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Osteoarthritis of the knee joint: treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[Physiotherapy
One of the most important methods of treatment of arthrosis is therapeutic gymnastics, which simultaneously strengthens muscles and improves blood circulation in the affected joint. However, it should be borne in mind that exercises with arthrosis of the knee joint should be static, one can not exert much physical exertion on the leg. For example, you can lie on your back, lifting your leg up and holding it in a level position for about two minutes. After such a simple exercise in the muscles, there is a feeling of fatigue, while the joints are not subjected to physical exertion. If arthrosis is subjected to excessive loading of the knee, for example, doing squats, this is fraught with the acceleration of its destruction. Physiotherapy with arthrosis must necessarily be gentle, the complex of necessary exercises is best to choose together with the attending physician - a rheumatologist or orthopedist. Already after the first two to three weeks of performing therapeutic exercises, patients notice improvement in general condition. In addition to strengthening the muscles, arthrosis of the knee joint should be stretched joint capsules and ligaments. Such exercises also need to be performed in a measured manner, slightly stretching your legs or pressing on the joint, in no case making sharp and careless movements. If you are experiencing severe pain when performing an exercise, it must be stopped immediately. It should also be borne in mind that physical education is contraindicated during a period of exacerbation of the disease. Only when the acute stage has passed, you can begin to knead joints.
Medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint can reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory process, as well as painful sensations. These include diclofenac, indomethacin, piroxicam., Ketaprofen, orthophene, voltaren. You can also alleviate the condition with the help of medicinal ointments, creams and gels. Providing an auxiliary therapeutic effect for arthrosis, such drugs can improve blood circulation in the affected joint and increase its elasticity. If the disease occurs without accumulation in the joint fluid, you can use ointments that have a warming effect - for example, apizartron, viprosal, finalgon. If arthrosis is complicated by synovitis, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments, compress with dimexide: add a spoonful of boiled water to a spoonful of dimexide, moisten the bandage with a mixture and apply to the affected area for half an hour-hour, covered with a film and a towel. To avoid burns, you should strictly control the duration of the procedure. The procedure is carried out once a day, on average, two to three weeks. To relieve intense pain in the acute stage of the disease, injections of corticosteroids, for example, hydrocortisone (approximately every two weeks) are injected into the joint. For more rapid restoration of the joint and removal of spasm, it is possible to use vasodilating drugs that nourish the joint and help improve blood circulation. Such remedies also help to soothe the pain in the vessels that usually disturb the patient at night.
In the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, chondroprotectors are widely used. This group of drugs has the ability to repair damaged joints, while improving the nutrition and elasticity of the joint tissues. The most effective are such drugs at an early stage of the disease. Chondroxide in the form of an ointment or gel is applied to the surface of the affected joint two or three times a day and rubbed with light massage movements. The course of treatment is from two to three weeks to several months. Arthron Khondreks take inward one tablet two or three times a day. Duration of treatment is usually three months. Chondroitin The complex is taken half an hour before meals, one capsule twice a day. The minimum course of treatment is two months. A persistent curative effect is observed after application of the drug within six months. During the treatment period it is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol and to minimize the consumption of sugar.
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment
- Acupuncture. This method is used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint to eliminate spasm of the muscles near the affected joints, as well as for normalization of metabolic processes in them and restoration of damaged cartilaginous tissues.
- Hirudotherapy. Positive effect also gives hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) - with arthrosis has an effect similar to that which is given by injections, and also has a very good effect on the state of blood circulation in the patient's joint.
- Laser treatment. As an auxiliary treatment, laser therapy methods are also used. Such procedures remove inflammation, swelling, activate metabolism and neutralize pain.
- Cryotherapy. A good therapeutic effect is provided by therapy with liquid nitrogen, also known as cryotherapy. At home, an alternative to this method is the local use of ice. A towel or diaper is applied to the area of the affected joint, ice is placed on top of it, wrapped in a bag, for fifteen to twenty minutes. After the procedure is completed, an easy warm-up of the joint is performed.
- Magnetotherapy. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is also treated with magnetotherapy. Exposure to the magnetic field allows not only to improve blood flow in tissues, but also to remove their inflammation and swelling.
- Electromyostimulation. Another method of action for arthrosis of the knee is electromyostimulation. With the help of pulsed currents of different frequency, the muscles recover and strengthen on the legs, and the blood circulation of the legs also improves.
Such a disease as arthrosis of the knee joint, treatment involves a complex, using not only physiotherapy and medications, but also supporting handy tools, for example, walking sticks, which can significantly reduce the burden on the affected joint. A patient with arthrosis should not be in a single position for a long time, squat, actively move. It is recommended to carefully monitor diet and body weight, you can take in the broths of burdock, linden, birch, sabelnik. And remember that all medical procedures must be carried out strictly after consulting a doctor.