Arthropathy refers to the degenerative pathological process of articular cartilage tissue, followed by its thinning and destruction.Arthropathy is characterized by limited movement and severe pain.Treatment of knee arthritis or knee arthrosis is multifaceted, as there are many effective anti-joint treatments: medications, surgery, diet, massage, etc.
How and why pathology occurs
Knee arthritis occurs for the following reasons:
- Meniscus damage may cause the knee to lock.Statistics show that 90% of patients who undergo meniscectomy will develop knee arthritis;
- Other injuries such as sprains, fractures, cracks, bruises, etc.This factor is more common in younger patients;
- Obesity can cause increased stress on joint structures, especially the knees, as all that extra weight puts stress on the lower limbs.If, in addition to obesity, a patient suffers from varicose veins, there is a high risk of severe joint disease that is difficult to treat;
- Increased loading on the knees, common with athletes, loaders, etc.;
- Joint pathological processes, such as arthritis;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Stress, hypothermia.
Symptoms of knee joint disease
Arthropathy has the following symptoms:
- Fluid builds up in the joint cavity, leading to the formation of Baker's cyst;
- The pain is initially weak and intermittent, but as the pathological process develops, the pain becomes severe and constant.Furthermore, the process of this transformation may continue for years until factors that worsen the condition arise;
- The knees creak, causing pain.Similar symptoms appear already in the second or third stage of the development of knee arthropathy;
- Impaired joint mobility manifests as an inability to bend the limb, and the patient will experience severe pain.At the same time, joint deformations occur, which can be observed without any special equipment.
Pathological development degree
Knee joint disease is characterized by three degrees of progression.The first degree is characterized by mild pain during physical activity.At this stage, synovitis may develop as the cyst further forms.Articular cartilage damage is not visible from the outside, but it has become active and progressively worse.
Pain symptoms can be supplemented by specific sit-ups when performing bending movements.This sign is thought to be unique to knee arthropathy.
In second-degree knee arthrosis, the joint space is narrowed, which is clearly visible radiographically.Bone tissue begins to grow.Any slight movement of the knee can cause severe pain.The symptoms subside quickly after a short rest, but return after the next activity.
The typical symptom of third-degree knee arthrosis is significant deformity of the knee.Moreover, it is no longer possible to eliminate the pain by stopping movement, since the pain remains even in a calm state.
Treatment methods for knee joint disease
Complex treatment strategies can address issues such as:
- Strengthen the muscles that support joints and increase the elasticity and flexibility of tendons and ligaments;
- Get rid of painful symptoms;
- Accelerates the recovery process and improves nutrition of the cartilage structure of the knee;
- normalizes blood flow to the affected area;
- Increase joint mobility;
- Reduce pressure on affected areas;
- Increase the distance between bones.
The treatment process is based on medication prescriptions, surgery, special diets, physical therapy procedures, therapeutic exercises, etc.
Medications used
Treatment of knee arthritis is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic treatment and prevent further progression of knee arthrosis.NSAIDs, hormonal medications, and chondroprotectants work well for such tasks.These medications are effective in relieving pain, but long-term use is contraindicated to avoid adverse side effects.Therefore, the duration of NSAID therapy should not exceed 2 weeks.
Among the hormonal drugs frequently used to treat knee joint disease, the following drugs deserve attention:
When NSAIDs fail to cope with the pathological process, hormonal drugs are prescribed.But hormone therapy is characterized by many side effects and therefore does not last long.
Chondroprotective medications can be very effective in restoring joint function.These drugs have a complex effect - they reduce painful symptoms, stabilize pathological processes and provide increased nutrition to articular cartilage.There are the latest cartilage protectants that, in addition to restoring joint tissue, also have anti-inflammatory effects.
operate
Sometimes surgery is needed.A variety of surgical methods can be used to treat the knee joint:
- Arthroscopy;
- endoprosthesis;
- Osteotomy.
The simplest surgical intervention option is arthroscopy, where the affected area of the joint is removed through a small puncture.
The main goal of arthroscopic intervention is to prolong the function and performance of the affected knee joint.
But the most certain surgical method is endoprosthesis, which involves replacing part of the knee joint with an artificial implant.The efficiency of this operation is about 90%.As for osteotomy, the procedure involves creating an artificial fracture and then fixing the bone in its anatomically correct position.
physical therapy
Physiotherapy procedures also play one of the leading roles in complex antiarthrotic treatment.They relieve the course of knee joint disease, eliminate pain, relieve spasms of muscle tissue and shorten the regeneration time.If electrophoresis is used with a drug, the patient's oral dose of the drug may be reduced.
The goals of physical therapy for knee arthritis are to eliminate pain, reduce the severity of symptoms, accelerate joint regeneration, and enhance nutrition of damaged joints.
Ultraviolet radiation and magnet therapy are used to relieve pain.In order to eliminate the inflammatory process, infrared laser therapy or ultra high frequency treatment procedures are required.Additionally, ultrasound therapy, darsonvalization, and medicated baths are required.
diet therapy
The success of anti-joint therapeutic measures depends largely on a correctly formulated diet.Why?Sometimes the cause of joint disease is a metabolic disorder, and malnutrition plays an important role in the development of metabolic disorders.
An unbalanced diet can lead to obesity, which increases pressure on the knee joints.That is why it is recommended to follow a diet during and after treatment for knee arthrosis to prevent joint pathologies.
Dietary therapy for knee joints is based on the consumption of foods rich in fortifying compounds and essential trace elements.At the same time, you need to monitor the calorie content of the foods you eat to avoid weight gain.If you are overweight, it is recommended that you consume more calories than you consume and your weight will return to normal.
exercise therapy
Therapy and gymnastics are rightly considered one of the main elements of the complex treatment of knee joint disease.Performing exercises can help strengthen and restore joint movement.The most important thing is to perform these elements smoothly and slowly.Popular exercises:
- Lie on your stomach.Lift your legs one by one;
- From a position on your side, raise the limb with a delay of a few seconds;
- From a prone position, lift your legs and perform abduction and extension movements.
attention!This exercise is contraindicated in people with high blood pressure and other heart problems because it can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Rubbing massage from the knee joint to the hip joint is useful.The massage ends with caressing the skin.
Rheumatologist's Methodology
Treatment of knee joint disease according to the rheumatologist's protocol is based on a combination of physical therapy and pharmacotherapy:
- taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Chondroprotective drugs;
- Topical medications to relieve pain, such as ointments and creams;
- Intra-articular injection;
- manual treatment procedures;
- physiotherapy;
- Light physical activity.
The results of using this technique are that previous mobility is restored, the blood supply to the affected knee returns to normal, pain is relieved, and joint cells receive more nutrients.
Author's technology
This proprietary technology has unique therapeutic properties.This program can save patients from joint disease without the use of surgery or drugs.This technique is a combination of physical therapy and exercise therapy treatments.Each patient receives a personal treatment plan and training plan.
Patients are not advised to use painkillers, as the problem can be easily solved with ice on the knee and contrast showering.The results of regular training according to this method:
- The patient has less pain;
- Bones, joints, and cartilage begin to receive more nutrients;
- The knee's previous function is restored.
Such courses are conducted under the supervision of experienced instructors in professional clinics.Massage, swimming and sauna are considered additional treatments.