Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.With this disease, cartilage tissue is destroyed and the joint is deformed.
As a rule, gonarthrosis affects people over the age of 40.This disease occurs twice as often in women than in men.
The knee joint is one of the largest joints in the human body.It is characterized by a high degree of mobility, since it is responsible not only for the mobility of the leg, but also helps to support the weight of the person.It acts as a "bridge" connecting the femur, tibia and fibula.The knee joint is supported by various ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and symptoms
With gonarthrosis, blood circulation in small bone vessels is disrupted, subsequently the cartilaginous covering of the joint and surrounding tissues begins to collapse.Due to age or other reasons, the density and elasticity of the cartilage decreases and becomes covered with cracks and depressions.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a thorough medical examination and x-ray examination.Of course, every person should know the symptoms of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- during movement the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the damaged area;
- movement of the injured knee becomes limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the painful knee;
- rigidity;
- The final outcome of the disease can be considered a joint deformation: the most common is O-shaped or valgus, i.e. X-shaped.
It is worth knowing that the severity of some symptoms does not indicate the degree of progression of the disease.However, as gonarthrosis develops, the severity of symptoms also steadily increases.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have been known to specialists for some time;they were described almost a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized by salt deposition and this statement is not a myth.Osteoarthritis is in fact accompanied by the deposition of salts in the tissues of the knee, including ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish different degrees of development of gonarthrosis, which indicate the severity of the patient's condition.So, 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 mild deformation of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a tumor in the affected area.
As for the second degree of arthrosis, in this phase there is an increase in primary symptoms.The intensity and duration of knee pain increases, creaks appear and difficulty bending.The joint increases in volume and its deformation already becomes pronounced.
Third degree arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also at rest.There is limited mobility and severe gait disturbance.The joint deforms 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 your doctor's recommendations;the patient himself must also understand the essence of his recommendations, understand the mechanism of action of the prescribed drugs and perhaps also contact another specialist in parallel.Each patient must be aware of the essence of the prescribed therapeutic procedures and understand why they are prescribed to him.
Therapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint involves a series of therapeutic measures aimed at solving the following problems:
- pain relief;
- better nutrition of the articular cartilage and its rapid recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the affected joint area;
- reduce pressure on damaged joints and increase the distance between them;
- strengthen the muscles surrounding the painful joint;
- increased joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require treatment, which includes surgery.
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 requires treatment with drugs.The symptoms in this phase are considered severe pain, up to the sensation of difficulty in bending the leg at the knee.
Physical therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods of restoring the functions of the knee joints with gonarthrosis is physical therapy, after which the following is observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- improve the mobility of the diseased joint;
- reduction of muscle tension;
- increase the tone of weakened muscles.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis
In association with pharmacological treatment, according to the specialist's indications, gymnastics should also be carried out, which is usually 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;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthen the ligaments and muscles that support the joint;
- pain reduction and a positive effect on the patient's general health.
Treatment should begin as quickly as possible, as the whole process takes a long time 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 promptly prevent degenerative processes.
Folk remedies to combat gonarthrosis
Treatment with traditional methods is quite widely practiced by patients suffering from gonarthrosis.However, you should remember that in any case you need to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common remedy in the treatment of arthrosis.The leaves of this plant should be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety part faces downwards.Next, you should put the leaves in a container and pour hot water into them.The sore spot should be lubricated with vegetable oil and leaves should be applied, wrapping the knee in polyethylene and fixing it with a warm scarf.
Regular sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It must be warmed and rubbed into the sore joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will disappear.
Cabbage is no less popular in folk medicine.To treat gonarthrosis, its leaves are smeared with honey and applied overnight to the painful joint.It is better to continue the course of treatment for a month.
At the initial stage of the disease, you can do some exercises.It is best to do them in a physiotherapy room.The set of exercises should be systematic and regular, several times a day.After exercise it is best to rest a bit by applying a warm compress to the sore joint.Also, instead of physical 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 parlor 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 stress on the knees, as a result of which the joints wear out and become deformed.
Nutrition for arthrosis should be balanced and regular.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle contributes to both prevention and a speedy recovery.
As for massage, it should be performed only by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps to improve tissue nutrition, strengthens and develops knee muscles, preventing their deformation and subsequent atrophy.However, these methods are more relevant in the initial stage of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination.
Remember!You can't diagnose yourself!Since many diseases are accompanied by joint lesions resembling arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake in identifying a disease.