Currently, there are no drugs that can permanently relieve gonarthrosis.But it is quite possible to slow down its development and significantly reduce the pain syndrome.
For this use:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- pain relievers;
- chondroprotectors to ensure cartilage tissue regeneration;
- non-pharmacological methods (physiotherapy, manual therapy, physical therapy);
- traditional medicine recipes.
Diet and spa treatment also play an important role in the fight against the disease.If conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention is recommended.
Therapeutic exercise in arthrosis of the knee joint
Therapeutic gymnastics is quite effective in the fight against gonarthrosis.The complex consists of three parts: introductory, main and final.The first involves performing breathing exercises and walking, which are repeated 5-6 times.
In the main part, exercises are performed, for which the following starting positions are used: sitting on a chair, lying on the back and side, and near the gym wall.In each case, 6-8 repetitions are performed.
In the final part, perform exercises in a standing position, next to a chair, and on an exercise bike for two to three minutes at a slow to medium pace.The complex ends with the restoration of breathing.
When performing regular therapeutic exercises:
- pain in the knee joints decreases;
- the stiffness of movements disappears and their amplitude increases;
- muscle spasms are relieved;
- blood circulation accelerates;
- they prevent sudden pressure surges in the joints.
Water gymnastics
Many people with gonarthrosis cannot do regular exercise because it causes severe pain.In such cases, water gymnastics is recommended to facilitate training.
Training in water:
- eliminates excess weight and reduces the load on the injured knee;
- relieves tension in the legs;
- increases joint mobility;
- massages the skin, thereby improving blood circulation and the general condition of the body.
When the pain subsides, walk in water to strengthen the ligament.During training, it is necessary to ensure that the sore leg remains in the correct position.
In order to reduce the manifestations of the disease, water gymnastics should include:
- active movement of the legs (including swings in different directions, as well as circular and oscillating movements);
- squat;
- bending the legs at the knees.
A set of exercises
During therapeutic exercises for arthrosis, you must follow the following rules:
- All exercises are performed at a slow and smooth pace with a gradual increase in amplitude.Sharp swings are strictly contraindicated: instead of benefits, they can worsen the patient's condition.
- The training is done in a sitting or lying position.
- If pain occurs, stop the activity.In this case, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
- Training should be regular (several times a day), but short-term (a few minutes for each pose).
The following complex provides effective results:
- Lie on your back, stretch your heels forward and pull your toes towards you.This position relieves muscle spasms and speeds up metabolism in the lower limbs.
- "Vertical scissors" - you need to lie on your back and alternately raise and lower your legs, bending them in the hip joints.
- Sit on a highchair and swing your lower limbs.No effort should be made.The amplitude of the swings should be small.
- Lie on your back, bend your lower limbs at the hip and knee joints at the same time.Bend and straighten your knees.
- Lying on your stomach, alternately raise and lower your outstretched lower limbs.No need to pull the toe off.
- "Horizontal scissors" - lie on your back, raise your legs at right angles.Alternately spread and retract the lower limbs.
- Bend and straighten your knees from a lying position.
- Lie on your side.Raise and lower your straightened lower limbs.
- Lying on your stomach, alternately bend and straighten your legs at the knee joints.
- Lie on your back and imagine that you are riding a bicycle.Bend and straighten your legs at the knees and hips.
Massage for knee arthrosis
Manual therapy should be started after the complex of therapeutic and preventive physical education.You can precede the massage with a hot shower or visit the steam bath or sauna.These actions help to warm up the muscles and increase the efficiency of the procedure.A massage in water heated to 37°C will have a similar effect.
Even more such therapies significantly improve the patient's condition.But in order for the results to last, you need to complete the entire course.In order to achieve the maximum effect, the procedure must be performed by a specialist - a chiropractor.But you can also perform self-massage based on detailed instructions.
When massaging, use traditional massage oils and creams, as well as ointments specially designed for the treatment of gonarthrosis.The movement of the massage therapist must strictly correspond to the course of the lymphatic vessels.The procedure should not cause pain or discomfort.
In the fight against the disease, not only manual local massage is used, but also mechanical vibration massage.You can complete it with vibrating movements with a sponge and a spike attachment.
Implementation techniques
Currently, chiropractors for knee arthrosis use four well-known massage systems - Russian, Eastern, Swedish and Finnish.
Each technique has characteristic differences:
- The aim of the oriental technique is to free the muscles from venous blood and improve the motor function of the joint surfaces.
- The Swedish technique has the strongest effect on gonarthrosis of the knee joint.It uses stroking and rubbing movements, which are carried out simultaneously with the movement of the joints.This approach ensures a good stretch of the muscles and neurovascular connections and reduces tissue congestion.
- The Finnish technique is similar to the Swedish, but differs from it in that only thumb knots are used to knead the skin.
When massaging, several basic techniques are used, combining them with each other.Usually, all such procedures begin and end with stroking, which is done with the entire palm.Their purpose is to relax muscles, improve blood circulation, release tension and activate lymph flow.
One common way to massage the knee is by rubbing.It ensures the stretching and relaxation of muscles and ligaments, accelerates the movement of blood and lymph.During the rubbing process, deposits are absorbed and removed from the joints, thereby improving their mobility.
The main method of manual therapy for gonarthrosis is kneading.This is done by gently pressing the skin.Kneading gives the masseuse the opportunity to influence the deepest layers of the skin.After the procedure, tissue nutrition improves, muscles are toned, strengthened and flexible.
Another massage technique is vibration – shaking the skin and muscles.With its help, the vibrations are transferred to the deep-lying tissues.The session consists of three stages: introductory, main and closing.In the first and last part, only light, slow pressure is applied.In the middle of the procedure, after the preparation of tissues and muscles, the most intensive manipulations are performed.
Massage technique
Manual therapy for knee arthrosis includes kneading not only the knee, but also other parts of the body.The manipulations are first carried out in the lower part of the spine, and then we move on to the thigh muscles.During the session, stroking and squeezing techniques are used.The latter is performed with the help of the ribs of the fists and the edges of the palm.Each manipulation must be repeated 3-4 times.They always end with shaking and caressing the skin.
After developing the hamstrings, massage the sore joint.First, circular stroking is done on the sides, and then different types of rubbing are applied.Then they massage the thigh again.The number of repetitions decreases.Massage your knees and thighs alternately several times.The chiropractor then gently flexes and extends the patient's lower limb and rotates the lower leg.After the active movement of the legs, we massage the thighs and knees again.This time, however, in addition to caressing, they rub the skin with the tips and phalanges of the fingers.At the end of the procedure, shake and gently smooth the damaged joint.
Ointments for arthrosis of the knee joint
People suffering from arthrosis are recommended to limit the load on the affected joint.At the initial stage, drugs belonging to the oxicam group (piroxicam, xefocam) and ketorolac are prescribed.
Ointments help to improve the patient's condition:
- warming up;
- containing bee venom;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Medicines with a warming effect are prescribed if the disease has no pronounced symptoms.They stimulate local blood circulation in the affected areas.Warming ointments are hypoallergenic and have no side effects.Their use is associated with a pleasant feeling of warmth and comfort.
Products containing bee and snake venom are particularly popular.They have distracting and irritating properties, stimulate blood circulation and help increase the flexibility of muscles and ligaments.But such ointments often cause allergic reactions and can cause local inflammation in the application area.It is also contraindicated for menstruating women and children.
If gonarthrosis is complicated by synovitis, the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They slow down inflammatory processes and relieve pain.But such drugs are not very effective: the cream partially remains on the skin, only 5-7% of the active ingredient penetrates deeply, which cannot produce an adequate therapeutic effect.
Ointments used for medical purposes cannot relieve arthrosis, but they relieve pain and significantly improve the patient's quality of life.