How to treat knee osteoarthritis at home

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Inpatient medical therapy is not the only way to cure osteoarthritis. The disease has a chronic course and is difficult to get rid of. 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 therapy, the patient should know the contraindications to the use of the treatment regimen. Correct assessment of the condition and full familiarity with contraindications will help protect against complications of the disease and make therapy as effective as possible.

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

The main contraindications to 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 breastfeeding;
  • chronic diseases of an infectious nature;
  • period of exacerbation of systemic diseases;
  • congenital anomalies or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • hepatitis with ascites.

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

Before starting a course of treatment, it is recommended to consult a doctor, since it is difficult or even impossible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint at home only with folk recipes. At 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 find out suitable folk recipes. It is better to immediately select a few of the most suitable drugs and ask about the possibility of their use and the desired effect.

At home, it is recommended to treat the disease:

  • after an accurate diagnosis. You will first need 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 complement drug treatment. The entire phase of therapy should take place under the supervision of a doctor and with regular clinical trials;
  • Osteoarthritis 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 joint in close cooperation with a specialist. Adding 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 arthrosis of the knee joint should 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 osteoarthritis is a lack of nutrients in the cartilage tissue;
  • micronutrient deficiencies. The knee joint needs building materials for tissue regeneration, even with good metabolism, in the presence of a shortage of trace elements, rapid wear occurs;
  • obesity. Eating fatty and junk food not only harms metabolism, health of internal organs, but also causes an increase in body mass index. Heavy weight places increased stress on the legs, especially the knee and hip joints. The risk of developing osteoarthritis in overweight people is several times higher.

A balanced diet is key to patient recovery and symptom reduction. 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 and vitamin substances:

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, which should account for up to 80% of the calories in the diet. The state of the joints is positively influenced by dishes prepared on the basis of tendons of animal origin: natural jelly, aspic, extracts from the joints of bulls, jelly, etc.

The diet should be more:

  • various dairy products;
  • legumes;
  • fresh greens with herbs, but you should eat less cabbage, tomatoes, peppers;
  • pasta and bread (better to choose wholemeal ones);
  • various cereals, with the exception of oatmeal;
  • all kinds of nuts;
  • low-fat varieties of fish, meat;
  • egg.

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 preference 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 remnants. Taking vegetables, fruits, rice, along with decoctions on juniper, birch or nettle leaves will help remove toxins and improve digestive function.

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

How to repair the knee with osteoarthritis?

The symptoms and home treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint are monitored 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 symptoms decreases and the progression of the disease slows 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 to distribute the load evenly over the entire limb.

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

Basic rules for wearing a bandage:

  • the bandage is applied tightly, but in moderation. 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 to enhance the effect of the bandage, they are placed under the material;
  • in case of pain or discomfort, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

The technique is prescribed even at the stage of relapse of the disease, but it is better to give preference to special knee pads. With their help it is possible to stabilize the condition and extend the remission period.

At 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 that the disease must be treated safely, any risky procedures are contraindicated. To determine the risk, the patient should always consult the 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 home treatment methods are not applicable, as they can lead to dangerous side effects: increased inflammation, allergies and disruption of various internal systems.

Gymnastics for osteoarthritis

Joint 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. Gymnastic procedures accelerate blood circulation in the limbs, reduce the severity of symptoms.

One of the best ways to cure arthrosis of the knee joint 2nd degree at home is gymnastics. The complex includes:

  1. Immediately after a night's sleep, the "bike" exercise is performed. With breaks, the movement should take 15 minutes.
  2. Lying on your back, pull the leg bent at the knee, then straighten it. It is recommended to perform 20 repetitions for each limb.
  3. They sit on a chair and straighten their legs, fingers stretch towards themselves. In the process of movements, it is important to focus on well-being as much as possible. If excessive voltage is felt, the amplitude can be reduced.
  4. Regular squats. For the approach it is best to perform 30 repetitions.
  5. Walk frequently, at least 20-30 minutes a day.

This method can not only treat, but also prevent the aggravation of the stage of the disease, improving the condition of the 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 hot 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 comfortable body position so as not to do it while preparing the compress. It is important to sit for 30 minutes without moving, the legs will be slightly raised. An ice pack is applied to the knee, it is 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 on the knee. As a heating agent, heated sand, salt, etc. can be used. . After the compress is spread, there should not be a burning sensation, if it bakes, it is cooled to a warm state. The method helps to eliminate pain.

Medicinal infusions and decoctions

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

Compositions for oral administration

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

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

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

  • decoction on bay leaves. The plant eliminates knee swelling and helps cleanse the body. Cleaning procedures require the use of 10 g of dry bay leaves and a glass of boiling water. The mixture is set on fire, boiled and boiled for 15 minutes. Then the broth is 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 observe the dosage, no more than 200 ml per day, and also stick to a diet based on: vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs;
  • dye on lilac flowers. For cooking, 100 g of lilac color is useful. Flowers are poured with vodka (you can use distilled water). The infusion process takes 1-2 weeks, then the composition is filtered and stored in a dark room. Take 30-40 drops before eating for breakfast and dinner;
  • herbal tincture. It will take 2 tbsp. L. parsley seeds, dandelion rhizomes (chopped), 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. L. every day in the morning before eating;
  • tincture on beets, cranberries and radishes (black variety). The listed ingredients are peeled, they are passed through a meat grinder. 0. 5 l of cognac is poured into the resulting composition, then everything is kneaded. In a cool dark place, the mixture is infused for 10 days, this is necessary for it to acquire medicinal properties. After decanting, 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 tincture for external application:

Medicinal plants - the basis of the means for external influence on the knee joint affected by arthrosis
  • on birch shoots. 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, it must be left for 1 month in a dark place. The prepared composition is rubbed into the knees every day;
  • on dandelion flowers. Plant flowers fall asleep in a glass (preferably colored) container and pour vodka. The infusion process takes 30 days. A suitable place should be at room temperature and protected from the sun. After straining the dandelions, rub your knees every day in the evening with the composition. A woolen scarf is fixed on the product.

Tablets in the treatment of arthrosis 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 wrap

Cooking algorithm:

  1. We cut the cabbage and load it into the juicer.
  2. The juice of the plant is soaked in 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 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 smeared with a mixture of vinegar and honey, only the side that will come into contact with the knee is treated.
  3. Apply sheets to the leg.
  4. From above, the mixture is covered with a plastic film or a woolen scarf.

Both compresses improve well-being and remove discomfort. The duration of therapy is 1 month.

A warm compress of crushed cabbage leaves on an aching knee joint with osteoarthritis

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 applying, 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 shawl or scarf is placed on top.

To enhance 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 heated (but not boiled) water.
  3. The substance is applied to the fabric and attached to the knee.
  4. Keep the remedy until the pain subsides completely.

Burdock compress

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

How to cook:

  1. The sheets are stacked and a hot frying 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 they are applied to the diseased area.
  3. Top with a layer of cling film and warm material.

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

Compress with dimethyl sulfoxide

This is a medicine with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, 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 tablets. There are many varieties of applications in traditional medicine. Cooked leaves of aloe, celandine, burdock and cabbage are often used to relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. Before applying, all the leaves are thoroughly washed and beaten off a little (you can crush, cut), the purpose of the procedure is to let the juice out of the leaf. Applications are placed on the affected area, they are wrapped up with a warm cloth. Keep sheets worth about 6-8 hours.

A rather unusual method of therapy is foil treatment. Food sheets change the energy of muscles and joints. Patients report that relief from pain and inflammation has come after the application. The sheet is wrapped around the entire limb or diseased area.

bathrooms

Osteoarthritis therapy at home often includes 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 done with the help of healing baths

To impart healing properties, additives are used:

  • decoction 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 stock up on mud (it must be healing) in depots or buy it at a pharmacy, the technique is also applicable at home. Mud applications warm up the joint and enrich the cartilaginous tissues with useful micro-components.

In the course of heating with mud, the following is additionally used:

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

Healing ointments and rubbings

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

Garlic for the preparation of rubbing, 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 crushed.
  2. Pour the ingredient into a glass container and add 200 ml of oil.
  3. Put the container in a place protected from light for 1 week.

There are no restrictions on the time to use the rub, but in the evening the effectiveness is slightly higher. In the evening it is better to use it due to the specific smell. When rubbed in the morning, a person will feel a strong smell of garlic.

Elebells

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 the rub to the affected area and hold until the discomfort goes away.

Eggs and apple cider vinegar

Preparation and application:

  1. A mixture is prepared 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 in the evening and leave until morning, wrapped on top with a warm cloth.
Apple cider vinegar is great for relieving osteoarthritis 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 diseased joint, preferably before bedtime.
  3. The treatment lasts 1 week.

You can supplement the recipe with mumiyo internal use, but the remedy has contraindications.

Mustard warming ointment

Recipe:

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

It is best to use the ointment in the evening.

Celandine and olive oil

Recipe:

  1. Remove the top of the plant (the root is not used), you should get 3 tbsp. L.
  2. Pour in 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.

Camphor warming ointment

To prepare the ointment, you need 2-3 chicken eggs, a bottle of 96% alcohol (100 g) and 50 g of camphor with mustard. Beat the eggs in a blender until the egg is frothy and all ingredients are well blended. 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 diseases of the joints and muscles, animal fat, especially badger fat, is extremely effective. Other types of healthy fats are pork and insides. The substance is rubbed into the affected joints for 1 month.

Alternative treatments

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

The basis of antiarthritis treatment can be used:

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

The only drawback of the direction is the complexity of making it with your own hands, since you need to have adequate 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 pain relief. Hirudin and other specific enzymes enter the patient's bloodstream, increasing blood fluidity, stimulating an increase in the quality of blood circulation, and relieving 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 are of great benefit not only with their waste products, but also their venom can help a person sick with osteoarthritis. 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.

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

Acupuncture

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

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

Today, acupuncture can be performed in several versions:

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

Kinesitherapy

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

With regular execution of the procedure it is possible:

  • learn to move correctly so as not to injure the sore joint;
  • increase muscle tone;
  • develop links;
  • increase stretch;
  • restore cartilage function.

Arthrosis of the knee joint is especially dangerous due to the complications and irreversibility of the processes. Only timely treatment and adequate therapy will help to avoid disability or severe pain. Home treatment is the best way to prevent the development of the disease and improve the quality of life.