How to treat osteoarthritis of the knee at home

Arthrosis of the knee joint

Medical therapy in the hospital is not the only way to treat arthrosis. The disease has a chronic course and is difficult to eliminate. In advanced forms of pathology, irreversible changes occur and a therapeutic 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 therapy, the patient should be familiar with the contraindications for using the treatment regimen. An accurate assessment of the condition and full knowledge of contraindications will help protect against complications of the disease and make the therapy as effective as possible.

With arthrosis, acute pain appears, 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;
  • the period of worsening 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 goiter (of autoimmune or toxic origin).

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

At home, it is recommended to cure the disease:

  • after an accurate diagnosis. First you will have to undergo a series of tests to determine the nature of the origin of the disease and its stage;
  • with an integrated approach to therapy. Folk recipes only supplement drug treatment. The whole phase of therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor and with regular clinical tests;
  • Arthrosis is associated with 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 the pain and cure 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.

The right food

It should not be based only on traditional medicine, as arthrosis of the knee joint should be treated at home in a complex manner. 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 arthrosis is the lack of nutrients in cartilage tissue;
  • lack of micronutrients. The knee joint needs building materials for tissue regeneration, even with a good metabolism, in the presence of a lack of trace elements, rapid wear occurs;
  • obesity. Eating fatty foods not only damages the metabolism, the health of the internal organs, but also provokes an increase in the body mass index. Heavy weight leads to increased stress on the legs, especially on the knee and hip joints. The risk of developing arthrosis in overweight people is many times higher.

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

Before treating gonarthrosis of the knee joint at home, it is important to enrich the diet with key mineral substances 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 its products, as well as from sesame, parmesan, basil;
  • vegetable fiber: all kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits.

The basis of nutrition should be complex carbohydrates, they should make up to 80% of 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, aspic, 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, bell peppers;
  • pasta and bread (it is better to choose whole grains);
  • various cereals, except oats;
  • all kinds of nuts;
  • low-fat varieties of fish, meat;
  • the 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 give priority to boiling, baking and steaming.

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

The menu of a knee joint suffering from arthrosis should include vegetables, meat and healthy grains

How to fix the knee with arthrosis?

Symptoms and home treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint is controlled by the doctor, he also recommends limiting the mobility of the damaged limb. When the load is distributed on the damaged 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 motor ability and reduces the load on the joint. The knee support helps distribute the load evenly across the limb.

It is recommended to treat gonarthrosis with a bandage at 1-2 degrees of pathology development. 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 in the knee.

Basic rules for wearing a bandage:

  • bandage is applied firmly, but in moderation. Strong compression of adjacent tissues often leads to an aggravation of the disease;
  • before applying the bandage, the leg is straightened;
  • burdock leaves or a honey compress will help increase the effect of the bandage, they are placed under the material;
  • if pain or discomfort occurs, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The technique is also prescribed in the relapse phase of the disease, but then it is better to give preference to special knee pads. With their help, it is possible to stabilize the condition, as well as extend the remission period.

In the initial stage of arthrosis of the knee joint, it is recommended to wear a fixing bandage

How to treat knee osteoarthritis at home?

The main condition of therapy is to cure the disease safely, any dangerous procedure is contraindicated. To determine the risk, the patient should always consult the attending orthopedist or rheumatologist. During communication with a doctor, it is often possible to develop more effective methods of treatment.

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

Gymnastics for arthrosis

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

One of the best ways to treat arthrosis of the knee joint of the second degree at home is gymnastics. The complex includes:

  1. Immediately after the night's sleep, the "bicycle" exercise is performed. On holidays, the drive should last 15 minutes.
  2. Lying 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 are stretched for themselves. In the process of movements, it is important to focus as much as possible on well-being. If excessive tension is felt, the amplitude can be reduced.
  4. Regular 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 deterioration of the stage of the disease, improving the condition of the articular joint.

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

cold and warm

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 the ice in advance and think about a suitable position of the body so that you do not do this during the preparation of 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 be used only if there is no swelling in the knee. Heated sand, salt, etc. can be used as a heater. After applying the compress, there should be no burning sensation, if it cools down 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 down arthritic disorders and improve well-being. Recipes are based on various healing plants and extracts. With their help, the metabolism in the articular tissues is restored, pain sensations fade and the removal of harmful substances from the synovial fluid is accelerated.

Compositions for oral administration

Treatment of arthrosis of the second degree of the knee joint at home can also be carried out with the help of oral infusions, but they are prohibited to use:

  • persons prone to alcohol addiction;
  • patients with hepatic and renal failure;
  • in violation of the function of the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organ disorders.
Bay leaves for the preparation of a decoction that relieves the swelling of the knee with arthrosis

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

  • decoction in bay leaves. The plant eliminates knee swelling and helps to cleanse the body. Cleaning procedures will require the use of 10 g of dried bay leaves and a glass of boiling water. The mass is put on fire, boiled and boiled for 15 minutes. The liquid is then poured into a thermos and left to infuse overnight. The prepared mass is consumed for 3 days, 200 ml in small sips throughout the day. It is important to observe the dose, no more than 200 ml per day, and also adhere to a diet based on: vegetables, fruits, herbs;
  • solution in lilac flowers. For cooking, 100 g of lilac color is useful. The 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 darkened room. Take 30-40 drops before eating at breakfast and dinner;
  • herbal tincture. You will need 2 tbsp. l. parsley seeds, dandelion rhizomes (crushed), buckthorn, fennel. The listed plant has positive reviews due to its effective analgesic effect. All the 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. l. every day in the morning before meals;
  • solution in beetroot, cranberry and radish (black variety). The listed ingredients are peeled, passed through a meat grinder. 0. 5 l of cognac is poured into the resulting composition, then everything is cooked. In a dark and cool place, the mixture is infused for 10 days, this is necessary to acquire medicinal properties. After boiling, the mixture is filtered and left in the refrigerator. Take 1 tbsp. l. in the morning, 10 minutes before meals.

Infusions for external use

Popular recipes for tinctures for external application:

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

Compresses in the treatment of arthrosis and methods of their use

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

cabbage compress

Cooking algorithm:

  1. Cut the cabbage and put it in a juicer.
  2. The juice from the plant is used to soak a warm cloth, which is then applied to the injured area.
  3. Use a compress 1 time a day before going to bed.

From cabbage, there is another recipe for making a compress that does not require cutting the leaves. Its preparation:

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

Both compresses improve well-being and relieve discomfort. Duration of therapy is 1 month.

A warm compress with crushed cabbage leaves on a sore knee joint with arthrosis

Compress with honey and bile

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

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

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

Compress with horseradish

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.

Burdock 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 sheets are piled up and a hot pan is placed on top of them.
  2. They wait for the leaves to evaporate so that they start to release useful substances, then they are applied to the diseased area.
  3. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap and warm material.

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

Compress with dimethyl sulfoxide

This is a drug with an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, which is often used to make compresses for arthrosis. For treatment, a 50% solution is used, that is, the initial composition of dimethyl sulfoxide is diluted with water 1 to 4. The mixture is impregnated 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 types 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 the leaves are washed with high quality and beaten a little (you can press them, cut them), the purpose of the procedure is to release the juice from the leaves. Applications are placed on the affected area, they are wrapped with a warm cloth. Keep sheets worth about 6-8 hours.

A rather unusual method of therapy is treatment with metal foil. Nutrients change the energy of muscles and joints. Patients claim that after the application came the relief of pain and inflammation. The foil is wrapped around the entire limb or diseased area.

bathrooms

Home arthrosis therapy 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 whole organism. The water is heated to body temperature - 38 ° C, the patient is recommended 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 healing baths

To give healing properties, additives are used:

  • boil on 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 collect mud (it must be curative) in tanks or buy it at the pharmacy, the technique is also applicable at home. Mud applications warm the joint and enrich cartilage tissue with useful microcomponents.

During heating with mud, additional are used:

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

Healing ointments and rubs

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

Garlic for the preparation of friction, effective in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint

Garlic

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

How to do:

  1. The head is cleaned and pressed.
  2. Pour the ingredient 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 in the evening the effectiveness is slightly higher. In the evening it is better to use it because of the specific smell. If rubbed in the morning, a person will smell strongly of garlic.

Elecampane

Recipe:

  1. Prepare 50 g of ground root, which is mixed with 120 ml of vodka.
  2. Apply the mixture for 2 weeks.
  3. Apply the rub to the affected area and keep it 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 apply at night and leave until morning, wrapping it with a warm cloth on top.
Apple cider vinegar is good for relieving osteoarthritis pain in an inflamed knee joint.

midwife

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. Mix the mixture until a paste is obtained.
  3. The composition is placed in a glass container and infused for 12 hours.

It is better to use the ointment in the evening.

Celandine and olive oil

Recipe:

  1. Remove the upper part of the plant (the root is not used), you should get 3 tbsp. l.
  2. Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil (olive or sunflower).
  3. Fill 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 must 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 egg becomes frothy and all the ingredients are well mixed. The mixture is applied to the affected area at night, the place is covered with a bandage on top. The course continues until recovery.

Animal fat

In joint and muscle diseases, 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 treatments

Non-traditional fields of medicine are often used as adjunctive therapy. They are based on the experience of Eastern healers, combined with modern scientific achievements.

The basis of antiarthrosis treatment can be used:

  • ozone therapy;
  • treatment with leeches;
  • apitherapy;
  • pharmacopuncture together with acupuncture;
  • chiu energy treatment;
  • moxibustion;
  • manual handling.

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

Hirudotherapy or leech therapy

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

Therapeutic leeches for osteoarthritis of the knee joints can reduce swelling, relieve inflammation and anesthetize

Apitherapy or treatment of knee joints with bees

Bees have a great benefit not only from their waste, but also their venom can help an arthrosis sufferer. Bee venom belongs to the group of strong allergens, before using apitherapy it is important to test for an allergic reaction, otherwise the patient will face serious complications.

Courses of bee treatment 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 accompanied by pain, but brings a good effect.

Acupuncture

The technique includes impact on bioactive points, the procedure has a number of different effects:

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

Today, acupuncture can be performed in several versions:

  • acupuncture using fine needles;
  • pharmacopuncture means an increase in the effect with the help of drugs;
  • moxa therapy involves the use of cones and cigars (usually from wormwood), which are used to treat the diseased area;
  • acupressure, taking into account the knowledge of energy channels through which energy circulates. Redirecting the body's forces to reset the knee has positive feedback.

Chinese therapy

Movement therapy is prescribed for all joint pathologies. The method of performing movements is determined individually.

With the regular execution of the procedure, it is possible:

  • learn how to move correctly so as not to damage the injured joint;
  • increases muscle tone;
  • develop connections;
  • increase in scope;
  • restoration of cartilage function.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is particularly dangerous due to the complications and irreversibility of the processes. Only timely treatment and adequate therapy 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.