Among all joint diseases, osteoarthritis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world's population.It is relevant to both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients have been registered as suffering from various forms of osteoarthritis.A fatal outcome from osteoarthritis is extremely unlikely, but can lead to early disability, loss of working capacity and significant deterioration in quality of life.
The prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis must be carried out by a highly qualified specialist doctor.
Traditional treatment
For the effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint lesions, the entire arsenal of medications, physiotherapeutic, orthopedic and surgical agents is used.It should be noted that great importance in the treatment and prevention of arthrosis is attached to the selection of the optimal motor mode and the normalization of body weight.Traditional therapy includes the following methods:
- Symptomatic treatment.
- Taking chondroprotectors.
- Local therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- Surgical treatment.
Symptomatic therapy
In most cases, the cause of osteoarthritis pain is considered to be reactive inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.Therefore, it is quite reasonable to prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Most often, standard drugs from the NSAID group are used.
When choosing a medicine, he gives preference to those that are very effective, safe and accessible to the majority of the population.At the same time, prolonged use of NSAIDs can provoke the development of serious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.To prevent such complications, special medications may be prescribed.
It is highly recommended not to combine different types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this will not increase the therapeutic effect, but will only significantly increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Chondroprotectors
Currently, chondroprotectors are successfully used to restore cartilaginous tissue and prevent the development of pathological changes in the joints.In the early stages of the disease, these drugs effectively inhibit the progression of the degenerative process.However, in stages 3 and 4 of the disease, chondroprotectors prove to be of little use.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.However, unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Its distinctive feature is that the therapeutic effect occurs on average 3–4 weeks after the start of treatment.At the same time, they continue to act for 2–5 months after the completion of chondroprotective therapy.
Synovial Fluid Prostheses
Every specialist will tell you that without synovial fluid a joint cannot function normally.Certain types of medications are used as synovial fluid substitutes.
All drugs improve the properties of synovial fluid, while suppressing inflammatory and destructive processes in articular cartilage.On average, a therapeutic course may include up to 5 intra-articular injections.It is recommended to take up to two courses per year.The indication for repeated therapy with hyaluronic acid-based drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the functionality of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can determine the advisability of prescribing a particular medication.
Local therapy
It is rare for osteoarthritis to be treated without the use of local therapy.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is used in case of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and in the absence of adequate analgesic effect when taking NSAIDs.During the year, 3-4 injections of glucocorticosteroids into the joint are allowed.The interval between injections is approximately 90 days.
If there are no contraindications, compresses with analgesics are used.To achieve the desired effect, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.The option of prolonging therapy or repeating courses is not excluded.Also, to reduce pain and the dosage of prescribed NSAIDs, various analgesic ointments, gels or creams are used.
Physiotherapy
At all stages of degenerative dystrophic joint disease, various physiotherapeutic procedures can be used.Basic physiotherapy methods help eliminate pain resulting from stress on the joint, reduce inflammation and improve the restoration of cartilaginous tissue.What physical procedures are used for arthrosis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet irradiation.
- Electrophoresis.
- Ultrasound.
- Inductothermy.
- Infrared laser therapy.
- Balneotherapy.
- Mud applications.
Physiotherapy can also be used to prevent osteoarthritis.For example, ultrasound therapy, hydrogen sulfide and radon baths prevent pathological changes in articular cartilage.
Therapeutic exercise
The main purpose of therapeutic exercises is to restore the function of affected joints, strengthen the musculo-ligamentous system and prevent the progression of the disease.Let's consider an approximate set of exercises that can be used as prevention and treatment of the most common location of arthrosis - the knee joint:
- Let's get a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Slightly bend your left leg at the knee joint.We take a step back with the right foot.Then the foot of this leg goes down.This movement creates tension in the leg muscles.You must remain in this position for 15 seconds.Repeat several times and switch legs.
- We sat on a chair.We stretch our legs at the knees and keep them straight in front of us.It is enough to hold your legs for about 5 to 7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can do the exercise by stretching just one leg.Do 10–12 repetitions.If you feel good and don't feel pain, you can increase the number of approaches.
- We stood with our backs to the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is pressed against the wall.We lower ourselves into a half squat.We try to maintain this position for 5–7 seconds.Then we went up slowly.At the same time, your back does not leave the wall.Increase the static load (maintaining the half-squat position) gradually.
- Regular squats are considered the ideal exercise for developing knee joints.The ideal number of squats depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.
- We lay down on the floor.Raise your legs and make movements that resemble riding a bicycle.Do the exercise for 20 to 30 seconds.Then a short rest and another approach.If your physical fitness allows, increase the time you perform the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of osteoarthritis without exacerbation, therapeutic exercises will be useful to help restore joint functionality.
Surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients are able to cope with the disease using conservative methods.If standard therapy does not bring the desired result and serious joint damage is observed, leading to disability, surgical treatment is indicated.Many patients with severe deformities of large joints are recommended to undergo endoprosthetics.The effectiveness of replacing the affected joint with an artificial one is more than 70%.Most patients after endoprosthesis experience a significant improvement in quality of life.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize the fact that in recent years the popularity of using folk remedies in the treatment of various diseases, including arthrosis, has increased markedly.Today, without much difficulty, you can find many popular recipes for compresses, ointments and tinctures.Let's list the most common ones:
- Clay compress.Mix clay and water in these proportions to obtain a homogeneous mass.Next, we place it on a small piece of fabric.We place a clay compress on the affected joint.The procedure can take approximately one and a half hours to complete.You will notice the positive effect after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey compress.It is especially popular because it is quite simple to make and apply.Before going to bed, take 3-4 cabbage leaves.On the one hand, it is necessary to lubricate them with honey and apply them to the sore joint.To enhance the effect of the compress, you can wrap the joint in polyethylene and a warm cloth.It is best to apply a compress at night.
- Oat compress.Take a cup of oats and cook for 8 minutes.You will need less water than during normal cooking to get a fairly viscous porridge.At the end of cooking, let the porridge cool.Next, place the oats on a thick fabric.And the compress is ready to use.In addition, it is recommended to additionally wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and a woolen scarf.
- Horseradish compress.Horseradish roots need to be chopped.Fill them with water and let it boil for a few minutes.Then we evenly place the horseradish on a natural fabric, which we apply to the sore joint.The compress is applied for about 2 hours.
- Rub celandine oil.The leaves and stems of the medicinal plant must be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of celandine and pour it into a small jar.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist for 14 days.So we try hard.This celandine oil massage can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Dandelion rub.Find a bottle, jar, or other opaque glass container.Fill approximately half of the glass container with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You will have to insist for at least a month.Before using, you must strain the liquid.Dandelion tincture is used to rub joints.Typically, the rubbing procedure is best done before bed.
- Medicinal bath with herbs.To prepare this bath you will need medicinal plants such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettle and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infused liquid into the bathtub.Take an herbal bath for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of arthrosis of the joints (elbow, knee, hip), you should consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to undergo long and continuous treatments, prevent osteoarthritis.Some useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative joint diseases:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- Eat right.
- Stick to ideal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for osteoarthritis are swimming, skiing and moderate walking.
Your musculoskeletal system will be in excellent condition if you do not ignore the recommendations of medical specialists and undergo regular medical examinations.