Among all joint diseases, arthrosis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world's population.It applies to both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients have been registered as suffering from various forms of arthrosis.The fatal outcome of arthrosis is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to early disability, loss of work ability and significant deterioration of the quality of life.
The prevention and treatment of arthrosis must be performed by a highly qualified specialist.
Traditional treatment
For the effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of drugs, physiotherapy, orthopedic and surgical agents is used.It should be noted that in the treatment and prevention of arthrosis, great importance 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 arthrosis pain is reactive inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Most often, standard drugs of the NSAID group are used.
When choosing a drug, he gives preference to drugs that are quite effective, safe and accessible to the majority of the population.At the same time, long-term use of NSAIDs can cause serious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.Special medications may be prescribed to prevent such complications.
It is strongly recommended not to combine different types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this does not increase the therapeutic effect, but only significantly increases the risk of side effects.
Chondroprotectors
Currently, chondroprotectors are successfully used to restore cartilage 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 are of little use.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.Unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their specialty is that the therapeutic effect appears on average 3-4 weeks after the start of treatment.At the same time, they continue to work for 2-5 months after the end of chondroprotective therapy.
Synovial fluid prostheses
Every specialist will tell you that without synovial fluid the joints cannot function normally.Certain types of medication are used to replace synovial fluid.
All drugs improve the properties of synovial fluid, while simultaneously suppressing the inflammatory and destructive processes of articular cartilage.A therapeutic course can include, on average, no more than 5 intra-articular injections.A maximum of two courses per year is recommended.The indication for repeated therapy with hyaluronic acid-based drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the function of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can determine the appropriateness of prescribing a particular drug.
Local therapy
It is rare for arthrosis to be treated without local therapy.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is used in case of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and the lack of pain-relieving effect corresponding to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.During the year, 3-4 glucocorticosteroid injections into the joint are allowed.The interval between injections is about 90 days.
If there are no contraindications, an analgesic poultice is used.In order to achieve the desired effect, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.Extending the therapy or repeating the courses is not excluded.In addition, various pain-relieving ointments, gels, or creams are used to reduce pain and the dosage of prescribed NSAIDs.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapy procedures can be used in all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint diseases.Basic methods of physiotherapy help eliminate pain from joint stress, reduce inflammation and improve cartilage tissue repair.What physical procedures are used for arthrosis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet radiation.
- Electrophoresis.
- Ultrasound.
- Inductive heat.
- Infrared laser therapy.
- Balneotherapy.
- Sludge applications.
Physiotherapy can also be used to prevent arthrosis.For example, ultrasound therapy, hydrogen sulfide, and radon baths prevent pathological changes in articular cartilage.
Therapeutic practice
The main goal of the therapeutic exercises is to restore the function of the affected joints, strengthen the muscle-ligament system and prevent the progression of the disease.Let's consider an approximate set of exercises that can be used to prevent and treat the most common localization of arthrosis - the knee joint:
- Let's grab a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Bend your left leg slightly at the knee joint.We take a step back with our right foot.Then the foot of this leg moves down.This movement causes tension in the lower leg muscles.You should stay in this position for 15 seconds.Repeat several times and switch legs.
- We sit down on a chair.We straighten our legs at the knees and hold them straight in front of us.It is enough to hold your foot for about 5-7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can perform the exercise by straightening only one leg.Do 10-12 repetitions.If you feel comfortable and there is no pain, you can increase the number of approaches.
- We have our backs against the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is against the wall.We descend into a half squat.We try to hold this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we slowly rise.At the same time, your back does not come off the wall.Gradually increase the static load (hold the position in a semi-squat).
- Regular squatting is an ideal exercise for developing knee joints.The optimal number of squats depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.
- We lie down on the ground.Raise your legs and perform movements reminiscent of cycling.Do the exercise for 20-30 seconds.Then a short rest and another approach.If your physical strength allows, increase the time of performing the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of arthrosis, without aggravation, therapeutic exercises will be useful in restoring the functionality of the joints.
Surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients can cope with the disease with conservative methods.If standard therapy does not bring the desired result, and severe joint damage is observed, leading to disability, surgical treatment is recommended.Endoprosthesis is recommended for many patients with severe deformities of large joints.The effectiveness of replacing the affected joint with an artificial one is more than 70%.Most patients experience a significant improvement in their quality of life after endoprosthesis.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize the fact that in recent years the popularity of folk remedies in the treatment of various diseases, including arthrosis, has increased significantly.Today, you can easily find many folk recipes for poultices, ointments and tinctures.We list the most common ones:
- Clay poultice.Mix clay and water in this ratio to get a homogeneous mass.Then place it on a small piece of fabric.A clay poultice is placed on the affected joint.The duration of the procedure can reach an hour and a half.The positive effect can be felt after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey poultice.It is especially popular because it is quite easy to prepare and apply.Take 3-4 cabbage leaves before going to bed.On the one hand, they should be smeared with honey and applied to the painful joint.To enhance the effect of the poultice, you can wrap the joint in polyethylene and warm clothes.It is best to use a compress at night.
- Oatmeal poultice.Take a glass of oatmeal and cook it for 8 minutes.You will need less water than normal cooking to get a fairly viscous porridge.At the end of cooking, let the porridge cool down.Then place the oatmeal on a thick cloth.And the poultice is ready to use.In addition, it is recommended to wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and wool.
- Horseradish poultice.Horseradish roots must be cut.Fill them with water and boil for a few minutes.Then, the horseradish is placed evenly on a natural tissue, which is applied to the painful joint.The compress is applied for about 2 hours.
- Oil rub from celandine.The leaves and stems of the herb must be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of celandine and pour it into a small jar.Pour in 200 ml of vegetable oil.We insist for 14 days.Then we filter it.This celandine oil rub can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Dandelion rub.Find a bottle, jar, or any other container made of opaque glass.Fill about half of the glass container with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.It should stick for at least a month.The liquid must be filtered before use.Dandelion tincture is used as a joint rub.The rubbing procedure should usually be done before going to bed.
- Spa with herbs.To prepare the bath, you will need herbs such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettle and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave it in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infusion fluid into the bath.Take a herbal bath for about 15-20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of arthrosis of the joints (elbows, knees, hips), be sure to consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to carry out long and continuous treatment, use the prevention of arthrosis.Some useful tips that significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative joint disorders:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- Eat right.
- Stick to optimal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for arthrosis are swimming, skiing and moderate walking.
Your musculoskeletal system will be in excellent condition if you do not ignore the recommendations of specialists and undergo regular medical examinations.