How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee at home

Arthritis of the knee joint

Medical inpatient treatment is not the only way to treat arthrosis. The disease has a chronic course and is difficult to eradicate. In advanced forms of pathology, irreversible changes occur, and a treatment regimen is prescribed to maintain the condition, which a person follows at home. Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint at home, in addition to traditional medicine, includes various folk recipes that increase the effectiveness of drugs, restore blood circulation and improve well-being.

Contraindications and recommendations

Before starting any treatment, the patient should be familiar with the contraindications for the use of the treatment regimen. Correct assessment of the situation and complete familiarity with contraindications will help protect against the complications of the disease and make the treatment as effective as possible.

With arthropathy, acute pain occurs, reducing the mobility of the knee joint.

The main contraindications for traditional medicine:

  • oncological diseases;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • Diabetes;
  • bronchitis with an asthmatic component.
  • allergic reactions to medicinal plants or foods used in a particular recipe;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • chronic diseases of an infectious nature;
  • period of exacerbation of systemic diseases.
  • congenital abnormalities or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • hepatitis with ascites.

Among other contraindications are pathologies of the endocrine system in the form of goitre (autoimmune or toxic origin).

Before starting a course of treatment, it is recommended to consult a doctor, since it is difficult or even impossible to treat arthropathy of the knee joint at home only with folk recipes. In the consultation, the doctor explains what arthropathy of the knee joint is and how to treat it at home with drugs, the patient's task is to discover suitable folk recipes. It is better to immediately make a choice from several of the most suitable drugs and ask about the possibility of their use and the intended effect.

At home, it is recommended to treat the disease:

  • after an accurate diagnosis. You should first undergo a series of tests to determine the nature of the origin of the disease and its stage.
  • with an integrated approach to treatment. Folk recipes only complement drug therapy. The whole stage of treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor and with regular clinical examinations.
  • Arthropathy is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the knee joint
  • external and oral agents can be used only if there is no allergy to the components of the drug.

It is possible to eliminate pain and treat the knee in close cooperation with a specialist. The addition of folk remedies to the treatment regimen increases the speed of recovery and the effectiveness of the main treatment.

Proper nutrition

It should not be based only on traditional medicine, since arthropathy of the knee joint must be treated at home in a complex way. The basis of any therapeutic course is a change in diet.

With malnutrition, there are 3 main violations:

  • metabolic disease. One of the main reasons for the development of arthropathy is the lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissue.
  • micronutrient deficiencies. The knee joint needs structural materials for tissue regeneration, even with a good metabolism, in the presence of a lack of trace elements, rapid deterioration occurs.
  • portliness. Eating fatty and junk food not only damages the metabolism, the health of the internal organs, but also causes an increase in the body mass index. Heavy weight leads to increased pressure on the legs, especially the knee and hip joints. The risk of arthropathy in overweight people is multiple.

A balanced diet is the key to the patient's recovery and reduction of symptoms. With a properly formulated diet, all body systems are restored and body weight correction is also possible. Diet is the first step in any treatment.

Before treating knee arthrosis at home, it is important to enrich the diet with essential minerals and vitamins:

A balanced diet for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the basis for the treatment of the disease
  • Vitamin D is produced in the body when sunlight hits the skin and is also found in cod liver, dairy products.
  • B vitamins are found in eggs, fish, nuts, green vegetables, seafood.
  • calcium most often enters the body from milk and products from it, as well as from sesame, parmesan, basil.
  • fiber: all kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits.

The basis of the diet should be complex carbohydrates, they should represent up to 80% of the calories from the diet. The condition of the joints is positively affected by dishes prepared on the basis of tendons of animal origin: natural jelly, shield, extracts from bull joints, jelly, etc.

The diet should be more:

  • various dairy products;
  • legumes;
  • fresh vegetables with herbs, but you should eat less cabbage, tomatoes, peppers.
  • pasta and bread (it is better to choose whole grains).
  • various cereals, except oatmeal.
  • all kinds of nuts;
  • low-fat varieties of fish, meat.
  • eggs.

Nutritionists recommend giving up fatty, salty, sour and fried foods, as well as eliminating the use of coffee and alcohol. It is worth limiting, but not completely excluding, the use of various oils, muffins, sweets and soda. When cooking, it is better to prefer boiling, baking and steaming.

Before treating arthropathy of the knee joint at home with the help of nutritional correction, it is better to cleanse the body of harmful food residues. The intake of vegetables, fruits, rice, along with decoctions of juniper, birch or nettle leaves, will help to remove toxins and improve digestive function.

The menu of an arthritic knee joint should include healthy vegetables, meat and grains

How to fix the knee with arthropathy?

The symptoms and home treatment of arthropathy of the knee joint are controlled by the doctor, he also recommends limiting the mobility of the damaged limb. When the load is distributed on the injured knee, the severity of the symptoms is reduced and the progression of the disease is slowed down. With the help of a special bandage, the knee is fixed in a position that limits its mobility and reduces the load on the joint. The knee brace helps distribute the load evenly across the entire limb.

It is recommended to treat the gonoarthrosis with a bandage at 1-2 degrees of development of the pathology. At home, the device can be replaced with an elastic bandage, it helps stop the pain. Periodically, the bandage should be removed (after 1-2 hours) to restore blood circulation to the knee.

Basic rules for using a bandage:

  • the bandage is applied tightly, but sparingly. Strong compression of adjacent tissues often leads to an exacerbation of the disease.
  • before applying the bandage, the leg is straightened.
  • Burdock leaves or a honey compress will help enhance the effect of the bandage, placed under the material.
  • if pain or discomfort occurs, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The technique is also prescribed at the stage of relapse of the disease, but then it is better to prefer special knee pads. With their help, it is possible to stabilize the situation, as well as extend the recession period.

At the initial stage of knee joint arthrosis, it is recommended to use a fixation bandage

How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee at home?

The main condition of the treatment is that the disease must be treated safely, any dangerous procedures are contraindicated. To determine the risk, the patient should always consult the attending orthopedic or rheumatologist. When communicating with a doctor, it is often possible to develop more effective methods of treatment.

It is important to remember that some of the treatment methods at home are not applicable, as they can cause dangerous side effects: increased inflammation, allergies and disruption of various internal systems.

Exercise for joints

Joint diseases almost always require special care for the joint. Recovery is possible with adequate physical activity, but physical inactivity or hard work can harm the patient. Gymnastic procedures accelerate blood circulation in the extremities, reduce the severity of symptoms.

One of the best ways to treat 2nd degree knee arthrosis at home is exercise. The complex includes:

  1. Immediately after the night's sleep, the "bicycle" exercise takes place. With breaks, the movement should last 15 minutes.
  2. Lie on your back, pull your leg, bend at the knee, then straighten it. It is recommended to do 20 repetitions for each limb.
  3. They sit on a chair and straighten their legs, fingers reach to themselves. In the process of movements, it is important to focus as much as possible on well-being. If too much tension is felt, the amplitude can be reduced.
  4. Normal squat. For the approach it is better to perform 30 repetitions.
  5. Frequent walking, at least 20-30 minutes a day.

This method can not only be treated, but also prevent the worsening of the stage of the disease, improving the condition of the articular joint.

At home, you can do gymnastics for the treatment and prevention of arthrosis of the knee joint

cold and hot

You can apply cold and warm compresses:

  • Cold therapy is used exclusively in the initial stage of the disease. It helps eliminate pain, reduce swelling and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. You need to prepare ice in advance and think about a comfortable body position so that you don't do it while preparing the compress. It is important to sit for 30 minutes without moving, the legs will be somewhat elevated. An ice pack is applied to the knee, fixed with a bandage or bandage and wait half an hour in this position.
  • Warm compresses can only be used if there is no swelling in the knee. Heated sand, salt, etc. can be used as a heater. . After placing the compress there should be no burning sensation, if it is baked it cools in a warm state. The method helps to eliminate pain.

Medicinal infusions and decoctions

One of the most effective ways to relieve pain in arthrosis of the knee joint at home are decoctions, tinctures for internal use and external application. They are designed to slow joint disorders and improve well-being. Recipes are based on various medicinal plants and extracts. With their help, the metabolism in the synovial tissues is restored, pain sensations are alleviated and the removal of harmful substances from the synovial fluid is accelerated.

Compositions for oral administration

Treatment of arthropathy of the 2nd degree of the knee joint at home can also be carried out with the help of oral injections, but their use is prohibited:

  • people with a tendency to alcohol addiction.
  • patients with liver and kidney failure.
  • in violation of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and other disorders of internal organs.
Bay leaves for making a decoction that relieves swelling of the knee with joints

The first and second stages of the disease often involve the use of oral drugs:

  • decoction of bay leaves. The plant eliminates swelling of the knee and helps to cleanse the body. Cleansing procedures require the use of 10 g of dry bay leaves and a glass of boiled water. The mixture heats up, boils and boils for 15 minutes. The broth is then poured into a thermos and left to infuse overnight. The prepared mixture is consumed for 3 days, 200 ml in small sips throughout the day. It is important to adhere to the dosage, no more than 200 ml per day, and also follow a diet based on: vegetables, fruits, herbs.
  • Lilac flower tincture. 100 grams of lilac color is useful for cooking. Flowers are poured with vodka (you can use distilled water). The infusion process lasts 1-2 weeks, then the composition is filtered and stored in a dark room. Take 30-40 drops before eating at breakfast and dinner.
  • herbal tincture. You will need 2 large tbsp. parsley seeds, dandelion rhizomes (crushed), sea buckthorn, fennel. The listed herb has positive reviews due to its effective analgesic effect. All ingredients are mixed and poured into 0. 5 liters of boiling water. Before using the composition, the mixture is allowed to cool. Take 2 tbsp large. daily in the morning before food.
  • tincture of beets, cranberries and radishes (black variety). The listed ingredients are peeled, passed through a meat grinder. 0. 5 liters of cognac is poured into the resulting composition, and then everything is fermented. In a dark, cool place, the mixture is infused for 10 days, this is necessary to acquire medicinal properties. After settling, the mixture is filtered and left in the refrigerator. Take 1 large tbsp. in the morning, 10 minutes before meals.

Injections for external use

Popular recipes for external application tinctures:

Medicinal plants - the basis of means for external influence on the knee joint affected by arthropathy
  • in birch buds. For preparation, use 100 g of the main ingredient and 500 ml of vodka (diluted alcohol is suitable). In order for the liquid to absorb all the useful substances, you need to leave it for 1 month in a dark place. The prepared composition is rubbed on the knees every day.
  • in dandelion flowers. The flowers of the plant fall asleep in a glass container (preferably tinted glass) and pour vodka. The infusion process takes 30 days. A suitable location should be at room temperature and protected from the sun. After draining the dandelions, rub the knees daily in the evening with the composition. A woolen scarf is attached over the product.

Compresses in the treatment of arthritis and methods of their use

When comparing the effectiveness of applications and ointments, the former show the best results. It is better to give preference to proven recipes during treatment.

cabbage compress

Cooking algorithm:

  1. Cut the cabbage and load it into the juicer.
  2. The juice from the plant is used to soak a warm handkerchief, which is then applied to the sore spot.
  3. Use a compress 1 time a day before going to bed.

From cabbage, there is another recipe to make a compress that does not require cutting the leaves. The preparation of:

  1. Whole cabbage leaves are separated, which are then diluted with vinegar and honey (3 to 1).
  2. The leaves are smeared with a mixture of vinegar and honey, only the side that will be in contact with the knee is treated.
  3. Apply sheets to the leg.
  4. On top, the mixture is covered with a plastic film or a woolen scarf.

Both compresses improve well-being and relieve discomfort. The duration of treatment is 1 month.

A warm compress of crushed cabbage leaves on a painful arthritic knee joint

Compress with honey and bile

The preparation of the compress is carried out in several stages:

  1. Glycerin, honey, therapeutic bile, 5% iodine solution and 10% ammonia are mixed.
  2. The composition is left in a dark cool place for 10 days.
  3. Before application, the composition is slightly heated and placed on the fabric.
  4. The patch with the medicine is fixed on the leg with a plastic film and a warm shawl or scarf is placed on top.

To increase the healing properties, the procedure is done at night and the compress is left until the morning. Patients note the complete elimination of pain, sometimes the effectiveness is not inferior to injections.

Horseradish compress

Recipe:

  1. Horseradish roots are washed on a medium grater.
  2. The substance is steamed in hot (but not boiling) water.
  3. The substance is applied to the fabric and attached to the knee.
  4. Keep the medicine until the pain subsides completely.

Kolitsida compress

The compress will bring a positive effect when you collect fresh leaves of a plant in an ecologically clean area, it is better to choose a plant away from the road and other sources of pollution.

How to cook:

  1. The leaves are stacked and a hot pan is placed on top of them.
  2. They wait for the leaves to steam so that they begin to release useful substances, and then apply to the diseased area.
  3. On top we put a layer of plastic film and warm material.

It is recommended that before applying the leaves to the skin, treat it with vegetable oil, preferably corn or olive.

Compression with dimethyl sulfoxide

This is a drug with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action, often used to make compresses for joints. For treatment, a 50% solution is used, that is, the original composition of dimethyl sulfoxide is diluted with water 1 to 4. The mixture is soaked with a gauze bandage and applied to the affected area. A plastic bag or film is placed on top, the napkin is tied with a cotton cloth. Duration of socks - 30 minutes. Therapeutic course - 10-14 days.

Applications

According to their properties, applications do not differ from compresses. There are many varieties of applications in traditional medicine. Often, cooked leaves of aloe, celandine, burdock and cabbage are used to relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. Before application, all leaves are washed with high quality and beaten a little (you can crush, cut), the purpose of the procedure is to leave the juice from the leaf. Applications are placed on the affected area, wrapped with a warm cloth. Keep about 6-8 hours worth of leaves.

A rather unusual treatment method is aluminum foil treatment. Eating leaves changes the energy of the muscles and joints. Patients claim that after the application came relief from pain and inflammation. Aluminum foil is wrapped around the entire limb or diseased area.

Baths

Treatment of arthrosis at home often involves the use of therapeutic baths. They have a beneficial effect not only on the organ with pathology, but also improve the condition of the entire organism. The water is heated to body temperature - 38 ° C, the patient is advised to stay in the water for up to 20 minutes. Hot baths are contraindicated.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint at home can be carried out with the help of therapeutic baths

To give healing properties, additives are used:

  • decoction of birch branches;
  • lavender extracts, pine needles;
  • turpentine;
  • Bischofite;
  • sea salt?
  • essential oils: bergamot, lemon, pine.

Mud therapy

The procedure is common in sanatoriums and resorts, but you can store mud (it must be therapeutic) in the deposits or buy it in pharmacies, the technique is also applicable at home. Mud applications warm the joint and enrich the cartilaginous tissues with useful trace elements.

During mud preheating, the following are additionally used:

  • sea salt?
  • ozokerite?
  • sand;
  • paraffin;
  • mustard (dry).

Healing ointments and scrubs

Only natural ingredients are used for the preparation of scrubs and ointments. Bear or badger fat can be used as a base, but vegetable oil is a more economical option. To increase the effectiveness of the ointment, it is necessary to ensure an intensive blood flow to the knee by warming the limb with self-massage.

Garlic for the preparation of a rub, effective in treating arthritis of the knee joint

Garlic

Garlic is a storehouse of useful substances, it is not surprising that rubbing is done with it.

How to make:

  1. The head is cleaned and crushed.
  2. Pour the material into a glass container and add 200 ml of oil.
  3. Place the container in a place protected from light for 1 week.

There are no restrictions on the time of use of the rub, but at night the effectiveness is slightly higher. At night, it is better to use it because of the specific smell. If you rub in the morning, a person will smell strongly of garlic.

Bell tower

Recipe:

  1. Prepare 50 g of ground root, which is mixed with 120 ml of vodka.
  2. Infuse the mixture for 2 weeks.
  3. Apply rub on the affected area and keep until the discomfort disappears.

Eggs and apple cider vinegar

Preparation and application:

  1. A mixture is made in equal proportions of egg yolk and apple cider vinegar.
  2. You can use it immediately after preparation, the number of applications is 3 times in 7 days.
  3. It is recommended to be applied at night and left until the morning, wrapped with a warm cloth on top.
Apple cider vinegar is good for relieving arthritis pain in an inflamed knee joint.

Mummy

Production and use:

  1. Mix 100 g of honey with 3 g of mumiyo.
  2. After preparation, the mixture is applied to the skin near the affected joint, preferably before going to bed.
  3. The treatment lasts 1 week.

You can supplement the prescription with the internal use of mumiyo, but the drug has contraindications.

Warming mustard ointment

Recipe:

  1. Mix 100 g of mustard (in powder form) with 200 g of salt of a small fraction and a small piece of melted paraffin.
  2. Beat the mixture until it becomes a paste.
  3. The composition is placed in a glass container and infused for 12 hours.

It is better to use the ointment at night.

Celandine and olive oil

Recipe:

  1. Remove the top of the plant (the root is not used), you should get 3 tbsp large.
  2. Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil (olive or sunflower).
  3. Infuse the composition for 2 weeks.

The course of treatment is 1 month, the composition is used daily. Rub the oil infusion with massaging movements.

Warming camphor ointment

To prepare the ointment, you need to have 2-3 chicken eggs, a bottle of 96% alcohol (100 g) and 50 g of camphor with mustard. Beat the eggs in the blender until the eggs are frothy and all the ingredients are well mixed. The mixture is applied to the affected area at night, the part is covered with a bandage on top. The course continues until recovery.

Animal fat

In diseases of the joints and muscles, animal fat, especially badger fat, is extremely effective. Other healthy types of fat are pork and offal. The substance is rubbed on the affected joints for 1 month.

Alternative therapies

As adjunctive therapies, non-traditional areas of medicine are often used. They are based on the experience of Eastern healers, combined with modern scientific achievements.

The basis of anti-arthritis treatment can be used:

  • ozone therapy;
  • treatment with leeches;
  • bee therapy;
  • Acupuncture together with acupuncture.
  • chiu energy processing;
  • moxibustion;
  • manual therapy.

The only drawback of the direction is the complexity of the implementation with one's own hand, since it is necessary to have proper knowledge in each direction.

Hirudotherapy or leech therapy

The positive effect of the leech is due to the special composition of saliva, which leads to the elimination of swelling, relief from inflammation and relief from pain. Hirudin and other specific enzymes enter the patient's bloodstream, which increase blood fluidity, stimulate an increase in the quality of blood circulation, and relieve pain.

Therapeutic leeches for knee joint pain can reduce swelling, relieve inflammation and numb

Bee therapy or treatment of knee joints with bees

Bees are of great benefit not only with their waste, but even their venom can help a sick person with arthritis. Bee venom belongs to the group of strong allergens, before using bee therapy it is important to check for an allergic reaction, otherwise the patient will face serious complications.

Bee treatment courses lead to irritation of certain points and small areas of tissue with a small dose of venom. The procedure helps to activate the blood circulation and improve the nerve conduction of the endings. The technique is associated with pain, but brings a good result.

Acupuncture

The technique involves the impact on bioactive points, the process has a number of different results:

  • restores metabolism;
  • helps strengthen the immune system to fight pathology.
  • accelerates lymph flow and blood flow.
  • relieves spasmodic and painful phenomena.
  • improves well-being.
  • restores joint functions.

Today, acupuncture can be performed in several versions:

  • acupuncture with fine needles.
  • Pharmacopuncture involves increasing the effect with the help of drugs.
  • Moxa therapy involves the use of cones and cigars (usually made from wormwood), which are used to treat the affected area.
  • acupuncture, taking into account the knowledge of the energy channels through which the energy circulates. Redirecting the body's forces to restore the knee has positive feedback.

Physiotherapy

Therapy with the help of movements is prescribed for all joint pathologies. The method of execution of the movements is determined separately.

By regularly performing the procedure, it is possible to:

  • learn how to move properly so as not to injure the joint that hurts.
  • increase in muscle tone;
  • link development;
  • increase stretch;
  • restoration of cartilage function.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is particularly dangerous due to the complications and the irreversibility of the processes. Only timely treatment and adequate treatment will help to avoid disability or severe pain. Treatment at home is the best way to prevent the development of the disease and improve the quality of life.