How is osteoarthritis of the knee treated?

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is one of the most common joint diseases and in terms of disease severity it ranks second after coxarthrosis.

According to the latest research, this disease affects one in five adults on earth. In the material, we will tell you what the symptoms of this disease are and how to properly treat it so that you do not have complications.

Reasons for appearance

Every day, a person's knee joints are subjected to stress, since while walking, playing sports they bear the entire body weight. Over time, the cartilage tissue wears down, which leads to changes in the joints. It is for this reason that aged people can experience osteoarthritis of the knee joints.

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

• overweight;
• suffering from osteoporosis;
• with hereditary diseases;
• elderly;
• work in specific specialties with a heavy workload;
• has metabolic disturbances;
• have a deficiency of microelements in the body;
• with spinal injuries;
• athletes.

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

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

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

To spot the disease, just pay attention to the symptoms: they are very common in osteoarthritis. These include:

1. Pain or discomfort after sleeping (or when trying to get up after sitting for a long time).
2. Knee pain during prolonged standing.
3. When climbing stairs - burning sensation.
4. Night pain or discomfort after exercise.
5. Feeling of weakness and "sagging" in the lower limbs.

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

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

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

Let's take a closer look at each option.

I degree

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

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

If there is pain, it is almost invisible. It is very difficult to diagnose the disease at this stage, so you cannot do without an x-ray - arthrosis will manifest itself as a small irregularity on the surface of tissues and bones.

II degree

In this "phase" the symptoms are brighter. Pain can appear even with a slight load on the legs, and over time, such sensations can appear with a simple movement. The discomfort disappears only after a long rest.

Also, symptoms such as:

• creaking when moving;
• changes in the bones of the joint;
• synovitis;
• inability to bend the leg.

III degree

Characteristic of this degree is severe pain, which no longer depends on the load: the joints can disturb even at night in the absence of any movement.

Mobility is also reduced: a person cannot bend the leg at the knee. Sensitivity to bad weather may also be observed.

Diagnostics and principles of further treatment

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

If research is needed to correctly identify the root cause of osteoarthritis and separate it from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment usually includes the following:

1. Pharmacological therapy.
2. Massage and manual therapy.
3. Surgery.
4. Physical therapy and other methods of rehabilitation therapy.

The main objectives of the treatment are the following:

• elimination of pain;
• restoration of the ligament apparatus and destroyed cartilage;
• increased joint mobility.

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 - the installation of an endoprosthesis.

Treatment of arthrosis - selection of methods and means

At present, there are such groups of drugs prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the initial stage:

• NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• chondroprotectors;
• medicated ointments;
• compression tools.

NSAIDs are aimed at eliminating pain and inflammation. And only after reducing the pain syndrome can further treatment be started.

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

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 inside the joint part. The solution is injected no more than 1 time in 10 days.

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

Even in the initial stages, hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the joint, is very effective. This procedure is not the cheapest, but it does help to abrade the cartilage surface.

When osteoarthritis is detected, ointments are also prescribed - they also reduce the sensation of pain and remove inflammation.

How traditional medicine can help

It must be said right away that you should not use only the methods of traditional medicine - they should be used only as an addition to drug treatment.

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

Dandelion flowers

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

Lapping

This is a compound that needs to be rubbed regularly on the knee joint.

It is very simple to make such a composition: take the egg yolk, mix with 1 tbsp. L. turpentine, add 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar. All ingredients must be mixed and left overnight.

Lubricate your knees every night and cover them with a wool scarf.

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

Burdock

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

Celandine juice

Wet a piece of cloth with juice and place it on the affected knee. After an hour, brush with vegetable oil. Repeat the procedure for a week.

Harpagophytum Root

Take 2 tbsp. L. means, pour into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for two hours. Take at least 3 glasses a day in the heat.

Choose knee pads for osteoarthritis

Often, in case of arthrosis of the knee joint, it is recommended to wear special knee pads, which reduce the feeling of discomfort and have a therapeutic effect. Typically, if used for a short period of time, you will see improvements such as:

• the inflammatory process decreases;
• the swelling disappears;
• pain relief;
• reduces pressure on the joints;
• the work of the musculoskeletal system is stabilized.

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

1. Open.Indispensable for those who experience pain after suffering any kind of injury or minor pain.
2. Elastic productswith reinforcements. This type of knee brace is best suited for those in pain when squatting, climbing or descending stairs.
3. Open shapeknee pads with adjustable tension. Such products are ideal after the operation.
4. Closed type- are used if the source of pain is unclear, i. e. it is not concentrated in a specific place. It allows to minimize the stress on the joints.
5. The magnetic aspectof the knee brace is characterized by the presence of a special magnet, thanks to which it has a warming effect, blood circulation is improved.
6. Hinged.Considered a universal option. Used to minimize pain after injury, osteoarthritis.

In addition to the type, the material of which the knee brace is made must also be taken into account. Hence, such elements can be created by:

1. Animal fur.These products heat, absorb moisture, reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation in the tissues.
2. Polyester.Knee pads made of this artificial fabric are very comfortable and reliable, but they don't warm you up and are quite expensive.
3. Cotton.Nice to wear, waterproof. True, there are also disadvantages - lack of elasticity and fragility of use.
4. Nylon.Knee pads made of this material are considered the most durable, they adapt well to the body. But there is also a downside - this is an artificial material.
5. Neoprene.Despite being an artificial fabric, this material is elastic and has a warming effect. There is also a drawback - wearing such knee pads can cause allergies.

But it is important not only to choose the right knee pads, but also to use them. Doctors give several important tips to follow:

• you must not wear them for more than three hours a day;
• the duration of use depends on the degree of arthrosis: the doctor will inform you in more detail;
• if you have an allergy, you urgently need to see a doctor who will prescribe another bandage;
• it is impossible for the agent to strongly compress the joints;
• wash the knee pads by hand, the water temperature should not be higher than +40 degrees.

In conclusion, it must be said that a healthy lifestyle should not be neglected: in this case, the body will function as it should. If you feel pain in the joints, you need to urgently consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.