Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is a degenerative-dystrophic disease.With this disease, the cartilage tissue is destroyed and the joints become deformed.
As a rule, gonarthrosis affects people over 40 years old.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 level of mobility, because it is responsible not only for the mobility of the legs, but also helps to support a person's body weight.It serves as a connecting "bridge" between the femur, tibia and fibula.The knee joint is supported by various ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and symptoms
With gonarthrosis, the blood circulation in the small bone vessels is disturbed, then the joint cartilage cover and the surrounding tissue begin to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of cartilage decreases and is covered with cracks and depressions.
As a diagnostic measure, the patient should consult a specialist for a comprehensive medical examination and x-ray examination.Naturally, everyone should know about 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 area of damage;
- movement in the injured knee becomes limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the painful knee;
- stiffness;
- The end result of this disease can be considered as joint deformation: the most common is O-shaped or valgus, that is, X-shaped.
It should be noted that the severity of certain symptoms does not indicate the level of development of the disease.However, with the development of gonarthrosis, the severity of symptoms also increases continuously.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have long been known by experts;they were described almost a hundred years ago.Popularly, this disease is characterized as salt deposition, and this statement is not a myth.Arthrosis is naturally accompanied by the deposition of salts in the knee tissues, including ligaments and tendons.
Stage of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several stages of the 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 gonarthrosis of the first degree are reduced to periodic pain, usually after exercise, as well as minor deformation of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a tumor in the affected area.
As for the second stage of arthrosis, at this stage there is an increase in the main symptoms.The intensity and duration of pain in the knee increases, crackles and difficulty bending appear.The joints increase in number and the deformation is already noticeable.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the third degree is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also during rest.There is limited mobility and sudden disturbances in gait.The joints become deformed and take 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, one 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 prescribed drugs, and may even turn to other specialists in parallel.Each patient must be aware of the essence of the prescribed treatment procedure and understand why it is prescribed to him.
The therapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint involves several therapeutic measures aimed at solving the following problems:
- relieves pain;
- better nutrition of 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;
- strengthens the muscles surrounding the painful joint;
- increased joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require treatment, which includes surgical operations.
Gonarthrosis of the first degree requires treatment, including physiotherapeutic procedures.The early stages of the disease are practically not detected on x-rays.The following symptoms are characteristic of the first stage of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- stiffness;
- fatigue and discomfort in the affected joint area;
- pain reduction after movement during the day.
Second degree gonarthrosis involves treatment with drugs.Symptoms at this stage are considered to be severe pain, until it is difficult to bend the leg at the knee.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods in restoring the function of the knee joint with gonarthrosis is physical therapy, after which the following points are observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- increase the mobility of diseased joints;
- reduction of muscle tension;
- improve weak muscle tone.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis
In combination with drug treatment, according to the indications of experts, gymnastics should also be carried out, which is usually indicated in the early stages of the disease.To a greater extent, gymnastics is used for preventive purposes.Therapeutic exercises for knee arthrosis contribute to:
- improve nutrition of articular cartilage;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthens the ligaments and muscles that support the joint;
- pain reduction and a positive effect on the patient's overall health.
Treatment should start as soon as possible, because the whole process takes a long time and requires an integrated approach.
Unfortunately, the joint cannot be completely returned to its original shape, but you can't delay treatment either.The patient must prevent the degenerative process in time.
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 it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common medicine in the treatment of arthrosis.The leaves of this plant must be washed, dried and folded so that the velvet side faces down.Next, you need to put the leaves in a container and pour hot water into it.The sore spot should be lubricated with vegetable oil and leaves should be used, wrap the knee with polyethylene and secure it with a warm scarf.
Common sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It must be heated and applied to the painful joints at night.After five procedures, the pain will disappear.
Cabbage is no less popular in folk medicine.To treat gonarthrosis, the leaves are rubbed with honey and applied to the painful joints at night.It is better to continue the course of treatment for a month.
In the early stages of the disease, you can do some exercises.It is best to do it in a physical therapy room.Training sets should be systematic and organized, several times a day.After exercise, it is better to rest a little with a warm compress on the painful joint.Apart from exercise therapy, you can simply go for a walk, swim in the pool or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Following a diet and visiting a massage room are also considered important methods of combating gonarthrosis.Scientists have proven that overweight people belong to the first risk group, because extra pounds put significant pressure 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 prevention and quick recovery.
As for the massage, it should only be done by an expert.This procedure will reduce pain and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps improve tissue nutrition, strengthen and develop the knee muscles, preventing subsequent deformation and atrophy.However, this method is most relevant in the early stages of the disease.When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist for an examination.
Remember!You cannot diagnose yourself!Because many diseases are accompanied by joint lesions that resemble arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make mistakes in identifying the disease.