The negative changes and destructive processes occurring in the cartilage tissue of the knees are called arthrosis of the knee joint.This disease is chronic and accompanied by pain symptoms.Knee arthrosis often develops with age;posttraumatic form is usually found at a young age.The disease is also called gonarthrosis, and the popular name is "salt deposition".
Signs
Gonarthrosis is the destruction of cartilage tissue due to poor blood circulation in bone vessels.As a result, deforming arthrosis may develop as a result of bone growth.
Usually, the first symptoms of arthrosis are hardly noticeable.Mild pain does not cause any special discomfort and does not limit movements.It may take several years before exacerbation occurs.Pain symptoms may worsen slightly after exercise or stress on the legs.
As the disease progresses, new symptoms appear and old ones intensify.The pain only appears and does not go away for a long time even at rest.Walking for long periods of time or lifting heavy objects results in long-term pain in the knees.
After the 2nd stage of arthrosis of the knee joint, the following symptoms appear:
- Synovitis - fluid accumulates in the joint.Its excess can lead to the development of a dense formation on the back wall of the joint cavity.This phenomenon is called Baker's cyst and can be treated without surgery.
- Knee deformity.At first, it swells a little, with degrees 2 and 3, the shape of the knee may change.
- Crunch.It appears in the 2nd and 3rd stages of the disease.With an acute crisis, painful symptoms are clearly felt.
- Limited mobility.This is characteristic of arthrosis of the 2nd and 3rd degree, the leg can only bend at the right angle.When the form progresses, the knees can become completely immobile and the joints in them are severely deformed.
- Weather sensitivity.Aching pain during changeable weather conditions.
Symptoms and their intensity can vary significantly depending on the stage of development of the disease:
- In class 1, pain appears after active physical activity.Primary arthrosis damages the cartilage tissue, but does not deform the joints.Diagnosis of the disease is difficult.
- In the second degree, the joint cavity narrows, the damaged cartilage tissue is clearly visible on X-rays.Movements involving the knees cause sharp pain;There is a creaking sound when bending and stretching.Joints work worse and worse, their deformation is noticeable with the naked eye.
- Open areas of grade 3 bones "look" at thinned cartilage tissue.Salts accumulate in the joint space.The pain persists even at rest.
Types of disease
There are several types of knee osteoarthritis.By origin:
- Primary.This type of arthrosis of the knee joint does not depend on other diseases.Older people, women and overweight people are at risk.
- Secondary.The disease appears after injury or infectious disease.If the injury or inflammation of the knee joint is treated in time, it can be prevented.
By location:
- Two-sided.Both knees are affected.The disease is age-related, progresses faster and seriously threatens disability.Bilateral arthrosis is often primary.
- Right handed.The disease attacks the right knee, most often in athletes and people who regularly put stress on the right leg.
- Left handed.The left knee suffers;the disease is common among athletes and overweight elderly people.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee is a disease that is more common in obese women.This is caused by strong salt deposition.In the initial stage of deformation, the inner side of the joints is affected;in the next stage, the external party is also affected.Deforming gonarthrosis should be treated as soon as possible so that the cartilage tissue in the upper region remains in a normal position..The main symptoms are sharp pain and wheezing.
Patellofemoral syndrome
Very often knee arthrosis precedes patellofemoral syndrome.In medical literature and practice, it is often called arthrosis with the same name.This is damage to the cartilage tissue located in the patella.Patellofemoral syndrome is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Joint pain aggravated by prolonged bending of the leg, jumping, running, climbing stairs or squatting.
- Limited knee mobility.
- Crackling and "clicking" in the joints.
- Stiffness in the joints.
Patellofemoral syndrome usually occurs in people whose activities or lifestyle put heavy loads on the knees - athletes, obese people.This type of arthritis also affects the elderly.Most often, patellofemoral arthrosis occurs as a result of a severe knee injury.
When diagnosing the syndrome, it is important to ensure immediate rest of the affected leg.Sometimes your doctor may recommend a brace or tight bandage to relieve the strain on your knee.People who are overweight will have to get rid of excess weight little by little.You can apply cooling compresses at home to relieve pain.
Patellofemoral syndrome develops gradually:
- In class 1, pain appears only after very heavy exertion, and you often feel fatigue in the knee.
- 2nd year - pain and discomfort are noted more often, joints become stiff.Symptoms disappear after rest.
- 3rd year - constant pain, significant limitation of movements.
Patellofemoral syndrome should be treated comprehensively, not just to relieve pain.Treatment should include drugs, application of chondroprotectors and physical procedures.No more diet and physical therapy.
Post-traumatic arthrosis
Post-traumatic arthrosis is a type of disease that occurs most often at a young age.After a knee injury, the limb is immobilized and the blood circulation in it deteriorates.This has a negative effect on the cartilage tissue and leads to the development of arthrosis.Sometimes post-traumatic arthrosis can develop after joint surgery.Scar tissue can cut off the blood supply to the knee.
The post-traumatic form of this disease is chronic, so the treatment is aimed at preventing further progression of arthrosis.It is almost impossible to treat post-traumatic arthrosis independently at home.It is necessary to take analgesics, chondroprotectors and antispasmodics, physical therapy, massage and hardware procedures.In advanced cases, surgical intervention may be required.
Hemarthrosis
Hemarthrosis is a separate type of knee arthrosis that occurs as a result of injury or problems with blood clotting.Hemarthrosis can be caused by the following factors:
- bruises or fractures of the knee joint and patella;
- traumatic damage to the meniscus and cartilage tissue;
- rupture of ligaments or synovium;
- femur or tibia fracture;
- hemophilia;
- tumors of various origins;
- some neurological and infectious diseases;
- long-term use of anticoagulants;
- osteoarthritis;
- surgical intervention;
- problems with blood vessels.
- the knee is swollen or greatly deformed;
- when you press under your fingers, you feel a flow of liquid;
- the temperature rises in the damaged area;
- tense and blue soft tissues.
Hemarthrosis can be accurately determined only after a puncture of the joint.In addition to joint fluid analysis, CT and MRI may also be done.
Hemarthrosis should be treated immediately to prevent complications.For minor injuries, treatment can begin at home.Simple first aid methods will help minimize the consequences of bleeding in the joint:
- provide rest to the injured knee;
- raise and straighten your leg;
- apply a cold compress;
- take a pain reliever.
This sequence of actions, even at home, will relieve pain symptoms and help treat mild hemarthrosis;in more complicated cases, you should seek medical help.
Folk treatment
Treatment of gonarthrosis with folk remedies should be agreed with the doctor.It is recommended to combine folk remedies with official medical methods.At home, using folk methods, you can effectively treat mild hemarthrosis or alleviate the patient's condition with complications.It is recommended to compress with horseradish:
- Peel a small part of the radish and grate it.
- For very sensitive skin, the rhizome is replaced by the leaves of the plant.
- Keep the mixture in a water bath for a few minutes.
- Place the root on gauze and compress.
- The duration of the procedure is two hours.
At home, for traumatic hemarthrosis, ointments should not be used in the first two days after the injury.
In case of severe injury to the joint and heavy or long-term bleeding, you should definitely consult a traumatologist.In this case, traditional treatment methods are of secondary importance.Hemarthrosis should be treated in the hospital with puncture drainage of blood, but you can use products with anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects at home.An infusion based on the following herbs will be useful:
- yarrow;
- oregano;
- nettle.
This is how they do it:
- Chop plant materials.
- Mix the herbs in equal parts.
- Pour three tablespoons of the mixture into 600 ml of boiling water.
- Leave for 1-1.5 hours.
Warm, filtered infusion should be taken 50 ml three times a day.
Gelatin
At home, you can try to treat arthritic deformities with gelatin.It contains a large amount of collagen, which improves the condition of cartilage tissue and increases the production of inter-articular lubrication.Treatment with gelatin should be combined with taking a vitamin complex rich in iron and vitamin C.
Medicinal mixture with gelatin is prepared according to the following recipe:
- Pour a teaspoon of gelatin into 50 ml of cold water.
- Leave the mixture for 12 hours.
- Add 150 ml of boiling water.
- After mixing, add a teaspoon of honey.
A glass of this drink with gelatin is drunk on an empty stomach for 10 days.Then you need a week break.The course is repeated two more times.
Ointments and rubs
To prepare an effective ointment at home, you will need the following components:
- turpentine - 150 ml;
- vodka - 150 ml;
- olive oil - 150 ml;
- camphor - 3 grams.
All components of the ointment should be mixed and applied to the painful area twice a day.
At home, arthrosis deformans can be treated with radish-based ointment.The following items will be required:
- black radish;
- linden honey - 150 grams;
- vodka - 100 ml;
- sea salt - 15 grams.
Ointment recipe:
- Peel and chop the radish.
- Pass the root vegetable through a meat grinder or grind it in a blender.
- Squeeze the juice from the radish.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir the mixture.
Rub the painful knee with this mixture.
Pork fat can be used as an ointment..Apply this product to your joints every evening and insulate them overnight.Arthrosis should be treated in this way for at least six months.
Warming ointments are useful when you need to quickly relieve pain and restore the mobility of your leg.It is important to understand that these tools are not able to cure the disease, but only temporarily eliminate the symptoms.Contraindications to the use of warming drugs are post-traumatic arthrosis and damaged skin.
Warming medicine with anti-inflammatory effect can be prepared at home.Therapeutic ointment is made from the following components:
- comfrey leaves - 1 cup;
- comfrey roots - 2 cups;
- olive oil - 0.5 cups;
- honey - 0.5 cups.
Method of preparation and use:
- Chop and mix the plant materials.
- If necessary, melt the honey.
- Mix all the ingredients, it is better to do it with a mixer.
- Before use, the necessary part of the product must be heated.
- The ointment can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
- Apply the drug to the joint, isolate and leave for 8-12 hours.
Hyaluronic acid
Primary arthrosis is very effectively treated with hyaluronic acid.This substance is the basis of synovial fluid.Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid can treat or stop the progression of all types of knee arthrosis..This procedure is prohibited at home!Hyaluronic acid injections should only be performed by an experienced physician under special circumstances.
In turn, the patient can eat foods rich in hyaluronic acid to increase the therapeutic effect.For joint health, it is recommended to include the following foods in your diet:
- chicken broth or jellied meat made using combs, claws, tendons and skin;
- soybeans;
- tofu;
- soy milk;
- red grape skins;
- red wine;
- starchy roots and vegetables.
In order to activate the production of hyaluronic acid by your own body, it needs to get enough calcium, rutin and vitamin C.