The main cause of acute knee pain in patients over 50 years of age is gonarthrosis (deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint).The disease is characterized by rapid progression and can lead to disability and disability.Therefore, timely detection of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint and treatment of the disease, including at home, are the main tasks in the examination of patients at risk of musculoskeletal system diseases.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee joint?
The knee joint is one of the most mobile joints in the human skeleton and is susceptible to injury and other mechanical damage.It connects the tibia and femur, as well as the largest sesamoid bone, which is located in the tendons of the quadriceps femoris muscle (patella or kneecap).The joint surfaces are covered with cartilage tissue - a dense, elastic substance that surrounds chondrocytes (oval cells formed from chondroblasts), forming a protective shell around them and also acting as a shock absorber.
Cartilage tissue contains collagen, a fibrillar protein, which is the main element of connective fibers and ensures the strength and elasticity of cartilage, as well as glucosamine.Glucosamine is a substance produced by cartilage tissue.Glucosamine is a component of chondroitin and part of synovial fluid - a yellowish elastic mass that fills the joint cavity and acts as a lubricant.When the synthesis of glucosamine and proteoglycans is disrupted, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, resulting in exposure of joint parts and severe pain.Therefore, treatment of grade 1 knee arthrosis always includes the use of drugs containing glucosamine and chondroitin.
- What happens in joints with osteoarthritis:
- the cartilage becomes soft and loose and deep ulcers appear on its surface;
- the synovial membrane thickens;
- the composition of the synovial fluid changes, its secretion decreases;
- there is a sprain of the ligaments and the joint capsule;
- The joint cavity is filled with exudate - an inflammatory fluid released from the blood vessels during acute inflammation.
Without timely and adequate treatment, osteoarthritis leads to complete deformation and destruction of the knee joint, during which the patient may experience both unnatural mobility and complete immobility of the joint.To stop the process of destruction of the articular and cartilage surface when knee arthrosis is diagnosed, the doctor may suggest endoprosthetics - a surgical procedure in which the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis of a suitable size.If indicated, the operation can be carried out within the scope of a statutory health insurance quota.
Classification and etiological factors
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be primary or secondary.Primary arthrosis is diagnosed in cases where it is impossible to accurately determine the cause of the pathology.If the cartilage deformation was preceded by other diseases and pathologies, knee injuries, then arthrosis is considered secondary, that is, developing against the background of a primary disease.
- The main causes of secondary osteoarthritis of the knee joints include:
- various dysplasias and other pathologies in which there is incorrect development and formation of tissues;
- neurodystrophic diseases of the lumbar or cervical spine;
- Inflammation of the knee joint (arthritis);
- Injuries and microtraumas to the joint;
- surgical removal of the damaged meniscus or part of it (meniscectomy);
- Diseases of the endocrine system and hormonal disorders, in which the speed of metabolic reactions slows down and metabolism in bone tissue is disrupted.
Primary arthrosis of the knee joint often develops in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or, conversely, are regularly exposed to increased physical stress on the knee joint.Obese patients, people over 50 years old, residents of environmentally disadvantaged areas, patients with various addictions to toxic substances (smokers, drug addicts, alcoholics) also have an increased risk of developing gonarthrosis.
Regular hypothermia can lead to inflammation and further deformation of the knee joint.Therefore, people with a tendency to diseases of the musculoskeletal system are recommended to observe the temperature regime and avoid activities associated with prolonged exposure to low temperatures (work outdoors, in refrigerators and freezers, etc.).
Women over 45 years old who are interested in the treatment of knee arthrosis should know that a provoking factor in the development of pathology can be reduced estrogen synthesis, which can occur after menopause and with certain gynecological diseases: endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, fibroadenoma, endometriosis.Also a negative factor are various diets that limit the consumption of foods rich in minerals, vitamins and other elements necessary for joint health.
Signs and symptoms
In order for the prognosis for the rest of your life to be as favorable as possible, it is important to know not only how knee osteoarthritis is treated, but also what symptoms the disease brings with it.This is necessary in order to consult a specialist in a timely manner and to detect possible deformations and other damage to the knee joint at an early stage.In the initial stages, the pathology has rather minor symptoms, so grade 1 knee arthrosis can only be detected after hardware and instrumental diagnostics.
- The first symptoms of the disease include:
- morning stiffness in the knee;
- Pain when walking a distance of more than 1-1.5 km;
- Pain in the knees when sitting for a long time (more than 2 hours in a row);
- painful sensations in the knee joint after standing for a long time;
- Knee pain that occurs at the end of the day or in the first half of the night.
If the patient does not receive the necessary treatment at this stage, the disease progresses.In order to choose the right drug for arthrosis of the knee joint, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic examinations (MRI, computed tomography, radiography, etc.) and determine the degree of deformation, the content of synovial fluid in the joint cavity, the density of cartilage tissue and the synovial membrane.The symptoms of grade 2 and 3 knee osteoarthritis are listed in the table below.
| Diagnostic signs | Osteoarthritis of the knee 2 degrees | Osteoarthritis of the knee 3 degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Pain when resting at night | May occur when changing posture or getting out of bed. | Occurs without movement. |
| Possibility of using public transport (except low-floor buses) | The patient feels pain when climbing stairs, but can use public transport without assistance with certain restrictions. | Due to the limited mobility of the knee joint, the patient cannot get on a bus or tram alone. |
| Lameness | Put simply. | The lameness is severe and additional supports (canes) are required for movement. |
| Stiffness in the knee after waking up | Takes less than 10-15 minutes. | Takes about 20-30 minutes or longer. |
| Pain when walking | Occurs after passing 800-1000 m. | They begin at the beginning of the movement and increase after a distance of less than 500 m has been covered. |
| Ability to care for yourself | Normally saved. | The patient cannot perform a number of actions without help. |
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint at home
- Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint can be carried out using:
- medical methods;
- physiotherapy;
- Massage.
The use of traditional medicine recipes is possible only after consulting your doctor and should not replace the main treatment prescribed by a specialist.The choice of drugs and treatment methods depends not only on the patient's age and his existing chronic diseases, but also on the stage of arthrosis and the degree of deformation of the cartilage and articular surface.
1st degree osteoarthritis
This is the mildest form of arthrosis, which in most cases can be cured with minor drug corrections and additional measures: massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy treatment.The most effective method for treating knee osteoarthritis, regardless of the stage, is laser therapy.This is the main method of physiotherapy that gives quite good results in the initial stages of arthrosis.
- It helps to achieve the following effect:
- the degree of inflammation in the joint cavity decreases;
- the intensity of pain decreases;
- the process of tissue regeneration is stimulated;
- the need to use glucocorticosteroids and other drugs with serious side effects is eliminated.
As an alternative to laser therapy, the doctor may suggest pulse magnetic therapy, acupuncture, electromyostimulation and electrophoresis.All of these methods are quite effective in the treatment of arthrosis with a degree of deformation of no more than 20-25%, but the effectiveness of treatment is higher when combined with physiotherapy and massage.Orthopedists and surgeons note the positive effect of water exercises on developing muscle strength in the legs.Patients with grade 1-2 knee osteoarthritis can be offered spa treatment (during a period of stable remission), including mud therapy, warming up in the sauna and therapeutic baths.A special diet is prescribed for overweight patients, since obesity is one of the main factors in the development of knee arthrosis.
Osteoarthritis 2 degrees
Treatment of grade 2 osteoarthritis of the knee joint includes physiotherapy and massage (outside the acute phase), special nutrition, physiotherapy and medication.It is very important to reduce the load on the damaged joint: limit walking, avoid movements that require flexion of the knee.If osteoarthritis progresses quickly, the use of special orthoses is indicated - orthopedic devices that are intended to fix the diseased joint and limit its mobility.
- The drug treatment regimen may include the following drugs:
- chondroprotectors with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid;
- Injections of glucocorticosteroid hormones.
The diet of patients with knee osteoarthritis should contain a sufficient amount of foods rich in collagen.
- These are:
- Products with gelling additives (jelly, jelly, jellied meat, aspic);
- products with added pectin;
- Fish oil
Almost all fruits and berries contain essential amino acids and minerals that help maintain joint health and mobility.However, the consumption of these foods should be limited in patients with diabetes.
Osteoarthritis 3 degrees
The treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint grade 3 does not differ from the therapy of arthrosis grade 2. If it is ineffective and there is a severe limitation of movement, the patient is prescribed surgical treatment with further prosthetics of the damaged joint.
Traditional methods
Before learning how to treat knee joints at home with alternative medicine recipes, you must consult a doctor.The use of the methods listed below is permitted only for grade 1 osteoarthritis and in the initial stages of grade 2 osteoarthritis.
Infusion of nettle and lemon
This infusion should be taken orally 20-30 minutes before meals.A single dose is 50-80 ml.
- To prepare the infusion you will need:
- Mix 100g dried or fresh nettle leaves with three peeled garlic cloves;
- Pass the mixture through a meat grinder.
- Add 4 tablespoons lemon juice;
- Mix everything, add 250 ml of boiling water and cover with a lid;
- Let rest for 4 hours.
The duration of treatment with this method is at least 60 days.In the first week, the infusion should be taken once a day, in the next 7-10 days – 2 times a day.From the third week of treatment, the number of doses should be increased to 3 times a day.
Honey ointment for joints
This ointment reduces inflammation and relieves pain.The first result is visible after a week of daily use, but to achieve a stable result it must be used for 30-45 days.
- To prepare the ointment you will need:
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter;
- Mix the oil with two tablespoons of honey and a spoonful of apple cider vinegar 6%;
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator to harden.
You need to apply this ointment on your knees 2-3 times a day (last time before bed).
Bath with dandelions
For such a bath, a tincture of dandelion roots is used.To prepare it, you need to mix 120 g of crushed dandelion roots with 150 ml of vodka and leave in a dark place for 24 hours.Before bathing, the contents of the container should be poured into water and stirred.It is recommended to take such a bath 1-2 times a week.After the procedure, the pain in the knees decreases and mobility of the joints is gradually restored.The effectiveness of the treatment will be higher if you add 150 g of sea salt enriched with iodine and bromine to the water.