Every year, more and more people are faced with diseases like knee arthropathy - a long and complex treatment process that makes it almost impossible to get rid of the disease forever. The main task of the patient is to prevent the progression of the disease.
classical medical therapy
The inflammatory process that occurs in the knee joint is scary, not just because of the pain. Particularly dangerous are the destructive processes that take place in the tissues, as a result of which the organ cannot always recover. Therefore, the treatment of arthropathy involves complex treatments. It should start on time and under the strict supervision of a doctor.
The action of prescription medicine is aimed at eliminating pain, providing adequate nutrition to cartilage and accelerating its regeneration process. In addition, the treatment improves blood circulation in the affected joint, strengthens adjacent muscles, and increases the distance between the joint bones and increases the mobility of the knee joint.
Depending on the stage of the disease, doctors may provide medication or surgery. To consolidate the effect of the main therapy, special physical education, massage, the use of crutches and proper nutrition are also prescribed.
medical treatement
Medication is administered when there are no irreversible changes in the joint and the knee tissue is able to recover and receive nutrition. Only then can it be the key to a successful recovery.
Physicians are faced with the difficult task of selecting a competent complete treatment, which should include:
- chondroprotective agent;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- immunostimulants;
- antibiotics (for infectious complications);
- Drugs that improve blood microcirculation.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs must be included in the therapeutic complex for arthropathy. The purpose of these drugs is to relieve inflammation and severe pain that interfere with complex treatments. During the course of taking these drugs, not only the mobility of the knee joint is improved, but also the possibility of performing massage procedures is opened.
Due to their properties, non-steroids are not suitable for long-term use. First, by reducing pain and relieving the patient's condition, they can create the illusion that the disease is healed, while the destructive process will progress positively. Second, this group of drugs has a wide range of serious side effects. Third, taking them by mouth can cause cartilage to dehydrate, accelerating its destruction.
The course of NSAIDs can be extended if selective drugs are used. In this case, side effects and complications are much less likely.
chondroprotective agent
In the treatment of arthropathy, it is necessary to provide adequate nutrition for cartilage tissue, and special attention is paid to restoring the structure of damaged cartilage. For this, it is necessary to use chondroprotective agents - glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These substances work not to relieve symptoms, but to treat disease.
Chondroprotective agents are most effective in the initial stages of arthropathy. They are essential for the regeneration of cartilage and the production of synovial fluid. However, the action of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is rather slow, so treatment is given in divided courses, which may take up to 1. 5 years in total. In the later stages of the disease, when the cartilage is sufficiently destroyed, the use of chondroprotective agents is practically useless.
operation treatment
Surgery is the most effective way to treat advanced knee joint disease. Yet we rarely turn to it—only when medication becomes ineffective.
Modern medicine offers several types of surgical interventions. In some of them, they tried to achieve partial immobility of the knee, so the severe pain went away. More modern methods include the use of lasers or the installation of special prostheses, which are supposed to partially or completely replace the natural joint. The latter option is very expensive, so not everyone can afford it.
Surgical intervention for knee arthropathy is chosen by physicians based on examination results, age, the patient's general health and possible allergic reactions..
adjuvant therapy
Many times, in addition to medication, physical therapy, exercise therapy, and massage. However, they should only be performed after the severe pain symptoms have resolved and the acute phase of the disease has been left behind.
Exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis involves strengthening the calf and thigh muscles, as well as improving the mobility of the knee joint. Initially, you should exercise with minimal load, preferably in a seated position. The hope is to complicate the task as the patient's condition improves. There are many specially designed training complexes for the treatment of knee arthropathy. They can also be done at home.
At the same time, the complex should not contain dynamic movements such as running, brisk walking or jumping. Such a load has a negative effect on the state of the joint and further wears down the cartilage tissue.
Manual Therapy and Physical Therapy
In knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy has been very successful as an adjunctive treatment. Patients are traditionally prescribed knee magnets, paraffin, rehmannia, sonotrode with hydrocortisone, or electrical stimulation of the lower extremity muscles. The procedures described above are designed to relieve swelling, improve blood circulation to adjacent tissues, and strengthen the musculoskeletal system.
Manual therapy occupies a special place in the fight against arthropathy. With its help, it is possible to increase the mobility of the knee and improve the nutrition of the cartilage tissue. Since the reflex zone is affected during the massage, the self-healing process of the joint begins.
diet
Knee osteoarthritis often affects people who are overweight. In this case, it is very important to pay special attention to diet. At the same time, there is no need to strictly control the diet.
The most important thing is to ensure proper and balanced nutrition 5-6 times a day, excluding casual snacks. At the same time, it is desirable to minimize the use of salt, pasta, spicy and fatty foods.
Be sure to include in your menu:
- fresh vegetables;
- fruit;
- buckwheat oatmeal;
- Low-fat dairy products.
Small amounts of lean meat can be eaten. It is important to monitor the amount of fluids you drink - you need to drink at least two liters of water a day. Strong tea and coffee should be limited.
Although knee arthropathy is a chronic condition that requires constant monitoring, it is possible today to slow its progression so that life can be as fulfilling as possible. Patience and good treatment are the two main components of fighting this disease.