Degenerative-dystrophic joint disease is called gonarthrosis. Today, this ailment is a leader in a group of diverse lesions of the joints in humans. Symptoms of the disease, according to statistics, are found in 15-20% of the total population. Moreover, most often it is in women who are diagnosed with knee gonarthrosis of the 2nd degree. Treatment of the disease is difficult. Because the disease is incurable.
Main reasons
With gonarthrosis, dystrophic processes of cartilage occur that directly cover the intraarticular surface of each bone. Uncomfortable sensations with this disease arise precisely because of this.
At first, blood circulation in all small vessels is disturbed. Joint nutrition is deteriorating. After a rather long so-called starvation, the cartilage becomes thinner, and later completely destroyed.
Partial exposure of the bones creates a kind of friction between them when walking. This causes very severe pain. A person can no longer fully bend or straighten a joint. In the most severe cases, spikes appear. Because of this, the bone is deformed, which, in turn, leads to curvature of the leg.
With gonarthrosis, rapid deposition of calcium salts is sometimes observed. As a result, calcification of the soft tissues of the knee occurs. However, this manifestation does not stand out in a separate clinical situation. Usually it does not extend directly to the joint itself.
The main types of disease
This ailment is divided into primary and secondary.
Primary gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, the treatment of which is aimed mainly at eliminating unpleasant symptoms, can occur even in an absolutely healthy person. Many doctors believe that such a disease is provoked by metabolic disorders, the presence of excess weight, as well as age-related changes in the joints. There are situations in which primary gonarthrosis has developed as a result of taking certain contraceptive hormonal drugs. Also the cause may be poor heredity.
Most often, both knees are affected by primary gonarthrosis, but it can begin to develop in any of them. Pathological changes over time cover the entire joint and move to the other leg. A one-sided ailment can occur with an uneven load on the legs.
Secondary gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, the treatment of which should begin in a timely manner, is almost always one-sided. It has a clear reason.
The most common source is joint injury. This can be both a hemorrhage in the joint, and a severe bruise or dislocation. The disease sometimes develops after some surgical interventions, with various inflammatory processes and neoplasms in the knee.
The situation can only worsen if you do not consult a doctor on time. It is also impossible to self-medicate, as often it is fundamentally wrong. And this will only lead to even greater complications.
Main symptoms
The disease begins with the appearance of pain in the joints after walking, as well as physical activity. But many people do not attach importance to this symptom, because the discomfort goes away if you relax a bit. Sometimes there are mild pains in one hip.
Symptoms of gonarthrosis of the knee are:
- increased pain in the knee joint;
- do not pass unpleasant sensations even after rest or sleep;
- severe discomfort with loads on the knees;
- joint pain after a long walk;
- significant underdevelopment of muscle tissue occurs in the lower limb of the corresponding side;
- a crunch appears in the knee;
- violation of the basic function of the joint;
- the appearance of the first signs of articular deformation.
By the time the second degree of gonarthrosis is already being determined, the disease covers both joints. A one-sided ailment occurs with excessive load on any one leg. In such a situation, a person unconsciously begins to shift all his weight to the other side. As a result of this, degeneration of the articular cartilage tissue develops.
Degrees of disease
There are several degrees of the disease according to the intensity of their development:
- 1 degree (initial). Quite slight swelling and pain in the knee after exercise. The shape of the joints does not change.
- 2 degree. A slight crunch appears in the joints, the pain becomes stronger. The joints feel a certain stiffness. The outlines of the knees begin to change outwardly.
- 3 degree. All symptoms are fully manifested. Gonarthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint is characterized by pain that is permanent. The joint is strongly deformed and increases in size. It becomes difficult for a person to walk.
- 4 degree. In X-ray images, a strong deformation of the joint is clearly visible. Almost complete absence of joint space. The pain does not stop, the knee is limited in movement.
Diagnosis of ailment
The diagnosis is not particularly difficult and is carried out on the basis of symptoms indicative of the rapid development of the disease:
- knee joint deformity;
- the appearance of a crunch;
- increased pain;
- limitation of joint mobility.
The clearest picture can be seen in radiographic images. Deforming gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the second degree is characterized by specific marginal growths and a strong narrowing of the gap.
Treatment of altered joints
Fighting this ailment is quite difficult. Before deciding how to treat knee joint gonarthrosis, it should be understood that the disease is considered incurable. After all, no one is able to return the joints to their former mobility. The most that can be done at all is to only slightly reduce pain and try to pause the process for a while.
To achieve these tasks will allow only timely diagnosis of the disease. However, any intervention will be ineffective if you do not learn how to unload the affected joints.
Gonarthrosis must be treated according to strict rules. To do this, stock up on great patience. It is recommended to completely abandon all bad habits, follow a special diet, if possible completely eliminate all heavy loads.
Drug treatment
When gonarthrosis is used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief (Nimesulide, Movalis, Diclofenac, etc.).
- Preparations containing components of articular cartilage (Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine , etc.).
- Medicinal injections of hyaluronic acid preparations into the joint (Sinvisk, Fermatron, Dyuralan). This acid is an analogue of the joint lubricant that covers the cartilage, thereby reducing friction during movements in the joint.
Orthopedic treatment
Special support devices are used that can reduce the load on the joint. It can be either an ordinary cane or hard knee pads, as well as special orthopedic insoles. Such devices are selected by the doctor himself individually for each patient, based on the degree and severity of his disease.
Surgical intervention
If the patient no longer has a chance to maintain the joint, surgery is recommended. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is often treated with complex therapy, resorting to surgery only in extreme cases.
There is such an option as endoprosthetics. It lies in the fact that the prosthesis replaces the entire joint or its individual parts. The operation is most often done when unilateral gonarthrosis is post-traumatic in nature. These include rupture of ligaments, fractures of the knee joint.
Surgical treatment is carried out only when the disease is not accompanied by osteoporosis. Another taboo for surgery is the increased fragility of the bones.
Additional methods
Comprehensive treatment is supplemented by some fairly effective methods:
- acupuncture;
- reflexology;
- special massage;
- physiotherapy with heat and laser;
- cryotherapy;
- physiotherapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- UHF, electrophoresis.
Special healing exercises
With gonarthrosis of the knee joint, physical activity cannot be completely ruled out. An individual therapeutic gymnastics program will help strengthen the rather weak muscles surrounding the joint, as well as improve blood circulation.
Since the joints need movement, then physical education should be constantly engaged. During such classes, not only the affected muscles are trained, but also the entire musculoskeletal system.
Gymnastics for gonarthrosis of the knee joint can be performed by patients at home. But it is always worth remembering that physical activity on diseased joints is allowed to be given only during the period of remission of the disease. The presence of edema and pain will simply make any movements unrealistic. Ignoring this nuance can to some extent aggravate the condition.
With gonarthrosis, squats, long walking, running, tension of the knee joints are strictly prohibited. They will always cause acute pain.
For each degree of the disease, individual treatment is applied.
1 degree - massage, light medical gymnastics, physiotherapy. To reduce the load on the joints, it is recommended to reduce weight.
At 2 degrees, the load on the joints should be minimized. Physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed . Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and some chondroprotectors are used.
Gonarthrosis of the 3rd degree of the knee joint needs therapeutic symptomatic treatment. The patient may be referred for surgical treatment. In this case, all bone growths are removed, osteoplasty of the cartilage is done. At the last - fourth - stage, joint replacement is increasingly carried out.
We use folk remedies
Various decoctions and grindings made from medicinal plants are used if 1 or 2 degrees of an ailment such as gonarthrosis of the knee joint are diagnosed. Folk remedies with a severe degree of the disease, unfortunately, will not give absolutely no effect.
Clay compress
This is one of the most common methods of combating the disease, widely used by patients who are diagnosed with grade 2 knee gonarthrosis. Treatment involves the use of blue or red clay. It must be applied only with a plastic or wooden spatula. No contact with metal is allowed.
Clay is diluted with water to the consistency of liquid sour cream. The mixture is spread onto the fabric. Put it on a sore knee and wrap it with cellophane or a warm wool scarf. Such a compress is held for a couple of hours, after which the clay is washed off.
Ficus tincture
From the most common homemade ficus, a special tincture for gonarthrosis is prepared. Its leaves are passed through a meat grinder and some vodka is added to them. Insist for 3 weeks in a dark place. Dishes should be very tightly closed.
First of all, you need to take a salt bath. Preheat the prepared infusion, and then apply to the affected joint and wrap it with a warm scarf. Do such a compress 10 days in a row.