Knee osteoarthritis occurs in one in five Europeans.Experts estimate that only 40% of degenerative arthritis cases are a result of aging.In the remaining 60%, the causes are overload, injury and physical inactivity.So, knee disease is the price we pay for our lifestyle.
Degenerative changes in the knee joint (arthritis and arthrosis) develop slowly and progress gradually, destroying cartilage.At the same time, there are several forms of this disease.Thus, post-traumatic arthritis appears after all types of knee injuries, such as sprains, knee injuries, cartilage injuries, etc.In many cases, the disease is caused by changes in the skeletal system of the muscles of the lower limbs or spine, leading to improper load distribution in the knee joint.A common cause of joint disease is overweight and obesity.In the elderly, the destruction of the knee joint is explained by the natural aging of the body and endocrine disorders: hypothyroidism, acromegaly, systemic diseases such as diabetes and chronic arthritis as well as other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (rheumatoid arthritis and gout).
Symptom
Initially, the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis appear very weak, so the patient does not pay attention.You should be wary if you notice phenomena such as:
- limited joint mobility after getting out of bed;
- pain when trying to squat;
- difficulty straightening legs;
- swelling and heat in the knee joint after exercise;
- crunching in the joints.
As arthritis progresses, arthritis interferes with normal movement.A person feels pain when trying to sit down, stand up or simply move around.However, if you start treatment promptly, you can restore the function of your knee joint.
Exercises for joints
Special exercises that need to be performed regularly will help overcome knee osteoarthritis.They stimulate blood flow to the knee, thanks to which cartilage tissue begins to recover.Attention!If you have post-traumatic arthritis, you should consult your trauma doctor before performing these exercises.
- After waking up, without getting out of bed, slowly do the "bicycle" exercise.The range of motion of the right leg should be maximal.
- 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 toward you as much as possible.Change legs.Repeat the movements several times.
- Throughout the day, it will be useful for knee health to do this simple exercise: sit on the floor, place a support under your heels, keep your legs horizontal.Then, without bending your knees, you should pull your toes towards you.Repeat several times.
- When sitting in a chair at the office or at home, stretch your legs forward so your knees are as straight as possible.Pull your toes toward you.This exercise should be done as often as possible and you will forget what arthritis is all about.
Experts note: with regular physical activity, symptoms of knee joint disease will significantly reduce or disappear completely.On the Internet you can find many videos with useful exercises.
Treatment
When treating knee osteoarthritis, all kinds of home methods are used - hot and cold compresses, wraps, ointments.Proper diet plays an important role.If you add a few simple foods to your diet, you can quickly cure knee arthritis without spending a large amount of money.How to do this - read below.
Apply cold compresses
You should apply ice when pain is accompanied by knee swelling and overheating.Squeeze your feet, apply an ice pack on them, and place your feet on an elevated surface.For half an hour you should not move your lower limbs.Ice has an anti-inflammatory effect and quickly brings a feeling of relief.However, it only helps in the early stages of arthritis.
Apply warm compresses
When treating knee osteoarthritis, only apply warm compresses when swelling is no longer present.Before physical exercise, it relieves pain.But you must be careful to avoid burns or skin irritation.
Essential oils
Essential oils have properties that can help relieve knee pain when used on the skin.Many essential oils have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
Essential oils not only contain aromatic compounds but also contain chemical components that are very beneficial for joints.Among the latter substances are terpenoids and terpenes, hydrocarbons and aldehydes, organic acids, amines.All have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and regenerative effects.Penetrating through the skin by rubbing, they moisturize the joints, which is especially important in synovial fluid deficiency.
If arthritis is bothering you, turn to the healing powers of essential oils to help.To do this, you should make a simple homemade ointment: add a few drops of the selected oil to regular Vaseline and mix the product.
How to choose essential oils against arthritis?Focus on your symptoms.
So, peppermint oil will relieve pain and cool your knees a little, rosemary oil will improve blood circulation (that is, it is recommended to use in case of joint diseases due to a sedentary lifestyle), and lavender oil helps reduce inflammation.
It is important not to make mistakes when purchasing essential oils.How to distinguish quality products from fakes - find videos on this topic on the Internet.
Hirudo therapy
Treatment with leeches (hirud therapy) gives amazing results in diseases of the knee joints (arthritis, arthrosis, bursitis, etc.).The point is that leeches thin the blood, improve blood circulation and remove any blockages.They will help in any case, regardless of what type of joint disease you suffer from: after injury, due to old age, etc.Leeches should be applied near the knee, avoiding large arteries.There is a 4-7 day break between procedures.In total, your treatment will take 3-5 hirudotherapy sessions.There are many videos on the Internet about how to properly handle leeches.
Cover with honey
Honey wrap helps relieve knee pain and treat joint disease in the early stages.Simply lubricate the affected areas with natural honey and apply a liquid honey bandage on top.It is recommended to carry out this procedure at night.Continue treatment until the arthritis disappears completely.
Comfrey wrap
To treat knee arthritis with folk remedies, comfrey is often used because this plant strengthens cartilage tissue and helps form cartilage tissue in case of osteoarthritis.Melt 200 g of lard (pork fat) in a water bath, add 2 tablespoons of chopped comfrey and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.After cooling, pour the resulting medicine into a glass container and store in the refrigerator.To get rid of arthritis, lubricate your knees with comfrey at night and apply a bandage on top.
Wrap Elm plain
Slippery elm is an excellent folk remedy for knee arthritis.You can prepare an ointment from it according to the recipe we gave above (200 g of lard + 2 spoons of crushed slippery elm bark).Do the wrap every evening until the arthritis or arthritis disappears completely.
Harpagophytum
The harpagophytum plant is popularly known as "devil's claw".It is used successfully in the treatment of knee arthritis, as well as other degenerative diseases (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.).Recipe: Pour 2 tablespoons of dry harpagophytum roots into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for at least 2 hours.To successfully treat joint diseases, you must drink 3-4 glasses of the medicine obtained in warm form every day.
bishofite salt
Bichofite salt is a unique natural product formed millions of years ago as a result of climate change - the evaporation of sea water and the enrichment of salt with deposits of uncontaminated trace elements.It helps to cure all joint diseases and arthritis, even after injuries (there are many videos on the Internet about the healing properties of this medicine).Just take a warm bath once every two days, in which 1 glass of bischofite salt is dissolved.Continue treatment until the arthritis and arthrosis disappear completely.
Massage for sore knees
During the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, don't forget to massage regularly.It is recommended to lubricate the skin with a mixture of olive oil and lavender.Try to relax your legs, grab the kneecap with your hands and move it a little 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 helps relieve knee pain and reduce arthritis symptoms.In a study of 261 patients with moderate to severe knee pain, ginger was shown to reduce pain with walking and standing.So add this spice to your daily diet and you will forget what arthritis or arthritis is all about.
We will also tell you how to make gauze from ginger.Grind the roots in a blender to obtain about 2 tablespoons of ingredients.Add the juice of a small onion, mix well and apply a thick layer on the painful joint area.Cover the top with film and secure with a bandage.This compress for arthritis should be done for at least 3 hours, but it is better to do it all night.Repeat treatment every 2-3 days until unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
turmeric
You will be surprised, but turmeric is the most popular folk remedy for knee arthritis in India.Adding this spice to your food can work wonders as turmeric contains the enzyme curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.Canadian scientists conducted animal research and discovered that curcumin reduces arthritis by inhibiting the enzyme that causes the condition.There is only one conclusion: if you want to treat joint diseases and arthritis, add turmeric to your daily menu.
Resin
Pine resin has long been used in the treatment of knee arthritis.It also helps fight sciatica and arthritis.How to apply it?In the evening, rub the joint area with turpentine, apply a warm compress and then go to bed.The next morning you will find that joint pain no longer bothers you.
Warm compress
Here is another recipe for a warm compress for arthritis.Mix 100 ml of pure alcohol with 50 g of mustard powder, 50 g of gasoline 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 with arthritis or arthrosis at night.Continue treatment until completely cured.
take a shower
Arthritis and arthritis can also be treated with pine baths.How are they created?Boil 1 liter of chopped young coniferous branches over low heat for 5-7 minutes, pour the broth into the bath, dilute with warm water.The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.After showering, don't rub yourself with a towel - just pat your body dry.
dandelion flower
And now we will tell you how to treat knee arthritis with dandelion.Everything is simple here: in the spring, when dandelions bloom, you should pick 3-4 flowers a day, wash them under running water and chew them thoroughly.The taste isn't very pleasant, but isn't there anything you can do to treat your arthritis?
But for the winter, prepare an alcoholic tincture from dandelion flowers: to do this, you need to fill it with pure alcohol and store it in a cool, dark place for 1 month, then filter it.As soon as arthritis begins to take hold of you, lubricate your knees with this alcohol tincture.