Everything was probably heard about osteoarthritis (deforming osteoarthrosis).The ailment is included in the three best most common diseases of the musculoskeletal apparatus.However, despite such popularity, not everyone can say with confidence that it has complete information about this joint disease.Since the osteoarthrosis of the lower extremities is more frequently diagnosed, we will have in detail about the osteoarthritis of the knee and the methods of its treatment.
Briefly about the osteoarthritis of the knee joint
So what is: the osteoarthritis of the knee and how much do we know about it?In medicine, there are several names of this disease, each of which characterizes the pathology on their part.
Then, the term "gonarrosis" makes it clear where the pathological process is developed (from the Griega Gony - knee).
The name of "osteoarthritis" (arthros - articulation) means a malflamatory disease in which degeneration and atrophy of cartilage tissues occurs.
There is another more precise concept: deforming osteoarthrosis.With a long flow pathology, not only the surface of the knee joint is affected, but also ligaments, tendons and nearby muscles.Blood circulation deteriorates, the trophy (nutrition) is annoying and metabolism in periarticular tissues is altered.The cartilage is quickly diluted and destroyed, bone growth (osteophytes) is formed on the side surfaces of the joint, ligaments are thickened and lose elasticity.All this leads to the growing restriction of articulation mobility, until the complete absence of movements in it.
The main cause of the disease is age -related changes.In addition, there are a number of additional factors that cause the development of osteoarthritis:
- various lesions of the lower extremities;
- greater body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Metabolism violation.
The ailment develops slowly and for several years the symptoms of joint damage are absent.However, degenerative changes gradually take place in joint structures.As a result, pain and crunch appear while walking, limiting mobility in the knee, the atrophy of the muscles near the thigh and the lower part of the leg is developed.
The symptoms of deforming osteoarthritis depend on the degree of damage to the knee joint, increasingly intense and sharp as the process progresses.
Therefore, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.It should be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure osteoarthritis, but it is very possible to suspend its development.The sooner the therapy begins, the more possibilities of a successful result and reduce the risk of complications.
Disease treatment methods
If the patient reaches the doctor with the question: "The doctor, I have osteoarthritis of the knee joint, tell me how and what to deal with," it is most likely not to receive an unequivocal and concrete answer.Honorrosis therapy is a long process that includes a whole complex of therapeutic measures.The treatment of any pathology always begins with the collection of anamnesis and diagnosis.
When planning the treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the stage of the disease, the degree of damage to the joint, the presence and severity of the pain syndrome.Unified osteoarthrosis of the knee, as well as a medicine that helps everyone at once does not exist.The fight against joint pathology must be complex and include not only drugs, but also physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises and recipes for traditional medicine.With the failure of all conservative measures, surgical intervention is carried out.
Drug therapy
All medications used in the fight against deforming osteoarthritis can be conditionally divided into two groups:
- drugs that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs, glucocortic hormones);
- It means that restoring the articulation and preventing its greatest destruction (chondroprotectors, including hyaluronic acid).
The treatment of gonarrosis always begins with the drugs of the first group, which quickly eliminate pain syndrome.It is the pain in the articulation that the patient is more suffered by the patient.
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Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medications are used to eliminate severe pain, discomfort, edema and inflammation of joint and close tissues.These medications can be used orally, intramuscularly or locally, directly in the area of the affected joint.
For external use, several ointments and gels are used.The anesthetic effect, as a rule, occurs fast enough and persists for several hours.The ointments are also good to use for a long time, having coordinated the duration of the course with the assistant specialist.
The course of treatment with non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs taken inwards is not more than two weeks, since they have many side effects.
Therefore, the NANAs with caution are prescribed for people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and elderly patients.
Corticosteroids
If NSAID treatment is ineffective and painful syndrome, the doctor can prescribe intra -articular injections of hormonal medications.They act much more effective than the drugs of the non -steroid group.
Due to the many undesirable consequences, the hormones of the glucocorticosteroids are introduced into the intra-articular cavity of the affected knee no more than once every 10-14 days and only during a period of exacerbation pronounced.
Condroprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent greater destruction of the joint and contribute to the restoration of the surface of the cartilage plates.
Condroprotectors improve the nutrition of intra -articular tissues, saturate synovial fluid with the necessary trace elements, reduce pain, edema and inflammation.They can be used in the form of tablets, ointments, intra -articular injections.
The course of drug treatment that restores the structure of the cartilage lasts at least 4-5 months.The result is a persistent and prolonged effect for several years.
Speaking of condoprotectors, you cannot stop mentioning generation III.These products contain, in addition to the condoprotector, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory supplement, which allows reducing the amount of medications taken and achieving good results.
Hyaluronic acid preparations are almost suitable for synovial fluid in their composition.Having hit the joint, the substance creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage plates that protect them during the movements.
Intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid are prescribed only during persistent remission.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is used only in extreme cases when conservative treatment does not give positive results.Modern medicine has different ways of performing operations that differ at the trauma level:
- Arthroscopy- The softer method of surgical intervention.It can be used even in the early stages of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint.The procedure is suitable for young people who lead an active lifestyle and can be repeated if necessary.
- OsteotomyThe operation is prescribed to patients with severe deformation of the joint.During the procedure, an artificial fracture of the deformed bone is performed.Then, experts are provided by anatomically and physiologically correct fusion.
- Endoprotetics.The most radical type of surgical intervention.During the operation, the Board is replaced by the implant.In spite of the complexity of the execution and the duration of the recovery, the endoprotetics is the best alternative to arthrodesis (joints of the articular extremes to complete the immobilization of the joint).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
In the initial stages of disease development, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective.They quickly eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasm, prevent the destruction of cartilage and accelerate their regeneration.
Using physiotherapeutic measures, medications can be administered through the skin directly in the affected joint.Very often, with the osteoarthritis of the knee, the following physiotherapists are prescribed:
- Magnetotherapy (10–20 sessions);
- Medical baths (radon, mud, biscophophous, hydrogen sulphide);
- Ultraviolet irradiation of average volume (6–7 times);
- UHF therapy;
- Electrophoresis with anti -inflammatory, vascular and analgesic medicines solutions;
- Darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine what treatment is necessary in a particular case, the duration of the therapy course can only be a specialist, focusing on the degree of damage to the joints, the patient's age and the presence of concomitant diseases in it.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of successful therapy to deform osteoarthrosis.The load strengthens the muscles, improves blood circulation, returns to lost joints flexibility.
An approximate set of exercises
Classes are selected for each patient individually.LFK must participate regularly, gradually increasing the load on the Board.The exercises are done better several times a day for 10-15 minutes.
After a night exercise, it is advisable to take a shower with a comfortable water temperature, after which the patients must rub with a Terry towel and a massage with anti -inflammatory ointments.
Therapy with popular remedies
Popular treatment methods are very popular among patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee joints.All kinds of compresses, friction and ointments of medicinal herbs were widely used.Before using recipes for traditional medicine, you should consult a doctor.It should be remembered that in no case can they replace the main pharmacological therapy.
With severe pain in the joint, you can prepare a 100 grams of honey and a tablespoon of food.The procedure is done at night.
Among patients, heating salt, sand or cereals are very popular.It is easy to do them: it is enough to heat the selected product in a pan, pour it into a bag and in a hot but not burning state, and attach to the joint.
In addition to these media, to combat the osteoarthritis of the knees, you can use paraffin applications, cabbage compress or gross leaves.
Applying recipes for traditional medicine, it should be remembered that with your help, gonarrosis cannot be cured.It can only reduce the manifestations of the disease and improve the quality of human life.
Conclusion
To prevent age -related joint deformation, it is necessary to regularly practice sports, monitor correct nutrition, avoid injuries and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort appears in the knee area, you must immediately communicate with the doctor.Only a specialist can make a diagnosis and say how to treat the osteoarthritis of the knee.The car -medical will only aggravate the disease.