Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is one of the most common joint diseases and, in terms of severity of the disease, it ranks second after coxarthrosis.
According to the latest research, this disease affects one in five adults on earth. In the material we will tell you what the symptoms of this disease are and how to treat it properly so as not to have complications.
Reasons for the appearance
Every day, a person's knee joints are under stress, as sports support the entire body weight when walking. Over time, the cartilage tissue wears away, causing changes in the joints. It is for this reason that older people can experience osteoarthritis of the knee joints.
In addition, there is a risk group, which includes people:
- overweight;
- suffers from osteoporosis;
- with inherited disorders;
- elder;
- working in specific specialties with heavy workload;
- has metabolic disorders;
- who has a deficiency of trace elements in the body;
- with spinal injuries;
- athletes.
It should be remembered that this disease develops rather slowly and it is very important to consult a doctor in time if the main symptoms are found.
This will avoid possible complications like disability in the future.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
To identify the disease, just pay attention to the symptoms; they are quite common in osteoarthritis. These include:
- Pain or discomfort after sleeping (or when trying to get up after prolonged sitting).
- Pain in the knees when standing for a long time.
- When climbing stairs: burning sensation.
- Nighttime pain or discomfort after exercise.
- Feeling of weakness and "sagging" in the lower extremities.
One of the most important symptoms is pain and itching in the knee area.
In this case, the disease itself does not appear "suddenly" - such sensations may increase for months or years, and at first they will bother only with increased loads, and then the pain will be felt even at rest.
But it is worth remembering that symptoms vary according to the degree of the disease.
Let's take a closer look at each option.
I grade
Osteoarthritis of this degree is almost asymptomatic, but there are a number of factors that are characteristic of this phase of the disease:
- feeling of tiredness in the limbs;
- decreased mobility, which usually occurs after sleeping.
If there is pain, it is almost invisible. It is very difficult to diagnose the disease at this stage, therefore you cannot do without an X-ray - osteoarthritis will manifest itself as a small irregularity on the surface of tissues and bones.
II degree
In this "stage" the symptoms are brighter. Pain can appear even with a slight load on the legs, and over time these sensations can appear with a simple movement. The discomfort only goes away after a long break.
Also, symptoms like:
- cracking when moving;
- changes in the bones of the joint;
- synovitis;
- inability to bend the leg.
III degree
A characteristic feature of this grade is severe pain, which is no longer dependent on load: the joints can be bothersome even at night in the absence of movement.
Mobility is also affected: a person cannot bend the leg at the knee. Sensitivity to weather can also be observed.
Diagnosis and principles of subsequent treatment
The doctor, after listening to the doctor, will examine the appearance of the knee and assess its mobility. After that, the patient will be sent for an X-ray and several images can be taken during the treatment period, which will allow to assess the dynamics of the development of arthrosis. In some cases, an MRI or CT scan is prescribed.
Whether research is required to correctly determine the underlying cause of osteoarthritis and separate it from other diseases with similar symptoms.
Treatment generally includes the following:
- Drug therapy.
- Massage and manual therapy.
- Surgical intervention.
- Exercise therapy and other rehabilitation therapy methods.
The main purposes of the treatment are the following:
- elimination of pain;
- restoration of the ligamentous apparatus and destroyed cartilage;
- greater range of motion in the joint.
Massage procedures, physical therapy and even proper nutrition are also important. If you see a doctor too late, or none of the above methods will help you, an operation will be prescribed - the installation of an endoprosthesis.
Treatment of osteoarthritis: selection of methods and means
At the moment, there are groups of drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the initial stage:
- NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- medicated ointments;
- compressor tools.
NSAIDs aim to eliminate pain and inflammation. And only after reducing the pain syndrome can further treatment begin.
If the use of non-steroidal drugs did not give any results, especially if the disease only progresses, doctors usually prescribe hormonal drugs.
However, it is worth remembering that due to a number of side effects, such drugs are prescribed only during the period of illness, if fluid accumulates inside the joint part. The solution is injected no more than 1 time in 10 days.
The only group of agents that directly affect the cause of osteoarthritis are the chondroprotectors. They are especially effective in the early stages.
Also in the early stages, hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the joint, is very effective. This procedure is not the cheapest, but it helps to wear down the cartilaginous surface.
When osteoarthritis is detected, ointments are also prescribed, which also reduce the sensation of pain and eliminate inflammation.
How Traditional Medicine Can Help
It should be said immediately that you should not use only traditional medicine methods, they should only be used as an addition to medical treatment.
Let's take a look at some of the things that can help with osteoarthritis of the knee:
Dandelion flowers
You only need to eat 5 dandelion flowers a day, be sure to rinse them with boiled water. You can also make tinctures: take 5 dark glass bottles, fill 50% with flowers, fill the container with triple cologne up to the neck. Insist for a month, then wipe your knees with the infusion.
Lapping
This is a compound that should be rubbed into the knee joint regularly.
It is very simple to make such a composition: take the egg yolk, mix with 1 tbsp. l. turpentine, add 1 tsp. Apple cider vinegar. All ingredients must be mixed and left overnight.
Lubricate your knees every night and cover with a wool scarf.
In addition, it is very important to wash the applied mixture well in the morning. To alleviate the symptoms, you should use this method for 2-3 weeks.
Burdock
According to popular effects, you need to put 3-4 large leaves of burdock on the sore knee and wrap it with a bandage. Repeat this manipulation for at least a week to relieve pain. And to enhance the effect, it is necessary to lubricate the joints with cinquefoil oil.
Celandine Juice
Soak a cloth in juice and place it on the affected knee. After an hour, brush with vegetable oil. Repeat the procedure for a week.
Harpagophytum Root
Take 2 tablespoons. l. means, pour into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for two hours. Drink at least 3 warm glasses a day.
Choice of knee braces for osteoarthritis
Often in case of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, it is recommended to wear special knee braces, which reduce the feeling of discomfort and have a therapeutic effect. Usually if you use them for a short time, you will see improvements like:
- the inflammatory process decreases;
- the swelling goes away;
- pain relief;
- decreases the pressure on the joints;
- stabilizes the work of the musculoskeletal system.
It is very important to choose the correct model that will be effective when used. To do this, let's first study what types of knee braces are:
- Open.A must for those who experience pain after suffering an injury or minor pain.
- Elastic productswith reinforcements. This type of knee braces is more suitable for those who have pain when squatting, going up or down stairs.
- Open knee padswith adjustable tension. These products are ideal after the operation.
- Closed type: used if the source of the pain is not clear, that is, it is not concentrated in any specific place. It allows you to minimize stress on the joints.
- The magnetic appearanceof the knee brace is characterized by the presence of a special magnet, thanks to which there is a heating effect, improves blood circulation.
- Hinged.Considered a universal option. It is used to minimize pain after injury, osteoarthritis.
In addition to the type, you must also take into account the material the knee brace is made of. So these elements can be done from:
- Animal skins.These products heat, absorb moisture, reduce inflammation, and improve blood circulation in tissues.
- Polyester.Knee pads made of this artificial fabric are very comfortable and reliable, but they do not heat you up and are quite expensive.
- Cotton.Nice to wear, waterproof. True, there are also disadvantages: lack of elasticity and fragility of use.
- Nylon.Knee pads made from this material are considered the most durable and fit perfectly to the body. But there is also a drawback - this is an artificial material.
- Neoprene.Despite being a synthetic fabric, this material is elastic and has a warming effect. There is also a downside: wearing these knee pads can lead to allergies.
But it is important not only to choose the right knee pads, but also to use them. Doctors give several important recommendations to follow:
- should not use them for more than three hours a day;
- the duration of use depends on the degree of osteoarthritis; the doctor will inform you in more detail about this;
- if you have an allergy, you should urgently consult a doctor who will prescribe another bandage;
- it is impossible for the agent to strongly squeeze the joints;
- wash the knee pads by hand, the water temperature should not be higher than +40 degrees.
In conclusion, it must be said that a healthy lifestyle should not be neglected; in this case, the body will function as it should. If you feel pain in the joints, you should urgently consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.