Therapeutic measures in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Arthrosis is a deformity of the knee joint, accompanied by an inflammatory process, with characteristic signs of redness and swelling of the lesion. Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is a lengthy and complex procedure.

This disease is most often diagnosed in the elderly and professional athletes. The effectiveness of a quick recovery depends on a properly designed rehabilitation plan and compliance with all the prescriptions of the attending physician. Therefore, the degree of arthrosis and all methods of treating the pathology should be examined in more detail.

Degrees of arthrosis of the knee joint

The course of arthrosis of the knee joint is divided into four specific stages, which characterize the severity of the disease.

• First degree.The beginning of the disease is characterized by constant pain in the legs of a pulling nature. At the same time, the mobility of the joints is limited, and a corresponding crunch occurs with sharp movements. Increased physical activity increases the deformation of the joint. If you do not put a load on the leg, the pain practically does not occur. The X-ray shows the narrowing of the joint space, the destruction of the joint is not observed.
• Second degree.At this stage of the disease, arthrosis is characterized by severe pain in the joint, which limits movement, and the person is no longer able to walk long distances independently. The joint begins to disappear, the knee collapses and a lame walk appears. The gap in the joint narrows to a minimum, so-called osteophyte spines are formed, and inflammation may begin.
• Third degree.The most serious complication of arthrosis. The person can no longer move independently, and the pain in the knee does not go away even at rest. There are pronounced signs of arthrosis: complete deformity of the knee, absence of joint space on X-ray, limitation of joint mobility.
• fourth degreecharacterized by complete destruction of the knee joint. In this case, surgical intervention in the form of a joint prosthesis is recommended. Only a qualified specialist can determine the exact degree of arthrosis of the knee joint after a series of special tests. If you experience similar symptoms, go to the hospital to see a rheumatologist immediately.

Basic treatment methods

The treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee involves the use of a wide variety of techniques, from medical therapy to alternative medicine. The process of rehabilitation and restoration of the knee can take a long time and requires the use of various methods and compliance with all the manipulations prescribed by the doctor.

The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician, who determines the recovery plan depending on the degree of arthrosis and the age of the person. At the same time, maximum efforts are made to avoid surgical intervention and preserve the integrity of the knee.

Removing excess tension from the joint

One of the reasons for the increased load on the knee joints is the presence of excess weight, which puts pressure on the legs and can lead to the development of gradually deforming arthrosis. If this diagnosis occurs with excessive body weight, corrective measures should be taken to reduce the load on the joint. For this, you have to follow a diet and do sports (use only authorized exercises, exercise exercise therapy regularly).

In addition, many special bandages and equipment are used to fix the knee joint and distribute the load properly. Such devices are orthopedic and are intended specifically for the correction and restoration of the knee joint. The period of use of the devices and bandages is designated or extended by the attending orthopedic doctor, who decides after analyzing the entire clinical picture and studying the X-rays.

Use of drug therapy

In the medical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, three groups of drugs are used: anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal pain relievers, hormonal drugs, and chondroprotective drugs. The positive results and the progress of the treatment are given by the appropriate combination of the components of the therapeutic complex.

1. Use of non-steroidal pain relievers.These drugs are prescribed as pain relievers that stop the inflammatory process. Medicines must be taken orally or used externally (ointments, gels, patches). The effect of the exposure appears on average 4-5 days after the start of the drug treatment. The general course of treatment is no more than 2 weeks, since further use causes side effects in the form of indigestion, nausea and ulcerative manifestations.
2. Hormonal drugs.If the course of the disease is complicated, doctors prescribe the use of hormonal drugs that quickly eliminate pain and speed up the recovery process. The duration of treatment with these drugs is short-term, as they have many contraindications for continuous use.
3. Preparations with a chondroprotective effect.They contain natural sources of the structural elements of the connective tissue in the cartilage and perform the function of restoring the knee joint. The use of medicines also helps to relieve painful symptoms. Medicines are presented in the form of tablets, ointments, gels. The main way of using chondroprotectors is to introduce the drug into the synovial fluid.

The total duration of treatment is approximately 4 months. As practice shows, the results give positive changes that are clearly visible on radiographic images. Hyaluronic acid is known as the protector of fluid in the joints. It has practically the same composition, which actively nourishes and restores the primary structure of the knee joint.

Surgery

Knee joint surgery is performed only in extreme cases, when other treatment methods do not give positive results. Depending on the severity of the disease, the following surgical intervention methods are distinguished:

1. Performing arthroscopy. The most delicate way of surgical intervention. This manipulation is carried out in the primary stages of the pathology, and the work of the knee joint is partially restored. The procedure is performed with a special endoscope, first punctures are made, and then the damaged areas of the joint are removed with the device. Surgery for younger people is effective and quickly eliminates pain;
2. In case of more severe joint deformity, osteotomy is recommended. The essence of the procedure lies in the special fracture of the bone and its further correct fusion. In this case, the joint is restored and the pain disappears. It also uses the necessary parts of artificial fabrics;
3. Implementation of endoprosthetics. This is one of the most difficult types of surgery. In this case, the knee joint is completely replaced with a special implant, which performs all the functions of restoring the bend and further movement of the person. Most patients notice quite positive consequences, in which the level of physical activity increases significantly.

Treatment with physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an effective treatment method in the initial stages of the development of arthrosis. It actively reduces
it relieves pain, relieves muscle tension and partially restores the primary structure of the joint. The following types of physiological processes exist:

• Performing pain-relieving magnetic therapy. This procedure performs the general functions of restoring and relieving pain in the body. Application of the method is effective in the first and second stages of the disease. The total duration of the treatment is 9-15 procedures, lasting 30 minutes.
• Application of laser therapy as an anti-inflammatory effect. When using this technique, the following types are used: treatment with infrared radiation, low-frequency UHF, centimeter wave therapy. Such methods have a favorable effect on the restoration of the joint. Saturation of connective tissue cells with nutrition improves blood circulation. It should be noted that the use of UHF is combined with intra-articular administration of drugs, and centimeter wave therapy is effective in the initial stages of arthrosis. The average duration of the procedures is 10-20 times, duration 7-15 minutes.
• Intensive physiological procedures. Many procedures are used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Several basic techniques should be examined in detail.
• ultrasound waves. The best-known treatment for this disease. It significantly improves blood circulation processes, nutrition in the joint, restores the cartilage tissue. Its use is recommended within 14 days. Application of electrophoresis. The application of electric currents together with the introduction of drugs. The advantage of this method is significant restoration of the knee joint, while there is no heavy drug load in the body. The number of procedures in a course is 10-12 sessions. The combination of several currents acting on the joint is the phenomenon of interference therapy. The distinguishing feature of the method is the stimulation of atrophied muscles and the restoration of the blood circulation processes of the lymphatic system. With the development of the acute stage, it is prescribed twice a day for two weeks. The application of impulsive alternating current also has an effective effect on the affected joint. This procedure is called darsonvalization, and it actively reduces pain while performing restorative functions in the knee. The complete rehabilitation course consists of 10-15 procedures, lasting about half an hour for 15 days. Purchase of special spas. These are an integral part of the procedures for the therapeutic measures of arthrosis. Combinations of water and sage, hydrogen sulfide, radon, bischofite, medicinal mud are very effective. These procedures have a great pain-relieving effect and can be used in local or general application. The duration of the session is 10-30 minutes. The average duration of treatment is 10-20 days.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

The process of complex treatment of the pathology can stop the further progression of the disease, but it is impossible to completely get rid of the disease! Therefore, it is very important to use all techniques aimed at maintaining a stable state and prolonging the effect. One of the most effective methods is traditional medicine recipes in the form of poultices, bandages, ointments, and tinctures, which have a beneficial effect on the lesion. The most effective tools:

• Making dandelion flowers.It is used fresh, cooked in boiling water and an alcohol-based tincture. It is recommended to eat 7-8 dandelions per day. The tincture should be taken three times a day, 100 ml before meals. An alcohol-based solution is applied to the affected joint daily for a month;
• Horseradish poultice.This vegetable effectively reduces the symptoms of pain and partially restores the normal functioning of the joint. The process of making the bandage is simple: rub horseradish on the gauze and apply it to a sore spot overnight. The procedure must be repeated daily for about 30 days;
• Using aloe.The plant has natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and is actively used in the treatment of arthrosis. You can make a flower-based poultice and use crushed leaves or apply them to the affected area. The duration of treatment with this drug should last at least one month;
• Tincture based on cinquefoil.The preparation recipe is to use the herb together with alcohol and get a suitable solution for the prevention and treatment of arthrosis. The medicine should be taken 3-4 drops per day or applied as a poultice. Treatment is continued for one month;
• A mixture of mustard, sand and salt.All the components of the composition must be thoroughly mixed, then placed on a baking sheet and heated well. The hot mixture should be applied to the affected area and not removed until the poultice cools down. This method effectively relieves pain and improves blood circulation in the joint. The procedure is not recommended during the acute course of the disease.

Calendula, burdock, and juniper are also used in the treatment of the disease, as they have a beneficial effect on restoring the knee joint.

Non-traditional remedies for the treatment of arthrosis

In the treatment of arthrosis, non-traditional medicine is used. The most popular methods in this industry are:

1. Therapy with leeches is called hirudotherapy. This method is very effective. Because insects are connected to the points of biological action of the joint. At the same time, they secrete special enzymes that have healing properties, improve metabolic processes and increase blood circulation in the joint. The duration and duration of treatment is prescribed by a specialist doctor;
2. Acupuncture is the application of needles to the active points of the joint. In addition, it presents a number of effective procedures for the treatment of arthrosis. Direct acupuncture, point massage and special moxibustion sticks are used. Manipulation can only be performed by a qualified specialist who prescribes the required number of sessions;
3. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide. The chemical compound is involved in all life processes of the body, so it is also used in the case of arthrosis. Dilute the medicine with water in the proportion of 1 cup and 3 drops of 3% H2O2 and drink it 2 hours after eating. You can also use a peroxide-based poultice;
4. Taking gelatin. This ingredient is a natural source of collagen, which is necessary for the strength of bones and joints. The use of gelatin also has a therapeutic effect on the course of arthrosis. The daily dose is 10 grams. And the duration of treatment with this method should be at least 90 days. It is also good to use foods rich in gelatin (chicken, pork offal, cartilage, aspic);
5. Use of stem cells. Innovative method for the treatment of arthrosis. Its uniqueness lies in stem cells, which are able to regenerate and regenerate into new cell systems. It is obtained from human bone marrow and grown in a laboratory for 2 months. The cells are then injected into the affected joint. This therapy partially replaces the cartilage tissue and improves the mobility of the knee.

A combination of massage and manual therapy

A prerequisite for the treatment of this pathology is massage. It is performed by a qualified massage therapist or a trained patient. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to warm up the muscles with gymnastic exercises and then perform manipulations. The use of water procedures together with massage gives a good effect. In the beginning, the first sessions should not last longer than 10 minutes, and then they will gradually increase to 20 minutes.

After the massage, the patient should feel a slight relaxation and should not feel any pain. If they are present, you should consult a doctor about the further continuation of the procedure. Manipulation helps well in the early stages of arthrosis.

Manual therapy is used in individual cases and is performed by a specialist doctor. To do this, the patient must have certain indications. The essence of the method lies in the soft reduction and extension of the joint. In this case, the muscles are activated and the process of restoring joint mobility begins. Manipulation should be done 3-4 times throughout the year.

Treatment and prevention of arthrosis with movement therapy

Performing special exercises called physical therapy is an effective method for treating arthrosis. To achieve the desired effect, you must follow the rules of complex gymnastic exercises:

1. The exercises are performed only on the recommendation of the attending physician;
2. The training regimen should be carried out several times during the day;
3. Exclusion of strong physical effort;
4. During training, you need to take special breaks to relax the joint;
5. A combination of massage, therapeutic drugs and exercise therapy;
6. The exercises are performed with a calm course of the disease;
7. The ratio of simple muscle tension to motor activity should be taken into account. This technique strengthens the joint;

It should be remembered that a special set of gymnastics therapy exercises is prescribed purely individually, and this area is selected by a specialist.

Doctor of Medicine Methodology

This treatment method was developed by a famous scientist, Doctor of Medicine. The essence of the therapy is the recovery of the patient with the help of physiological procedures, without the use of drugs.

After a thorough examination, an individual treatment regimen is prescribed. In this case, there is no extra load on the joint, but special simulators are used. As a pain reliever, the doctor recommends using ice and other cooling ingredients.

In parallel with the therapy, swimming, spa treatments, special massages, steam baths with subsequent cooling are also recommended.

In medical practice, many positive cases were presented in the treatment of arthrosis, when the mobility of the joints was restored and the patient could lead a normal life.

Rheumatologist's methodology

The famous doctor developed his own method for the treatment of arthrosis. It is based on a combination of medical and mechanical treatment of the affected joint.

This method is carried out according to the following scheme:

• Use of non-steroidal drugs;
• use of chondroprotective drugs;
• External application of creams, anesthetic ointments;
• Application of poultice;
• introduction of injections into the joint;
• Performing manual therapy;
• Physiological procedures;
• Therapeutic physical culture;
• Wearing special bandages, bandages, canes;
• Weight loss.

The efficiency of the technique is confirmed by statistical data. More than 95% of patients with the first degree of arthrosis were cured by this method. The second stage of the disease was rehabilitated in 80% of patients.

Treatment of arthrosis with modern therapeutic methods

Modern methods of arthrosis therapy are actively combined with drugs and other treatment methods. The following types are used:

1. The phenomenon of kinesitherapy, in which a specially designed series of exercises is prescribed, the aim of which is to achieve the most positive effect;
2. The introduction of ozone into the joint is called ozone therapy. This is a type of physiological procedure that appeared relatively recently and became popular due to their high efficiency;
3. Use of various homeopathic remedies.
4. Application and use of biologically active substances.

These medications should only be taken as directed by your doctor.

These treatment methods are often used in the treatment of arthrosis and mostly give positive results. The combination of methods is selected by a qualified rheumatologist.

Treatment of arthrosis in sanatorium-resort conditions

The indication for the treatment of arthrosis in a special sanatorium complex is the development of degenerative-dystrophic arthrosis.

In the sanatorium, the patient is prescribed the following procedures:

1. Mud baths and baths;
2. Physiological therapy;
3. exercise therapy;
4. Massage and manual therapy;
5. Modern methods of treating arthrosis.

Sanatorium resort type treatment is prohibited with the following contraindications:

• Severe deformity of the joint;
• Inflammatory process in the knee;
• Deterioration of the general condition;
• The last stage of the disease in the acute phase.

The correct implementation of all the prescribed procedures in the sanatorium and further improvement of the general condition, restoration of the joint, restoration of its mobility for 6 months are confirmation of favorable treatment in these conditions. At the same time, general analyzes show a positive trend.

The average cost of treating arthrosis and feedback on the effectiveness of therapy

The cost of the complex treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint depends on the extent of the disease, the general condition of the joint, the stage of its deformation, the patient's age and the body's ability to heal.

It should be noted that the use of drugs with a chondroprotective effect is an expensive procedure, since the duration of their use is quite long. In the treatment of pathology, a whole series of measures are prescribed, which also have a rather large price policy.

The last stages of arthrosis are characterized by complete deformation of the joint, which requires prostheses. The price of this operation is quite high. Therefore, the average cost of treatment is quite high, and it is best not to start the disease, but to treat it in the early stages of its occurrence!

The opinions of patients suffering from arthrosis and undergoing complex treatment are expressed. Most people say that arthrosis is best treated in the early stages of the disease, with full compliance with all prescribed manipulations. At the same time, continuous preventive measures must be taken to prevent the development of the disease.

The third and fourth stages of the disease are practically not treated, doctors recommend surgery. Depending on the degree of knee deformity, various surgical interventions are performed, from reconstruction to complete replacement of the joint. The postoperative periods and the additional remission time also suggest prophylaxis and new surgical interventions.

Finally, it is worth emphasizing the important point of the article and saying that arthrosis of the knee joint is a very serious serious disease that requires a lot of effort and time for partial recovery. Therefore, if you are prone to this disease, you must strictly follow all preventive methods to prevent the progression of the pathology!