Osteoarthritis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system in which degenerative changes occur on the articular surfaces of cartilage, the cartilage gradually thins and is destroyed. The main symptoms of the disease are pain and limited movement. And due to the pathological proliferation of cartilage and bone tissue, there is a gradual deformation of the joint, which worsens the functional limitations.
The knee joint is one of the most common localizations of osteoarthritis (knee osteoarthritis is also called gonarthrosis). Its symptoms manifest to varying degrees in almost 30% of the adult population. Due to the fact that with this disease discomfort during walking develops quite quickly, patients usually consult a doctor in the early stages of pathology. This fact facilitates the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, and makes it more effective. For therapy, the doctor uses medical and surgical methods of exposure. It is also important to adhere to diet, massage and exercise therapy.
Let’s talk in more detail about treatment methods.
Drug therapy
Gonarthrosis therapy has the following goals:
- reduction of pain sensation;
- improving the nutrition of articular cartilage;
- normalization of the microcirculation of blood and lymph;
- restoring the previous range of motion.
The drugs can be used at any stage of the disease, but are effective enough only in minor knee lesions.
Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotective drugs are the only group of drugs that act directly on the cause of the disease. The most effective products are those that contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
If you start treating osteoarthritis of the knee with chondroprotectors in the early stages, then there is a possibility of significant results in therapy: it is possible not only to slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but also to partially restore it. It is important to note that drugs from this group must be taken in courses for a longer period of time (at least a year). If taken only occasionally, treatment will be useless.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a symptomatic effect in osteoarthritis of the knee: they reduce the severity of inflammation and pain. Thanks to this effect, it becomes possible to use active methods of therapy, including physiotherapy exercises and massage - this is important for severe knee injuries. Because these drugs can damage the walls of the stomach, their regular long-term use is not recommended.
To reduce side effects, you can use other dosage forms: suppositories or injections. In this case, it is possible to avoid direct contact of the drug with the gastric mucosa, and the effectiveness of the agent remains high.
NSAID-containing gels or creams are relatively ineffective. It was found that only 3% of the active substances penetrate the surface tissues and reach the intra-articular structures.
Corticosteroid hormones
The use of corticosteroid hormones is advised in cases where it is necessary to temporarily reduce the symptoms of the disease as soon as possible. Injectable forms of the drug are usually used for intra-articular administration.
Other groups of drugs
An important group of drugs used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (topically) are vasodilators, which improve microcirculation in the affected area and facilitate lymphatic drainage.
Compresses are most often used for that purpose, whose efficiency is slightly higher than fat. Interesting:
- Dimexid has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, improves blood flow properties and tissue nutrition. Unlike many similar drugs, it penetrates deep into the tissues.
- Medical bile has a warming and resorbing effect, it is most effective in simultaneous inflammatory changes on the joint membranes.
- Bischofite is a natural mineral that warms and improves microcirculation in the affected area.
Also, for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in the initial stages, intraarticular administration of hyaluronic acid has been started relatively recently. It is the main component of synovial fluid, so thanks to its use, the abrasion of the articular surfaces of the cartilage is significantly reduced. When treating gonarthrosis, it is very important to ensure that this substance does not enter the bloodstream. In this case, the risk of developing embolic complications increases when the drug enters the arteries of internal organs and leads to impaired blood flow. The cost of the procedure is quite high.
Stretching
In arthrosis, the size of the intra-articular gap gradually decreases, due to which the friction of the joint surfaces against each other increases. As a result, the sensation of pain increases and there is a significant limitation of mobility. In order to increase the distance between the cartilages, in some cases the use of a traction apparatus is indicated. Thanks to such procedures, the load on the joint and the severity of the symptoms of the disease are reduced. This method is usually used in courses of 5-7 procedures.
Manual therapy and massage
Manual therapy and special massage can be used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Their effects are: relieving pain, relieving muscle cramps, restoring range of motion. However, these methods of treatment are effective only in the early stages of pathology, because with a pronounced deformation of bone and cartilage tissue it becomes difficult to perform manipulations.
Hirudotherapy
The use of medicinal leeches can be useful in the treatment of gonarthrosis: thanks to such procedures, the properties of the blood, local blood flow and tissue nutrition are improved. It is also possible to activate regenerative processes in cartilage tissue and increase the amount of intraarticular fluid.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures are usually used as an additional method of treatment. Electrophoresis is most commonly used: with its help, external drugs penetrate much deeper than when applied conventionally to the skin surface.
You can also use ultrasound, magnetic devices, laser radiation. Thanks to their action, microcirculation and tissue nutrition are improved, and the processes of destruction and deformation are slowed down.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is carried out in case of ineffectiveness of conservative methods. Usually in this case the patient has a pronounced deformity of the knee joint and its almost complete immobility. During the operation, it is possible to remove excess tissue that limits mobility.
In advanced cases, complete or partial endoprosthetics with titanium structures are performed. The operation is very traumatic, and the duration of the rehabilitation period after it can reach several months. However, well-performed prosthetics will help restore joint function even in seemingly hopeless cases.
Home treatment
You can treat knee osteoarthritis at home, but first you need to coordinate all your procedures with your doctor so as not to harm yourself.
Diet
Dietary compliance plays an important role in the treatment of gonarthrosis, as the food supplies the substances needed to rebuild cartilage and bone cells.
In the presence of excess weight, a properly chosen diet will reduce it and thus reduce the load on the musculoskeletal system.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics and physiotherapy exercises are an integral part of the treatment of gonarthrosis. Thanks to the exercises, the muscles of the upper leg and lower leg are strengthened, the mobility of the extremities is increased, and the condition of the ligaments is improved. Improving the blood supply to the affected area increases the supply of nutrients and oxygen. It is very important to regularly perform an individual complex of exercise therapy. It is advisable to work with an instructor from time to time - this way you can control the correctness of the exercises and change them if necessary.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can also be used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee at home. Portable devices for UHF, small magnets, paraffin compresses are used for that. During the procedure, it is necessary to achieve maximum muscle relaxation, and during physiotherapy, it is desirable to reduce the load on the affected limb. To do this, you can use a walking stick: by leaning on it, the person reduces the load on the knee by 40%. In order for the stick to be effective, it is important to choose the right size for it.
Folk ways
There are many popular recipes that can bring tangible benefits in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Here are some of them:
- chopped heated horseradish root should be tied to the knee at night;
- in case of pain, you can drink a glass of onion soup three times a day (a liter of boiling water for two onions);
- baths with a decoction of malt and herbs hay is recommended to take several times a week;
- in severe inflammation, you can wipe the knee joint with a slice of lemon or tie a compress of oatmeal.
Conclusion
There is no definitive answer to the question of how to cure osteoarthritis of the knee. Most experts believe that the disease is incurable, and with the help of modern methods it is only possible to slow down (stop) the process of destruction of joints and only partially restore lost functions. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to prevention and implement it from an early age.