Osteochondrosis of the knee joint: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

According to statistics, after 30 years, every fourth person experiences pain in the knee joint. After 50 years, approximately 70% of Russian citizens turn to the doctor with similar complaints. The disease occurs in both young and old people. At first, unexpressed painful sensations do not cause much discomfort, but later the pain syndrome intensifies, and not only long walks are difficult, but it is difficult for a patient with sore joints to even get out of bed. How to treat osteochondrosis of the knee joint (OCS) while the disease is not yet bedridden?

Osteochondropathy of the knee: forms, causes, signs

The development of the disease begins due to the thinning of cartilage tissue. The lack of useful microelements, vitamins and minerals leads to its drying out and fragility. Constant movements provoke the formation of small cracks and pieces of cartilage tissue begin to peel off.

As a result, inflammatory processes begin that limit joint mobility. The synovium “shrinks,” stopping the production of fluid that acts as a lubricant during movement.

In medicine, there are 3 forms of knee osteochondrosis:

Koenig's disease or osteochondritis dissecans. Due to insufficient blood circulation, cartilage tissue becomes necrosis, detached and separated from the bones. The affected area comes off, forming a “joint mouse.”
Schlatter's disease manifests itself in degenerative changes in the tibia and the formation of tuberous growths. It occurs in adolescents from 10 to 18 years of age during the period of active formation and growth of bones.
Larsen-Johansson disease is characterized by ossification of the patella in adolescence with the manifestation of pain and inflammatory processes.

On a note. Diseases in adolescence disappear by the end of bone formation (25 years). The disease that develops after 50 years is difficult to treat.

Causes of knee osteochondrosis

The most common causes of pathology are high weight, age and hormonal disorders. As the body ages, the body wears out, metabolic processes slow down, blood circulation worsens, and cartilage tissue is subject to age-related stress. Excess body weight puts high pressure on joints with any movement. More than 50 percent of overweight patients consult a doctor with the problem of knee osteochondrosis.

Reasons for the development of pathology:

hereditary predisposition;
vascular diseases;
long-term vitamin deficiency;
mechanical injuries;
hard sports.

Signs

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the knee joint depend on the type of pathology and its degree. In the early stages of the disease, the patient does not pay attention to minor discomfort during long walking, attributing everything to tired legs. The alarm begins to sound when the pain in the knee due to osteochondrosis becomes constant and unbearable.

Osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis and radiculitis

In medicine, it is customary to distinguish 3 degrees of the pathological process:

Osteochondrosis of the knee 1st degree – the development of the disease begins. There are practically no symptoms. The patient may complain of pain in the joint during prolonged walking or vigorous physical activity. The cartilage tissue is just beginning to deform, and it is difficult to identify deviations using x-rays.
With grade 2 osteochondrosis of the knee joint, cartilage tissue is destroyed and pain increases. The periarticular muscles weaken and spasm. There is a feeling of stiffness in the leg, the deformation of the knee is visible to the naked eye. A person feels pain and crunching when walking.
Osteochondrosis of the knee joint of the 3rd degree is characterized by severe pain, cartilage tissue is practically absent, exposing the bones. The patient is forced to place his leg in a certain position, motor activity is impaired. Pain constantly accompanies a person, bringing no relief even at rest.

On a note. With a protracted process, atrophy of the quadriceps femoris muscle occurs, pain on palpation of the knee, flat feet, and disability.

Pathogenesis

Osteochondrosis of the joints is associated with dystrophic damage to the articular surfaces of the femur, tibia and fibula.

In the joint cavity, the lesion begins with the meniscus. Normally, the meniscus is intact and serves as a shock absorber when walking. Any of the above reasons can provoke its damage and gradual erasure due to constant movement. Aseptic inflammation begins in the joint cavity and the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones forming the joint are included in the process. There is less joint fluid and the “lubrication” of the bone structures constantly rubbing against each other does not occur to the required extent. This, in turn, leads to deformation and destruction of bone tissue.

Deformation and destruction of bone tissue

There are several degrees of the disease:

Weak clinical manifestations or their complete absence. X-ray shows slight loss of bone matter. Difficulties in diagnosis at this stage, since there are no clear clinical and laboratory data. Deformation and any other external change in the joint is possible with the development of synovitis - inflammation of the articular membrane. Then, due to the accumulation of fluid, the joint increases in volume.
The clinical picture is clear (limited movement, crunching, pain). X-ray - reduction of the joint space, growth of bone tissue into the joint cavity or along the edges of the joint capsule. Externally enlarged and deformed.
The joint cavity is practically invisible in the photographs. The joint space is replaced by connective or bone tissue. The distal areas of the bones (tibia, fibula and femur) are deformed. Movement is either absent or severely limited.

What does the pathology look like on an x-ray?
For the first and second degrees, you can get by with conservative treatment options. The third degree can only be treated surgically.

Treatment

X-rays are used to examine and confirm the diagnosis. The picture is taken in 2 projections. It shows deformation of joints, bones, and narrowing of blood vessels.

Medication

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the knee joint at the initial stage of pathology is carried out using conservative methods. The complex prescribes:

drug therapy;
physiotherapy;
massage;
therapeutic exercises.

How to treat grade 1, 2 and 3 osteochondrosis of the knee? It is necessary to prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue and restore the elasticity of the joints. To eliminate discomfort and relieve swelling, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for osteochondrosis in the form of creams and tablets.

These include:

Diclofenac;
Xefocam;
Nimesulide;
Texamen et al.

On a note. NSAIDs, when taken for a long time, aggravate gastrointestinal diseases. For gastric ulcers and gastritis, doctors try to avoid prescribing non-steroidal drugs.

NSAID ointments for osteochondrosis of the knee joint penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis, relieve pain, and relieve inflammation. The most popular: Ibuprofen, Dolgit, Nise.

Stage 2 of the disease is characterized by pain syndromes. Analgesics are prescribed to relieve pain. The most accessible and widespread is Analgin for osteochondrosis. The course of treatment is supplemented with anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins. To improve the regeneration of cartilage tissue, chondroprotectors are prescribed.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can relieve pain syndromes and improve blood circulation in joint tissues. Prescribed:

Electrotherapy - the directed effect of current on the affected area has a warming effect and improves blood flow.
Shock wave therapy – targeted acoustic waves stimulate metabolic processes and reduce swelling.
Vibration therapy – creates directed vibration to the affected joint. Used only for grades 1 and 2 of osteochondrosis.
Laser therapy is the effect of laser on diseased structures, improves blood microcirculation, relieves inflammatory processes.
Electrophoresis - exposure to direct current with drugs allows active substances to reach the affected tissues, effectively anesthetizes, relieves swelling, and accelerates metabolic processes.

On a note. Physiotherapy can speed up the healing process and reduce the use of medications.

Surgical intervention

Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis of the knee joint at the last stage of the disease? If the use of conservative methods does not improve the patient's condition, surgical intervention is prescribed. Usually the operation is performed for stage 3 pathology. Its task is to secure cartilage fragments and preserve the physiological functions of the joint.

Why are knee pads needed for arthrosis of the knee joint, what types are there and how to choose them?

Depending on the size of the detached cartilaginous structures and their mobility, various surgical techniques are used:

If the fragment is stationary, the affected parts are drilled out. The procedure is performed only in the absence of inflammation and has a high percentage of effectiveness.
The semi-movable fragment is fixed to the bone with screws, and there is a high risk of complications.
Large pieces are secured using various methods. Doctors use arthroplasty from patients’ own cartilage, chondroplasty from modern artificial materials, and implantation of chondrocytes.

Diagnostics

For grade 2 osteochondrosis of the knee joint, diagnosis begins with examination and palpation. With grade 1, osteochondrosis of the knee joint practically does not manifest itself and it is quite difficult to visually determine it.

The patient needs to donate blood and urine for analysis

Diagnostic methods:

Laboratory diagnosis is not specific. The indicators of UAC, TAM and BCH may be absolutely normal. Sometimes slight leukocytosis can be seen in the CBC due to developing inflammation.
Examination of synovial fluid after puncture. Shows the nature of the disease and the possible addition of a purulent infection.
The radiographic method is the gold standard for diagnosis. Available in almost any, even small, district center. It is possible to see osteoporosis, narrowing/widening of the joint space, osteophytes, defects of cartilage tissue and periosteum.
MRI/CT is used primarily in differential diagnosis (osteosarcoma).

Although arthroscopy is a surgical technique, it can also serve to diagnose the condition of the joint. Requires special equipment.

Folk remedies

As an auxiliary method, osteochondrosis of the knee joint is treated with folk remedies. There are many effective ways to reduce pain and provide relief.

These include:

compresses;
rubbing;
lotions;
decoctions of medicinal herbs;
medicinal baths.

Traditional treatment with bee products is effective. Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. It is taken orally and used externally.

On a note. Before treating with honey, consult an apitherapist.

Honey compress recipes:

Rub the radish through a grater, add a little honey, vodka and a spoonful of salt. Mix the ingredients and apply it to the sore knee at night.
Pour 20 grams of eucalyptus into a glass of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 25 minutes, cool, strain, add a tablespoon of honey. Wet the gauze and place it on the knee, wrapping it in cellophane for insulation.
Make a cake from honey and flour in a 1:1 ratio. Place on the joint, wrap with film and a warm scarf. Perform the procedure at night.

Herbal decoctions help relieve inflammation, remove excess salts from the body, strengthen the immune system and provide additional vitamins.

Traditional healers recommend taking collections from:

oregano;
birch;
St. John's wort;
lingonberries;
burdock;
chamomile;
rosehip.

Monastic tea for osteochondrosis contains a large number of herbs necessary to improve well-being and restore the body. All plants can be collected independently and prepared medicinal drinks.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the knee joint at home should be accompanied by diet and medication. Only complex therapy can effectively and quickly relieve the disease.

Treatment of osteochondrosis and arthritis

Causes

The main provoking factor for the development of the considered pathology of the left and right knee is considered to be age. It is with age that irreversible changes occur in every body. Among them are degenerative ones. But doctors often record juvenile osteochondrosis of the knee joint. A number of additional provoking factors can increase the risk of developing osteochondrosis at a young age:

Excess weight. With excess kilograms, the load on the knee joint increases several times. It turns out that every kilogram of weight increases the load by 3–4 kg. Also, pathological adipose tissue is capable of producing substances that penetrate into the joint through the blood. In doing so, they damage cartilage tissue.
Diabetes.
Hormonal disbalance.
Atherosclerosis. With this lesion, there is a deterioration in the blood supply to bone tissue.
Floor. Women over 55 years of age suffer from osteochondrosis more often than men of the same age.
Hereditary factor. He has a very important role to play. If parents have lesions of cartilage tissue, the risk of developing the disease in children is higher. It is also possible to inherit an abnormal leg axis. Because of it, the knee compartment is overloaded.
Age.
Injury, overload. Degenerative changes are more often observed in people who squat, kneel, or lift heavy objects while working.
Playing sports. Osteochondrosis of the knee often develops in athletes involved in the following types of sports: tennis, football, basketball. Runners also experience knee problems.

Classification

The American Association of Rheumatology presents a classification of all types of osteoarthritis, including damage to the knee joint. The classification is based on the cause of the occurrence of one or another form of the disease, and also takes into account the peculiarities of its localization.

View	Subspecies
Primary or idiopathic	The reasons for the occurrence are not clear; division is possible only by the number of joints involved: · local (feet, knees, hands); Generalized (involvement of several joints).
Secondary	Due to the occurrence: · post-traumatic; · congenital diseases or developmental disorders; · diseases accompanied by the formation of calcifications (for example, infectious origin); · other lesions of the musculoskeletal system (for example, aseptic necrosis, Paget's disease). By localization: · local (this may include hip dysplasia, damage to the knee joint); generalized (congenital chondropathy such as Osgood–Schlatter disease).
Tertiary (as a symptom of the underlying disease)	· endocrine pathologies leading to bone damage (for example, acromegaly); · neurogenic arthropathy (Charcot arthropathy).

Due to the variety of forms and the similarity of their clinical picture, consultation with several doctors is recommended, among whom a rheumatologist and a traumatologist are required.

Stages of development

The development of osteochondrosis may be indicated not even by pain, but by an unpleasant sensation that occurs when touching the joint. Similar signs characterize the initial stages of developing pathology. Other signs are added and appear more clearly depending on the stage of the disease:

Osteochondrosis of the knee joint 1st degree;
2 degrees;
osteochondrosis of the knee joint, grade 3;
Stage 4.

Characteristic symptoms

The development of the pathology in question is indicated by specific symptoms. They are noticeable in stage 2 of the disease. With osteochondrosis of the knee joint, the symptoms will be as follows:

Swelling of the knee. It is provoked by inflammation of the synovial membrane, which can be caused by its traumatization through osteophytes;
knee joint pain. It usually gets worse with activity. During the rest period, there is a decrease in the severity of pain;
feeling of warmth in the connection area;
crunching, a kind of creaking of the knee. It usually occurs when making sudden movements;
knee stiffness. Stiffness. It is felt in the morning, and also after the joint has remained motionless for a certain time;
decreased range of motion of the knee;
weather sensitivity. Many patients indicate that the pain and functionality of the joint changes when the weather changes.

Diagnostic measures

To diagnose osteochondrosis of the knee, the doctor needs to study all the patient’s complaints and conduct an orthopedic examination. It is important for the doctor to clarify the moments at which the pain in the joint intensifies. He may also ask when the pain goes away and subsides. He clarifies the presence of joint diseases in the patient’s older relatives.

To prescribe treatment, you need to contact an orthopedic surgeon. The specialist will refer the patient for a number of additional studies. Among them:

Ultrasound.
X-ray. This method helps determine the degree of tissue damage, the size of the articulation gap, and the presence of osteophytes. X-rays reveal the following conditions: irregular bone axis, sharpening of the intercondylar eminence.
MRI. The specified research technique is prescribed in cases where the above methods are unable to reflect the exact cause of pain occurring in the joint.
Blood analysis. It is carried out to exclude a number of other pathologies (Lyme disease, rheumatoid lesions).

Establishing diagnosis

An orthopedic surgeon can make a diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joint after movement tests and medical history. The following procedures are usually prescribed as additions to diagnostics:

Relating to laboratory tests, such as a biochemical blood test and bacterial microflora, smear, puncture of joint fluid and/or bone marrow, serological analysis, that is, a study for the presence of antibodies and antigens contained in the blood serum.
Instrumental studies, which may include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, densitometry and others.
Examination of the internal joint capsule using an arthroscope - a device for a minimally invasive procedure for penetrating the cavity through an incision. Most often, this method is used after damage to the meniscus or with cracks and severe wear of the cartilage tissue, as well as to restore the anterior cruciate ligaments. Although recently the anthroscope has rarely been used as a diagnostic tool, it has been successfully replaced by a completely non-invasive diagnostic method using MRI.
Just “by ear” - with a 3rd degree articular lesion, extraneous sounds in the form of creaks, rustles, and clicks are clearly audible in the joint.

The information obtained is brought together into a general history, and only on the basis of it can full and effective treatment begin.

Physiotherapy

To relieve the exacerbation, physiotherapy for osteoarthritis is recommended. Its goal is to reduce muscle spasms, reduce pain, relieve joint stiffness, and eliminate contractures. Depending on the type of effect of physiotherapy for osteochondrosis, they are divided into the following procedures:

General action. The group included acupuncture, electrosleep;
local. Involves an impact on the joint area. This group includes electrophoresis with medications, laser therapy, thermotherapeutic method of influencing the joint, diadynamic therapy, magnetic therapy, administration of anti-inflammatory drugs under the influence of ultrasound;
helping to get rid of reactive synovitis. The group includes the impact on the patient’s body of a high-frequency electromagnetic field, the method of electrotherapy, which consists of exposing the body to galvanization and medications, as well as ultraviolet exposure;
eliminating joint stiffness. The group includes the following procedures: ultraphonophoresis, electromyostimulation, medicinal electrophoresis, traction therapy.
Massage also plays an important role. It has an analgesic effect, relieves inflammation, and helps restore joint function. Also, thanks to massage, muscle tension decreases, their trophism improves, strength and tone increase.

Exercise therapy

For osteochondrosis, physical therapy can be used. It is important to remember that exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the knee joint has its own characteristics. Classes must be prescribed by a specialist. He is also obliged to ensure that the patient performs exercises for osteochondrosis of the knee joint correctly.

Exercises

Exercises for osteochondrosis of the knee joint help strengthen muscle fibers. At the same time, physical stress on the knee joints should be moderate.

Important: Physical activity during this period should be light. Exercises should not be painful. The load and number of exercises must be increased gradually. Exercises are performed when the knee is affected in a squat or in a horizontal position of the body.

It is advisable to exclude outdoor games and exercises involving heavy weights. Eliminate rapid movement in space from life.

Think

You also need to think about reducing the use of uncomfortable body positions for a long time. Uncomfortable postures disrupt blood circulation in the affected joint. This means that the tendon will not receive enough nutrients. Doctors recommend doing exercises for 30–40 minutes during treatment of osteochondrosis. per day. It is recommended to divide exercises for osteochondrosis of the knee joint into several approaches, so that each session lasts 10–15 minutes.

Operation

In some cases, due to destruction of the joint, only endoprosthesis replacement is possible. In order for the new joint to work like the original one, you should carefully prepare for the operation. You need to strengthen your muscles. The postoperative period is also important. At this time, you should also perform exercises on simulators under the supervision of a specialist.

Surgical treatment has advantages and disadvantages. Improvement is observed faster, but there is still a certain risk.

Most often, operations are performed using the following methods:

Arthroscopy. The procedure is considered minimally invasive endoscopic. Restoration of intra-articular structures usually occurs quickly, without complications.
Osteotomy. Involves cutting the bone, correcting the axis of the limb, and fusing the bones. It takes a long time for bones to heal. The advantage of the procedure is the postponement of endoprosthetics for the future.
Prosthetics. The operation is considered major. The ends of the articular bones are cut out, and the metal parts of the prosthesis are placed on top of them. The procedure eliminates pain and restores greater mobility of the joint.

Possible complications

First

The development of pathology is dangerous due to complications. The most common is considered to be entrapment of the articular mouse (a fragment between the surfaces of the joints. In this case, a blockade is observed with increased pain. The patient is unable to perform the slightest movements without pain.

Second

The second complication is reactive synovitis. The pain is constant, and the knee increases in size.

Third

Advanced stages are dangerous due to irreversible changes in joints that threaten disability. Therefore, it is better to recognize the pathology in time and carry out its adequate therapy.

Injuries can cause osteochondrosis of the knee

Reference. Most often, osteochondrosis of the knee is diagnosed in women over 40 years of age who are overweight. The situation is aggravated by metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalance.

In addition, the likelihood of ACS increases with hormonal imbalance, metabolic disorders, scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine), dropped arches, and leg deformities.

The pathology begins with damage to the subchondral bone plate (the part of the epiphysis under the articular cartilage). After this, cracks appear on the cartilage, it fragments and gradually collapses.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the knee joint at the initial stage are difficult to notice. First, discomfort appears in the affected area, then mild painful sensations are added, which appear periodically. The pain seems to spread along the front surface of the knee, it intensifies after physical activity, but quickly disappears at rest. This is how the first stage of ACS manifests itself – chondrosis.

With further destruction of cartilage, the manifestations of osteochondropathy become more pronounced:

Diclofenac helps relieve pain and inflammation in osteochondrosis of the knee

In addition, patients are prescribed vitamin preparations that saturate the body with useful substances and strengthen the immune system.

Unlike spinal osteochondrosis, osteochondropathy does not require bed rest. The patient should continue normal physical activity, and a cane or crutches can be used to relieve the load on the sore limb. These devices are recommended to be used for 3 to 6 weeks until the pain disappears.

Osteochondrosis of the knee should be treated using the following conservative methods:

Therapeutic exercises will help strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the damaged knee, improve blood circulation, metabolic processes, and trophism of damaged cartilage.
Massage of the injured leg is used to normalize muscle tone and improve blood supply to the affected cartilage pad.
Physiotherapeutic procedures help relieve pain and increase the effectiveness of drug therapy. For this purpose, UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, infrared laser therapy, radon baths, etc. are prescribed.
Manual therapy is very effective for ACS. Sometimes just a few sessions are enough for the patient to feel relief. It is recommended to combine manual therapy with traction of the knee joint.
The diet is aimed at improving metabolic processes, saturating the body with useful substances, and normalizing weight.

For osteochondrosis, it is better to replace running and jumping with proper exercises. With regular exercise therapy, the patient can avoid complications.

Effective exercises for ACS using a rubber shock absorber with a leg cuff:

It is allowed to perform exercises if slight pain appears, which should disappear after 3–4 repetitions.

Fix one end of the shock absorber to the wall and attach the cuff to the lower part of the shin. Lie on your side, bend your leg at the knee, overcoming resistance, and then straighten it. Repeat 20 times, then turn over and perform on the other limb.
Sit sideways to the wall on which the shock absorber is attached (at the bottom), bend one leg at the knee and extend the other forward. Move the straight limb to the side (small amplitude), and then return it to the center. Repeat 20 times, then attach the cuff to the other limb and repeat. If the patient is weakened, then he can attach the elastic band higher to the wall, then it will be easier to perform the exercise.
The starting position is the same, move your leg to the side as far as possible, and then return it to its place. Perform 20 repetitions for each limb. If it's hard for you, attach the shock absorber a little higher.
Lie on your back, turn your head towards the wall on which the elastic band is attached (high), the cuff is placed on the lower third of the shin. One leg raised, exhale and lower it down, trying to touch the floor with your heel. Repeat 20 times for each limb.

These exercises relieve axial load from the knee and hip joints, strengthen muscles and ligaments, and improve blood circulation.

Carefully. Perform the exercises smoothly, without jerking. And if sharp pain appears, stop training and visit a doctor.

Lack of vitamins and minerals is one of the main causes of osteochondrosis. If, after blood biochemistry, a deficiency of nutrients is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe a vitamin and mineral complex to the patient.

In addition, the patient must replenish nutrients through food. It is important to adjust the diet so that it is based on fresh vegetables and dairy products. The menu should include tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. Greens accelerate the removal of toxic substances from the body. Milk and products made from it contain iron, calcium, and healthy fatty acids.

Important. If you have osteochondrosis of the knee, you should avoid fried, fatty foods, canned, smoked products, many confectionery products, etc. These products increase body weight, disrupt metabolic processes in the body, and impair the absorption of nutrients into the mucous membrane of the digestive organs.

In addition, the patient should give up alcoholic beverages, as they cannot be combined with any medications. It is especially important to comply with this condition if the patient is taking psychotropic drugs to relieve severe pain.

If conservative methods turn out to be ineffective, then doctors decide to prescribe surgery. Surgical intervention cannot be avoided if osteochondrosis of the knee progresses rapidly. The operation is necessary to fix the osteochondral fragments and preserve the functionality of the knee joint. The techniques used depend on how mobile the fragments are and what size they are.

For ACS, the following surgical methods are used:

If the fragment is immobile, then arthroscopic tunnelization of the lesions is performed. However, surgery is possible only if there is no inflammatory process.
If the fragment is semi-movable, then it is fixed using different methods, for example, cannulated screws. However, after the intervention there is a high risk of complications.
If the fragment is large, then mosaic arthroplasty, cartilage transplantation from one’s own chondrocytes, or one of the methods described above is prescribed. However, after these operations, the likelihood of a violation of the consistency of the joint surface or pathological changes in the graft increases. According to statistics, recovery occurs in 92% of young patients.

The decision on choosing the appropriate technique is made by the surgeon after diagnosis.

You can supplement the main treatment with folk remedies:

Mix 1 tbsp. l. turpentine with a pinch of ground paprika, add ½ tsp. formic alcohol, 5 drops of fir oil, 1 tbsp. l. medical bile. Apply the mixture to your knee, wait until it is absorbed and a thin film forms. After an hour, rinse your knee.
Rub a slice of lemon onto the affected area. Repeat the procedure for 4 weeks.
Mix 100 honey, 4 g mummy, grease your hands with vegetable oil (so that the mixture does not stick). Rub the mixture into your knee overnight and wrap it with cling film on top. Repeat the procedure daily for a week.
Grind 3 tbsp. l. celandine leaves (fresh), pour olive oil to cover. Leave the mixture in a glass container for 2 - 3 weeks. Then strain the liquid and use it to massage your sore knee. The course lasts 4 weeks.
Use propolis for compresses. For this purpose, propolis strips or gauze soaked in tincture can be applied to the knee. When using a beekeeping product in solid form, stick the plates to the affected area with an adhesive plaster and do not remove them for several days. A compress with tincture can be applied at night and removed in the morning.
Beat off a fresh leaf of white cabbage, apply it to your knee, secure it with film, and then wrap it with a warm scarf. Leave the compress on all night.
Grind the flowers of St. John's wort, sweet clover, and hop cones in equal proportions, and mix with Vaseline. Rub the resulting pulp into your knee.
Mix fir and sweet clover oil (1:1), heat for steam, use to massage a sore knee.
Melt badger or goat fat in a steam bath and mix with honey. Use the mixture to rub your knee.

Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the knee is carried out using medicinal ointments

Alternative treatment can be carried out only after the approval of a doctor, since many remedies can cause side effects.

Osteochondrosis of the knee joint most often affects young people. In most cases, the pathology has a favorable prognosis. There are 3 forms of the disease: Osgood-Schlatter, Koenig, Larens-Johansson. It is easiest to treat ACS at stage 1, but most patients simply do not notice the symptoms. Therapy for osteochondrosis should be comprehensive: medications, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, etc. Surgery is prescribed if conservative methods are ineffective or the disease progresses rapidly. You can supplement the main treatment with folk remedies. However, any therapy methods can only be used after the approval of the attending physician.

You may be interested in: Juvenile kyphosis (Scheuermann-Mau disease)

Prevention

There is no specific prevention, but you can reduce the risk of the disease by following general rules:

Regular preventive examinations for people at risk (especially the elderly).
Preventive course of vitamin-mineral complexes.
Normalization of weight. Establishing a balanced diet. Small meals with a predominance of vegetable and dairy foods are recommended.
Moderate and regular physical activity.