Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is often called "elderly disease".According to statistics, most patients with osteoarthritis are over 50.
It is important to know which factors cause the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the knee joint.Arthrosis affects the musculoskeletal system in men and women, but the factors caused are slightly different.Discover more information on joint pathology.
The causes of the development of the disease
The destruction of cartilage occurs with age -related changes, with a high load on joints for a long time.Under the influence of negative factors, the cartilage of the abrasions of the cartilage, the volume of synovial fluid decreases, the pain develops, the mobility of the affected limb is disrupted.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the context of various pathologies or when they injure the knee articulation.In serious cases, the joint gap is completely closed, the patient cannot count on the painful leg, the endoprothetics (installation of the artificial joint) is necessary.
Provocative factors:
- systemic pathologies;
- infectious diseases;
- injuries;
- overweight;
- Constant charges on the lower limbs, heavy physical work;
- Hormonal changes in menopause in women;
- Bad nutrition, deficiency in vitamins and trace elements.
Signs and symptoms
The osteoarthritis of the knee charter often develops after 55 years in the midst of age -related changes in cartilage.The tissues of other organs are rarely involved in the pathological process of the tissues, unlike arthritis, when the infection spreads in the tissues of the heart, the nerve fibers and the epidermis.Arthritis in the knee joint area is an prolonged process, more often, with periods of remission and exacerbation sufficiently long.
The main signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- At an early stage, painful pain, the intensity of the pain develops in a type of wave;
- Little by little, degenerative changes violate the mobility of the affected joint, in the morning, the patient is difficult to fold and straighten the knee;
- With advanced pathologies, cartilage is destroyed, the ability to walk is highly limited;
- The lack of synovial fluid, the severe friction of the joint heads, the transition of certain elements causes pain not only to the load, but also without it.
Important!There is no inflammatory processes active with osteoarthritis, but the destruction of the cartilage fabric occurs day after day.During the injury, the infection often joins, inflammation develops.
Home treatment
How to treat osteoarthritis on the knee joint?At an early stage, joint pathology lends itself well to therapy.In addition to pharmacy ointments and tablets, phytotherapists offer folk methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint.It is impossible to replace drugs with phytos: the refusal of drug treatment will worsen the state of the sick joint and cause the subsequent development of dystrophic degenerative changes.It is possible to stop the destruction of the cartilaginous fabric, to accelerate the process of regeneration only with integrated exposure.
At home, for the treatment of osteoarthritis, the patient takes medication, uses traditional drug prescriptions, does massage and special exercises.The effect is improved by good nutrition with the compulsory use of products which have a beneficial effect on the state of cartilage.
Drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compositions are compulsory in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint for pain relief during the destruction of cartilage.At home, drugs are used in the form of gels and tablets.It is important to strictly observe the daily dose, the frequency of use, the duration of treatment.
Information for patients!The tablets are more effective than ointments and gels.In serious cases of advanced osteoarthritis, pain syndrome brilliantly exposed in a medical institution, intra-articular injections are carried out for the most effective effect on the affected area.
Chondroprotector
With osteoarthritis, cartilage is gradually destroyed.With high loads, poor nutrition, the lack of competent treatment, the dystrophic degenerative processes are intensifying.Chondroprotectors for osteoarthritis of knee joint contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid.The drugs in this group stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage, improve blood circulation in the affected area and standardize the production of synovial fluid.
4th generation chondroprotectors not only have a restorative action, but also anti-inflammatory.Medicines contain components that stop the inflammatory process when the infection enters the synovial fluid.
Folk remedies and recipes
During swelling, use cold compresses;Onguants and waste are suitable for eliminating pain.The healing effect is provided by therapeutic baths, taking plant decorations.The patient coordinates all the actions on the use of plant preparations with the attending physician.
Revenue proven for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with popular remedies:
- Empase in petroleum jelly with essential oils.Knowing the properties of precious ethers will improve the effect on the affected joint.Rosemary essential oil activates blood circulation, mint oil relieves pain, cools the affected area, lavender fights with inflammation.For 100 g cosmetic oil jelly, just 6 to 7 drops of essential oil;
- Pork fat and tissue ointment.The medicinal plant has proven the effectiveness of various joint pathologies.Melt the fat (5 parts), add the crushed fabric (2 parts), boil for 5 minutes, cool.Keep an ointment at home in the cold.Rub the mixture in the knee affected daily;
- Compress onion with ginger.Growing a small piece of ginger root, adding onion juice until the porridge and a tablespoon of aloe juice are obtained.Apply the mass to the sore joint, wait half an hour, rinse;
- Honey wraps.You will need high quality honey.Apply a bee product to the painful area.Cover with a cellophane and a hot scarf.Keep the compress for 2 hours.A good effect is given by a combination of sparse honey and aloe in proportions 3: 1;
- Gelatin compress.The wet gauze with lukewarm water, fold in two layers, pour a tablespoon of gelatin crystals, cover the remaining gauze.Attach the bandage to the painful knee, fix it with a clean cloth or bandage.Keep the compress for 2 hours, pass the "gelatin treatment" three times a week.A good effect gives a gelatin infusion to take inside with milk or water with the addition of honey.
Self-massage
Move the movements slowly, don't press the painful knee much.The use of a special gel or massage oil will help increase the efficiency of the procedure.In the pharmacy, select a drug with pain relievers, restoring properties.
Basic movements:
- Caressing.Treat the skin in the direction of the needles of a watch and against it.After 1 to 2 minutes, a feeling of heat will appear inside the knee due to the activation of blood circulation;
- Massage the interior outer surface of the knee with the edge of the palm;
- The joint gently kneads your fingers, make sure there is no pain.
Medical physical education
The complete immobility of the knee joint of the problem is only required in a short time in the acute recurrence of pathology.With osteoarthritis, movement is necessary - this principle of therapy is supported by many doctors.
Rehabilitation technique, exercises and gymnastics with osteoarthritis of the knee articulation, promoting reasonable loads in the problematic area, have obtained many positive criticisms.The joint gymnastics of the famous doctor is recommended for a degree of light and moderate osteoarthritis in the joint zone of the knee.The patient first performs a set of exercises under the direction of an instructor.
With various degrees of cartilage lesions, a certain set of exercises is recommended.Excessive charges accelerate the destruction of cartilage, do not treat, but give the exact opposite effect.Only a rheumatologist, exercise therapy or an orthopedic office will offer a complex for independent classes taking into account the characteristics of the disease in a particular patient.
To prevent osteoarthritis in the joint zone of the knee, monitor the weight, control the hormonal background after 40 years, avoid frequent lifting weights, rest your feet.Good nutrition, motor activity, attention to the health of the musculoskeletal system, the protection of injury members and overloads will reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.During the first symptoms of joint pathology, consult a doctor, do not wait for the cartilage to be completely collapsed, the total endoprosthetic will be necessary.In the treatment of disease at home, see a doctor.