Probably everything was heard about arthrosis (deforming osteoarthritis).The disease is included in the first three of the most common diseases of the muscle -esqualic apparatus.However, despite such popularity, not everyone can say with confidence that he has complete information about this joint disease.Since osteoarthritis of the lower ends is most often diagnosed, we will count in detail knee arthrosis and the methods of their treatment.
Briefly on knee articulation arthrosis
So what is it - knee arthrosis and how much do we know about it?In medicine, there are several names of this disease, each of which characterizes the pathology on its part.
Thus, the term "gonarthrosis" makes it clear where the pathological process develops (from the Greek Gonim - knee).
The name "arthrosis" (arthros - joint) means a sick inflammatory disease in which degeneration and atrophy of cartilage tissues occurs.
There is another more accurate concept - deforming osteoarthritis.With a long and fluid pathology, not only the surface of the knee joint is affected, but also nearby ligaments, tendons and muscles.Blood circulation deteriorates, the trophy (nutrition) is disturbed and metabolism in periarticular tissues is disturbed.Cartilage is quickly tuning and destroyed, bone growth (osteophyte) are formed on the side surfaces of the joint, ligaments thickens and lose elasticity.All of this leads to the growing restriction of joint mobility, until the complete absence of movements in it.
The main cause of the disease is age -related changes.In addition, there are several additional factors causing the development of arthrosis:
- several injuries from the lower ends;
- Increased body weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Hereditary predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- Violation of metabolism.
The disease develops slowly and, for several years, symptoms of joint damage are absent.However, degenerative changes are occurring gradually in joint structures.As a result, pain and crisis appear as they walk, limiting knee mobility, muscles atrophy near thigh and leg develops.
Symptoms of deforming osteoarthritis depends on the degree of knee joint damage, becoming more intense and acute as the process advances.
Therefore, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.It should be remembered that it is impossible to finally cure arthrosis, but it is quite possible to suspend its development.The therapy early begins, the more chances of a successful result and decreases the risk of complications.
Disease treatment methods
If the patient comes to the doctor with the question: “Doctor, I have knee articulation arthrosis, say how and what to treat” - he will probably not receive an unambiguous and concrete response.Honortrosis therapy is a long process that includes a complex of therapeutic measures.Treatment of any pathology always begins with the collection of anamnesis and diagnosis.
When planning treatment tactics, the doctor takes into account the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, the degree of damage to the joint, the presence and severity of pain syndrome.Unified therapy of knee osteoarthritis, as well as a medicine that helps everyone at the same time, does not exist.The fight against joint pathology should be complex and include not only medicines, but also physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises and recipes of traditional medicine.With the failure of all conservative measures, surgical intervention is performed.
Drug therapy
All drugs used in the fight against deformed osteoarthritis can be conditionally divided into two groups:
- Drugs that relieve the main symptoms of the disease (anti -inflammatory drugs, glycocosteroid hormones);
- It means that restore the joint and prevent its additional destruction (chondroprotectors, including hyaluronic acid).
Gonarthrosis treatment always begins with first group medications, which quickly eliminate pain syndrome.It is the joint pain that the patient is most suffered by the patient.
Aine
Non -esteroid anti -inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate severe pain, discomfort, edema removal and inflammation of joint and close tissues.These medications can be used orally, intramuscularly or locally, directly in the area of the affected joint.
For external use, several ointments and gels are used.The anesthetic effect, as a rule, occurs with sufficient speed and persists for several hours.The ointments are also good to use it for a long time, coordinating the duration of the course with the participating expert.
The course of treatment with non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs taken into inside is not exceeding two weeks, as they have many side effects.
Therefore, cautious NSAIDs are prescribed for people with chronic gastrointestinal tract diseases and elderly patients.
Corticosteroids
If the treatment of NSAIDs are ineffective and painful syndrome, the doctor may prescribe intra -articular hormonal injections.They act much more effective than non -esteroid group medicines.
Due to the many undesirable consequences, glucocorticosteroid hormones are introduced into the intraarticular cavity of the affected knee no more than once every 10 to 14 days and only during a period of pronounced exacerbation.
Chondoprotectors
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate prevent the additional destruction of the joint and contribute to the restoration of the surface of the cartilage plates.
Condroprotectors improve the nutrition of intra -articular tissues, saturate synovial fluid with the necessary stroke elements, reduce pain, edema and inflammation.They can be used in the form of tablets, ointments, intra -articular injections.
The course of drug treatment that restores the structure of the cartilage lasts at least 4-5 months.The result is a persistent and prolonged effect for several years.
Speaking of chondroprotectors, one cannot fail to mention generation III.These products contain, in addition to the anti -inflammatory Condroprotective complement, non -esteroids, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of medications taken and get good results.
Hyaluronic acid preparations are almost suitable for synovial fluid in their composition.Having reached the articulation, the substance creates a thin film on the surface of the cartilage plates that protect them during the movements.
Hyaluronic acid intra -articular injections are prescribed only during persistent remission.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is used only in extreme cases when conservative treatment does not provide positive results.Modern medicine has different ways to conduct operations that differ in trauma level:
- Arthroscopy- The kindest method of surgical intervention.It can be used even in the early stages of knee joint arthrosis.The procedure is suitable for young people who lead an active lifestyle and can be repeated if necessary.
- Osteotomy.The operation is prescribed for patients with severe joint deformation.During the procedure, an artificial fracture of the deformed bone is performed.Then experts provide you with anatomically and physiologically correct.
- Endoprostrate.The most radical type of surgical intervention.During the operation, the board is replaced by the implant.Despite the complexity of the execution and the duration of recovery, endoprosthetic is the best alternative to arthrodesis (joint joints to complete joint immobilization).
Physiotherapy in the treatment of knee arthrosis
In the early stages of disease development, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective.They quickly eliminate pain, alleviate muscle spasm, prevent cartilage destruction and accelerate its regeneration.
Using physiotherapeutic measures, medications can be administered by the skin directly to the affected joint.Most of the time, with knee arthrosis, the following physiotherapists are prescribed:
- Magnetotherapy (10 to 20 sessions);
- Medical baths (radon, mud, bishophithic, hydrogen sulfide);
- Ultraviolet irradiation of the average volume (6 to 7 times);
- UHF therapy;
- Electrophoresis with solutions of anti -inflammatory drugs, vascular and analgesics;
- Darsonvalization;
- Laser therapy (at least 10 sessions).
To determine which treatment is needed in a specific case, the duration of the therapy course may be only a specialist, focusing on the degree of joint damage, the patient's age and the presence of concomitant diseases in it.
Exercise therapy
Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the components of successful therapy to deform osteoarthritis.Charging strengthens the muscles, improves blood circulation, returns to joints have lost flexibility.
An approximate set of exercises
Classes are selected for each patient individually.The LFK should be regularly involved, gradually increasing the load in the joint.The exercises are better performed several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
After a night, it is advisable to take a bath with a comfortable water temperature, after which you need to rub the sick with a Terry towel and massage with anti -inflammatory ointments.
Therapy with popular medicines
Folk treatment methods are very popular among patients suffering from knee joint arthrosis.All types of compresses, friction and ointments of medicinal herbs were widely used.Before using recipes for traditional medicine, you need to consult a doctor.It should be remembered that in no case can they replace the main drug therapy.
With intense joint pain, you can prepare a 100 gram honey compression and a tablespoon of food salt.The procedure is done at night.
Among patients, salt, sand or cereal compresses are very popular.It's easy to make them -just heat the selected product in a pan, pour it into a bag and in a hot state, but not on fire, and attach it to the joint.
In addition to these means, to combat knee arthrosis, you can use paraffin applications, cabbage or bardean leaves.
Applying recipes to traditional medicine, it should be remembered that with your help gonarthrosis cannot be cured.You can only reduce the manifestations of the disease and improve the quality of human life.
Conclusion
To avoid deformation of age -related joint, you need to play sports regularly, monitor the correct nutrition, avoid injury and wear comfortable shoes.If discomfort in the knee area appears, you should contact your doctor immediately.Only one expert can make a diagnosis and say how to treat knee arthrosis.Self -duty will only aggravate the disease.