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 40 years of age.This disease occurs twice as often in women as 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 person’s 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, blood circulation in small bone vessels is disrupted, subsequently the cartilaginous covering of the joint and surrounding tissues begin to collapse.Due to age factors or other reasons, the density and elasticity of 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.Naturally, every person should know about the symptoms of the development of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- while moving, the patient feels pain in the knee;
- swelling is observed in the area of damage;
- movements in the injured knee become limited;
- there is a feeling of instability in the sore knee;
- stiffness;
- The final result of the disease can be considered joint deformation: the most common is O-shaped or valgus, that is, X-shaped.
It is worth knowing that the severity of certain symptoms does not indicate the degree of progression of the disease.However, with the development of gonarthrosis, the severity of symptoms also increases steadily.
The symptoms of gonarthrosis have long been known to specialists; 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 indeed accompanied by the deposition of salts in the tissues of the knee, including ligaments and tendons.
Stages of gonarthrosis
Experts distinguish several 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 minor deformation of the joint.It is not uncommon to see a tumor in the affected area.
As for the second degree of arthrosis, at this stage there is an increase in primary symptoms.The intensity and duration of pain in the knee increases, crunching and difficulty bending appear.The joint increases in volume and its deformation already becomes pronounced.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the third degree is characterized by pain that occurs not only during movement, but also at rest.There is limited mobility and a sharp disturbance in gait.The joint becomes deformed 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, one should not blindly follow all the doctor’s recommendations; the patient himself must also understand the essence of his recommendations, comprehend the mechanism of action of the prescribed drugs, and perhaps also turn to another specialist in parallel.Each patient must be aware of the essence of the prescribed treatment procedures and understand why they are prescribed to him.
Therapeutic treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint involves a number of therapeutic measures that are aimed at solving the following problems:
- pain relief;
- improved nutrition of articular cartilage and its speedy recovery;
- activation of blood circulation in the area of the affected joint;
- reducing pressure on damaged joints and increasing the distance between them;
- strengthening the muscles that surround the sore joint;
- increased joint mobility.
Advanced forms of gonarthrosis require treatment, which includes surgical operations.
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:
- stiffness;
- malaise and discomfort in the area of the affected joint;
- reduction of pain after daytime movements.
Second-degree gonarthrosis involves treatment with medications.Symptoms at this stage are considered severe pain, up to the feeling of difficulty bending the leg at the knee.
Exercise therapy for gonarthrosis
One of the effective methods in restoring the functions of the knee joints with gonarthrosis is physical therapy, after which the following is observed:
- reduction of joint pain;
- improving the mobility of the diseased joint;
- reduction of muscle tension;
- increasing the tone of weakened muscles.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis
In combination with drug treatment, according to the indications of a specialist, 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 arthrosis contribute to:
- improving the nutrition of articular cartilage;
- increased mobility of the knee joint;
- strengthening the ligaments and muscles that support the joint;
- reduction of pain and a positive effect on the overall health of the patient.
Treatment should begin as quickly as possible, since the entire process takes quite a long time and requires an integrated approach.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely return the joint to its former shape, but you should not delay treatment either.The patient must prevent degenerative processes in a timely manner.
Folk remedies to combat gonarthrosis
Treatment with traditional methods is quite widely practiced by patients who suffer from gonarthrosis.However, you should remember that in any case it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Burdock is considered the most common remedy in the treatment of arthrosis.The leaves of this plant must be washed, dried and folded so that the velvety side faces down.Next, you should 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 applied, wrapping the knee in polyethylene and securing it with a warm scarf.
Regular sunflower oil is considered another traditional medicine.It must be heated and rubbed into the sore joint at night.After five procedures, the pain will go away.
Cabbage is no less popular in folk medicine.To treat gonarthrosis, its leaves are smeared with honey and applied to the sore joint at night.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 better to do them in a physical therapy room.The set of exercises should be systematic and regular, several times a day.After exercise, it is better to rest a little with a warm compress on the sore joint.Also, instead of exercise therapy, you can simply take walks, swim in the pool or ride a bike.
Diet and massage
Following a diet and visiting a massage room 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 speedy recovery.
As for massage, it should only be performed by a specialist.These procedures will reduce pain and eliminate symptoms of the disease.Massage also helps improve tissue nutrition, strengthens and develops the knee muscles, preventing deformation and subsequent atrophy.However, these methods are most relevant at 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 on your own!Since many diseases are accompanied by joint lesions resembling arthrosis.Therefore, it is very easy to make a mistake in identifying a disease.