Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is one of the most common joint diseases and is second in severity of the disease after coxarthrosis.
According to recent research, the disease occurs in every fifth adult on earth. In the article we will tell you what are the symptoms of this disease and how to properly treat it to avoid complications.
Every day a person's knee joints are subjected to stress, because during walking, exercise withstands the entire body weight. Over time, cartilage tissue wears out, leading to changes in the joints. For this reason, older people can get osteoarthritis of the knee joints.
There is also a risk group that includes people:
It should be remembered that this disease develops quite slowly and it is very important to consult a doctor in time for advice if the main symptoms are found.
This will avoid possible complications such as disability in the future.
To diagnose the disease, just pay attention to the symptoms - they are very common in osteoarthritis. They include:
One of the most important symptoms is pain and pain in the knee area.
In this case, the disease itself does not appear "suddenly": such sensations may intensify for months or years, and at first they will worry only with increased loads, and then the pain will be felt even at rest.
But it is worth remembering that the symptoms vary depending on the degree of the disease.
Let's take a closer look at each option.
Osteoarthritis of this degree is almost asymptomatic, but there are a number of factors that are characteristic of this phase of the disease:
If there is pain, it is almost invisible. At this stage it is very difficult to diagnose the disease, so you can not do without an X-ray: osteoarthritis will manifest itself as a small unevenness on the surface of tissues and bones.
At this "stage" the symptoms are more pronounced. Pain can occur even with a slight strain on the legs, and over time such sensations can occur with simple movement. The discomfort disappears only after a long rest.
Also symptoms such as:
A characteristic feature of this degree is the severe pain, which no longer depends on the load: the joints can be anxious even at night in the absence of any movement.
Mobility is also impaired - one cannot bend the leg at the knee. Sensitivity to time can also be observed.
The doctor, after listening to the doctor, will examine the appearance of the knee and assess its mobility. The patient will then be sent for an X-ray and several images can be taken during the treatment period, which will allow to assess the dynamics of the development of osteoarthritis. In some cases, MRI or tomography is prescribed.
If research is needed to correctly determine the root cause of osteoarthritis and to distinguish it from other diseases with similar symptoms.
Treatment usually includes the following:
The main goals of treatment are the following:
Massage treatments, physiotherapy and even proper nutrition are also important. If you visit a doctor too late or none of the above methods will help you, surgery will be prescribed: installation of an endoprosthesis.
There are currently groups of drugs that are prescribed to treat osteoarthritis in the early stages:
NSAIDs are aimed at eliminating pain and inflammation. And only after the reduction of the pain syndrome can additional treatment begin.
If the use of non-steroidal drugs does not work, especially if the disease only progresses, doctors usually prescribe hormonal drugs.
It is worth remembering, however, that due to a number of side effects, such drugs are prescribed only during the disease - if fluid accumulates inside the joint. The solution is injected no more than once in 10 days.
The only group of agents that directly affect the cause of osteoarthritis are chondroprotectors. They are especially effective in the early stages.
Also in the early stages, hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the joint, is very effective. This procedure is not the cheapest, but it helps to erase the cartilage surface.
When arthrosis is detected, ointments are also prescribed - they also reduce the feeling of pain and eliminate inflammation.
It should be immediately said that you should not use only methods of traditional medicine - they should be used only as an adjunct to medical treatment.
Let's look at some of the things that can help with osteoarthritis of the knee:
You just need to eat 5 dandelion flowers a day, be sure to rinse them with boiled water. You can also make tinctures: take 5 bottles of dark glass, fill 50% with flowers, fill the container with triple cologne to the neck. Insist for a month, then wipe your knees with the resulting infusion.
This is a compound that should be rubbed into the knee joint regularly.
It is very easy to make such a composition: take the yolk, mix with 1 tbsp turpentine, add 1 tsp apple cider vinegar. All ingredients should be mixed and left overnight.
Lubricate your knees with the product every night and a woolen scarf on top.
It is also very important to wash the applied mixture well in the morning. To relieve symptoms, you should use this method for 2-3 weeks.
According to the folk effects, you should attach 3-4 large burdock leaves to the diseased knee and wrap it with a bandage. Repeat this manipulation for at least a week to relieve the pain. And to enhance the effect, you need to lubricate the joints with cinquefoil oil.
Soak a piece of cloth with juice and place it on the affected knee. After an hour, wash with vegetable oil. Repeat the procedure for a week.
Take 2 tbsp. l. means pour into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for two hours. Take at least 3 glasses a day in the heat.
It is often recommended to wear special knee pads for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, which both reduce the feeling of discomfort and have a healing effect. Usually, if you use them for a short time, you will see improvements such as:
It is very important to choose the right model that will be effective to wear. To do this, let's first explore what types of knee pads are:
In addition to the type, you must also consider the material from which the knee pad is made. So, such elements can be made from:
But it is important not only to choose the right knees, but also to use them. Doctors give some important recommendations to follow:
In conclusion, it should be said that a healthy lifestyle should not be neglected - in this case the body will function properly. If you feel joint pain, you should urgently consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.
