Perhaps everything was heard about arthritis (deformity of osteoarthrosis).The disease is involved in the first three of the most common diseases of the muscular apparatus.However, despite such popularity, not everyone can say with confidence that he possesses complete information about this articular disease.Since osteoarthrosis of the lower extremities is most often diagnosed, we will show in detail about knee arthrosis and its treatment methods.
Briefly about the arthrosis of the knee joint
So what is it - knee arthritis and how much do we know about it?In medicine, there are several names of this disease, each of which characterizes the pathology in turn.
So the term "gonarthrosis" makes it clear where the pathological process (from Greek gony - knee) develops.
The name "arthrosis" (arthros - joint) means a diseased -inflammatory disease in which degeneration and atrophy of cartilage tissue occurs.
There is another concept, more accurate - deformity of osteoarthrosis.With a long flowing pathology, not only the surface of the knee joint is affected, but also the ligaments, tendons and close muscles.Blood circulation worsens, the trophy (food) is upset and metabolism in periarticular tissue worries.The jump is rapidly being reduced and destroyed, bone growths (osteophytes) form on the lateral surfaces of the joint, ligaments thickened and lose elasticity.All of this leads to the increasing limitation of merging mobility, up to the complete lack of movements in it.
The main cause of the disease is age -related changes.Moreover, there are a number of additional factors that provoke the development of arthrosis:
- various injuries to the lower extremities;
- Increased body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition to diseases of the muscular -Skeletal system;
- Violation of metabolism.
The disease develops slowly and for several years the symptoms of joint damage are missing.However, degenerative changes are gradually occurring in articular structures.As a result, pain and crises appear during walking, limiting knee motility, develops atrophy of the near thigh and lower leg muscles.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis deformity depend on the degree of damage to the knee joint, becoming more intense and acute as the process progresses.
Therefore, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.It should be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure arthritis, but it is quite possible to suspend its development.The sooner the therapy begins, the more chances of a successful result and reduce the risk of complications.
Methods of treatment of the disease
If the patient comes to the doctor with the question: "Doctor, I have knee arthritis, tell me how and what to treat" - he will most likely not receive an unclear and concrete answer.Honartrosis therapy is a long process that includes a whole complex of therapeutic masses.Treatment of any pathology always begins with collecting an anamnesis and diagnosis.
When planning treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the stage of the disease, the degree of joint damage, the presence and severity of the pain syndrome.Unified knee osteoarthrosis therapy, as well as a drug that helps everyone immediately, does not exist.The fight against articular pathology should be complex and include not only medicines but also physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises and traditional medicine recipes.With the failure of all conservative measures, surgical intervention is performed.
Drug therapy
All medicines used in the fight against osteoarthritis deformity can be conditionally divided into two groups:
- medicines that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroid hormones);
- It means that the reset of the knot and prevents its further destruction (chondroprotectors, including hyaluronic acid).
Treatment of gonarthrosis always begins with the first group drugs, which quickly eliminate pain syndrome.The pain in the joints that the patient is most suffered by the patient.
NSAID
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate severe pain, discomfort, edema removal and inflammation of articular and adjacent tissue.These medicines can be used oral, intramuscular or local, directly in the area of the affected joint.
For external use, different ointments and gels are used.The anesthetic effect, as a rule, occurs quite quickly and continues for several hours.Ointments are also good for their use for a long time, as they have coordinated the duration of the course with the participating specialist.
The course of treatment with non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs taken from the inside is no more than two weeks, as they have many side effects.
Therefore, NSAIDs are carefully prescribed for people with chronic gastrointestinal tract disease and elderly patients.
Corticosteroid
If the treatment of NSAIDs is ineffective and painful syndrome, the doctor may prescribe intra -articular injections of hormone drugs.They act much more effective than non -steroidal group medicines.
Due to numerous undesirable consequences, glucocorticosteroid hormones are inserted into the intraarticular cavity of the affected knee no more than once every 10-14 days and only during a period of pronounced irritation.
Chondroprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent further destruction of the joint and contribute to the restoration of the surface of the cartilage plates.
Chondroprotectors improve intraarticular tissue nutrition, 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 treatment with drugs that restore the cartilage structure lasts at least 4-5 months.The result is a continuous and prolonged effect for several years.
Speaking of chondroprotectors, generation III cannot be mentioned.These products contain, in addition to the chondroprotector, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory addition, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of medication taken and achieve good results.
Hyaluronic acid preparations are almost suitable for synovial fluid in its composition.After hitting the knot, the substance creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage plates that protect them during movements.
Intra -articular injections of hyaluronic acid are prescribed only during continuous prayer.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is used only in extreme cases where conservative treatment does not yield positive results.Modern medicine has different ways of performing operations that vary at the trauma level:
- arthroscopy- the mildest method of surgical intervention.It can also be used in the early stages of knee joint arthrosis.The procedure is suitable for young people who lead an active lifestyle, and can be repeated if necessary.
- Osteotomy.The surgery is prescribed to patients with severe union deformity.During the procedure, an artificial fracture of the deformed bone is performed.Experts then provide that union anatomically and physiologically accurate.
- Endoprosthetics.The most radical type of surgical intervention.During the operation, the joint is replaced by the implant.Despite the complexity of the execution and duration of recovery, the endoprosthetics is the best alternative for arthrodesis (joints of common ends to complete immobilization of the joints).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee arthrosis
In the early stages of the development of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective.They quickly eliminate the pain, relieve muscle spasm, prevent the destruction of the cartilage, and accelerate its regeneration.
Using physiotherapeutic measures, medicines can be administered through the skin directly to the affected joint.Most often, the following physiotherapists are described with arthritis:
- magnetotherapy (10-20 sessions);
- Medical baths (radon, mud, bischofitic, hydrogen sulfide);
- Ultraviolet radiation by middle aircraft (6-7 times);
- UHF therapy;
- electrophoresis with solutions of anti -inflammatory, vascular, analgesic drugs;
- darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine what treatment is needed in a special case, the duration of the flow of therapy can only be a specialist, focusing on the degree of damage to the joints, the age of the patient and the presence of simultaneous diseases in it.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of successful osteoarthrosis deformation therapy.Charging strengthens muscles, improves blood circulation, turns into lost nodes flexibility.
A rough set of exercises
Classes are selected for each patient individually.LFK should be engaged regularly, gradually increasing the load on the joint.Exercises are best done several times a day for 10-15 minutes.
After an evening exercise, it is advisable to shower with a comfortable water temperature, after which you should rub the patients with a terry towel and massage with anti -inflammatory ointments.
Therapy with popular remedies
Popular treatment methods are very popular among patients suffering from knee joint arthrosis.All types of compresses, friction and ointments from medicinal plants were widely used.Before using traditional medicine recipes, you should consult a doctor.It should be remembered that in no case can they replace the main medication therapy.
With severe pain in the joints, you can prepare a compress of 100 grams of honey and a tablespoon of food salt.The procedure is done at night.
Among patients, compresses of salt, sand or cereal heating are very popular.It is easy to make them - just heat the product selected in a pan, pour it into a bag and in a hot but not burnt state, and glue to the joint.
In addition to these tools, you can use applications from the paraffin, cabbage compression or burial leaves to combat knee arthrosis.
By applying recipes for traditional medicine, it must be remembered that with their help, gonartrosis cannot be cured.You 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 play sports regularly, monitor the correct nutrition, avoid injuries and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort appears in the knee area, you should contact your doctor immediately.Only a specialist can make a diagnosis and say how to treat knee arthrosis.Self -medication will only exacerbate the disease.