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 cause disability and disability, therefore timely identification of symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint and treatment of the disease, including at home, are the main tasks in examining patients at risk of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The knee joint is one of the most mobile joints in the human skeleton, subject to injuries and other mechanical damage.It connects the tibia and femur, as well as the larger sesamoid bone, located in the tendons of the quadriceps femoris muscle (patella or kneecap).The surfaces of the joint are covered with cartilaginous tissue - a dense, elastic substance that surrounds chondrocytes (oval cells formed from chondroblasts) and creates a protective shell around them, as well as acting as a shock absorber.
Cartilaginous tissue contains collagen, a fibrillar protein that is the main element of connective fibers and provides strength and elasticity to cartilage, and glucosamine.Glucosamine is a substance produced by cartilage tissue.Glucosamine is a component of chondroitin and is part of synovial fluid - a yellowish elastic mass that fills the joint cavity and acts as a lubricant.If the synthesis of glucosamine and proteoglycans is interrupted, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, which leads to exposure of parts of the joint and severe pain, therefore the treatment of grade 1 knee arthrosis always includes the use of medications with glucosamine and chondroitin.
- What happens in joints with osteoarthritis:
- the cartilage becomes soft and loose and deep ulcerations appear on its surface;
- the synovial membrane becomes thicker;
- the composition of synovial fluid changes, its secretion decreases;
- sprain of the ligaments and joint capsule occurs;
- the joint cavity is filled with exudate - inflammatory fluid released from blood vessels during the period of acute inflammation.
In the absence of timely and adequate treatment, arthrosis leads to complete deformation and destruction of the knee joint, while the patient may experience unnatural mobility and complete immobility of the joint.To stop the process of destruction of the articular and cartilaginous surface in cases of diagnosed knee arthrosis, the doctor may suggest endoprosthetics - a surgical operation to replace the damaged joint with an artificial prosthesis of suitable size.If indicated, the operation can be carried out under a quota from the compulsory medical insurance program.
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 deformation of the cartilage was preceded by other diseases and pathologies, knee injuries, arthrosis is considered secondary, that is, it develops 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 inadequate tissue development and formation occurs;
- neurodystrophic diseases of the lumbar or cervical spine;
- inflammation of the knee joint (arthritis);
- injuries and microtraumas of the joint;
- surgical removal of the injured meniscus or part of it (meniscectomy);
- diseases of the endocrine system and hormonal disorders, in which the rate of metabolic reactions decreases and metabolism in bone tissue is disturbed.
Primary arthrosis of the knee joint often develops in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or, conversely, who regularly experience increased physical stress on the knee joint.Overweight patients, people over 50 years of age, residents of environmentally unfavorable areas, patients with various types of dependence on toxic substances (smokers, drug addicts, alcoholics) also have an increased risk of developing gonarthrosis.
Regular hypothermia can contribute to inflammation and further deformation of the knee joint, therefore people prone to diseases of the musculoskeletal system are advised to observe the temperature regime and avoid activities associated with prolonged exposure to low temperatures (working outdoors, in refrigerators and freezers, etc.).
Women over 45 years old who are interested in how to treat knee arthrosis should know that a provoking factor in the development of pathology may be a reduction in estrogen synthesis, which can occur after menopause and with certain gynecological diseases: endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, fibroadenoma, endometriosis.A negative factor is also the different 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 future life to be as favorable as possible, it is important not only to know how to treat knee osteoarthritis, but also what symptoms the disease manifests.This is necessary for timely contacting a specialist and early detection of possible deformations and other damage to the knee joint.At the initial stage, the pathology has rather sparse symptoms, so grade 1 knee arthrosis can only be detected after instrumental and hardware diagnostics.
- Early symptoms of the disease include:
- morning stiffness in the knee;
- pain when walking when covering a distance of more than 1-1.5 km;
- knee pain when sitting for long periods (more than 2 hours at a time);
- painful sensations in the knee joint after standing for a long time;
- knee pain that occurs late in the day or in the first half of the night.
If the patient does not receive the necessary treatment at this stage, the disease will progress.To choose the right medicine for arthrosis of the knee joint, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic examinations (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, x-ray, etc.) and determine the degree of deformation, the level of synovial fluid in the joint cavity, the density of cartilaginous tissue and synovial membrane.Symptoms of grade 2 and 3 knee osteoarthritis are presented in the table below.
| Diagnostic signal | Knee osteoarthritis 2 degrees | Knee osteoarthritis 3 degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Pain when resting at night | It may appear when changing body position or getting out of bed. | It occurs without any movement. |
| Possibility of using public transport (except low-floor buses) | The patient feels pain when climbing stairs, but with certain restrictions he can use public transport without assistance. | The patient cannot get on the bus or tram alone due to limited mobility of the knee joint. |
| Lameness | Slightly expressed. | The lameness is severe and additional supports (canes) are required for movement. |
| Knee stiffness after waking up | It lasts less than 10-15 minutes. | It lasts about 20 to 30 minutes or more. |
| Pain when walking | Occurs after passing 800-1000 m. | They begin at the beginning of the movement and intensify after traveling a distance of less than 500 m. |
| Self-care capacity | Generally saved. | The patient is unable to perform a series of actions without assistance. |
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint at home
- The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint can be carried out with:
- medicinal methods;
- physiotherapy;
- massage.
The use of traditional medicine recipes is only possible after consultation with your doctor and should not replace the main treatment prescribed by a specialist.The choice of medications and treatment methods depends not only on the patient's age and 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 medication corrections and additional measures: massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic treatment.The most effective method of treating knee osteoarthritis, regardless of the stage, is laser therapy.This is the main method of physiotherapy, showing very good results in the initial phase of osteoarthritis.
- Helps to achieve the following effect:
- the degree of inflammation in the joint cavity decreases;
- pain intensity decreases;
- the tissue regeneration process is stimulated;
- The need to use glucocorticosteroids and other medications with serious side effects disappears.
As an alternative to laser therapy, your doctor may suggest pulse magnetic therapy, acupuncture, electromyostimulation, and electrophoresis.All these methods are quite effective in treating arthrosis with a degree of deformation not exceeding 20-25%, but the effectiveness of treatment will be greater if they are combined with physiotherapy and massage.Orthopedists and surgeons note the positive effect of using aquatic exercises aimed at developing muscle strength in the legs.Patients with grade 1-2 arthrosis of the knees can receive sanatorium treatment (during a period of stable remission), including mud therapy, sauna heating and medicinal baths.Overweight patients receive a special diet, as obesity is one of the main factors in the development of knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis 2 degrees
Treatment of grade 2 arthrosis of the knee joint includes physiotherapy and massage (outside the acute period), special nutrition, physiotherapy and medication.It is very important to reduce the load on the damaged joint: limit walking, avoid movements that require knee flexion.In rapidly progressing arthrosis, the use of special orthoses is indicated - orthopedic devices designed to fix the diseased joint and limit its mobility.
- The drug treatment regimen may include the following medications:
- 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 sufficient amounts of foods rich in collagen.
- These are:
- products with gelling additives (jam, jelly, jelly, gelatin);
- products with added pectin;
- fish oil
Almost all fruits and berries contain essential amino acids and minerals that help maintain joint health and mobility, but consumption of these foods should be limited in patients with diabetes.
Arthrosis 3 degrees
The treatment of grade 3 arthrosis of the knee joint does not differ from the therapy used for grade 2 arthrosis. If it is ineffective and there is severe limitation of movement, the patient is prescribed surgical treatment with new prostheses of the damaged joint.
Traditional methods
Before learning how to treat knee joints at home with alternative medicine recipes, you need to consult a doctor.The use of the methods below is only permitted for 1st degree arthrosis and in the initial phase of 2nd degree arthrosis.
Nettle and lemon infusion
This infusion should be taken orally 20-30 minutes before meals.A single dose is 50-80 ml.
- To prepare the infusion you need:
- Mix 100 g of dried or fresh nettle leaves with three peeled heads of garlic;
- pass the mixture through a meat grinder;
- add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- mix everything, add 250 ml of boiling water and cover;
- leave 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 to 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 helps relieve inflammation and reduce pain.The first result is noticeable after a week of daily use, but to obtain a stable result it must be used for 30-45 days.
- To prepare the ointment you need:
- melt 2 tablespoons of butter;
- mix the oil with two spoons of honey and a spoon of 6% apple cider vinegar;
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator to harden.
You need to apply this ointment to your knees 2-3 times a day (the 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 taking a bath, the contents of the container must be placed in water and stirred.It is recommended to take this bath 1 to 2 times a week.After the procedure, knee pain decreases and joint mobility is gradually restored.The effectiveness of the treatment will be greater if you add 150 g of sea salt enriched with iodine and bromine to the water.