How to treat arthrosis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease in which cartilage is destroyed in adjacent bone structures. The disease is widespread throughout the world.

The main cause of pathology is a violation of metabolic processes. Predisposing factors are congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and overweight. With age, the chances of getting osteoarthritis increase.

Treatment of arthrosis is a complex and time consuming process. In this case, it is not enough just to take various pills to reduce the symptoms. It is necessary to carry out other measures that contribute to the inhibition of disease progression. Without them, the risk of complications and disability increases severalfold.

A brief description of the disease

Before talking about how to treat arthrosis, it is necessary to say a few words about what it is and what the development of the disease is full. Arthrosis is a disease of the joints, accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic processes. During its development, the following processes took place:

• the density and elasticity of cartilage decreases, they cease to perform their shock -absorbing function;
• the level of friction between the bones increases, which leads to gradual destruction and deformation, the formation of sharp angles on the surface;
• sharp elements dig into nearby tissues, provoking their inflammation;
• motor function is partially or completely impaired.

Arthrosis deformation has severe symptoms. Often, patients complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as dryness, limited movement, and morning stiffness.

Unfortunately, arthrosis cannot be cured permanently. You can get rid of it in only one case - if the disease is detected at an early stage of development. But since at this phase it is asymptomatic, most patients do not suspect that they have pathology and, therefore, do not undergo any treatment. And when symptoms appear, an irreversible process takes place in the joints that cannot be removed.

For factors that provoke the development of pathology, the following reasons must be distinguished:

• trauma;
• hypothermia;
• bad habits;
• excessive physical labor;
• professional sports;
• Malnutrition;
• hormonal disorders;
• autoimmune diseases, etc.

Basis of treatment

Can arthritis be cured? No. This disease is incurable. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with it. Lack of therapy can lead to serious consequences - the pathology will develop, the person will lose his ability to work and become disabled. Therefore, despite the fact that the method used does not allow to get rid of the disease, it must be treated!

With the development of arthrosis (of any kind, coxarthrosis, osteoarthritis, etc. ), a single treatment regimen is used, which includes:

• taking medications that help relieve pain and stop the progression of the disease;
• weight loss and proper nutrition;
• exercise therapy classes;
• sequence;
• physiotherapy procedures.

With arthrosis, the very important thing is to fight excess weight, if any. Excess kilograms are an additional burden on the ligament apparatus, which leads to the rapid development of the disease. Therefore, if the patient's weight exceeds the norm, he should lose weight immediately. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, the nutritional value is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has limitations. For any type of arthrosis, it is worth abandoning the consumption of foods high in purines. To:

• young animal meat;
• mushroom soup, meat, vegetables and fish;
• jelly dishes;
• meat sauce, gravy;
• intestines;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salted and spicy cheese;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory fat;
• beans;
• products prepared on the basis of wine;
• baked goods made from yeast dough, etc.

The doctor should tell you in detail about how to eat after identifying osteoarthritis or other types of DOA. Eating properly, patients will be able to avoid the accumulation of uric acid salts in the body and avoid serious complications.

Also, talking about how to treat arthrosis, it should be noted that massage and physiotherapy exercises must be performed without fail. But not alone! Massage should be performed only by a specialist, as any wrong action can lead to complications. And exercise therapy training under the supervision of a doctor is carried out only for the first time, then the patient can do physical exercises at home.

Medications

Medication will not help cure arthrosis forever. But they will provide a reduction of symptoms and stop the pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor function and significantly improve the patient's condition.

As a rule, treatment of arthrosis includes the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several actions at once:

• stop the inflammatory process;
• reduce pain syndrome;
• has an antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs are available in several forms - tablets, ointments, rectal suppositories, solutions for intramuscular injection. As practice has shown, they quickly eliminate the pain syndrome and its effects are long -lasting. But this group of drugs has some drawbacks. It is impossible to take it for more than 5-7 days, because the components contained in it have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. And this, in turn, can lead to exacerbation of peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as the appearance of side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, bloating, etc.

NSAIDs can be taken only with a doctor's permission. The wrong dose can lead to worsening of arthrosis and even greater destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, when treatment of arthrosis deformities with NSAIDs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. As a rule, they are introduced into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids last for several months. But you should not use it more than 4 times a year, as it also negatively affects the condition of the joints.

Important! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic medications. They do not cure arthrosis, but only eliminate the unpleasant manifestations.

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not contribute to the elimination of inflammatory processes, but they relieve pain better. And if the patient experiences muscle cramps, then antispasmodics are used to stop it. The greatest effect is given by analgesics and antispasmodics in the form of solutions for intramuscular injection.

Defective joints and bones are also treated with chondroprotectors. And if the above group of drugs gives only a symptomatic effect, then this drug has a therapeutic effect. They contain ingredients that help restore the nutrition of damaged tissues, restoring their integrity.

Chondroprotectors act slowly. To achieve positive results from them, they must be taken continuously for at least six months. But if the disease has reached stage 3 or 4, their acceptance will be meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are also often used in the treatment of arthrosis. They provide better blood flow, as well as the elimination of cramps in small vessels. Apply such funds in combination with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy procedures

In addition to drug therapy, arthrosis is also treated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. They also do not help cure disease, but contribute to a significant improvement in patient well -being. The most popular among them are:

• Shock wave therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure aims to eliminate the main cause of pain that occurs with arthrosis. It eliminates bone processes such as spikes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation in pathological foci and normalizes metabolism. But, despite the effectiveness of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of the development of the disease. In addition, it has many contraindications.
• Myostimulation. This procedure involves the application of electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction. Its implementation is advisable for bedridden patients and in cases of severe injuries, when exercise therapy becomes impossible. Thanks to muscle stimulation, there is an increase in their tone and an increase in blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the course of arthrosis.
• Phonophoresis. The procedure is performed using ultrasonic waves with the simultaneous use of drugs. The waves increase the effects of the drug. Thanks to them, they are sent directly to the pathological focus, which greatly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It involves the introduction of a gas mixture into the joint capsule. The main action is relief of inflammatory responses, reduction of pain, improvement of motor function. As a rule, ozone therapy is prescribed in a course that includes several injections. Their number depends on the severity of the course of arthrosis.

Important! Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed individually, taking into account the contraindications and severity of the course of the disease.

Physiotherapy

Can osteoarthritis be cured with exercise therapy? The answer is the same - no. Therapeutic exercises are prescribed to patients to develop joints and improve motor function. Performing special exercises also contributes to the normalization of blood circulation in the pathological focus and increased supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also selected individually. First, they are performed under the strict supervision of specialists, then they can be done independently, at home.

Massage and manual therapy

It is used to treat osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) and other types of arthrosis. This procedure provides warming of the diseased area, elimination of cramps, normalization of blood circulation. Massage and manual therapy are carried out exclusively by specialists. They can be done in the remission stage and during periods of deterioration.

Mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of gymnastics, where all physical exercises are performed using a special simulator. They contribute to increased load on the body, while preventing damage to diseased joints. Like physical therapy, mechanotherapy provides an increase in muscle tone and improves blood circulation.

Joint traction

The essence of the procedure is the mechanical "stretching" of the joint with the help of special tools. One session lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course includes 10-12 procedures, conducted every six months. Stretching the joints helps ease the load, slows the progression of arthrosis and reduces pain.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine is also effective in helping to relieve pain that occurs against the background of osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But as in other cases, they do not provide a cure for pathology, so you should not place high hopes on them.

Important! Folk remedies should be used as adjuvant therapy in combination with other treatments prescribed by a doctor.

house ointment

For its preparation, you need:

• animal fats (for example, pork) - 1 cup;
• unrefined vegetable oil - 100 ml;
• birch buds - 1 tbsp. l. ;
• propolis - 50 g.

The ointment is prepared as follows. First, animal fat is melted, boiled and birch buds are added to it. Then the resulting composition is boiled in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. After that, propolis is added (it is pre-pounded on a grater) and the ointment is stirred until it dissolves. And the last ingredient is vegetable oil. Next, the product is left in a cool place until completely cooled and filtered.

Apply the ointment as needed, depending on the degree of pain, but no more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such drugs not only have analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory effect. It can be used not only for arthrosis. It will also help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. It can be used for both adults and children.

cabbage leaves

An effective remedy for joint pain. It is used as follows. A large leaf of white cabbage is taken, placed on the inside of the affected area, and fixed with a warm bandage on top. Compressed left overnight. To enhance the effect, the leaves are rubbed with honey.

Compressed medicine

Every pharmacy sells drugs that are cheap and sold without a doctor’s prescription. For example, Dimexide. This drug has analgesic, absorbable and good anti-inflammatory effect. It increases metabolism and improves blood circulation.

To put a compress, you need to take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, moisten in a solution and apply on sore joints, after lubricating it with a little vegetable oil. On top you need to attach polyethylene and make a warm bandage. Keep the compress on for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.

Compressed with wine

Available in several versions:

• 280 g of linden or nectar diluted in a water bath, then 350 ml of carrot juice is added, 1 tbsp. l. salt and 120 g of fortified red wine. All components are thoroughly mixed and cooled. It is applied as follows-about 10-15 g of the mixture is rubbed into the sore spot, and then a warm bandage is applied for 30-40 minutes. The treatment period is 30 days.
• First, a mixture of drugs is prepared. To do this, red wine and bee venom are mixed in a container in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting composition is slightly heated, and then a gauze napkin is soaked in it and applied to the damaged joints, a warm bandage is made on top. Hold the compress for 30 minutes.
• This compress requires 150 g of carrots. It is rubbed on a fine grater, and then mixed with 2 tsp. feeling guilty. The resulting slurry is placed on the tissue and applied to the joints. Polyethylene must be applied from above, and the limbs wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Hold the compress for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel a clove of garlic, place it through a press and squeeze the juice out of it. Mix it with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 10. If there is no olive oil, you can use corn oil, but in this case the ratio is 1: 12. The resulting mixture should be taken in 1 tsp. every day before breakfast.

Boil cranberries

For its preparation, you need lingonberry leaves. 1 hb. l. the raw material is poured into 250 ml of water, and then baked, brought to a boil and boiled for 20 minutes. Then the finished gravy is cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips throughout the day.

Infusion of blackcurrant leaves

1 hb. l. crushed blackcurrant leaves pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 1 hour, and then filter. Take ½ cup 5-6 times a day.

It should be understood that no drug can eliminate the cause of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, the disease is incurable and all the measures used only contribute to the reduction of symptoms. And in order for the therapy to give maximum results, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the doctor strictly.