How to Treat Arthritis to the Knee

How to Treat Arthritis to the Knee


Even if there is no cure against arthritis, making some changes to your way of life and reducing pain, you can greatly improve your quality of life. The treatment to be chosen depends on the type of arthritis and the stage of the disease. Regardless of the course of action you decide to take, you need to train properly and take care of yourself. Consult your doctor to find out which of the following tips is right for you. Continue reading the article from the first step.
Part 1 of 4:
Doing Physical ActivityEdit


    1
    Practice yoga. This discipline includes a series of useful exercises that help to relax all the muscles of the body and increase their elasticity. When arthritis begins to manifest, people avoid moving for fear of pain. Although it's inviting, it's not a good idea at all. Yoga offers enormous advantages because, while stimulating the muscles, it does not involve any intense effort.
        By not exercising, the surrounding muscles are subjected to spasms and contractures, and as a consequence the pain increases. Following regular physical activity, such as yoga, helps maintain muscle elasticity and relax them.

   2
    Raise your legs. If you do not have a perfect physical shape, with the help of a chair you can do some exercise along the lines of those contemplated by yoga. The practice of lifting the legs is an excellent example:
        Sit on a chair with a straight back. Raise your right leg and, if you can, try to bring it parallel to the ground.
        Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat with the left.
        Try to do this by adding light weights to promote the muscle tone of the thighs.
   
    3
    Try the squat exercises. It is better to let all the muscles work around the knees. Here's how to train thighs, calves and buttocks:
        Put yourself behind a chair and, leaning on you, keep your posture upright.
        Lower yourself as long as you can, but make sure you do not bend your knee over 90 degrees.
        Repeat 10 times for each leg. It is an exercise that helps increase muscle tone and flexibility of the knee joint.
   
    4
    Use heat. Arthritis is a degenerative disease due to cartilage tearing. By applying heat to the area with the aid of a bag or a heating pad, the underlying arteries dilate, improving blood circulation and facilitating the exercise of the exercises. Increased blood supply also increases the number of cells that can help the injured knee to heal.
        To do this, get a hot water bag and fill it with warm water. Rub it on the knee for 15-20 minutes every 4-6 hours.
   
    5
    Try the aquagym. It is practiced in the pool. The hydrostatic thrust given by the water reduces any knee strain. These are very versatile aerobic exercises that improve the traction force of the knee.
        Many people think that they are easier and more pleasant to perform because they have a different rhythm than the normal concept of "gymnastics". Look for an aquagym course at the pool near the house.
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Part 2 of 4:
Take advantage of the Medicine Modification

   
    1
    Get painkillers. Drugs such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and celecoxib can help reduce inflammation and swelling and, consequently, pain. Ask the doctor if it is appropriate to take them.
        These drugs affect the action of cyclooxygenase within the body, which leads cells to produce inflammation and swelling. These drugs inhibit the biochemical pathway, decreasing the pain.

Knees Step 7
    2
    Physiotherapy begins. The physiotherapist enables the patient to perform a series of movements in order to make the knee joint less rigid. Usually, those suffering from arthritis avoid moving the affected area. Therefore, the physiotherapist can help to restore the functions of the joint without causing damage and teach the best way to move the knees in everyday life.
        Physiotherapy differs from one patient to another. Treatment depends on severity, age and type of arthritis.
   
    3
    Perform the exercises with the help of the physiotherapist to strengthen the knees. Here are three examples of what the physiotherapist could help you do:
        Stretching of the tendon. You will have to warm up by walking five minutes. Then you will do stretching in a supine position with a sheet knotted around the right foot. The sheet is used to pull the leg straight and stretch it. You have to keep it for about twenty minutes and then leave it. The exercise must be repeated with the other leg.
        Elongation of the calf. This exercise is performed using a chair to stay in balance. Take a step back with your left leg and straighten it, bending the right. Then push the left heel to the floor. You should feel some tension in the calf of the back leg. Hold the position for 20 minutes and then change the leg.
        Lifting the pelvis with gear. Sit on a chair with 90 ° legs. The left foot should be slightly back with the plant on the floor. Bend your knee and lift your right foot off the floor. Hold it for 3 seconds and then slowly lower it to the floor. Repeat the exercise ten times, then change your leg.
   
    4
    Try also occupational therapy. You will be shown how to reduce the effort exerted on the suffering joint, when it is involved in daily activities. The therapist can help you make some changes at home so that environmental barriers do not worsen your health. This is a rehabilitation discipline applicable mostly in normal home activities, which increases autonomy in everyday life.
        The occupational therapist will also take care of the little things. He could recommend the shoes to buy, the best walking devices and anything that could eliminate knee stress while staying at home.
   
    5
    Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They help you reduce joint inflammation and decrease pain by blocking the action of prostaglandins. However, they may have anticoagulant properties and cause bleeding. Therefore, it is necessary to seek the advice of the doctor before taking them.
        An excellent example is diclofenac 50-75 mg, once or twice a day (depending on the state of arthritis). [1]
        To be precise, prostaglandins are hormones that trigger muscle cramps, inflammation and physical pain.
   
    6
    Take steroid injections into consideration. If the pain gets worse, steroids are the next step in treating arthritis. They are injected by an orthopedic surgeon under anesthesia. However, they do not constitute a therapy that can be relied on constantly. If you need regular injections, you will probably be advised to do surgery.
        Steroids help reduce the inflammation and excess fluids that are formed in the process that gives rise to the swelling. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming drug therapy.
   
    7
    As a last resort, consider undergoing surgery. This solution is used in severe cases where the joint is severely damaged and in circumstances where other treatment modalities have not produced the desired results. It is possible to completely replace the injured joint, adding a prosthesis between the knee and the bones in order to produce and maintain a cushioning effect.

You will probably be advised to undergo an arthroscopy. This is a procedure in which a semi-circle incision is made with which the lesion of the cartilage is examined. Depending on the severity of the tear and the damage, the surgeon may recommend a replacement for the knee.
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Part 3 of 4:
Change the Lifestyle Modify

   
    1
    Change your power supply. Those suffering from arthritis are encouraged to consume many vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It would be wise to reduce carbohydrate intake because, if taken in excess, they turn into fats that are stored in the body and increase weight. The daily carbohydrate requirement is 20-70 grams. [1]
        The consumption of omega-3 fats also increases. They are found in more fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. They help to speed up the healing process, as they break down into glucose, supplying energy to the body.

    2
    Do not take too much calcium. Calcium is formidable for bones, but in exaggerated quantities it is not useful. Drink a glass of milk every other day to avoid excessive calcium intake, otherwise it could interfere with the proper functioning of the heart.
        Talk to your doctor about the right amount of calcium to take. Pregnant women, older people or those suffering from osteoporosis are likely to have to control the amount of calcium they take.
   
    3
    Lose weight. For those who are obese it is the perfect way to avoid the onset of arthritis over time, as excess fat in the upper part of the body increases stress in the knees. There are various diets and many exercises that help you lose weight. Talk to your doctor, asking him what is the right path to take.
        The two main factors are nutrition and physical activity. Although certain slimming treatments and certain exercises may be more effective, what is most important is to set up a routine to be faithfully followed. In addition to following a good diet, insert a stimulating sport in your daily life, such as swimming, mountain biking, trekking or dancing.
   
    4
    Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcoholic beverages increase uric acid, which accumulates in the joints, worsening health conditions. Make sure that the main source of liquids is water, because it helps you remove waste, including excess uric acid, accelerating the healing process.
        Try to drink the classic 8 glasses of water a day. The more water you drink, the less you will be tempted to consume sweet drinks and fruit juices, which are full of sugars and unnecessary calories. Furthermore, they will fill you and reduce your appetite.
   
    5
    Use turmeric to combat pain and swelling. Every morning take 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder mixed with a little honey. Turmeric powder can help you reduce inflammation by inhibiting the isoforms of the cyclooxygenase enzyme called COX1 and COX2, which cause pain and swelling. Moreover, it is a natural antioxidant, considered very useful for the body.
        If you do not like the taste, try putting the turmeric and honey mixture in the green tea in order to dilute the taste. This type of tea contains catechins and epigallocatechin-3-gallate which also inhibit the inflammatory process due to cyclooxygenase. It also reduces the destruction of collagen fibers, responsible for the production of cartilaginous tissue.
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Part 4 of 4:
Learn about Arthritis


Knees Step 18
    1
    Recognize the first symptoms. Usually, the signs and symptoms of arthritis develop slowly and worsen over time, as a reduction in the normal functioning of the joint occurs, which worsens with the continued use of the joint itself. However, the first symptoms include:
        Rigidity. Occurs when you have difficulty bending or straightening the affected joint. Stiffness is common after a period of inactivity and, generally, in the morning upon awakening. [2]
        Swelling. It is caused by inflammation due to the fluid that accumulates in the tissues surrounding the joint. It is a physical reaction to an infection, since the body tries to fight bacteria.
        Fatigue. It occurs because the body is committed to combating arthritis and, therefore, is less focused on producing the energy needed for daily activities.
        Ache. It takes place due to the inflammation occurring in the joint, which sends a message to the nerve centers responsible for pain transport.
   
    2
    Recognize the symptoms of the advanced stage. When arthritis progresses, it becomes increasingly evident. Check if you suffer from the following symptoms:
        Soreness. If you feel pain after touching your knee, it is a consequence of the inflammation in which the affected part becomes sore, reddens and swells.
        Inability to walk. The pain can increase over time so as not to allow you to travel long distances, especially without a cane or walker.
        Bone spurs. They develop in the joint presenting the swelling, due to the accumulation of uric acid.
        Temperature. Fever is a reaction of the body to any external invasion: it is an automatic immune response from the body. [3] The body's immunity is strengthened at high temperatures and, therefore, when the bacterium enters the body, the temperature increases to fight the infection.
   
    3
    Learn about risk factors. Several aspects come into play when a person suffers from arthritis. The following can prepare for this disease:
        Obesity. The heavy weight exerted on the joints interferes with the correct articular functioning. [2]
        Infections. Germs can make their way into the joint through the bloodstream or when there is a cut or wound that gives access to the bacteria. When the latter gain a passage to the joint, they can cause inflammation that leads to arthritis.
        Work. Arthritis is common in people who work in places where they are required to walk continuously without resting. This leads the joint to overwork, causing inflammation which, in turn, causes arthritis to arise.
        Past injuries. Arthritis is also common in people who have previously suffered a knee injury. The knee could heal with scar tissue that could affect the normal functioning of the knee.
        Consumption of alcohol. Alcohol increases the level of uric acid in the body. The latter is deposited in the form of crystals in the joints, making them painful. [2]
        Genetics. Finally, arthritis is common in people who suffer from hereditary diseases that interfere with the proper functioning of the muscles, hindering contraction and relaxation as needed.