Osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurs in one in five Europeans.Experts estimate that only 40% of cases of degenerative osteoarthritis are a consequence of aging.In the remaining 60% this is due to overload, injuries and physical inactivity.Therefore, knee disease is the price we pay for our lifestyle.
Degenerative changes in the knee joints (arthrosis and arthritis) develop slowly and progress gradually, destroying the cartilage.At the same time, there are several forms of this disease.Therefore, post-traumatic arthritic arthritis appears after all types of knee injuries, such as ligament sprains, knee injuries, meniscus injuries, etc.In many cases, the disease is caused by changes in the skeletal system of the muscles of the lower extremities or the spine, which leads to improper distribution of the load in the knee joint.A common cause of osteoarthritis is overweight and obesity.In older people, the destruction of the knee joint is explained by natural aging of the body and endocrine disorders: hypothyroidism, acromegaly, systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and chronic inflammatory arthritis, and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system (rheumatoid arthritis and gout).
Symptoms
Initially, the symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint appear very weakly, so the patient does not pay attention to them.You should be careful if you notice phenomena such as:
- limited joint mobility after getting out of bed;
- pain when trying to squat;
- difficulty straightening the leg;
- swelling and warmth in the knee joints after exercise;
- creaking in the joints.
As osteoarthritis progresses, the arthritis interferes with normal walking.A person experiences pain when trying to sit, stand or simply move.However, if you start treatment on time, you can restore the functionality of the knee joint.
Joint exercises
Special exercises that need to be performed regularly help to overcome arthrosis of the knee joints.They stimulate blood flow to the knees, due to which the cartilaginous tissue begins to recover.Attention!If you suffer from post-traumatic arthritic arthritis, you should consult a traumatologist before performing the exercises.
- After waking up, without getting out of bed, slowly perform the “bicycle” exercise.The range of motion of the legs should be maximum.
- The next exercise against arthrosis is also performed in a lying position.Bend one leg at the knee and straighten the other, pulling your toes as far towards you as possible.Switch legs.Repeat the movements several times.
- During the day, it is useful for the health of your knees to perform this simple exercise: sit on the ground, place a support under your heels, keeping your legs horizontal.Then, without bending your knees, you should pull your toes towards you.Repeat several times.
- While sitting in a chair at the office or home, stretch your legs forward so that your knees are as straight as possible.Pull your toes towards you.This exercise should be done as often as possible and you will forget what arthritic arthritis is.
Experts note: with regular physical activity, the symptoms of knee joint disease are significantly reduced or disappear altogether.On the Internet you can find many videos with useful exercises.
Treatment
In the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, all kinds of home methods are used: cold and hot compresses, compresses, ointments.Proper nutrition plays an important role.If you add some simple foods to your diet, you can quickly cure arthrosis of the knee joint without spending huge amounts of money.How to do it: read below.
Cold compresses
Ice packs are recommended when pain is accompanied by swelling of the knee joint and overheating.Squeeze your legs tightly, apply ice packs, and place your legs on a raised surface.For half an hour you should not move your lower limbs.Ice has an anti-inflammatory effect and quickly brings relief.However, it only helps in the early stages of osteoarthritis.
Warm compresses
In the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, warm compresses are used only in the absence of swelling.Before physical training, it reduces pain.But you have to be careful to avoid burning or irritating your skin.
Essential oils
Essential oils have properties that can help relieve knee pain when used on the skin.Many essential oils have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Essential oils contain not only aromatic compounds, but also chemical components that are very beneficial for joints.Among the latter we remember terpenoids and terpenes, hydrocarbons and aldehydes, organic acids, amines.All have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and regenerating effects.Entering through the skin by rubbing, they hydrate the joint, which is particularly important in conditions of synovial fluid deficiency.
If osteoarthritis is bothering you, call on the healing power of essential oils to help you.To do this we recommend making a simple homemade ointment: add a few drops of the chosen oil to ordinary petroleum jelly and mix the product.
How to choose the essential oil against arthrosis of the joints?Focus on the symptoms.
So, peppermint oil will relieve pain and cool the knees a little, rosemary oil will improve blood circulation (that is, it should be used in cases where arthrosis is caused by a sedentary lifestyle), and lavender oil helps relieve inflammation.
It is also important not to make mistakes when purchasing essential oils.How to distinguish a quality product from a fake - search for videos on this topic on the Internet.
Hirudotherapy
Treatment with leeches (hirudotherapy) gives amazing results for diseases of the knee joints (arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis, etc.).The fact is that leeches thin the blood, improve blood circulation and remove all congestion.They will help you in any case, regardless of the type of arthrosis you have: post-traumatic, senile, etc.Leeches should be applied close to the knee, avoiding large arteries.There is a break of 4-7 days between procedures.In total, the treatment will require 3-5 sessions of hirudotherapy.There are many videos on the Internet on how to properly handle leeches.
Honey compresses
Honey compresses help reduce knee pain and cure osteoarthritis in the initial stages.It is enough to lubricate the affected areas with natural honey and apply a loose honey bandage on top.It is recommended to carry out this procedure at night.Continue treatment until the joint arthrosis completely disappears.
Comfrey compresses
To treat arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, comfrey is often used, as this plant strengthens the cartilaginous tissue and helps to rebuild it in case of degenerative changes in the joints.Melt 200 g of pork fat (lard) in a water bath, add 2 tablespoons of chopped comfrey and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.After cooling, pour the resulting drug into a glass container and store in the refrigerator.To get rid of arthrosis, lubricate the knees with comfrey at night and apply a bandage on top.
Slippery elm wraps
Slippery elm is an excellent folk remedy for arthrosis of the knee joint.Ointments can be prepared from it according to the recipe given above (200 g of lard + 2 tablespoons of chopped elm bark).Do the compresses every evening until the arthrosis or arthritis completely disappears.
Harpagofito
The harpagophyte plant is popularly called “devil's claw”.It is successfully used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joints and other degenerative diseases (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.).Recipe: 2 tablespoons of dried harpagophyte root should be poured into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for at least 2 hours.To successfully treat arthrosis, you need to drink 3-4 glasses of the resulting drug in a warm form per day.
Bishofi salt
Bichofite salt is a unique natural product that was formed millions of years ago due to climate changes: the evaporation of sea water and the enrichment of salt with pristine microelement deposits.It helps to cure any arthrosis and arthritis, even post-traumatic (there are many videos on the Internet about the healing properties of this drug).Just treat yourself to hot baths every two days, in which 1 glass of bischofite salt is dissolved.Continue treatment until the arthrosis and arthritis completely disappear.
Massage for sore knees
During treatment for arthrosis of the knee joints, do not forget to massage regularly.It is recommended to lubricate the skin with a mixture of olive and lavender oils.Try to relax your legs, grab the kneecap with your hands and move it slightly left and right and back and forth.Pain relief occurs almost immediately.
Ginger
Ginger has long been used to treat stomach diseases.Scientists recently discovered that this product also relieves knee pain, reducing the symptoms of joint arthritis.In a study of 261 patients with moderate to severe knee pain, ginger was shown to reduce pain when walking and standing.Therefore, include this spice in your daily diet and you will forget what arthrosis or arthritis of the joints is.
We will also tell you how to prepare compresses from ginger.Grind the root of the plant on a grater so that you get about 2 tablespoons of raw material.Add the juice of a small onion, mix well and apply a thick layer to the area of the painful joints.Cover the top with film and secure with a bandage.This compress for osteoarthritis should be worn for at least 3 hours, but it is better to do it all night.Repeat the treatment every 2-3 days until the unpleasant symptoms completely disappear.
Turmeric
You will be surprised, but turmeric is the most popular folk remedy for knee osteoarthritis in India.Adding this spice to food can work wonders as turmeric contains the enzyme curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.Canadian scientists conducted animal studies and found that curcumin reduces joint inflammation by inhibiting the enzyme that causes this condition.The conclusion is only one: if you want to cure arthrosis and arthritis, add turmeric to your daily menu.
Turpentine
Turpentine has long been used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint.It also helps fight sciatica and arthritis.How to apply it?At night rub the joint area with turpentine, apply a warm bandage and go to bed.The next morning you will discover that arthrosis will no longer bother you.
Heating compress
Here is another recipe for a warm compress for osteoarthritis.Mix 100 ml of pure alcohol with 50 g of mustard powder, 50 g of petrol and 50 g of camphor.Separately, beat the whites of two or three eggs and combine all the ingredients together.The resulting ointment should be lubricated in places where arthrosis or arthritis of the joints occurs at night.Continue treatment until complete relief from the disease.
Pine baths
Osteoarthritis and arthritis of the joints can also be treated with pine baths.How are they made?Boil 1 liter of chopped young coniferous branches over low heat for 5-7 minutes, pour the broth into the bath and dilute with warm water.The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.After bathing, don't rub yourself with the towel, just pat your body dry.
Dandelion flowers
And now we will tell you how to treat arthrosis of the knee joint with the help of dandelions.Everything is simple here: in spring, when dandelions bloom, you should collect 3-4 flowers a day, rinse them under running water, and then chew thoroughly.The taste is not very pleasant, but what can't be done to cure osteoarthritis?
But for the winter, prepare an alcoholic tincture from dandelion flowers: to do this, you need to fill them whole with pure alcohol and store them in a cool, dark place for 1 month, then strain.As soon as arthritis begins to overwhelm you, lubricate your knees with this alcoholic tincture.