Gonarthrosis: Causes, Symptoms & Herbal Treatment

What is Gonarthrosis

The type of osteoarthritis occurring in the knee joint is called Gonarthrosis. We often see people experiencing pain in their knees especially after long period of lack of movement-“gonarthrosis” is one of the possible cause of such discomfort. It is a degenerative disease which often develops as people gets older, as excessive strain leads to wear on the cartilage in the knee joint over the years.

As per World Health Organisation (WHO), rheumatic disease is the third most important problem in industrialized countries, including osteoarthritis because it affects 80% of elderly population. It is expected that by 2020, Gonarthrosis will be 4^th leading cause of disability among population. It affects 30% of population over 65 years, 10%men and 20% women over 60 years of age.

What Causes Gonarthrosis

There is articular cartilage present between thigh bone and lower leg bone. It performs a buffering and protective function in knee by cushioning it against movements and impact. The cartilage ensures that both the bones do not rub up against each other directly. However under certain circumstances, the cartilage gets detiorated. These conditions are as follows-

1. Aging – About 75% of all people older than 50 years and around 90% of the over 70-year-olds suffer from Gonarthrosis. It’s normal for cartilage to deteriorate through wear as part of the natural aging process.
2. Heavy Physical Work- Due to heavy physical work like participating in competitive sport, or being overweight, overburdening of the knees occurs hence causing wearing off the cartilage.
3. Joint Injuries Or Bone Fractures- Gonarthrosis can also develop as a result of joint injuries or bone fractures,
4. Gout- Due to deposition of uric acid crystals in knee joint, the joint get affected and cartilage tissue is damaged which in turn lead to Gonarthrosis.

Symptoms of Gonarthrosis

• Pain- The first symptom to be noticed in gonarthrosis is pain in the knee joint. The pain usually occurs initially after a prolonged period of inactivity or rest. Initial movements after sitting or lying for a long time feels stiff and painful. After taking few steps, the pain subsides and then knee can be moved freely. Some people notice crunching or crackling sound while knee movement. As disease progreeses, the pain becomes worse and more frequent, more experienced during doing sports or climbing stairs.
• Stiffness Of Knee Joint- Patients often experiences that the mobility of knee joint is becoming restricted ultimately causing it to stiffen up. The knee can no longer be bent as much – and later on it can no longer be stretched out completely.
• Inflammation- If cartilage damage is severe enough that the bones begin to rub up against eachother, it is possible that the joint can become inflamed. The knee joint then swells up and the skin around it becomes red.

How Gonarthrosis is Diagnosed

A doctor can diagnose Gonarthrosis by physical examination of the joint. He checks the fluid around the red, swollen joints as well as limited movement of the affected joint.There are some tests also to confirm the disease -X-Ray, CT scan, MRI, and some blood tests.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Gonarthrosis

Ayurveda offers effective, safe and long lasting treatment of Gonarthrosis. It includes proper diet, exercise and some herbal remedies. Planet Ayurveda provides best combination of effective herbal remedies  prepared strictly under the principles of Ayurveda. These are 100 % pure, natural and vegetarian with no added chemicals and preservatives in it.

• Diet For Gonarthrosis-The diet should include freshly cooked hot food daily in routine. Intake of soup prepared from lentils+pulses+meat with powder of ginger, black pepper and long pepper is very effective. Avoid spicy, deep fried and highly pungent food.

• Exercise For Gonarthrosis-To manage pain and other symptoms, one should continue doing moderate regular exercises incliding yoga .It keeps effected joints mobile and prevents further damage.
• Effective Remedies For Gonarthrosis-Planet Ayurveda offers you some very effective, safe and pure remedies for the treatment of Gonarthrosis.

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) is the best herb for balancing “vata” in the body. It is a multipurpose powerful herb well known to strengthen the body physically and ease arthritic symptoms. It is a natural rejuvenator that helps to maintain proper nourishment of the tissues, particularly muscle and bone.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

It is one if the most effective combinations of anti-inflammatory herb. The herb in this formula not only relives the joint pain but also swelling around the joints. Boswellia-curcumin helps decreases inflammation and promotes circulation to the joints and provides flexibility. This herb helps in all type of arthiritis, very effective in Gonarthrosis.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily.

3. Joint Aid Plus

It is a unique combination of anti-arthritic herbs and is nature’s answer to moderate to severe inflammations, swelling, and pain. The standardized extract in the joint aid plus formula helps the knee joint to regain the strength.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily.

4. Yograj Guggul

It is a classical formulation , which helps to pacify Vata in the joints, nerves and muscles, hence traditionally used in Ayurveda for painful joints and muscles.It is a combination of many ayurvedic herbs and very effective in treatment of gonarthrosis.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice after meals.

5. Kaishore Guggul

It is out and very effective remedy for gout and painful knee joint. Kaishore guggul is mostly helpful in removal of uric acid (Pitta) in the joints and muscles.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily, after meals, with      plain water.

6. Aamvatantak Churna

It is a blend of unique herbs for arthiritis and described in Ayurveda as best anti-inflammatory and detoxifying herb. It is very beneficial particularly when the joints are stiff in the morning with severe pain.

Dosage: 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful twice daily after meals with plain water.

Planet Ayurveda provides the best combination of remedies. These remedies are prepared from best quality of herbs and under strict principles of Ayurveda.