Arthrosis is a disease accompanied by dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage without an inflammatory process. As a rule, the disease is most often diagnosed in people of advanced age (after 45 years). However, there are exceptions when the disease appears at a younger age, mostly after injuries. It is impossible to completely get rid of it. In order to alleviate the aggravation and improve the general condition, the treatment of arthrosis should be comprehensive.
How to treat arthrosis?
Complex therapy uses:
- drugs (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors);
- physiotherapy (heating, laser, UVT therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound);
- special exercises;
- surgical intervention (in the later stages, in the absence of effectiveness of drugs);
- folk remedies;
- massage therapy;
- non-traditional methods (hirudotherapy, acupuncture, acupuncture).
Each of the stages of treatment must be developed by the doctor individually for each patient.
How to treat arthrosis with drugs?
To date, there are a large number of drugs that are used to treat this disease. However, they only help to eliminate the main symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Restoration of articular cartilage is impossible, as dystrophic changes are irreversible.
Drug therapy consists of the following drugs:
- NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors with chondroitin and glucose;
- corticosteroids for intra-articular administration are used in severe cases of the disease, they can relieve inflammation and restore the mobility of the damaged joint;
- hyaluronic acid for intra-articular injection - used as a lubricant for the joint, can prevent friction, reduce pain, help the formation of hyaluronate.
If the joint has suffered severe deformations, drug treatment will be powerless. Only surgery can replace it.
Physiotherapy
Warming up helps to get rid of pain and normalize blood circulation. However, this method is used only in the initial stage of the development of the disease, when there are no serious injuries. Sometimes doctors recommend their patients to visit the bath, believing that it has a beneficial effect on well-being. But it should be remembered that it is necessary to warm the joint moderately. Overheating, like hypothermia, will adversely affect the development of the disease. It is also forbidden to heat the damaged area during an exacerbation.
One of the methods of physiotherapy includes the use of a laser to stop the progression of degenerative processes. During the procedure, the affected area is exposed to light. As a result, it is possible to improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation, swelling and eliminate pain. Before the laser procedure, the patient must be examined. In case of exacerbation, it is prohibited.
The effectiveness of electrophoresis in arthrosis has been proven. The affected area is affected by special preparations for which an electric field is created. Due to this, the drug breaks down into ions, after which it moves to the upper layers of the skin, enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
UVT therapy helps to treat osteoarthritis. This procedure helps to eliminate inflammation, soften calcium deposits and remove it from the body, reduce swelling. However, this method of physiotherapy has many contraindications, including thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, tumors and purulent processes.
Exposure to ultrasound allows you to anesthetize the affected area, relieve inflammation. Usually, ultrasound treatment is used during the rehabilitation period after surgery.
Surgical intervention
When the drugs are ineffective, which usually happens in the advanced stages of the disease, the doctor may decide to undergo surgery. There are several types of such operations:
- arthroplasty - damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial pad that helps reduce pain and improve mobility;
- prosthetics - the joint is completely removed and a prosthesis made of a special material is installed instead, which helps prevent rejection by the body;
- arthroscopy - helps to prevent the destruction of the joint, during the operation, areas with inflammatory processes are removed.
If the patient consults a doctor at an early stage of the disease, surgery can be avoided.
People's funds
In complex therapy, in addition to drugs, folk remedies are used, which help relieve the patient's unpleasant symptoms.
The following recipes have gained popularity:
- mix an equal amount of calendula inflorescence, birch leaves and nettle leaves, then pour 2 tablespoons of herbal collection with 1 liter of boiling water and insist overnight, take half a cup 5 times a day;
- mix fresh egg yolk with turpentine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions, rub the sore spot with the resulting mixture and wrap it with a woolen scarf, leave overnight;
- 2 tablespoons of celery juice taken 3 times a day;
- squeeze the juice from one head of cabbage, soak a woolen cloth in it and apply it as a compress;
- boil oatmeal until a thick porridge is obtained, cool and apply in the form of compresses at night;
- pharmacy root Oman (25 g) insist in 150 ml of vodka for 12 days, make a rub at night.
Traditional medicine will not replace drugs, but will be a great addition to them.
Basic rules when using traditional medicine
When using folk remedies, you must observe the following general rules:
- before using one of the recipes, you must consult a doctor who, after a detailed examination, can indicate possible complications;
- it is important not only to consult a specialist, but also to do an allergic reaction test yourself - for this, a small amount of the product is applied to the inside of the wrist for 2 hours;
- it is not recommended to exceed the dose, because in this case the risk of side effects increases;
- it is recommended to use fresh infusions and ointments, since those collected for future use are not suitable for every recipe;
- if adverse reactions occur, the treatment should be stopped and another drug should be selected.
To protect yourself from complications, you should follow these simple rules.
Special exercises
Therapeutic exercises are performed to prevent weakening of ligaments and muscle atrophy. Gymnastics is chosen individually, depending on the patient's condition and the course of the disease. This is done by a physical therapist.
Exercises are prohibited during an exacerbation, as well as earlier than 6 days after the removal of severe pain. The main task in performing therapeutic exercises is to restore mobility and flexibility.
Unconventional ways
Non-traditional methods of treating this disease include hirudotherapy, acupuncture and acupuncture.
Leeches are used in hirudotherapy. Despite the fact that this method is not medical, it is quite effective. Leeches are placed on special points corresponding to certain active areas. This helps to increase microcirculation in the tissues, eliminate muscle spasms and reduce swelling. The healing saliva of leeches has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Acupuncture is based on the activation of certain points with needles. Sometimes lit wormwood sticks are used instead. The effect is similar to the result of hirudotherapy. Metabolic processes are significantly improved, blood circulation is enhanced and the pain syndrome is alleviated.
All the above procedures should be performed only by specialists. Otherwise, instead of improvement, a sharp deterioration of the condition may occur.
Massage therapy
The most desired result of the therapeutic massage is the restoration of the working capacity of the affected joint. However, this is possible when arthrosis of the joints is in the initial stage of development. Massage should only be performed by a specialist. Sometimes the patient is allowed to perform it himself, but for this it is necessary to learn these techniques. Before the procedure, the damaged area is warmed up using a regular warm shower or exercise therapy exercises.
One of the types is the hydromassage, which is performed by immersion in a warm bath. The full course is up to 20 procedures. It is recommended that they be repeated at least twice a year. If the massage is done correctly, there is a pleasant warmth and relaxation afterwards. To achieve the desired result, it is necessary to gradually increase the duration of the procedure.
Only an integrated approach will allow you to get rid of the symptoms of arthrosis and avoid exacerbations.