Arthrosis is a disease that is accompanied by dystrophic changes in articular cartilage without an inflammatory process. As a rule, the disease is most often diagnosed in older people (after 45 years). However, there are exceptions when the disease strikes at a younger age, mainly after injuries. It is impossible to get rid of it completely. To alleviate the exacerbation and improve the general condition, the treatment of arthrosis should be comprehensive.
How to treat osteoarthritis?
In complex therapy, the following is used:
- medications (analgesics, anti-inflammatories, chondroprotectors);
- physical therapy (heating, laser, UVT therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound);
- special exercises;
- surgical intervention (in the late stages, in the absence of the effectiveness of drugs);
- home 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 osteoarthritis with medication?
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. It is impossible to restore articular cartilage, since dystrophic changes are irreversible.
Medical therapy consists of the following medications:
- 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 mobility of the damaged joint;
- hyaluronic acid for intra-articular injection: used as a lubricant for the joint, it can prevent friction, reduce pain and help in the formation of hyaluronate.
If the joint has suffered severe deformities, drug treatment will be powerless. Only surgery can replace it.
Physiotherapy
Warming helps to eliminate pain and normalize blood circulation. However, this method is used only at the initial stage of the development of the disease, when there are no serious lesions. Doctors sometimes recommend that their patients visit the bath, believing that it has a beneficial effect on well-being. But it must be remembered that it is necessary to warm the joint in moderation. Overheating, like hypothermia, will negatively affect the development of the disease. It is also forbidden to heat the damaged area during exacerbations.
One of the methods of physiotherapy involves the use of a laser to stop the progression of degenerative processes. During the procedure, the sore spot is exposed to a light stream. 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. When exacerbated, it is prohibited.
The efficacy of electrophoresis in osteoarthritis has been demonstrated. The affected area is affected by special preparations, for which an electric field is created. Due to this, the drug breaks down into ions, then it moves to the upper layers of the skin, enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
UVT therapy helps cure osteoarthritis. This procedure helps to remove inflammation, soften calcium deposits and remove it from the body, reduce swelling. However, this method of physiotherapy has many contraindications, which include thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, tumors, and purulent processes.
Exposure to ultrasound allows you to anesthetize the affected area, relieve inflammation. Ultrasound treatment is usually used during the rehabilitation period after surgery.
Surgical intervention
When medications are ineffective, which usually occurs in the advanced stages of the disease, the doctor may decide to have surgery. There are several types of such operations:
- arthroplasty - damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial pad, which helps reduce pain and improve mobility;
- prosthesis - the joint is completely removed, and in its place a prosthesis made of a special material is installed, which helps prevent rejection by the body;
- arthroscopy - helps prevent 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.
Home remedies
In complex therapy, in addition to drugs, folk remedies are used that help relieve the patient of 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, drink half a glass 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 for the night;
- 2 teaspoons of celery juice taken 3 times a day;
- squeeze the juice from a head of cabbage, soak a woolen cloth and apply it as a compress;
- boil oatmeal to a thick porridge, cool and apply in the form of compresses at night;
- pharmacy root elecampane (25 g) insist on 150 ml of vodka for 12 days, rub in the evening.
Traditional medicine will not replace drugs, but it will be a great addition to them.
Basic rules when using traditional medicine
When using folk remedies, you must follow these general rules:
- before using one of the recipes, it is imperative to consult a doctor, who, after a detailed examination, may indicate possible complications;
- it is important not only to consult with a specialist, but also to test yourself for an allergic reaction; 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 dosage, since in this case the risk of side effects increases;
- it is advisable to use fresh infusions and ointments, since harvesting for future use is not suitable for all recipes;
- if undesirable effects occur, treatment should be discontinued and another remedy chosen.
To protect yourself from complications, you must follow these simple rules.
special exercises
Therapeutic exercises are provided to prevent weakening of ligaments and muscle atrophy. Gymnastics is selected individually, depending on the patient's condition and the course of the disease. This is done by a physical therapist.
Exercises are prohibited during exacerbations, as well as before 6 days after the removal of severe pain. The main task in performing therapeutic exercises is to restore mobility and flexibility.
non-traditional forms
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 at special points corresponding to certain active zones. This helps to increase microcirculation in the tissues, eliminate muscle spasms and reduce swelling. The medicinal saliva of leeches has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Acupuncture is based on the activation of certain points with needles. Sometimes burning wormwood sticks are also used. The effect is similar to the result of hirudotherapy. Metabolic processes improve significantly, blood circulation increases, pain syndrome is relieved.
All of the above procedures should be performed only by specialists. Otherwise, instead of an improvement, a sharp deterioration in the condition may occur.
massage therapy
The most desirable result of 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 do it on their own, but for this it is necessary to learn these techniques. Before the procedure, the damaged area is warmed up with a regular warm shower or exercise therapy exercises.
One of the types is hydromassage, which is done by immersion in a warm bath. The full course is up to 20 procedures. It is recommended to repeat them at least twice a year. If the massage is done correctly, then after it there is a pleasant warmth and relaxation. 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.