Among all joint diseases, arthrosis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world population.It applies to both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients suffering from various forms of arthrosis are registered.Death from arthrosis is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to early disability, loss of work ability and significant deterioration in quality of life.
The prevention and treatment of arthrosis must be carried out by a highly qualified medical specialist.
Traditional treatment
For effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of medications, physiotherapeutic, orthopedic and surgical means is used.It should be noted that great importance in the treatment and prevention of arthrosis is attached to the selection of an optimal motor mode and 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 pain in arthrosis is considered to be 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.Standard drugs from the NSAID group are most often used.
When choosing a drug, he gives preference to those drugs that are quite effective, safe and accessible to the majority of the population.At the same time, long-term use of NSAIDs can provoke the development of serious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.To prevent such complications, special drugs can be prescribed.
It is strongly recommended not to combine different types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this will not improve the therapeutic effect, but will only significantly increase 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 prove to be of little benefit.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.But, unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their 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 end of chondroprotective therapy.
Prostheses for synovial fluid
Any specialist will tell you that without synovial fluid, the joint cannot function normally.Some types of drugs are used as synovial fluid substitutes.
All drugs improve the properties of the synovial fluid, while suppressing the inflammatory and destructive processes in the articular cartilage.On average, one therapeutic course can 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 expediency of prescribing a certain drug.
Local therapy
Rarely, arthrosis is treated without the use of local therapy.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is resorted to in case of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and lack of adequate analgesic effect from 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 pain relievers are used.To achieve the desired effect, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.The possibility of 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 physiotherapeutic procedures can be used at all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint diseases.The main methods of physiotherapy help to eliminate pain as a result of loading the joint, reduce inflammation and improve the recovery of cartilage tissue.What physical procedures are used for arthrosis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet radiation.
- 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.
Physical therapy
The main goal of therapeutic gymnastics is to restore the function of the affected joints, strengthen the musculo-ligamentous apparatus 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 localization of arthrosis - the knee joint:
- Let's get a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Bend the left leg slightly at the knee joint.We take a step back with the right foot.The foot of that leg then moves down.This movement creates tension in the muscles of the lower legs.You need to stay in this position for 15 seconds.Repeat several times and switch legs.
- We sit on a chair.We straighten our legs at the knees and keep them straight in front of us.It is enough to hold your legs for about 5-7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can do the exercise by straightening only one leg.Do 10–12 repetitions.If you feel good and there is no pain, you can increase the number of approaches.
- We stand with our backs to the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is against the wall.We go down to a semi-squat.We try to stay in this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we slowly get up.At the same time, your back does not come off the wall.Increase the static load (holding the half-squat position) gradually.
- Regular squats are considered the ideal exercise for knee joint development.The optimal number of squats depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.
- We lie down on the floor.Lift your legs up and perform movements reminiscent of riding a bicycle.Do the exercise for 20-30 seconds.Then a short break and a new approach.If your physical condition allows, increase the time for performing the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of arthrosis without exacerbation, therapeutic exercises will be useful to help restore the functionality of the joints.
Surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients manage to cope with the disease using conservative methods.If standard therapy does not lead to the desired result and severe joint damage leading to disability is observed, surgical treatment is indicated.Arthroplasty 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 after arthroplasty 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 the use of folk remedies for the treatment of various diseases, including arthrosis, has increased sharply.Today, without much difficulty, you can find many folk recipes for compresses, ointments and tinctures.Let's list the most common ones:
- Compress with clay.Mix clay and water in such proportions to get a homogeneous mass.Then we place it on a small piece of cloth.We place a clay compress on the diseased joint.The duration of the procedure can reach about an hour and a half.You will notice the positive effect after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey compress.It is especially popular because it is quite easy to make and apply.3-4 cabbage leaves are taken before going to bed.On the one hand, you need to lubricate them with honey and apply them to the inflamed joint.To enhance the effect of the compress, you can wrap the joint with polyethylene and a warm towel.It is best to apply a compress at night.
- Oatmeal compress.Take a cup of oatmeal and cook for 8 minutes.You will need less water than normal cooking to get a fairly viscous paste.At the end of cooking, let the porridge cool down.Then place the oats on a thick cloth.And the compress is ready for use.In addition, it is recommended to additionally wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and a woolen scarf.
- Horseradish compress.Horseradish roots must be chopped.They are covered with water and boiled for a few minutes.After that, we evenly place horseradish on a natural fabric, which we impose on the diseased joint.The compress is applied for about 2 hours.
- Butter rub from yellow flowers.The leaves and stems of the medicinal plant should be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of egg yolks and pour them into a small jar.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist on 14 days.Then we strain.This calendula oil can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Dandelion rub.Find a bottle, jar, or other container made of opaque glass.Fill approximately half of the glass container with dandelion blossoms.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You will have to insist for at least a month.Before use, you must strain the liquid.Dandelion tincture is used to rub the joints.Usually, the rubbing procedure is best done before going to bed.
- Medicinal bath with herbs.To prepare this bath, you will need medicinal plants such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettles and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infused liquid into the tub.Take a herbal bath for about 15-20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of arthrosis of the joints (elbow, knee, hip joint), you should definitely consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to undergo long and prolonged courses of treatment, take up the prevention of arthrosis.A few useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative diseases of your joints:
- 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 medical professionals and regularly undergo medical examinations.