Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint in medicine is also called gonarthrosis; this disease is a degenerative-dystrophic disease.
The disease develops over a long period of time and develops as a result of constant stress on the knee joint. The disease is more common in women than in men (approximately 2 times).
The first symptoms indicating the development of gonarthrosis are pain in the knee during long walking, while descending stairs, lifting and carrying heavy objects. Such pain tends to worsen in cold and damp weather. Over time, the discomfort increases and becomes permanent.
Arthrosis deformans is a disease associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue. In the medical literature it goes by the following names: deforming osteoarthritis, gonarthrosis.
The process can occur independently (primary defarthrosis), or it can be provoked by other diseases (secondary defarthrosis). Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint of any form is a complex and lengthy process, requiring patience from the patient and strict adherence to medical instructions. But before we examine the healing methods in detail, let's look at the reasons that lead to the occurrence of this complex pathology.
What it is? Like many diseases, osteoarthritis has its starting points, or triggers, due to which it begins to develop. Why does deforming arthrosis of the knee joint occur? The reasons leading to its development are the following:
The causes of arthrosis deformans can be different and can be both hereditary and acquired. Today, the development of pathology threatens almost every seventh person who has reached old age.
Based on the severity of clinical symptoms and the degree of dysfunction, the following stages of arthrosis of the knee joint are distinguished:
Typical signs of the disease include:
When discussing how to cure arthrosis of the knee joint, they often talk about the importance of timely diagnosis of the problem.
Thus, all experts agree that it is much easier to stop the development of the disease if it was identified at the 1st or 2nd stage of development, but if this disease is diagnosed late, it is quite difficult to achieve any significant results in treatment. But the main problem is that in the early stages the disease manifests itself only slightly, so people often simply ignore such signs.
Symptoms of deforming arthrosis are the occurrence of pain in the joints when walking and the appearance of a crunching sound when moving. External deformation of the joints develops with a long course of the disease. Inflammation of the periarticular tissues is manifested by 5 classic signs: swelling, pain, redness, increased skin temperature, and limited mobility of the knee joint.
In the initial period of arthrosis development, pain is “mechanical in nature.” This means that the pain appears or intensifies mainly in the evening, especially after physical activity. In the morning, after a night's rest, the painful sensations decrease or disappear.
Over time, the intensity of the pain gradually increases, the pain does not stop after a night's rest. The appearance of the symptom of “morning stiffness” characterizes the addition of inflammation of the internal (synovial) lining of the knee joint. A sore joint may experience crunching and cracking noises when moving. Due to severe pain, a protective muscle spasm develops, which further limits movement in the affected joints, up to the development of persistent stiffness (contracture).
Unfortunately, you cannot protect yourself from post-traumatic arthrosis, just as you cannot predict injuries. However, acquired gonoarthrosis can be avoided.
Prevention is always easier than cure. To prevent knee problems, you need to:
If the diagnosis of gonoarthrosis is confirmed by doctors, the most important thing is not to let the disease progress. Otherwise, it may lead to disability.
It is necessary to start treatment at the first signs of the disease. By eliminating its cause, it is possible to eliminate the inflammatory changes, after which there is a possibility of restoring the lost function of the diseased joint.
Moreover, it is worth considering that complex treatment is necessary for deforming arthrosis. At the initial stage of the disease - conservative treatment, aimed primarily at reducing pain and stopping the source of inflammation.
In addition, therapy for the disease should be aimed at reducing morning stiffness and increasing joint mobility, preventing and eliminating disorders in joint function, normalizing the metabolic processes of affected tissues, and slowing down further progression of the disease. In more serious cases, surgery is used.
The main methods of treating deforming arthrosis of the knee joint include:
Treatment tactics depend on the degree of development of arthrosis. Most often, a combined approach is used, based on several techniques.
Remember that ignoring the recommendations of the attending physician is the main reason for the development of the disease and often leads to the patient’s disability.
Deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint requires the patient to follow a special diet. It is aimed both at reducing excess weight, if present, and at improving the nutrition of cartilage tissue. It is necessary to reduce the amount of calories consumed, eat less flour and sweets. It has been observed that with weight loss, the symptoms of the disease decrease.
To maintain cartilage in working form, you need to consume more proteins, vitamins and minerals. For such patients, periodic consumption of jelly will be useful, since it is rich in collagen, which is an essential component of cartilage tissue.
With the help of an integrated approach, it is possible to achieve improvements in well-being, even if bilateral deforming arthrosis of the knee joints is diagnosed.
Competently and most importantly, timely prescribed treatment is the key to preventing patient disability.
To maintain the functionality of joints, it is necessary to perform a set of physical exercises aimed at strengthening the peri-cartilaginous muscles and ligaments. Class time should be 30-40 minutes a day, and this time should be divided into several segments of 10-15 minutes. When performing exercises, a balance must be maintained between the state of rest and the time of stress on the joints.
Many people need to rest joints affected by arthrosis every 4-5 hours, this is necessary for the regeneration of joint cartilage. Perform the exercises smoothly, increasing the range of movements gradually. When doing exercises, focus on the sore joint, imagine how blood flows to the knee and the joint is restored.
Diagnosis of pathology involves a thorough history taking and the use of timely joint examination methods. To determine the most effective therapy, the degree of development of the disease and its characteristics are taken into account.
Deficient arthrosis of the knee joint is a pathology during which thinning of the cartilage tissue and, as a result, bone deformation is observed. As the disease develops, the processes become chronic and irreversible. The causes of the disease are many factors, but basically they are all associated with metabolic disorders and poor heredity. Among them are the following reasons:
The pathology is sluggish in nature. At the initial stage, the disease practically does not manifest itself; later symptoms are observed, which are often attributed to fatigue and other natural causes. Since there are no nerve endings in the cartilage tissue, the pain syndrome begins to bother the patient after the pathology has passed into the second and third stages. The initial signs of deforming arthrosis in the knee joint are as follows:
After the patient complains, the orthopedic doctor will conduct a thorough examination of the body. The main goal of such a diagnosis is to determine the causes of deforming arthrosis and determine the degree of damage to the articular tissue. Based on the results of the examination, treatment will be prescribed.
Self-treatment of the disease is strictly prohibited. Early seeking professional help is practically the only way to stop the development of the disease. Deformation of the knee joint due to arthrosis is a clear symptom of the progression of the pathology. In this case, traditional methods of treatment are practically useless.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the deformation and destruction of cartilage tissue. The disease is chronic and degenerative, accompanied by pain of varying severity. It can lead to complete immobilization and loss of functionality. The disease develops more often in women than in men. Moreover, excess weight and venous disease are considered factors that increase the risk of arthrosis significantly. It is no coincidence that most obese women over the age of 40 suffer from such joint problems. Most older people experience arthrosis. It can be bilateral or unilateral depending on whether only one leg or both are affected. At a young age, the disease is usually caused by injuries received during sports or physical work.
Initially, changes are observed at the molecular level, and then they affect the physicochemical properties of cartilage tissue. The cartilage becomes minty, thins, becomes cracked and delaminates. All these processes can be detected by studying cartilage tissue. If the necessary treatment is not carried out, the cartilage will be completely destroyed. This will eventually lead to bone exposure.
The following reasons can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint:
Injuries. These include fractures, dislocations, and meniscal injuries. It is after injuries that gonarthrosis develops at a young age. If the knee joint is damaged, it becomes impossible to perform flexion-extension movements. Treatment of injury in this case involves temporary fixation of the limb, which leads to deterioration of blood circulation. This causes the development of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint.
The menisci are of particular importance. Their damage provokes “cycling” of the knee. If a patient's meniscus is removed, then in 9 out of 10 cases this leads to arthrosis of the knee joint.
Increased loads. Sports activities should be carried out taking into account the age of the patient. Very often, older people strive to train as actively as they did in their youth. In most cases, this is a direct path to injury: fractures, sprains. Sometimes microtraumas appear. They are not felt, but cause serious harm to the joints. Therefore, playing sports after 40 should involve moderate exercise. In old age, joints cannot cope with the load that was easily tolerated in youth, because cartilage tissue wears out and becomes thinner over time. For this reason, when playing sports, all movements should be smooth. The greatest damage to the knee joints is caused by running on asphalt and squats. These exercises should be replaced with other types of physical activity.
Overweight and obesity. This reason in itself does not lead to damage to the cartilage tissue of the joint, but it contributes to injury to the menisci. Obese people endure such injuries with difficulty, and the knee joint is difficult to recover after this. Injuries to the meniscus usually result in the development of arthrosis of the knee joint. In addition, the legs receive additional stress due to the presence of excess weight, and it falls on the knees. The most difficult situation occurs when obesity is combined with varicose veins. In this case, the most severe form of arthrosis of the knee joint may develop.
Weak ligamentous apparatus. This phenomenon is also known as “loose” ligaments. It is usually combined with high joint mobility. At the same time, a person has a very flexible body and can perform various exercises without warming up, for example, stretching, doing the splits. However, such physical activity leads to microtraumas of the knees, and ultimately to arthrosis if there is too much damage. Along with weak ligaments, joint mobility can be caused by impaired sensation in the legs. A person does not experience severe pain when damaged, so he does not notice it.
Joint diseases. Most often, arthrosis of the knee joint is a consequence of arthritis. It can be rheumatoid, psoriatic, reactive. In arthritis, inflammation leads to the accumulation of synovial fluid in the joint cavity and tumor. As a result of all these processes, cartilage tissue is destroyed. This leads to arthrosis of the knee joint.
Disturbance of metabolic processes in the body. As a result, the tissues do not receive the necessary substances and minerals. Lack of calcium affects the condition of bone and cartilage tissue.
Stress. Even constant nervous tension and mood swings affect joint health. It is recommended to change the environment more often, alternate physical activity with mental activity, and get more rest to avoid the development of arthrosis. In most cases, women over the age of 40 suffering from this disease had accumulated emotional fatigue, which led to poor circulation in the legs, swelling and inflammation.
Pain does not arise suddenly; as a rule, in the first stages of development of arthrosis of the knee joint, pain is felt mildly. This condition can last for months or even years until the disease worsens. Mild pain occurs during active physical activity, when running, walking. A sudden onset of discomfort cannot be a symptom of arthrosis. Most likely, the pain in this case is caused by injury: pinched meniscus, dislocation, fracture.
With grade 2 arthrosis of the knee joint, the discomfort is felt much more strongly. If previously pain only occurred as a result of excessive physical exertion, now it also appears at rest. The most prolonged attacks occur after a long walk or lifting heavy things. To get rid of discomfort in the knee joint, you need to rest for a long time. However, if you resume physical movements after this, the pain returns.
It becomes noticeable in the later stages of arthrosis development. When symptoms first appear, the knee may appear swollen, but retains its normal shape.
This medical term refers to the accumulation of articular fluid in the joint cavity. When its amount exceeds the permissible norm, a phenomenon called a Baker's cyst occurs. This indicates the appearance of a dense elastic formation on the back wall of the knee joint. The Baker's cyst is most noticeable in the extended state. It is successfully treated and does not require surgery.
It appears with arthrosis of the knee joint of 2 and 3 degrees. This crunch must be distinguished from the sounds that are heard when bending the knees in a healthy person. The crunch with arthrosis is sharp and accompanied by pain. In all other cases, it is caused by weakness of the ligamentous apparatus or excessive mobility of the joints.
This symptom also appears in the later stages of arthrosis development. The patient cannot bend and straighten his leg freely. Attempts to make such movements are accompanied by severe pain. You can only bend your leg at a right angle. Further movement causes acute pain. Along with limited mobility, joint deformation occurs. It is well expressed externally.
At stage 3 of the development of arthrosis, the knee may be completely immobile. Because of this, some patients walk on bent legs. Pain in the knee joint is often caused by changing weather conditions. They are aching in nature and occur both during movement and at rest. Patients often cannot sleep due to pain, so they have to resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In this case, the disease is characterized by minor pain when performing active movements. Synovial fluid may accumulate in the joint cavity, leading to the formation of a Baker's cyst. Pain occurs during movement, but immediately goes away at rest. The cartilage tissue is damaged, but externally the deformation of the joint is not noticeable.
It is difficult to make a diagnosis using radiography at this stage of arthrosis development; additional examination methods are required.
The joint space narrows and the cartilage tissue is damaged to a significant extent. In the X-ray image, bone growths can be seen. Acute pain is accompanied by any movement in which the knee joint takes part. At rest, the unpleasant sensations disappear, but then appear again. The pain is accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound when performing flexion-extension movements.
Gradually, the function of the joint becomes impossible. The knee stops bending and straightening. Externally, the doctor can determine bone deformation.
In some places, the cartilage tissue becomes completely thinner, and exposed areas of bone are formed. The X-ray image clearly shows a large number of osteophytes - salt deposits in the joint cavity. In addition, loose bodies may be found there.
External changes are becoming more and more noticeable. It is no longer possible to cope with the pain by stopping movements. It persists both during physical activity on the joint and at rest.
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is caused by salt deposition. It most often affects overweight women. In the early stages, the disease affects the inside of the joint, and in later stages it also affects the outside.
The main symptoms of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint are acute pain and a characteristic crunch. Treatment of this disease must begin in the early stages. In this case, the chance of preserving cartilage tissue is higher.
Along with drug treatment, modern medicine uses methods such as:
Ozone therapy. This is an effect on a sore knee joint using ozone. With this method of physiotherapeutic treatment, the substance can be administered by injection or used externally. Ozone therapy allows you to achieve maximum effect, and its use is possible in most cases. Treatment with intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of ozonized saline solution, ozone-based ointments and creams has virtually no contraindications or side effects. Ozone therapy has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, restores blood circulation in the knee joint. The effect of this method can be enhanced by the simultaneous use of chondoprotectors and glucocorticosteroid drugs.
Kinesitherapy. In this case, treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is carried out using special exercises. The load is selected in accordance with the degree of development of the disease and the patient’s physical fitness individually. When performing some exercises, special devices or simulators are used. This involves not only muscles, tendons and joints, but also other organ systems in the body: endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive. It is very important to breathe correctly when performing a set of exercises. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise under the supervision of a doctor.
Exercises allow you to improve blood circulation in the knee joint, restore the elasticity of the ligaments, improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue cells, and promote its restoration. Such a load has a positive effect not only on the physical, but also on the psychological state of the patient, since the process produces joy hormones - endorphins.
Dietary supplement These funds began to be used only recently, but have already become widespread. Biologically active supplements are a worthy alternative to other medications (Modern dietary supplements for joint restoration).
Homeopathy. It involves taking medications in small doses. The course of treatment lasts only a few weeks, but during this time, provided that the drugs are properly selected, blood circulation and normal nutrition of cartilage tissue cells are completely restored. In addition, homeopathy helps strengthen the immune system and improve the general condition of the body.
CM. Bubnovsky is a Doctor of Medical Sciences, who has developed a unique method for combating arthrosis of the knee joint. The peculiarity of its treatment is that it does not involve the use of drugs or surgery. Bubnovsky identifies a decrease in the amount of joint fluid, which plays the role of a lubricant, as the main reason for the development of the disease. It is this factor that interferes with the normal functioning of the knee joint.
Bubnovsky's technique includes kinesitherapy and physiotherapy. Before prescribing specific exercises and procedures, the doctor performs an X-ray examination. Treatment is selected individually and largely depends on the degree of development of arthrosis. All physical exercises within the framework of kinesitherapy and other procedures are carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
According to Dr. Bubnovsky, it is better to relieve pain from arthrosis of the knee joint by applying ice and a contrast shower. If the patient’s physical condition leaves much to be desired, gentle exercises are prescribed.
Gradually the load will increase. As a result, the following results are achieved:
the nutrition of the cells of bone and cartilage tissue of the joint is restored;
the pain syndrome goes away;
the characteristics of cartilage tissue improve;
The functions of the knee joint and its mobility are completely restored.
As part of treatment using the Bubnovsky method, it is recommended to visit the bathhouse, swim in the pool, and attend massage sessions.
The well-known rheumatologist Evdokimenko believes that effective treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is possible with a combination of medication and physiotherapeutic procedures.
restore mobility of the knee joint;
get rid of pain;
improve blood circulation in the knee joint;
ensure the flow of nutrients and necessary elements to the cells of cartilage tissue.
Evdokimenko’s technique involves the use of:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects;
chondoprotectors for the restoration of cartilage tissue;
intra-articular injections to quickly get rid of discomfort;
creams and ointments that have an analgesic effect;
light physical activity;
compresses based on Dimexide, Bishofite.
In addition, according to Dr. Evdokimenko, it is important to adhere to a diet during treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint. Proper nutrition in combination with all other methods allows you to achieve good results in a short time. A year is enough to completely eliminate arthrosis of the knee joint in the early stages of development. In the case of stage 2 disease, it will take several years to cure. Dr. Evdokimenko does not treat advanced arthrosis of the knee joint, which is defined as grade 3, and recommends surgical intervention. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the disease in time to avoid surgery.
Chondoprotectors are a group of strong drugs that help relieve pain from arthrosis of the knee joint and act on cartilage tissue, restoring and strengthening it. Unlike other treatments for this disease, they are the most effective and contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. It is these substances that affect cartilage tissue.
Dona is one of the most famous drugs among chondoprotectors. It is available in the form of capsules, injection ampoules and powder. The drug can be diluted in water and taken orally. The best effect can be achieved if you take not only the powder, but also make intramuscular injections. The active component that is part of Dona is glucosamine.
Chondrolone. Takes part in the construction of bone and cartilage tissue, blocks the action of enzymes that destroy cartilage. Chondrolone also affects the production of joint fluid. This is very important, because it acts as a lubricant, improving joint mobility, reducing pain when the articular surfaces come into contact. The drug acts quickly: within an hour the discomfort in the joint disappears. This chondoprotector is administered intramuscularly. The course of treatment lasts 1.5 months. After it passes, the effect lasts for a long time. After six months, it is recommended to repeat the course.
Teraflex is a chondoprotector, which is presented in the form of capsules. The drug promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue. With the help of teraflex, you can maintain the viscosity of the synovial fluid and enhance the release of hyaluronan. The drug has virtually no side effects. However, if there are no visible improvements, it should be replaced with another chondoprotector.
Structum. It is also available in capsules, helps reduce the leaching of calcium from the body, and restores the function of the knee joint in case of arthrosis. A positive effect is achieved six months after the start of treatment. The result lasts for a long time.
Chondroxide. Unlike most chondoprotectors, Chondroxide is a drug available in both tablets and ointment. It can be applied to the knee joint to reduce pain. When taking chondroprotectors, you should know that the results of treatment will be noticeable only after several months. For complete relief, you will have to take several courses of medication. However, as a result, it will be possible to get rid of pain caused by arthrosis of the knee joint and restore cartilage tissue. The use of chondoprotectors is justified only at stages 1 and 2 of the disease. When the cartilage tissue is completely destroyed, as usually happens in stage 3, treatment with these drugs will be ineffective.
There is no consensus in medicine yet regarding the use of products containing both chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. There is an assumption that together they act less effectively than separately. This idea has not been substantiated, so it is worth seeking help from a specialist who will make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medications.
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Physical exercise helps restore joint function and strengthen it. They should be performed slowly and carefully so as not to cause sprains and not to exceed the permissible load.
The following exercises are considered the most effective:
Slowly raise your straight legs one at a time while lying on your stomach. This exercise uses the thigh and calf muscles. The load should not be allowed to be transferred to the back. You shouldn't raise your legs too high either. The main thing is to tense your muscles at the top point;
This exercise is similar to the first, only now you should lift your leg with the knee bent. At the top point, the thigh muscles should be further tensed. The exercise must be performed the same number of times on each leg;
Lying on the floor (on your stomach), raise your straight legs up, and then spread them apart and bring them together. This exercise requires strong, trained abdominal muscles, so it is not suitable for all patients. In addition, performing it may increase blood pressure. For patients suffering from hypertension or other diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is better to avoid it;
To perform the next exercise, you need to lie on your side, bend your leg lying on the floor at the knee, and slowly lift the other and hold it at the top point. It is important that the angle when performing on each leg is the same;
You will need a chair for this exercise. Sitting on it, the legs are straightened one by one, raised up and held for the maximum possible time in a straightened position;
It is useful to rise on your tiptoes while holding the back of a chair or bed. As with other exercises, you need to linger at the top point for a few seconds and additionally strain your leg muscles;
Smooth movement from toe to heel allows you to activate blood circulation in the lower extremities. Such movements should be performed alternately: while one leg rests on the toe, the other on the heel and vice versa. All movements must be smooth;
Leaning on the back of a chair or bed, stand on your heels for a minute, raising your toes up. If you cannot stand in this position for the specified time, you should start with less, gradually increasing it;
A massage that is performed in a standing position. The legs should be rubbed with vigorous movements directed from the knee up to the thigh. It is necessary to complete the massage by stroking the skin.
Proper nutrition is an important component of successful treatment for knee arthrosis. This is due to the fact that metabolic disorders are often the cause of this disease. An unbalanced diet and overeating leads to excess weight. This phenomenon is not uncommon for patients with knee arthrosis. But excess weight is an additional load on the lower limbs and leg joints when moving. Therefore, it should be brought back to normal. This will help with a diet that is recommended to be followed not only during the course of treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint, but also in the future in order to avoid health problems, including with joints.
Patients with this disease should give preference to foods rich in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body. However, you should monitor your caloric intake to avoid weight gain. If you are overweight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. This will allow you to reduce body weight.
Fasting or a strict diet in this case is not the answer. Radical methods negatively affect the digestive tract. In addition, if you fast, the extra pounds will go away, but when you return to your usual diet, the body will begin to store fat deposits in even larger quantities. As a result, the weight may again reach a critical level. Strict diets lead to the leaching of calcium and other beneficial microelements from the body, which should not be allowed for arthrosis of the knee joint.
Breakfast for patients with this disease is a mandatory and largest meal. It will provide the body with energy for the whole day and activate metabolism. You should eat more often, eating small portions. This will speed up your metabolism, which will lead to weight loss. Between main meals, if hunger pangs occur, snacks are allowed. Fruits, with the exception of grapes and bananas, and whole grain breads can be used for them.
You need to eat more greens, vegetables, cereals.
The following should be excluded from the diet:
Sweet carbonated drinks
Spicy dishes (flavor enhancers are extremely harmful for arthrosis)
It is also necessary to avoid fatty meats: beef and pork. It is better to replace them with chicken or turkey. Meat should be steamed or baked in the oven; food should not be fried in oil.
Vegetables and fruits are healthy, but only in moderation. Some of them should be abandoned completely.
Prohibited vegetables include:
It is also recommended to avoid fruits that are too sour, such as oranges and lemons. Bananas and grapes are too high in calories, so those trying to shed extra pounds should avoid them.
Gelatinous dishes have a positive effect on joints:
Due to their high collagen content, they help restore and strengthen cartilage tissue. Jellied meat is prepared from pork head, bones, and legs. They are boiled well, then the broth is filtered. The meat is laid out in containers into which a thick, rich broth is poured. When the mass hardens, the jellied meat will be ready. To make the dish less fatty, remove the skin.
Jellied meat should be consumed in limited quantities. On the one hand, this is a good prevention of joint arthrosis, and on the other hand, the dish is quite high in calories, so it leads to excess weight. It can be replaced with fruit jelly. It should be prepared without sugar. Jelly can be a stand-alone dessert or an alternative to candies and sweets for tea.
Patients with knee arthrosis need large amounts of protein. Its sources may be:
Low-fat sour cream and other dairy products
In addition to chicken and turkey meat, you can also eat rabbit dishes.
Legumes are rich in plant protein. Delicious dishes are made from peas, lentils, and beans. You should include nuts in your diet, such as almonds, cashews, and fish, which are a source of vitamin E.
A balanced diet requires a sufficient amount of carbohydrates. They can be simple or complex. For arthrosis of the joints, it is the complex ones that are needed, which are found in various porridges, including oatmeal, and whole grain products.
During the day you need to drink up to 2 liters of water, provided that the patient does not have kidney problems. The last meal should be several hours before bedtime. You should not refuse a light dinner, as it is difficult to fall asleep on an empty stomach. Patients with arthrosis should avoid chocolate, sweets and confectionery.
Doctors recommend eating frequently and keeping a food diary. It helps you monitor your diet and not overeat. During exacerbation of arthrosis, fasting days can be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. This means that you should only eat vegetables or fruits throughout the day. The specific amount and diet for fasting days should be recommended by a doctor.
Breakfast: oatmeal with water without butter or sugar, fruit juice, boiled egg
Second breakfast: a glass of low-fat natural yogurt
Lunch: steamed meat or fish, stewed vegetables, tea without sugar
Afternoon snack: cottage cheese casserole with nuts, glass of fruit juice
Dinner: vegetable salad, apple, tea without sugar
Second dinner: a glass of low-fat kefir
Author of the article: Dmitry Sergeevich Volkov, candidate of medical sciences, surgeon
in Arthrosis 56955 Views
Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, the symptoms, causes of development and treatment of which we will consider below, is a fairly common problem. According to statistics, almost every fifth person encounters this disease in one way or another, but it is most common among people over 40 years of age. In addition, this disease is much more common in women.
Deforming osteoarthritis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease (Degeneration from French - the process of destruction of cells or organs), of various etiologies, associated with the destruction of cartilage tissue of the articular surfaces, characterized by a constant progressive course, the development of compensatory reactions in the form of bone peri- or intra-articular growths, deformation of the forming joint structures, manifested by dysfunction of the joint and pain syndrome.
According to the World Health Organization, deforming arthrosis of the joints affects 5% of the world's population. Arthrosis deformans is considered a more common disease than diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and heart disease.
As can be seen from the general definition of this pathology, arthrosis deformans is a constantly progressive disease. This means that sooner or later one stage of the process will move into the next. The progression of the disease determines the constant involvement in the process of structures surrounding the joint, or structures connected to the joint by a functional connection.
This is manifested first by compensatory reactions, which later turn into persistent decompensatory states in the form of formed joint contractures, curvatures of the lumbar spine, hypo- or atrophic changes in the muscles of the thigh and lower leg. Progression of deforming arthrosis on the opposite side, etc.
The disease most often occurs in older people. However, they also occur in young people and depend on the cause of their occurrence.
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Symptoms of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint develop gradually, so patients often do not consult a doctor in a timely manner in the hope that everything will go away on its own. It should be remembered that by not paying due attention to your own health, you put your life at risk and subsequently, the disease with gonarthrosis can bring a lot of problems not only to you, but also to your loved ones. That is why it is so important to undergo timely examinations that can detect the presence of various types of diseases.
So, in the initial stages of the disease, as a rule, arthrosis of the patella develops, caused by loss of elasticity of the patellar cartilage. Once the cartilage becomes insufficiently elastic, the load on it during movement and walking increases. A patient with a limb damaged by this disease may complain of pain in the area of the patella, which becomes pronounced when bending the knee, physical activity, or when climbing stairs.
Detection of this disease is possible when a doctor examines the area of the leg affected by arthrosis, since upon palpation the patient feels moderate pain. Some time after the patella is affected, the pain gradually moves to the inner part of the joint, which may already indicate that the tibial joint is affected. In this case, the pain when flexing and extending the limb increases noticeably.
There are primary and secondary types of arthrosis, and the causes of their occurrence are different.
Primary deforming arthrosis (approximately 40% of the total number of cases) is arthrosis, which is the main disease and not a consequence of other factors. Moreover, the reasons for its occurrence are still not fully known.
There is an opinion that it can be caused by metabolic disorders (related to metabolism) in the body, incl. and in cartilage tissue. This type of disease usually occurs in older people and is usually bilateral (affects both knees).
It is worth noting that any process that damages articular cartilage can lead to the occurrence of arthrosis deformans, including endocrine disorders and metabolic disorders.
The risk group for deforming arthrosis of the knee includes people who are overweight, people with diabetes or thyroid disease, as well as postmenopausal women (due to a decrease in the number of estrogens).
Contribute to the development of deforming knee arthrosis and circulatory disorders: varicose veins, atherosclerosis, etc.
For people leading a passive lifestyle, physical activity, oddly enough, can become dangerous. This happens because when muscles weaken and weight increases (which is usually typical for people who do not lead an active lifestyle), the appearance of physical activity significantly increases the load on the joints.
Therefore, those who seek to get rid of excess weight by running should remember that such activity can do a disservice. It is recommended for such people to replace running with brisk walking or aerobic exercise, which does not have a strong impact on the ankle and knee joints.
The cause of secondary deforming arthrosis of the knee joint may be insufficiently correct treatment of permanent microtraumas of the joints, including:
In addition, secondary gonarthrosis can also develop as a result of inflammatory processes in the knee joints (this includes arthritis of an autoimmune and infectious nature); with congenital inferiority of the knee joints (connective tissue dysplasia), etc.
If in the first stages arthrosis practically does not manifest itself, then the further you go, the stronger the pain becomes. At the last, stage 3, signs of the disease make themselves felt by incessant pain even in complete rest. In addition, the mobility of the joint is limited, and at some point, without proper treatment, this can lead to complete immobility of the articular surfaces.
Types of pain manifestations:
Specific and accurate information regarding the presence of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint can only be obtained by consulting a doctor. The most accurate diagnosis is carried out using magnetic resonance imaging; changes in the cartilage tissue of the joint are clearly visible in the image. Diagnosis of arthrosis using ultrasound is only possible in the case of large joints. X-ray, of course, is more accessible, but it does not show the cartilage itself, so conclusions are made based on the size of the joint space and the presence of pathologies.
Depending on what causes the disease, gonarthrosis can exist in primary and secondary forms. The primary form of pathology occurs as a result of age-related degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints, and develops in patients after the age of forty
age (usually in women).
Secondary deforming arthrosis most often occurs in patients after injuries to the knee joint and other diseases.
In the case where the disease bothers the patient, but does not prevent him from performing work in his specialty, grade 1 deforming arthrosis of the knee joint is diagnosed.
If work becomes impossible, we are talking about the second degree of the disease, and when there is a complete loss of ability to work, the third degree is stated.
It should be noted that differentiation of the disease is carried out using X-ray examination, CT or MRI, ultrasound and arthroscopy of the knee joint.
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint is a rather complex and extensive question. Typically, the treatment process combines a number of therapeutic measures that should relieve pain, activate blood circulation near the affected joint, stop the destruction of articular cartilage and speed up its recovery, increase the mobility of the joint itself and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually used to relieve pain. Often their use is simply necessary, since the pain is constant and with any impact on the joint it intensifies. Thus, for arthrosis of the knee joint, NSAIDs are usually used before massage, exercise therapy or gymnastics. Various exercises and loads for arthrosis of the knee joint provoke an increase in pain, which is why it is necessary to “dampen” the pain first. But it is worth considering that NSAIDs themselves do not treat the joint, but simply perform the function of pain relief.
The main treatment is taking chondroprotectors. These drugs do not so much eliminate pain as help restore damaged cartilage tissue, as well as better production of joint fluid. Treatment of this disease simply makes no sense without these drugs, since there are essentially no other methods for restoring cartilage tissue.
Also, various ointments and creams, as well as compresses, are actively used in treatment. It should be understood that they cannot save a person from the disease; their main task is to relieve pain.
One common method is the use of intra-articular injections of corticosteroid drugs. They almost instantly relieve pain, which is why they have earned recognition from many doctors who began to prescribe them almost for preventive purposes. But at the same time, Evdokimenko (a representative of completely traditional medicine, a fairly well-known and respected specialist), as well as a number of other specialists, consider the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with the frequent use of such drugs to be unjustified, since in essence their entire effect comes down to pain relief, and often this can be achieved and less “drastic” means. At the same time, this drug itself requires compliance with certain rules, which many specialists simply do not think about, being carried away by the “instant” effect.
The recommended diet is not a traditional therapeutic diet, but rather acts as a technique that helps normalize human vital activity.
The fight against deforming arthrosis is a very complex and lengthy process, which is carried out thanks to complex measures, which necessarily includes a diet for arthrosis of the knee joint.
Diet for arthrosis of the knee joint
First of all, nutrition for arthrosis of the knee joint is balanced in such a way that it becomes possible to get rid of excess weight. It is with a decrease in body weight that the load on the affected joints is significantly reduced and the pain syndrome is reduced. According to experts, excess weight is one of the main risk factors for developing the disease.
Nutrition for arthrosis of the knee joint, first of all, should be fractional. Each portion of food should be taken after two to three hours, and in small quantities. It is recommended to stop eating at the first signs of satiety.
Patients are shown a diet in which almost half of the foods are raw. This includes eating fruits, vegetables and freshly squeezed juices.
The diet for arthrosis of the knee joint also includes a complete abstinence from drinking alcoholic beverages.
After seven o'clock in the evening, experts recommend limiting yourself to non-calorie foods or simply abstaining from food.
Basic Nutrition Components
The patient's diet must be completely balanced. Recommended products must contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as minerals and vitamins.
Protein food is a building material for new cells involved in the reconstruction of cartilage tissue. The greatest amount of protein and calcium is found in dairy products.
The most preferable diet for a patient with gonarthrosis is fats of vegetable origin and natural butter.
Complex carbohydrates are a slowly digestible product that provides energy value for the human body. Such carbohydrates are found in vegetables, fruits and berries.
Vitamins and minerals are vital for the body. They play an important role in metabolic processes, being part of biological catalysts and hormones. If necessary, the specialist additionally prescribes special vitamin and mineral complexes.
Another important factor is the drinking regime. If you have arthrosis of the knee joint, it is recommended to drink up to 2 liters of fluid per day (unsweetened herbal tea or water). Of course, for some patients this is too much, so such a regimen must be formed as a habit.
Hip dysplasia grade 2 here
Such a complex disease as arthrosis of the knee joint requires an integrated approach. Among various treatment methods, therapeutic exercises play an important role. It improves metabolism in the joint and in the limb as a whole, helps increase overall muscle tone, and serves as a prevention of contracture (incomplete flexion and extension of the joint).
To maintain the functionality of joints, it is necessary to perform a set of physical exercises aimed at strengthening the peri-cartilaginous muscles and ligaments. Class time should be 30-40 minutes a day, and this time should be divided into several segments of 10-15 minutes. When performing exercises, a balance must be maintained between the state of rest and the time of stress on the joints. Many people need to rest joints affected by arthrosis every 4-5 hours, this is necessary for the regeneration of joint cartilage. Perform the exercises smoothly, increasing the range of movements gradually. When doing exercises, focus on the sore joint, imagine how blood flows to the knee and the joint is restored.
First of all, you should exercise every day, several times a day! This alone is often sufficient to significantly slow down the progression of the disease. Shoes should be comfortable, and it is advisable to have special orthopedic insoles inserted into them. It is necessary to use devices to unload the joints - knee pads, instep supports.
If you perform these exercises every morning 5-10 times every other day, your joints will be much more mobile.
In a lying position:
It is very important to conduct the first gymnastics session in the morning, before a person gets to his feet and starts walking. Then the exercises should be performed three more times a day. After the evening session, it is recommended to apply a semi-alcoholic warming compress to the sore joint. And before going to bed, take a warm (36-36.5°) pine bath. This will serve as a home treatment package.