Doctors often hear complaints from patients about pain in their legs. They occur not only during sports, but also during periods of complete rest. In most cases, this may be simple fatigue, but sometimes such signs are the first “bells” of a terrible and dangerous disease, known to us as arthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint. Treatment must be competent and professional in order to avoid serious complications and irreversible consequences.
Knee arthrosis, called gonarthrosis in medical circles, occupies a leading position among all lesions and pathologies of this part of the limb known to science. It implies that the patient has dystrophic and degenerative deformities that occur due to constant physical stress on the leg. What’s most interesting is that women suffer from arthrosis much more often than men. The disease is usually diagnosed in patients over 45 years of age.
For many centuries, experienced doctors have been studying the disease in detail: its features, signs, new methods of therapy. One of the researchers is doctor and professor Sergei Bubnovsky. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, according to his opinion, can be successfully eliminated with the help of special physical therapy. Like his colleagues, he associates the disease with the deposition of salts in the ligamentous apparatus, especially in its soft tissues, as well as at the tendon junctions. Arthrosis is characterized by a slow progression of development, starting with minor disturbances in the blood supply system.
The main risk group, in addition to representatives of the weaker half of humanity who are in adulthood, also includes professional athletes, workers who spend a lot of time on their feet or engage in heavy physical labor. At first, their healthy joints begin to ache unpleasantly. These minor pain sensations are observed during vigorous activity, for example, when a person climbs stairs. In addition, when the leg is bent, it begins to emit a barely audible crunch, which, if the disease is not treated, becomes loud and audible to others.
Among the main symptoms of arthrosis, there is also aching in the limbs, which clearly manifests itself during hypothermia. Then swelling appears, which may indicate arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is different in that swelling in the leg appears only during periods of sharp exacerbations. It is always accompanied by a nagging pain that causes discomfort. Late stages are characterized by difficulty bending the limb, changes in gait, unsteadiness while standing, and joint deformity.
This is one of the varieties of the disease. If a patient is diagnosed with grade 3 arthrosis of the knee joint, treatment is prescribed depending on the reasons causing the progression of the disease. In the primary form of the disease, these may be hereditary disorders: congenital pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, for example, flat feet, dysplasia or increased flexibility of the knee. Various genetic deformations also lead to the development of the disease: they occur in the cartilage tissue during the period of organ formation and the formation of the basic systems of the embryo in the womb.
Primary arthrosis is a consequence of degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the knee without any other abnormalities in the body. It can also be a “product” of a violation of recovery processes. It is difficult to establish the exact cause of arthrosis, especially when it comes to elderly patients in whom the line between the primary and secondary types of the disease is blurred and unclear.
Other factors also cause this disease. Secondary arthrosis of the knee joint is often the result of external influences. For example, it can be caused by mechanical damage: fractures or injuries, after which the entire organ system is disrupted. Regular microtrauma in professional athletes is another cause of the disease. It is often diagnosed against the background of constant physical activity, dynamic or static movements. By the way, obesity also leads to arthrosis, accompanied by strong pressure of excess weight on the lower extremities.
The secondary form of the disease also develops against the background of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Often its appearance is provoked by atherosclerosis, varicose veins, gout, psoriasis, arthritis, and so on. In some cases, the cause is various joint diseases, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, endocrine system problems, and a lack of important substances in the body - calcium, phosphorus and the “sunshine” vitamin.
The cause of permanent disability is often grade 3 arthrosis of the knee joint, the treatment of which is no longer able to completely relieve a person from the negative consequences of the disease. The main symptoms of this stage of the disease are:
If you take an x-ray, it will be noticeable that the intra-articular structures - menisci and ligaments - are destroyed. In this case, complete erasure of cartilage tissue, the appearance of sclerosis and fusion of connective bones in the joint space may be observed.
It is better not to start the disease, otherwise the therapy will be lengthy and even aggressive. How to cure arthrosis of the knee joint? Firstly, doctors recommend treating the early stages of the disease using physical rehabilitation methods. This helps with reducing body weight, reducing stress on the lower extremities, strengthening muscles, correcting orthopedic disorders, and so on. Often after the above manipulations, patients feel significant relief, their condition noticeably improves.
Secondly, drug therapy is also indicated. Doctors primarily prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can dull pain and remove swelling in the joint area. For example, Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen and others. Basic treatment also includes chondroprotectors: Arthra, Teraflex, Elbona. Their main substances nourish damaged cartilage and restore its structure.
The course of treatment also includes intra-articular injections. The patient is administered hormonal drugs: Hydrocortisone, Kenalog or Diprospan. These are medications that provide immediate relief for severe pain: they instantly stop the inflammatory process in the joint, limit the production of synovial fluid, thereby bringing relief.
A person who wants to have healthy joints is also given preparations based on hyaluronic acid. They are not as effective, but they are able to nourish cartilage and restore it to its former strength. In young years, the body itself produces a similar substance, but with age its amount gradually decreases - this can become another cause of arthrosis. You can compensate for the lack of hyaluronic acid by injecting it into the joint in the form of a medicine. In addition, complex therapy includes the use of topical medications: creams and ointments. The same products are also suitable for warming compresses.
Unfortunately, grade 3 arthrosis of the knee joint does not go away without the intervention of a surgeon. Surgical treatment can be as follows:
The patient must remember: the more advanced the disease, the more difficult it is for doctors to get him back on his feet.
The procedures included in the complex of such therapy perfectly relieve muscle spasms, improve blood flow in tissues and relieve inflammatory processes. Physiotherapy is always selected individually depending on the form of the disease, its stage, the patient’s condition, and the characteristics of his body. The general rule is sanatorium-resort treatment, which is indicated for almost all patients. In a specialized institution, a person will be prescribed comprehensive rehabilitation, which includes mud baths, sauna procedures, and special exercises. An important role in this is played by changing the usual environment and staying in the fresh air, which eliminates the effects of stress and strengthens the body.
Massage of the knee joint for arthrosis is also very useful. It improves blood circulation in tissues and transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the patient’s well-being noticeably improves. It is important that the massage is performed by a qualified master who knows all the subtleties and secrets of influencing the knee joint. At the same time, the intensity of manipulation should be minimal: rough and awkward movements can only worsen the situation.
Exercise therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints has a positive effect on strengthening the muscles and improving the mobility of the lower extremities. Muscle weakness is an integral accompaniment of the disease, so with a lack of physical activity, lethargy and inability to move can only increase. A set of necessary exercises can be found in the physical therapy room. It is usually recommended to do them four times a day. The first lesson is best done in the morning - immediately after you wake up. After finishing the lesson, be sure to lie down and rest.
Often, after performing exercise therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints, a person feels discomfort in the leg. This phenomenon is considered normal if it lasts no more than half an hour. When the time period exceeds 30 minutes or the patient experiences pain of varying intensity, we can say that he is doing the exercises incorrectly. In this case, you should consult your doctor for advice. It will help you adjust your activities. By the way, don’t forget about swimming lessons. Water procedures reduce the load on the joint and help restore its mobility.
Knee arthrosis can also be treated with herbal medicine. For these purposes, a collection of herbs is used, which includes juniper fruits, calendula and elderberry flowers, cinquefoil and birch leaves, willow and buckthorn bark, as well as St. John's wort, nettle, horsetail and sweet clover. They are brewed and taken in the form of tinctures; in addition, healing lotions and compresses are made from the beneficial liquid. After starting the course, improvement occurs within three weeks. In addition, various oils are effective in the fight against the disease: sea buckthorn, lavender, eucalyptus and others. But before you start using traditional medicine, you need to consult with an experienced doctor.
As for prevention, it is aimed primarily at increasing physical activity. A person should play sports, walk a lot, and spend more time in the fresh air. Proper and healthier nutrition is another guarantee that you will not get arthrosis. To the above recommendations should be added timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as high-quality correction of congenital defects of the bone structure.
Take care of your knees, do not forget about timely treatment
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Gonarthrosis is a degenerative disease of the joints that affects the cartilage tissue that prevents friction of the bone structures, which also acts as a cushion between the bones. In people diagnosed with arthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, third or fourth, the cartilage is worn away, which leads to certain symptoms and the proliferation of osteophytes. The knee is one of the joints most often affected by the development of the disease.
Osteoarthritis of the knee does not always depend on a person’s age. Various reasons favor the occurrence of degenerative-dystrophic pathology. There are 2 main forms of the disease:
Arthrosis is a chronic disease that develops under heavy loads. The same movements day after day lead to overload of the corresponding joints. Arthrosis is an occupational disease that occurs in ballerinas, carpenters, dancers, cleaners, and tilers. Other causes of pathology:
The formation of the disease begins after Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Females are 2 times more likely to suffer from manifestations of the disease.
In medical practice, arthrosis is divided into four degrees of development. This subsection will discuss the symptoms of grade 0 and grade 1 knee joints. Stage 0 is classified as normal, healthy joints without any abnormalities. The patient is absolutely healthy, does not feel any signs of illness, X-ray examination does not show damage to bone or cartilage tissue. Pathology in grade 1 develops with the manifestation of some symptoms.
Arthrosis of the first degree develops unnoticed. Usually the symptoms that appear are attributed to fatigue or overexertion, but this is far from the case. If signs appear frequently, you need to visit a rheumatologist (arthrologist, therapist). At stage 1, the disease causes dysfunction of the knee joint and minor pain appears. The pain syndrome associated with arthrosis of the 1st degree is mild; there may simply be discomfort in the knee, as if something is interfering with movements. Similar symptoms occur after overload, morning jogging, or when climbing stairs. At night the patient is not bothered by signs of the disease. With stage 1 arthrosis, the knee begins to ache a little in damp or windy weather. Stiffness in the morning rarely appears; if present, it goes away immediately after a few movements of the leg.
There is no deformation at stage 1 of the disease. A thorough physical examination by your doctor may reveal minor grade 1 bone spurs, called osteophytes. The cartilage may be slightly damaged. There is no obvious narrowing of the space between the bones indicating destruction.
Stage 2 arthrosis is considered mild. At this stage, the clinical picture of the disease becomes more noticeable; doctors see some specific signs of wear and tear of the cartilage tissue. The second degree of degenerative-dystrophic pathology is characterized by the following symptoms:
At night, the patient begins to suffer from insomnia, the person does not get enough sleep, and becomes irritable due to tingling and pain in the calf muscles. At stage 2 of the development of gonarthrosis, aching pain occurs when lifting weights of more than 2 kg. The presence of acute arthrosis is indicated by swelling of the knee joint, noticeable swelling. In bad weather, the patient complains of severe aching, aching appears after hypothermia. After prolonged sitting or standing in an uncomfortable position, it is difficult for the patient to develop the joint. Hitting your foot on a pebble while walking causes acute pain, which quickly passes, but leaves a painful aftertaste.
X-rays and scanning of the knee joints clearly show the abrasion of cartilage tissue, the cartilage becomes thinner. At this stage, there is enough synovial fluid for normal leg movement. The space between the bones is slightly narrowed. A radiograph in frontal and lateral projections reveals the presence of marginal osteophytes up to 2 mm long. Subchondral osteosclerosis of the surfaces is noticeable—tissue compaction.
The third stage of development of degenerative-dystrophic pathology is characterized by severe pain with any movement of the leg. Long walking, running, squats, and repetitive movements cause terrible pain. Often the patient begins to limp, which is why it is necessary to use crutches, walkers and other means to relieve pain when walking. The cartilage tissue becomes completely thin in places, forming exposed areas of bone. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint grade 3 manifests itself as follows:
Stiffness in the morning lasts up to 30 minutes. The X-ray image shows a significant narrowing of the interarticular space and accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity. Arthrosis of the left and right knee joints is often observed simultaneously. Externally, an X-shaped or O-shaped deformation of the joints is noticeable.
Delayed treatment can lead to severe pathology. Arthrosis of the 4th degree is progressing every day. This is the last stage of development of a degenerative-dystrophic disease, threatening the patient with complete disability and lifelong stay in a wheelchair. Symptoms in the fourth degree of gonarthrosis:
The destruction of cartilage tissue leads to a chronic inflammatory response with a decrease in synovial fluid. X-ray examination shows changes in bone surfaces, absence of joint space.
Therapy for gonarthrosis is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing the development of the disease. For knee disease, as well as for arthrosis of the shoulder joint, treatment involves the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, Acetaminophen, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and other non-steroidal drugs. It is definitely worth considering that NSAIDs have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. In the early stages of development of arthrosis of the knee joint, chondroprotectors are prescribed - these are drugs that relieve severe pain and restore damaged cartilage tissue.
Cortisone has a good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The effect of the drug lasts up to three weeks. It is also necessary to inject hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is the main component of synovial fluid, has a lubricating effect and thus maintains mobility in the joint. Don’t forget about dietary recommendations; many foods can aggravate the disease. They must be completely excluded. Daily exercise will restore mobility, improve blood circulation and stabilize the joint. Conservative treatment of stage 4 stage is impossible. Unfortunately, doctors cannot help with anything other than performing joint replacement surgery - endoprosthetics.
At this stage, there are usually no obvious disorders in the joints. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is practically asymptomatic, only sometimes you can feel pain when moving or exercising on the affected joints. But at this time, the muscles weaken and pathological changes occur in the connective tissues.
Usually no one attaches importance to the initial signs of arthrosis. But still, if you have been diagnosed with arthrosis of the 1st degree, then you should start treatment as quickly as possible and carefully follow the recommendations.
Special herbal lotions, wax-based ointments with propolis or horseradish will help. Maintain a gentle diet and completely abstain from alcohol. Reducing physical activity for a certain time.
The beginning of destruction of articular cartilage is observed, osteophytes appear. Osteophytes – deformation of the bone of the supporting surface of the joint. Muscle function is damaged due to a violation of reflex regulation. With arthrosis of the 2nd degree, the pain becomes severe, but within the limits of tolerance. A crunch in the joints also appears.
The danger of grade 2 arthrosis is that the joint begins to partially deform. If treatment is not started in time, the disease will progress rapidly and lead to irreversible negative consequences.
At this stage, traditional medicine will no longer bring a noticeable effect. Therefore, it is better to give preference to traditional drug treatment. The required medications will be: anti-inflammatory, vasodilator drugs.
The most painful stage of joint arthrosis. Dystrophic disorders affect not only muscles, but all tissues. The axes of the limbs change, the ligaments are shortened, and the connection points of the tendon complex may change. All this leads to pathological and chronic inflammation. The pain becomes unbearable, the ability of the muscles to contract practically disappears.
Treatment of grade 3 arthrosis should be comprehensive. Medications in combination with physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises will give the desired result. Additional procedures may also be prescribed in the form of laser therapy, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, etc.
If you do not immediately make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, then arthrosis will move from stage to stage. This leads to inflammation of the cartilage tissue and deformation of the bone joints. This situation inevitably leads to a complete loss of motor function - ankylosis or partial unnatural impairment of mobility - neoarthrosis. At this point (usually advanced grade 4 arthrosis), doctors give a verdict - an endoprosthesis for the damaged joint. It cannot be done without surgical intervention.
Arthrosis (osteoarthritis) of the joints is a pathological degenerative process in which slow destruction of different layers and tissues occurs. Every person must clearly understand how arthrosis is treated, because neither adults nor children are immune from the disease. Neither the old people. If you suspect the development of arthrosis, you need to know thoroughly what it is and how to overcome different types.
Depending on the localization of the pathological process and the severity of the damage, in medicine there are several types of disease, on which the treatment of arthrosis also depends. Naturally, a person who is faced with such a diagnosis for the first time strives to learn as much as possible about what osteoarthritis is. Let's consider the most diagnosed variants of the disease.
Pathology can be of the following types:
Osteoarthritis of the 1st degree and osteoarthritis of the 2nd degree are best treated. Initially, there is a decrease in the elasticity of the surface layers of cartilage, accompanied by its softening and loosening. As the pathological process progresses, the condition worsens and the surface becomes too thin, divided into fibers, which leads to the appearance of cracks in it.
Pathological changes in the surface of the joint in osteoarthritis
When grade 3 arthrosis is diagnosed, the patient already has erosive damage to the cartilage with fairly deep cracks, but the subchondral bone and deep parts are not damaged.
If a diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made, treatment will be medicinal. It is based on taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (within a 10-day course). Treatment of arthrosis at the second stage may require the prescription of hormonal drugs, which are injected into the damaged joint. Treatment with compresses and traditional medicine recipes is also possible, but only in combination with medications. Only a doctor will tell you in more detail about how to treat osteoarthritis, and he must be informed about the decision to combine traditional and traditional medicine.
If a patient has been diagnosed with patellofemoral arthrosis of the knee joint, it is important to know how to treat it and what happens at each stage of the pathological process.
With 1 degree of arthrosis, they speak of daily fatigue, or situations where the legs are severely overworked or overstrained. But if there are unpleasant symptoms (pain, fatigue, heaviness in the knee) or after an injury, stage 2 arthrosis is diagnosed. If you don’t know how to treat it, or do it at the wrong time, then cartilage tissue degeneration will begin.
Patellofemoral arthrosis does not have its own treatment regimen. Depending on the severity of symptoms, doctors decide on the need for fixation with a knee brace or orthosis; arthrosis can also be treated by reducing physical activity and taking analgesics.
When you know what arthrosis is and how to deal with it, you can start taking medications in a timely manner, which will help maintain joint mobility and overall health.
A characteristic feature of this type of joint damage, hemarthrosis, is the outpouring of blood into the joint cavity. Most often, this condition is diagnosed in people prone to hemophilia. During the 1st degree of arthrosis, there are practically no visible or felt changes, and the structures and tissues of the joint are not damaged. With 2 degrees of arthrosis, soft tissue damage occurs (menisci and ligaments, joint capsule).
The procedure for pumping blood from the joint cavity with hemarthrosis
Hemarthrosis is treated with medications in several stages:
The therapeutic regimen directly depends on how severe the symptoms of arthrosis are and to what extent the disease has been identified.
Before talking about treatment methods, you should understand what signs of arthrosis are characteristic of this type.
Polyarthrosis is dangerous because it affects several joints at once, and therefore requires the right approach to treatment and selection of the correct medications.
Now let’s talk in detail about how to treat arthrosis of this type. First of all, therapy is aimed at restoring motor activity. Speaking about how to cure arthrosis with the help of medications, you need to remember about physical procedures that are highly effective for such damage. Here it can be considered as a treatment with heat or water. So is balneotherapy.
If a patient has arthrosis of the joints, the doctor will definitely prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids and chondroprotectors also help well. Various ointments, compresses, and rubs relieve pain and discomfort.
It is not prohibited to select a medicine for arthrosis from traditional medicine recipes, but it must be agreed upon with the attending physician, which will avoid complications. If the described methods are not effective, the doctor will consider the possibility of solving the problem through surgery.
It is very important not only to know how to treat arthrosis, but also not to forget that there is proper prevention of arthrosis, which we will discuss later.
Osteoarthrosis, hemarthrosis, polyarthrosis and patellofemoral arthrosis occur in three stages. Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis will vary in each clinical case, so there is no one universal therapeutic regimen.
There are 3 degrees of pathology:
At each stage, treatment of arthrosis must be performed by a qualified specialist, otherwise the therapy may not give the necessary results, and the process will worsen.
As for folk remedies for treating the disease, here you can find a lot of worthy, easily implemented and effective recipes. Let's look at a few of them.
To prepare, you need to find peeled chalk and turn it into small crumbs. The ideal option would be material used to write on school boards. Also note that if you purchase chalk that is offered at a building materials store, it may contain chemical components that can be more harmful.
The resulting mass must be poured with any fermented milk product and mixed thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained. What you got should be carefully laid out in the affected area, wrapped in cling film, and secured with a bandage. Leave the mixture overnight and wash off in the morning with warm water and soap. As a result, pain goes away and blood circulation improves.
A very economical and simple, but effective recipe. You need to take 100 grams of oatmeal and pour boiling water over it. Then put the mixture on low heat and simmer for five minutes. After time, a paste will be obtained, which is applied to the sore spot. It is advisable to leave the compress on all night. Please note that oatmeal should only be freshly prepared.
If you have such a plant at home, you can sacrifice a few leaves for the sake of your health. If not, then in the summer they are collected in the forest, then applied to the sore area, wrapped in a bandage, and left overnight. The effect will not be long in coming.
Bee products are known in folk medicine for their good healing properties against many diseases. You need to take propolis and melt it in a water bath (this should be enough to treat the damaged area). When it becomes liquid, you need to add corn or sunflower oil, wait until the mixture cools, apply to the skin and leave overnight. In the morning the pain and swelling will go away.
If you set a goal and try to find a medical remedy that can be used to prevent arthrosis, the attempt will not be successful, since it is missing. Pathology cannot be predicted with accuracy, but reducing the risk of arthrosis is quite possible.
You can prevent joint destruction by:
Now you know everything about the symptoms and treatment of the most common types of arthrosis, and if you follow these simple recommendations, the disease will not make itself felt for a long time, and if you’re lucky, it will never appear at all.