Knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis) is a chronic disease caused by degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. The disease seriously disrupts the normal rhythm of life, causing severe pain and limiting mobility. Medical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint helps to stop the pain and stop the degenerative processes in the early stages of the disease. Later, the problem is solved with the help of surgery.
Treatment of osteoarthritis by conservative methods
Gonarthrosis therapy is carried out in a comprehensive manner and includes medication, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy. Medications relieve pain, improve blood circulation and encourage tissue regeneration.
During treatment, the following are used:
- pills;
- creams;
- gels;
- injections.
Modern medicine is developing new ways to treat gonarthrosis. Stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma therapy are effective methods. Doctors emphasize the high efficiency of treatment and rapid tissue regeneration.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
The choice of drugs for osteoarthritis depends on the degree of the disease, the characteristics of the organism and the associated pathologies. In the 1st degree of the disease, the person feels a little discomfort after a long effort, dystrophic processes are just beginning in the cartilage tissue. The treatment is carried out with local ointments. In case of discomfort and minor pain, it is recommended:
- engage in gymnastics;
- reduce stress on the joint;
- take vitamin complexes;
- adhere to the diet.
The main drug therapy is used for stage 2 disease. The person begins to feel pain, a squeak is heard when walking, the cartilage tissue becomes thinner, the range of motion is limited. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, stop destructive processes in the joint and restore leg mobility.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain, which give an analgesic effect and alleviate inflammatory processes in tissues.
Note.Long-term use of these drugs adversely affects the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Today, doctors are increasingly prescribing "new generation" nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can be used for a long time and have minimal side effects.
If osteoarthritis is accompanied by an infectious disease, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In order to choose the right medicine, the cause of the infection is identified. To do this, take fluid from the joint cavity and place it in a nutrient medium. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor prescribes the medicine.
Chondroprotectors
The main group of drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis are chondroprotectors. They are applied for a long time and are well accepted by the body. Thanks to the active substances, they stop the destructive processes in the cartilage tissue, improve the production of synovial fluid and promote tissue regeneration.
Note.The drugs are effective in the first two degrees of gonarthrosis. In the third, the cartilaginous tissue is destroyed and cannot recover on its own.
The most appropriate remedy will be chosen by a specialist.
Note.The drugs are available in the form of tablets and solutions for injection. The second form is the most effective. The therapeutic effect begins in a few minutes, bypassing the process of absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.
Complementary therapy
Along with chondroprotectors, drugs are prescribed to help improve metabolic processes, blood supply and enrich the body with vitamins. The following drugs are used for complex therapy:
- Muscle relaxants - remove smooth muscle cramps, reduce pain;
- Venotonics and vasodilators improve blood flow and tissue trophism around the joint;
- Vitamin complexes saturate the body with the necessary substances, positively affect metabolic processes and improve general well-being.
- Topical medications in the form of creams, ointments and gels improve blood circulation in the knee joint, have a warming and decongestant effect, and relieve pain.
- Medicated compresses are more effective than creams.
Intraarticular injections
The therapy of gonarthrosis is carried out by another method - injections into the joint. In medicine, this method of giving drugs is called blockade. Depending on the drugs used, the injection helps to effectively stop the pain syndrome when other means do not help, quickly remove the inflammation and create a protective layer that protects the cartilage tissue from further destruction.
Note.The order of treatment is determined by the doctor. Hyaluronic acid preparations are given only after the elimination of the inflammatory process, otherwise the course of the disease may worsen.
Stem cell and plasma therapy
Modern methods of treating gonarthrosis are based on low invasiveness and reduction of the recovery period. Such procedures include stem cell therapy, which after injection can be transformed into cartilage tissue cells, contributing to its regeneration. Material for the procedure was obtained from the embryo and adipose tissue, bone marrow of an adult.
The procedure helps:
- eliminate pain;
- relieve swelling;
- restore motor functions;
- improve joint nutrition;
- accelerate metabolic processes.
The taken stem cells are grown in laboratory conditions, injected into the patient's wrist. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Note.Therapy is performed only when there is cartilage tissue and when synovial fluid is produced. In the third stage of the disease, treatment will not bring positive results.
A new method of treating osteoarthritis is the application of platelet-rich plasma. The procedure is simple:
- taking blood samples from the patient;
- blood is placed in a test tube and centrifuge, where it divides into erythrocytes, plasma with platelets;
- only platelet care is produced;
- the drug is injected into the knee.
With an increased number of platelets, increased regeneration of cartilage tissue begins. For treatment it is necessary to perform 2 to 5 procedures, between which there is a break of 7 days.
Other treatments
In the fight against gonarthrosis, people use various traditional and non-traditional methods, one of which is hirudotherapy (leech therapy). Saliva worms contain many enzymes that are useful for humans. Allows you to:
- reduce blood viscosity, thus improving blood circulation;
- relieve pain syndrome;
- improve metabolic processes.
Note.Doctors compare the action of salivary leeches with chondroprotectors. Accelerates the process of cartilage regeneration. In the early stages, the patient is completely cured.
Hirudotherapy is prescribed with caution to the elderly and children. The procedures are contraindicated in pregnant women, patients with poor blood clotting and heart failure.
In knee arthrosis, applications with ozokerite (black wax), a wax mass consisting of paraffin and resin, are no less effective. It is used in inflammatory and degenerative processes in cartilaginous structures. It has a thermal, analgesic, regenerating effect on the affected joint.
Ozokerite is used as coatings and applications. The course of treatment should consist of at least 15 daily sessions.
Drug electrophoresis is no less effective. During the session, the drug penetrates deep into the affected areas, bypassing the stomach and liver. This reduces the intake of drugs, and the effect of the procedure is more pronounced.
You can use a special device at home. The device, when used locally, is exposed to UV radiation, heat. As a result, blood circulation improves, tissue trophism, and biochemical reactions in the skin are activated. Positive patient feedback confirms the effectiveness of the procedures.
Operational methods
Surgery is usually used in stage 3 and 4 disease, when the bone heads are virtually bare and conservative therapy cannot give positive results.
In gonarthrosis, several types of surgery are performed:
- Arthrodesis - remove the remaining cartilage together with the joint. It is rarely used because it does not allow maintaining limb mobility.
- Arthroscopic debridement - the release of a joint from cartilage tissue using an arthroscope. The procedure is used to relieve pain and is a temporary solution to the problem.
- Endoprosthetics are the most common and most effective method of surgical intervention in gonarthrosis. It allows you to maintain joint mobility. Modern prostheses are made in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient. This allows the implant to take root quickly in the body without causing discomfort to the patient.
Joint replacement surgery is performed under general anesthesia. surgeon:
- Makes a longitudinal incision in the middle of the knee, breaking the tissue.
- It processes damaged fragments of the bone surface (grinding), implants a prosthesis (artificial cartilage), tests.
- Fixation by cementing or firm adhesion.
- He sews up the wound, puts on a bandage and a splint.
The whole operation takes 2-3 hours. The recovery period lasts about 4 months. The patient first learns to walk, gradually loading and strengthening the muscles. Exercise, massage, swimming are recommended. The healing effect lasts up to 20 years, then a new prosthesis replacement is necessary, because it wears out over time.
Gonarthrosis is a chronic disease that can be successfully treated at an early stage. You can't ignore even small symptoms - you must start complex therapy immediately in consultation with your doctor. In severe cases, only joint replacement can help avoid disability. Preventive measures include diet, vitamins, exercise and moderate knee stress.