How can knee osteoarthritis be cured?

causes of osteoarthritis of the knee

Knee arthrosis is one of the most common joint diseases, and in terms of severity of the disease it is in second place after coxarthrosis.

According to the latest study, this disease affects one in five adults on earth. In the material, we will show you what are the symptoms of this disease and how to treat it properly so as not to get complications.

Reasons for submitting

Every day, a person's knee joints are subjected to stress, as while walking, playing sports they resist the entire weight of the body. Over time, cartilage tissue is consumed, which leads to changes in the joints. Fierce for this reason that older people may experience osteoarthritis of the knee joints.

Furthermore, there is a risk group, which includes people:

  • overweight;
  • suffering from osteoporosis;
  • with hereditary disorders;
  • elderly;
  • working in specific specialties with a large workload;
  • have metabolic disorders;
  • that has a lack of trace elements in the body;
  • with spinal cord injuries;
  • athletes.

It should be remembered that this disease develops quite slowly and it is very important to consult your doctor in time for advice if the main symptoms are found.

This will avoid potential complications such as disability in the future.

Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

To diagnose the disease, just pay attention to the symptoms - they are quite common in osteoarthritis. These include:

the main manifestations of osteoarthritis of the knee joints
  1. Pain or discomfort after sleep (or when trying to get up after sitting for a long time).
  2. Knee pain in elongated legs.
  3. When climbing stairs - burning sensation.
  4. Pain or discomfort at night after exercise.
  5. Feeling of weakness and "ringing" in the lower limbs.

One of the most important symptoms is pain and stinging in the knee area.

At the same time, the disease itself does not appear "suddenly": such sensations can increase for months or years, and at first they will only be bothered with increased loads, and then the pain will be felt even at rest.

But it is worth remembering that the symptoms vary depending on the degree of the disease.

Let's take a closer look at each option.

Level I

Osteoarthritis of this degree is almost asymptomatic, but there are a number of factors that characterize this stage of the disease:

  • feeling of tiredness in the limbs;
  • decreases mobility, usually seen after sleep.

If there is pain, it is almost invisible. Summer is very difficult to diagnose the disease at this stage, so you can not do without an X-ray: osteoarthritis will appear as a small unevenness on the surface of tissues and bones.

degree II

At this "stage" the symptoms are brighter. Pain can also appear with a light load on the foot, and over time, such sensations can appear with a simple movement. The discomfort disappears only after a long rest.

Furthermore, symptoms such as:

  • chewing when moving;
  • changes in the bones in the joint;
  • synoviti;
  • inability to bend the leg.

degree III

A characteristic feature of this scale is severe pain, which no longer depends on the load: the joints can be disturbed even at night in the absence of any movement.

Mobility is also impaired - a person cannot bend the leg at the knee. Sensitivity to the weather can also be observed.

Diagnosis and principles of further treatment

options for diagnosing osteoarthritis of the knee joints

The doctor, after listening to the doctor, will examine the appearance of the knee and assess its mobility. After that, the patient will be sent for an X-ray and some images can be taken during the treatment period, which will allow the assessment of the dynamics of the development of osteoarthritis. In some cases, MRI or tomography is prescribed.

If research is required in order to accurately identify the underlying cause of osteoarthritis and differentiate it from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment usually includes the following:

  1. Drug therapy.
  2. Massage and manual therapy.
  3. Surgical intervention.
  4. Exercise therapy and other methods of rehabilitation therapy.

The main goals of treatment are as follows:

  • pain elimination;
  • restoration of the ligament apparatus and destroyed cartilage;
  • increases the range of motion in the joint.

Massage procedures, physical therapy, and even proper nutrition are also important. If you see a doctor too late or none of the above methods will help you, an operation will be prescribed: installing an endoprosthesis.

Treatment of osteoarthritis - choice of methods and tools

Currently, there are such groups of medicines prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the initial stage:

  • NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • chondroprotectors;
  • medical ointments;
  • compressor products.

NSAIDs are intended to eliminate pain and inflammation. And only after the reduction of the pain syndrome can further treatment begin.

If the use of non-steroidal drugs did not yield any results, especially if the disease only progresses, doctors usually prescribe hormonal medications.

However, it is worth remembering that due to a number of side effects, such drugs are prescribed only during the period of illness - if fluid accumulates within the articular part. The solution is injected no more than 1 time in 10 days.

The only group of drugs that directly affect the cause of osteoarthritis are chondroprotectors. They are especially effective in the early stages.

Also in the early stages, hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the joint, is very effective. This procedure is not cheaper, but helps to erode the cartilaginous surface.

When osteoarthritis is detected, oils are also prescribed - they also reduce the feeling of pain and relieve inflammation.

How can traditional medicine help

It should be said at once that you should not use only traditional medicine methods - they should only be used as an adjunct to medical treatment.

Let's take a look at some of the things that can help with knee osteoarthritis:

Dandelion flowers

Just need to eat 5 dandelion flowers every day, be sure to rinse them with boiled water. You can also make tinctures: take 5 dark glass bottles, fill 50% with flowers, fill the container with triple cologne on the neck. Insist for a month, then wipe the knees with the infusion.

Eavesdropping

treatment of knee osteoarthritis with folk remedies

This is an ingredient that should be rubbed regularly on the knee joint.

is ​​very simple to make such a composition: take the egg yolk, mix with 1 tbsp. lterpentine, add 1 tbsp. uthull molle. All ingredients should be mixed and left overnight.

Lubricate your knees every night and wear a woolen scarf.

Furthermore, it is very important to wash the applied mixture well in the morning. To relieve symptoms, you should use this method for 2-3 weeks.

Pink

According to the popular effects, you should attach 3-4 large burdock leaves to the injured knee and wrap it with a bandage. Repeat this manipulation for at least a week to relieve the pain. And to increase the effect, you need to lubricate the joints with cinquefoil oil.

Celandine juice

Soak a piece of damp cloth and place it on the affected knee. After an hour, wash with vegetable oil. Repeat the procedure for a week.

Harpagophytum root

Take 2 tbsp. ldo means, pour into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for two hours. Take at least 3 cups a day warm.

Choice of knee pads for osteoarthritis

Often, for osteoarthritis of the knee, it is recommended to wear special knee pads, which reduce the feeling of discomfort and have a healing effect. Typically, when used for a short period of time, you will see improvements such as:

  • the inflammatory process is reduced;
  • puffiness disappears;
  • pain relief;
  • lowers joint pressure;
  • the work of the musculoskeletal system is stabilized.

It is very important to choose the right model that will be effective when you dress. To do this, let’s first study what types of knee pads are:

how to choose knee pads for arthrosis
  1. Hapur.Essential for those who experience pain after suffering any minor injury or pain.
  2. Elastic productswith clamps. This type of knee pads is most suitable for those who have pain when climbing, climbing or descending stairs.
  3. Openadjustable tension knee pads. Such products are ideal after surgery.
  4. Closed type- they are used if the source of the pain is unclear, ie it is not concentrated in a specific place. Allows you to minimize stress on the joints.
  5. Magnetic appearanceof the knee pad is characterized by the presence of a special magnet, thanks to which it has a warming effect, improves blood circulation.
  6. Varet.Considered a universal option. Used to minimize pain after injury, osteoarthritis.

In addition to the type, you should also consider the material from which the knee pad is made. So such items can be made from:

  1. Animal wool.These products warm, absorb moisture, reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation to tissues.
  2. Polyester. Knee pads made from this artificial fabric are very comfortable, reliable, but they do not heat up and are quite expensive.
  3. Cotton.Nice to wear, waterproof. True, there are disadvantages: lack of elasticity and fragility of use.
  4. Nylon. Knee pads made of this material are considered to be more durable, fit nicely on the body. But there is a downside - this is an artificial material.
  5. Neoprene.Despite being a man-made fabric, this material is elastic and has a warming effect. There is also a drawback - wearing such pads on the knee can cause allergies.

But it is important not only to choose the right knee pads, but also to use them. Doctors make some important recommendations to follow:

  • you should not wear them for more than three hours a day;
  • the duration of the dressing depends on the degree of osteoarthritis - the doctor will inform you in more detail about this;
  • if you have allergies, you should urgently see a doctor who will prescribe another bandage;
  • it is impossible for the agent to squeeze the joints vigorously;
  • wash the knee pads by hand, the water temperature should not exceed +40 degrees.

In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle should not be neglected - in this case, the body will function properly. If you feel joint pain, you should urgently consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.