Arthrosis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system in which degenerative changes occur in the joint surfaces of cartilage, the cartilage gradually thins and dies. The main symptoms of the disease are pain and limited mobility. And due to the abnormal proliferation of cartilage and bone tissue, there is a gradual deformation of the joint, which aggravates the functional limitations.
The knee joint is one of the most common localizations of arthrosis (the knee joint is also called gonarthrosis). Its symptoms occur to varying degrees in nearly 30% of the adult population. Given that with this disease, the discomfort during walking develops quite rapidly, patients usually seek medical attention in the early stages of the pathology. This fact makes it easier to treat arthrosis of the knee joint and makes it more effective. During therapy, the doctor uses medical and surgical exposure methods. It is also important to follow a diet, massage and exercise therapy.
Let's talk in more detail about treatment methods.
Drug therapy
Drug therapy for gonarthrosis has the following goals:
- reduction of pain;
- improving the nutrition of articular cartilage;
- normalization of blood and lymph microcirculation processes;
- return of the previous range of motion.
The drugs can be used at any stage of the disease, but are only effective for minor knee changes.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotective drugs are the only group of drugs that directly affect the cause of the disease. The most effective products are products containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
If you start treating arthrosis of the knee joint with chondroprotectors at an early stage, it is likely that significant results will be achieved in therapy: it can not only slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but also partially restore it. It is important to note that medicines in this group should be taken in courses for a long time (at least one year). If taken only occasionally, the treatment will be useless.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a symptomatic effect in knee arthrosis: they reduce the severity of inflammation and pain. This effect makes it possible to use active therapeutic methods, including physiotherapy exercises and massage - this is important for severe knee damage. Because these drugs can damage the stomach wall, their regular long-term use is not recommended.
You can also use other dosage forms to reduce side effects: suppositories or injections. In this case, direct contact of the drug with the gastric mucosa can be avoided and the efficacy of the drug remains high.
Gels or creams containing NSAIDs are relatively ineffective. It has been found that only 3% of the active ingredients penetrate surface tissues and reach intraarticular structures.
Corticosteroid hormones
The use of corticosteroid hormones is recommended in cases where a temporary reduction in the symptoms of the disease is needed as soon as possible. Injectable forms of drugs are commonly used for intra-articular administration.
Other classes of drugs
An important group of drugs used (topically) in the treatment of knee arthrosis are vasodilators, which improve microcirculation in the affected area and facilitate lymphatic drainage.
Compressions that are slightly more effective than ointments are most commonly used for such purposes. Remarkable:
- Dimexide has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, improving blood flow and tissue nutrition. Unlike many similar drugs, it penetrates deep into tissues.
- Medical bile has a warming and absorbing effect, most effective for concomitant inflammatory changes in joint membranes.
- Bischofite is a natural mineral that warms and improves microcirculation in the affected area.
In addition, intraarticular administration of hyaluronic acid has been introduced relatively recently for the treatment of initial arthrosis of the knee joint. It is a major component of joint fluid, so its use significantly reduces the wear on cartilage joint surfaces. When treating gonarthrosis, it is very important to ensure that this substance does not enter the bloodstream. In this case, the risk of developing embolic complications increases when the drug enters the arteries of the internal organs and leads to impaired blood flow. The cost of the procedures is quite high.
Stretching
In arthrosis, the size of the intraarticular gap gradually decreases, as a result of which the friction of the joint surfaces increases. As a result, the sensation of pain is increased and mobility is significantly limited. To increase the distance between the cartilage, it is recommended to use the device in some cases. Thanks to such procedures, the load on the joint and the severity of the symptoms of the disease are reduced. This method is usually used in courses of 5-7 procedures.
Manual therapy and massage
Manual therapy and special massage can be used to treat arthrosis of the knee joint. Their effect: pain relief, muscle cramps, restoration of range of motion. However, these methods of treatment are effective only in the early stages of the pathology, as they make manipulations difficult with pronounced deformation of bones and cartilage.
Hirudotherapy
The use of medicinal leeches can be useful in the treatment of gonarthrosis: such procedures improve blood properties, local blood flow, and tissue nutrition. It is also possible to activate the regenerative processes of cartilage tissue and increase the amount of intraarticular fluid.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are generally used as an adjunct to treatment. Electrophoresis is most commonly used: it allows external drugs to penetrate much deeper than conventional application to the skin surface.
You can also use ultrasound, magnetic devices, laser radiation. Thanks to their effect, the microcirculation and the nutrition of tissues are improved, and the processes of destruction and deformation are slowed down.
Surgical intervention
In the treatment of knee arthrosis, surgery is performed when conservative methods are ineffective. Usually in this case, the patient has a pronounced deformity of the knee joint and almost complete immobility. During the surgery, it is possible to remove excess tissue that restricts movement.
In advanced cases, complete or partial endoprosthesis is performed with titanium structures. The surgery is very traumatic and the duration of the rehabilitation period can be several months thereafter. However, a well-performed prosthesis can help restore joint function even in seemingly hopeless cases.
Home treatment
You can also treat knee arthrosis at home, but you must first coordinate all of your activities with your doctor so as not to harm yourself.
Diet
Adherence to diet plays an important role in the treatment of gonarthrosis, as the substances necessary for the regeneration of cartilage and bone cells are provided with food.
In the presence of being overweight, a properly chosen diet reduces it and thus reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics and physiotherapy practices are an integral part of the treatment of gonarthrosis. Thanks to the exercises, the muscles of the thighs and legs are strengthened, the mobility of the limbs is increased, and the condition of the ligaments is improved. Improving the blood supply to the affected area will increase nutrient and oxygen delivery. It is very important to perform an individual practice therapy complex on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s a good idea to work with an instructor - so you can check the correctness of the exercises and change them if necessary.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can also be used to treat arthrosis of the knee joints at home. For this they use portable UHF devices, small magnets, paraffin compresses. Maximum muscle relaxation should be achieved during the procedures, and it is desirable to reduce the load on the affected limb during physiotherapy. You can use a walking stick for this: by leaning on it, one reduces the load on the knee by 40%. For a comma to be effective, it is important to choose the right size.
Folk ways
There are several popular recipes that can have tangible benefits in treating knee arthrosis. Here are some of them:
- the chopped heated horseradish root must be tied to the knees overnight;
- in case of pain you can drink a glass of onion broth three times a day (one liter of boiling water for two onions);
- it is recommended to take baths with a decoction of malt and senna herbs several times a week;
- in case of severe inflammation, you can wipe the knee joint with a slice of lemon or tie an oatmeal compress.
Conclusion
There is no definite answer to the question of how to cure knee arthrosis. Most experts believe that the disease is incurable, and with the help of modern methods, it is only possible to slow down (stop) the process of joint destruction, and only partially restore lost functions. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to prevention and do it from an early age.