Negative changes and destruction processes occurring in the cartilage tissue of the knee are called arthrosis of the knee joint.This disease is associated with chronic and painful symptoms.Most often, knee arthrosis develops with age;the post-traumatic form is usually found at a young age.The disease is also called gonarthrosis, its popular name is "salt deposit".
Signs
Gonarthrosis is the destruction of cartilage tissue due to poor blood circulation in bone vessels.As a result, deforming arthrosis may develop, which is caused by overgrowth of bones.
Usually, the first symptoms of arthrosis remain almost unnoticed.Mild pain does not cause any particular discomfort and does not limit movement.It can take up to several years for aggravation to occur.Pain symptoms may be slightly worse after exercise or stress on the legs.
As the disease progresses, new symptoms appear and the old ones become stronger.The pain just appears and does not go away for a long time even at rest.Long-term walking or lifting heavy objects can cause long-lasting knee pain.
After the 2nd stage of arthrosis of the knee joint, the following symptoms appear:
- Synovitis – synovial fluid accumulates in the joint.Its excess can cause the formation 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.
- Knee deformity.At first it will be slightly swollen, with grades 2 and 3 the shape of the knee may change.
- Crunch.It appears in the 2nd and 3rd stages of the disease.Painful symptoms are clearly felt with a sharp crack.
- Limited mobility.This is typical for 2nd and 3rd degree arthrosis, when the leg can only be bent at right angles.In an advanced state of the form, the knees can be completely immobile and the joints are severely deformed.
- Weather sensitivity.Aching pain in changing weather conditions.
The symptoms and their intensity can vary significantly depending on the stage of development of the disease:
- In the 1st degree, the pain occurs after active physical activity.Initial arthrosis damages the cartilage tissue, but does not deform the joints.Diagnosing the disease is difficult.
- In the second degree, the joint space narrows, and the damaged cartilage tissue is clearly visible on X-rays.Movements involving the knees cause acute pain;a creaking sound is heard when bending and stretching.The joints work worse and worse, their deformation is noticeable even with the naked eye.
- In grade 3, exposed areas of bone "see through" the thinned cartilage tissue.Salts are deposited in the joint cavity.The pain persists even when resting.
Types of diseases
There are several types of knee osteoarthritis.By origin:
- Primary.This type of arthrosis of the knee joint does not depend on other diseases.The elderly, women and overweight people are at risk.
- Secondary.The disease appears after an injury or an infectious disease.It can be avoided if the injury or inflammation of the knee joint is treated immediately.
By location:
- Double sided.Both knees are affected.The disease is age-related, develops faster and seriously threatens disability.Bilateral arthrosis is most often primary.
- Right-handed.The disease attacks the right knee, most often occurs in athletes and people who regularly experience stress on their right leg.
- Left-handed.The left knee suffers;the disease is common among athletes and overweight elderly people.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee is a disease that occurs more often in obese women.It is caused by heavy salt deposits.In the initial stage of the deformation, the inner side of the joints is affected;in the later stage, the external side is also affected.Deforming gonarthrosis should be treated as early as possible so that the cartilage tissue in the above area remains in a normal state..The main symptoms are acute pain and crunching.
Patellofemoral syndrome
Very often knee arthrosis is preceded by patellofemoral syndrome.In medical literature and in practice, it is often called the arthrosis of the same name.This is a change in the cartilage tissue in the kneecap.Patellofemoral syndrome is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Joint pain that is aggravated by prolonged bending of the leg, jumping, running, climbing stairs or squatting.
- Limited knee mobility.
- Crackling and "clicking" in the joints.
- Stiffness in the joints.
Patellofemoral syndrome usually occurs in people whose activities or lifestyle put a lot of stress on the knees - athletes, obese people.This type of arthrosis also affects the elderly.Patellofemoral arthrosis often develops as a result of a serious knee injury.
When diagnosing the syndrome, it is important to rest the affected leg immediately.Sometimes your doctor may recommend a brace or a tight bandage to relieve stress on your knee.Overweight people should gradually lose excess weight.You can also apply a cooling compress at home to relieve the pain.
Patellofemoral syndrome develops gradually:
- In stage 1, the pain occurs only after very strong exertion and you often feel tired in your knees.
- The 2nd - pain and discomfort are recorded more often, the joints are stiff.After rest, the symptoms go away.
- The 3rd - constant pain, significant restriction of movement.
Patellofemoral syndrome should be treated comprehensively, not just for pain relief.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 disease that most often occurs at a young age.After a knee injury, the limb is immobilized and the blood circulation in it deteriorates.This negatively affects the cartilage tissue and provokes the development of arthrosis.Sometimes post-traumatic arthrosis can develop after joint surgery.Scar tissue can cut off the blood supply to the knee.
The post-traumatic form of this disease is chronic, so the goal of treatment is to prevent further progression of arthrosis.Post-traumatic arthrosis is almost impossible to cure independently at home.Pain relievers, chondroprotectors and antispasmodics, physical therapy, massage and hardware procedures should be taken.In advanced cases, surgery may be necessary.
Hemarthrosis
Hemarthrosis is a special type of arthrosis of the knee that occurs as a result of injury or blood clotting problems.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;
- torn ligaments or joints;
- fracture of the femur or tibia;
- bleeding;
- tumors of various origins;
- some neurological and infectious diseases;
- long-term use of anticoagulants;
- osteoarthritis;
- surgical intervention;
- problems with blood vessels.
- swollen or greatly changed shape of the knee;
- when you press it under your fingers, you feel a flow of liquid;
- the temperature rises in the damaged area;
- tense and blue soft parts.
Hemarthrosis can only be accurately diagnosed after a puncture of the joint.In addition to joint fluid analysis, CT and MRI can also be performed.
In order to prevent complications, hemarthrosis should be treated immediately.For minor injuries, treatment can begin at home.Simple first aid methods help minimize the consequences of joint bleeding:
- provides rest to the injured knee;
- raise the leg and fix it;
- apply a cold compress;
- take a pain reliever.
This series of operations, even at home, relieves the symptoms of pain and helps in the treatment of mild hemarthrosis;in more complicated cases, medical help should be sought.
Folk remedies
The treatment of gonarthrosis with folk remedies must be agreed with a doctor.We recommend combining folk remedies with the methods of official medicine.You can effectively treat mild hemarthrosis at home with folk remedies or alleviate the patient's condition with complications.It is recommended to make poultices with horseradish:
- Peel and grate a small piece of horseradish.
- In case of 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 on gauze and make a poultice.
- The duration of the procedure is two hours.
At home, in case of traumatic hemarthrosis, ointments should not be used in the first two days after the injury.
In case of severe injury and severe or prolonged joint bleeding, it is imperative to consult a traumatologist.Traditional treatment methods are of secondary importance in this situation.Hemarthrosis must be treated in the hospital with needle drainage, but you can also use anti-inflammatory and hemostatic products at home.An infusion based on the following herbs will be useful:
- yarrow's tail;
- oregano;
- nettle.
Here's how they do it:
- Grind the plant material.
- Mix the herbs in equal parts.
- Pour three tablespoons of the mixture into 600 ml of boiling water.
- Leave for 1-1.5 hours.
The warm, strained infusion should be taken three times a day, 50 ml.
gelatin
At home, you can try to treat arthrosis deformans with gelatin.It contains a large amount of collagen, which improves the condition of the cartilage tissue and increases the production of lubricant between the joints.Gelatin treatment should be combined with taking a vitamin complex rich in iron and vitamin C.
The medicinal mixture made 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 150ml of boiling water.
- After mixing, add a teaspoon of honey.
One glass of this drink with gelatin on an empty stomach will keep you drunk for 10 days.Then you need a week off.The course is repeated two more times.
Ointments and rubs
To make an effective ointment at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- turpentine - 150 ml;
- vodka - 150 ml;
- olive oil - 150 ml;
- camphor - 3 grams.
All components of the ointment must be mixed and applied to the sore spot twice a day.
At home, arthrosis deformans can be treated with radish-based ointment.You will need the following ingredients:
- black radish;
- lime honey - 150 grams;
- vodka - 100 ml;
- sea salt - 15 grams.
The recipe for the ointment:
- Peel and chop the radish.
- Put the root vegetable through a meat grinder or grind it in a blender.
- Squeeze the juice from the radishes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir the mixture.
Rub this mixture on your sore knees.
Pork fat can be used as an ointment..Rub this product into the joints every night and insulate overnight.Arthritis should be treated in this way for at least six months.
If you need to quickly relieve pain and restore mobility in the leg, warming ointments can come in handy.It is important to understand that these remedies cannot cure the disease, but only temporarily alleviate the symptoms.Contraindications to the use of heating agents are post-traumatic arthrosis and damaged skin.
Warming medicine with anti-inflammatory effect can be prepared at home.The therapeutic ointment is made from the following ingredients:
- comfrey leaves - 1 cup;
- comfrey roots - 2 cups;
- olive oil - 0.5 cup;
- honey - 0.5 cups.
Method of preparation and use:
- Grind and mix the plant materials.
- If necessary, melt the honey.
- 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 in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
- 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 hyaluronic acid injections are suitable for curing or stopping any type of knee arthrosis..This procedure is prohibited at home!Hyaluronic acid injections can only be administered by an experienced doctor under special circumstances.
For his part, the patient can eat foods rich in hyaluronic acid in order to enhance the therapeutic effect.For joint health, it is recommended to include the following foods in your diet:
- chicken soup or jellied meat, prepared with comb, paws, tendons and skin;
- soy-bean;
- tofu;
- soy milk;
- red grape skin;
- red wine;
- starchy roots and vegetables.
In order for your body to activate the production of hyaluronic acid, it must receive enough calcium, rutin and vitamin C.