they are also injected into the joints when the inflammation goes away.
The specialist usually prescribes external agents that help relieve the unpleasant symptoms. Most often these are gels and oils with a warming effect. They improve blood circulation. You can lubricate the affected joint several times a day, according to the instructions. You can apply gels and ointments in a thin layer, sometimes you need to lubricate lightly and sometimes rub well.
What else is used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation in osteoarthritis? Your doctor may prescribe heat compresses with Dimexide or medical bile. In addition, during illness, a medicine based on an extract of avocado and soy is often used. But treatment with this drug is long - at least six months.
Manual therapy and physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective way to treat gonarthrosis. Procedures improve blood circulation, help slow down the process of destruction. These procedures are especially good for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. What is usually recommended for arthritis? These are the procedures:
- magnetotherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- UFO;
- UHF;
- paraffin applications;
- novocaine electrophoresis;
- diadynamic currents.
In conjunction with manual therapy, it alleviates the patient's condition and prevents cartilage destruction. Here are the main goals of such therapy:
- restoring knee function;
- to facilitate overall well-being;
- reduce the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease;
- activate blood flow;
- help in joint recovery.
It is advisable to massage after exercise therapy, when the muscles are warmed up.
There are several methods of manual therapy:
- Swedish - the peculiarity of the method lies in the combination of joint movements with rubbing.
- Oriental - normalizes blood circulation.
- Finnish - similar to Swedish, but differs in intensity of impact and direction of movements.
Which method to choose should be decided by the chiropractor, taking into account the recommendations of the attending physician. There should be no pain during the session. If discomfort occurs, this indicates a lack of specialist qualifications, so you should stop the session immediately, otherwise the condition may worsen.
Nuanca! During such therapy, not only the damaged area is massaged, but also the tissues around it.
Popular methods of treating gonarthrosis
Various ointments and compresses are used in folk medicine. But you can also use some indoor tools. You can choose some effective recipes and apply them regularly. Disposable products are used for the preparation of folk remedies. But we must remember that these methods are additional, not basic. Therefore, medical treatment is also necessary.
Jerusalem artichoke
An affordable product that is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis. One and a half kilograms of leaves of this plant should be boiled in boiling water (10 liters) and left for half an hour. When the infusion has cooled slightly, you should lower the leg with the injured joint there. You can do this procedure every day or every other day.
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Honey compresses will help relieve pain and relieve swelling. To do this, smear the knee with honey and apply a tight bandage. It is necessary to keep it for a day, then the honey should be washed and smeared again with a fresh product. The course of treatment is at least four days, and more is possible. You can also massage it with honey - just massage your knees with honey. The massage should last a quarter of an hour.
burdock
Another affordable product that can be used for knee treatment. You can make a compress from burdock. It is necessary to squeeze the leaf a little so that the liquid comes out, and then sprinkle it with vodka. Wrap the diseased joint with a film and insulate. It is necessary to keep such a compress overnight. And the next day, smear a burdock leaf with honey and make such a compress, on the third day smear the leaf with a mass of vodka and garlic. Compresses should be alternated and treated this way for a month.
Combined ointment
For severe pain, you can use a special ointment. It is easy to prepare. It is necessary to take a tablespoon of hop cones, fresh sweet clover flowers and St. John's wort flowers. Mix two tablespoons of Vaseline one tablespoon from the collection and grind well. Before going to bed, you should rub the oil on the injured joint.
Dandelion
Simple flowers, dandelion can also be used. The flowers should be washed and dried. We then press it so that the consistency is like that of yogurt. This mass should be applied to the joints and covered with polyethylene for several hours. Moreover, when using this medicine, significant physical activity will be required, that is, you should walk at least three thousand steps a day.
Cherry
The cherry can be used inside. These berries help with osteoarthritis, but are contraindicated for problems with the stomach and intestines, as the fruits have a sharp and sour taste. They can irritate the mucosa. For treatment, you should eat a glass of cherry four times a day, each time washing it with warm boiled milk. The treatment is long - two months.
nettles
Nettle will also help to cope with the problem. Half a glass of fresh nettle juice should be mixed with the same amount of honey and medical alcohol. Everyone insists in a dark place for two weeks. After that, you should drink a tablespoon half an hour before meals, diluted in half a glass of water. This should be done three times a day.
Important! Any herbs and other products can be used to make healing ointments or drinks only if they are not allergic.
Prognosis of recovery
Since the offense is not treated, you have to live with it. But with a timely visit to the doctor and the correct diagnosis it is possible to significantly improve the patient's condition and slow down the development of this disease. Of course with age the disease will progress, but if the doctor's recommendations are followed, osteoarthritis will develop more slowly.
It is very important to use not only medicines and ointments, but also additional methods of treatment. So charging should be done regularly, even after cancellation of medications. Massage can be done in courses. For example, once every two months. It is very useful to regularly engage in swimming or cycling, it loosens the knot.