Gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree: treatment with medicines and folk remedies

Degenerative-dystrophic joint disease is called gonarthrosis. Today, this ailment is the leader in the group of various lesions of articulations in humans. The symptomatology of the disease, according to statistics, occurs in 15-20% of the total population. In this case, it is most often in women who are diagnosed with gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree. Treatment of the disease is difficult. Because the disease is incurable.

The main reasons

With gonarthrosis, degenerative processes of cartilage occur that cover the intraarticular surface of each bone. Uncomfortable sensations in this disease arise precisely because of this.

First, blood circulation in all small vessels is disturbed. The nutrition of the joint deteriorates. After a fairly long so-called starvation, the cartilage is thinned, 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 unbend the joint. In the most severe cases, thorns appear. Because of this, the bone deforms, which, in turn, leads to the curvature of the leg.

When gonarthrosis is sometimes observed rapid deposition of calcium salts. 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 disease is divided into primary and secondary.

Primary gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2 nd degree, whose treatment is directed mainly at the elimination of unpleasant symptoms, can occur even in an absolutely healthy person. Many doctors believe that such a disease is provoked by a violation of metabolism, the presence of excessive weight, as well as age-related changes in the joints. There are situations in which the primary gonarthrosis has developed as a result of taking some contraceptive hormonal drugs. Also, the cause may be poor heredity.

Most often the primary gonarthrosis affects both knees, but it can begin to develop in any of them. Pathological changes over time cover the entire joint and move to the other leg. One-sided malaise can occur with an uneven load on the legs.

Secondary gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree, the treatment of which must begin in time, is almost always one-sided. He has a clear reason.

The most common source is joint trauma. It can be as a hemorrhage in an articulation, and a strong bruise or a 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 call the doctor in time. Also, one should not engage in self-medication, 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 discomfort passes if you rest a little. Sometimes there are mild pains in one hip.

Characterize gonarthrosis of the knee joint symptoms:

• Increased pain in the knee joint;
• Do not go through unpleasant sensations even after rest or sleep;
• Severe discomfort with knee loads;
• Pain in the joint after a long walk;
• There is a significant underdevelopment of muscle tissue in the lower extremity of the corresponding side;
• There is a certain crunch in the knee;
• Violation of the main function of the joint;
• Appearance of the first signs of deformation of the joint.

By the time when the second degree of gonarthrosis is already determined, the disease covers both joints. One-sided malaise occurs when excessive load on any one leg. In this situation, a person unconsciously begins to shift all his weight to the other side. As a result, the degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue of the articulation is developing.

Degrees of disease

There are several degrees of disease according to the intensity of their development:

• 1 degree (initial). Pretty slight swelling and pain in the knee after physical exertion. The shape of the joints does not change.
• 2 degree. There is a slight crunch in the joints, the pain becomes stronger. There is a certain stiffness in the joint. The outlines of the knees begin to change outwardly.
• 3 degree. All symptoms manifest themselves in full. Gonarthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint is characterized by pain, which is permanent. The joint is strongly deformed and increases in size. It becomes difficult for a person to walk.
• 4 degree. On X-rays, a strong deformation of the joint is clearly visible. Practically complete absence of joint space. The pain does not stop, the knee is limited in movements.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis of the special difficulties does not cause and is carried out on the basis of the symptoms, indicative of the rapid development of the disease:

• Deformation of the knee joint;
• The appearance of a crunch;
• Increased pain;
• Restriction of joint mobility.

The most clear picture can be seen on radiographic photographs. Deforming gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the second degree is characterized by specific edge growths and strong narrowing of the gap.

Treatment of altered joints

It is rather difficult to fight this disease. Before examining how to treat gonarthrosis of the knee joint, it should be understood that the disease is considered incurable. After all, no one is able to return the joints their mobility to joints. The most that it is possible to do at all is to reduce the pain sensations only slightly and try to suspend the process for some time.

Achieving 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.

Treatment of gonarthrosis should be carried out according to strict rules. To do this, stock up with a lot of patience. It is recommended to completely abandon all bad habits, observe a special diet, as far as possible, completely eliminate all heavy loads.

Medication

When gonarthrosis is used:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief (Nimesulide, Movalis, Diclofenac, etc.).
• Preparations, which contain components of articular cartilage ("Chondroitin-sulfate", "Glucosamine" , etc.).
• Medicinal injections in the joint of preparations of hyaluronic acid (Synvisc, Fermatron, Duralan). This acid is an analogue of articular lubrication, which covers the cartilage, thereby reducing friction when moving in the joint.

Orthopedic treatment

Special support devices are used that can reduce the load on the joint. It can be like an ordinary cane, and hard knee pads, as well as special orthopedic insoles. Such a device is selected by the doctor individually for each patient, relying on the degree and severity of his illness.

Surgical intervention

If the patient does not have a chance to save the joint, surgery is recommended. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is often treated with complex therapy, resorting to surgical intervention only in extreme cases.

There is such an option surgery, as endoprosthetics. It consists in the fact that the prosthesis is replaced by the whole joint or its separate parts. The operation is most often done when one-sided gonarthrosis is post-traumatic in nature. This includes the rupture of ligaments, fractures of the knee joint.

Surgical treatment is performed only if the disease is not accompanied by osteoporosis. Another taboo to the operation is the increased fragility of bones.

Additional Methods

Complex treatment is supplemented by some fairly effective methods:

• acupuncture;
• reflexology;
• Special massage;
• Thermal therapy and laser therapy;
• cryotherapy;
• physiotherapy;
• Hirudotherapy;
• UHF, electrophoresis.

Special therapeutic exercises

With gonarthrosis of the knee joint, it is impossible to completely exclude physical activity. An individual curative gymnastics program will help to strengthen the weak muscles surrounding the joint and improve blood circulation.

Since the joints need movement, then physical education should be practiced constantly. During such exercises, not only the affected muscles are trained, but also the entire musculoskeletal system.

Gymnastics with gonarthrosis of the knee joint can be performed by patients at home. But it is always worth remembering that physical exertion on sick joints is allowed only during the period of remission of the disease. The presence of edema and pain will simply make any movement unrealistic. Ignoring this nuance can exacerbate the condition to some extent.

When gonarthrosis is strictly prohibited squats, long walking, running, stress knee joints. They will always cause acute pain.

For each degree of the disease, individual treatment is used

1 degree - massage, easy medical gymnastics, physiotherapy. To reduce the load on the joints, it is recommended to reduce weight.

At 2 degrees, the load on the joint should be minimized. Physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed . Anesthetics, anti-inflammatory drugs and some chondroprotectors are used.

Gonarthrosis of the third degree of the knee joint needs therapeutic symptomatic treatment. The patient may be referred for surgical treatment. At the same time, all bony outgrowths are removed, osteoplasty of the cartilage is done. On the last - the fourth - the stage is more and more often performed endoprosthetics of the joint.

We use folk remedies

Various decoctions and tritons made from medicinal plants are used in the event that 1 or 2 degrees of such a disease as gonarthrosis of the knee joint is diagnosed. Folk remedies with a serious degree of disease, unfortunately, will not have 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 gonarthrosis of the knee joint of the 2nd degree. Treatment involves the use of blue or red clay. It should 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 on a cloth. They put it on a sore knee and wrap it with cellophane or a warm woolen shawl. This compress is held for a couple of hours, after which the clay is washed off.

Tincture of ficus

From the most ordinary domestic ficus prepare a special tincture from gonarthrosis. Its leaves are passed through a meat grinder and add a little vodka. Insist for 3 weeks in a dark place. The dishes should be very tightly closed.

First of all you need to take a salt bath. Prepared infusion slightly warmed, and then applied to the affected joint and wrapped in a warm kerchief. Do this for 10 days in a row.