Negative changes and destruction 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.Most often, knee arthrosis develops with age;at a young age, the post-traumatic form is usually found.The disease is also called gonarthrosis and its popular name is "salt deposition".
The signs
Gonarthrosis is the destruction of cartilage tissue due to poor blood circulation in bone vessels.As a result, deforming arthrosis can develop, caused by excessive bone growth.
Usually the first symptoms of arthrosis go almost unnoticed.Mild pain does not cause any particular discomfort and does not limit movements.It can take up to several years for a deterioration to occur.Pain symptoms may worsen slightly after exercise or stress on the leg.
As the disease progresses, new symptoms appear and old ones intensify.The pain just appears and does not go away for a long time even at rest.Walking for a long time or lifting heavy objects results in prolonged knee pain.
After stage 2 of arthrosis of the knee joint, the following symptoms appear:
- Synovitis – joint fluid accumulates in the joint.Its excess can provoke the development of a dense formation on the back wall of the joint cavity.This phenomenon is called Baker's cyst and can be cured without surgery.
- Deformation of the knee.At first it swells a little, with grades 2 and 3 the shape of the knee may change.
- Chewing.Appears in the second and third stages of the disease.With a sharp crack, painful symptoms are clearly felt.
- Limited mobility.This is typical for grade 2 and 3 arthrosis, when the leg can only bend at a right angle.When the form is advanced, the knees can be completely immobile and the joints in them are severely deformed.
- Meteosensitivity.Aching pain during periods of changing weather conditions.
Symptoms and their intensity can vary significantly depending on the stage of development of the disease:
- In degree 1, pain appears after active physical activity.Initial arthrosis damages the cartilage tissue, but does not deform the joints.Diagnosis of the disease is difficult.
- In the second degree, the joint space is narrowed, damaged cartilage tissue is clearly visible on X-rays. Movements involving the knees cause acute pain;a clicking sound occurs when flexing and extending.The joints are working worse and worse, their deformation is visible to the naked eye.
- In grade 3, exposed areas of bone "see" thinned cartilage tissue.Salts are deposited in the joint cavity.The pain continues even during rest.
Types of disease
There are several types of knee osteoarthritis.By origin:
- elementary.This type of arthrosis of the knee joint does not depend on other diseases.Elderly people, women and overweight people are at risk.
- Medium.The disease appears after injury or infectious disease.It can be avoided if the injury or inflammation of the knee joint is treated promptly.
By location:
- With two sides.Both knees are affected.The disease is age-related, progresses faster and seriously threatens disability.Bilateral arthrosis is more often primary.
- Right.The disease attacks the right knee, it is more often found in athletes and people who regularly experience stress on the right leg.
- Left-handed.The left knee suffers;the disease is common in athletes and the elderly who are overweight.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a disease that is more common in obese women.It is caused by strong salt deposition.In the initial stage of deformation, the inner part of the joints is affected;in the later stage, the external side is also affected.Deformative gonarthrosis should be treated as soon as possible so that the cartilage tissue in the above area remains in a normal state..The main symptoms are acute pain and tingling.
Patellofemoral syndrome
Very often, knee arthrosis is preceded by patellofemoral syndrome.In medical literature and practice, it is often called arthrosis with the same name.This is a lesion of 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 sitting.
- Limited knee mobility.
- Crackling and "clicking" in joints.
- Stiffness in joints.
Patellofemoral syndrome usually occurs in people whose activities or lifestyle involves heavy loads on the knees - athletes, obese people.This type of arthrosis also affects the elderly.Very often, patellofemoral arthrosis appears as a result of severe knee damage.
When diagnosing the syndrome, it is important to immediately rest the affected leg.Sometimes, your doctor may recommend a brace or a tight bandage to relieve stress on your knee.Overweight people will need to lose excess weight little by little.You can apply cooling compresses at home to ease the pain.
Patellofemoral syndrome develops progressively:
- In grade 1, the pain occurs only after a very heavy effort and you often feel tired in the knee.
- With the second - pain and discomfort are recorded more often, the joints are stiff.Symptoms go away after rest.
- With the third - constant pain, significant limitations of movements.
Patellofemoral syndrome should be treated comprehensively, and not just to relieve pain.Treatment should include medications, administration of chondroprotectors, and physical procedures.Diet and physical therapy will not be superfluous.
Post-traumatic arthrosis
Post-traumatic arthrosis is a type of disease that appears more often at a young age.After a knee injury, the limb is immobile and blood circulation in it deteriorates.This negatively affects cartilage tissue and provokes the development of arthrosis.Sometimes post-traumatic arthrosis can develop after joint surgery.Tissue pain can cut off the blood supply to the knee.
The post-traumatic form of this disease is chronic, so the treatment aims to prevent the further progression of arthrosis.It is almost impossible to cure post-traumatic arthrosis on your own at home.It will be necessary to take analgesics, chondroprotectors and antispasmodics, physical therapy, massage and hardware procedures.In advanced cases, surgery may be required.
Hemarthrosis
Hemarthrosis is a special type of knee arthrosis that appears as a result of injury or due to problems with blood coagulation.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;
- fracture of the femur or tibia;
- 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 has changed shape a lot;
- when you press under your fingers, you feel a flow of liquid;
- the temperature rises in the damaged area;
- soft tissue tense and blue.
Hemarthrosis can be accurately diagnosed only after a joint puncture.In addition to joint fluid analysis, CT and MRI can be done.
To prevent complications, hemarthrosis should be treated immediately.For minor injuries, treatment can begin at home.Simple first aid methods will help minimize the consequences of bleeding in the joint:
- provide rest for the injured knee;
- lift the leg and adjust;
- apply a cold compress;
- take a sedative.
This sequence of actions, even at home, will relieve pain symptoms and help treat mild hemarthrosis;in more complex cases, you should seek medical help.
Folk remedies
Treatment of gonarthrosis with folk remedies should be agreed with a doctor.It is recommended to combine folk remedies with the methods of official medicine.At home, using folk remedies, you can effectively treat mild hemarthrosis or alleviate the patient's condition with complications.It is recommended to make a compress with horseradish:
- Peel and grate a small piece of horseradish.
- For very sensitive skin, the rhizome is replaced with the leaves of the plant.
- Keep the mixture in a water bath for a few minutes.
- Place the root in gauze and make a 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 damage and severe or prolonged bleeding in the joint, you should definitely consult a traumatologist.Traditional methods of treatment in this situation are of secondary importance.Hemarthrosis should be treated with perforated blood drainage in the hospital, but at home you can use products with anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects.An infusion based on the following herbs will be useful:
- yarrow;
- oregano;
- nettles
They do it like this:
- Grind plant materials.
- Mix the herbs in equal parts.
- Pour three tablespoons of the mixture into 600 ml of boiling water.
- Leave it for 1-1.5 hours.
Warm and strained infusion should be taken three times a day, 50 ml.
Gelatin
At home, you can try to treat the deformity of arthrosis with gelatin.It contains large amounts 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 gelatin drink is drunk on an empty stomach for 10 days.Then you need a week off.The course is repeated two more times.
Ointments and rubs
To prepare an effective oil at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- turpentine - 150 ml;
- vodka - 150 ml;
- olive oil - 150 ml;
- camphor - 3 grams.
All the components of the oil should be mixed and applied to the injured area twice a day.
At home, deforming arthrosis can be treated with radish-based ointment.The following ingredients will be required:
- black radish;
- sturgeon honey - 150 grams;
- vodka - 100 ml;
- sea salt - 15 grams.
Oil recipe:
- Peel and chop the radish.
- Pass root vegetables through a meat grinder or grind in a blender.
- Squeeze the juice from the radish.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix the mixture.
Rub the sore knee with this mixture.
Lard can be used as an ointment..Every evening you should rub this product on your joints and isolate them overnight.Arthrosis should be treated in this way for at least six months.
When you need to quickly relieve pain and restore mobility in the legs, warming ointments come to the rescue.It is important to understand that these tools are not able to cure the disease, but only temporarily relieve the symptoms.Contraindications for the use of heating drugs are post-traumatic arthrosis and damaged skin.
A warming medicine with an anti-inflammatory effect can be made at home.Therapeutic ointment is prepared from the following ingredients:
- comfrey leaves - 1 cup;
- comfrey root - 2 cups;
- olive oil - 0.5 cups;
- honey - 0.5 cups.
Method of preparation and use:
- Grind and mix the plant materials.
- Melt the honey, if necessary.
- Mix all the ingredients, it is better to do this with a mixer.
- Before use, the required part of the product must be heated.
- The ointment can be stored for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 3 months in the refrigerator.
- Apply the medicine to the joint, isolate it and leave it 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 cure or stop the development of any type of knee osteoarthritis.This procedure is prohibited at home!Hyaluronic acid injections should only be done by a doctor with experience in special conditions.
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 dishes in your diet:
- chicken stock or jellied meat prepared using comb, paws, tendons and skin;
- soy;
- tofu;
- soy milk;
- red grape skins;
- red wine;
- roots and starchy vegetables.
To activate your body's production of hyaluronic acid, it needs to get enough calcium, rutin and vitamin C.