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 completely get rid of it. To relieve the exacerbation and improve the general condition, the treatment of arthrosis should be comprehensive.
How to treat osteoarthritis?
In complex therapy, the following are used:
- drugs (analgesics, anti-inflammatories, chondroprotectors);
- physiotherapy (heating, laser, UVT therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound);
- special exercises;
- surgical intervention (in 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 osteoarthritis with medication?
To date, a large number of drugs are used to treat this disease. However, they only help eliminate the main symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. It is impossible to restore articular cartilage, since dystrophic changes are irreversible.
Medical therapy includes 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, it can prevent friction, reduce pain, 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 up helps get rid of 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 injuries. Sometimes doctors recommend their patients to go to the bath, believing that it has a beneficial effect on well-being. But we must not forget 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 is 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 procedure using a laser, the patient must be examined. When it is exacerbated, it is prohibited.
The effectiveness of electrophoresis in osteoarthritis 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, then 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 them 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 occurs in the advanced stages of the disease, the doctor may decide to have surgery. There are several types of such operations:
- joint replacement - damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial pad, which helps reduce pain and improve mobility;
- prostheses - the joint is completely removed and a prosthesis made of a special material is installed instead, which helps to 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.
Folk remedies
In complex therapy, in addition to drugs, folk remedies are used to help relieve the patient from 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 all night, take half a glass5 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, hold overnight;
- 2 teaspoons of celery juice taken 3 times a day;
- squeeze the juice from a head of cabbage, dip a woolen cloth in it and apply it as a compress;
- boil oatmeal until thick porridge, cool and apply in the form of compresses at night;
- pharmacy elecampane root (25 g) insist in 150 ml of vodka for 12 days, rub at night.
Traditional medicine will not replace drugs, but will be an excellent complement to them.
Basic rules when using traditional medicine
Using folk remedies, you should follow these general rules:
- before using any of the recipes, it is imperative to consult a doctor who, after a detailed examination, will be able to 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 inside 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 adverse effects occur, treatment should be discontinued and another remedy should be chosen.
To protect yourself from complications, you should follow these simple rules.
Special exercises
Therapeutic exercises are offered to prevent the 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 physiotherapist.
Exercises are prohibited during exacerbations, 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.
Non-traditional 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. It 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 lit wormwood sticks are also used instead. The effect is similar to the result of hirudotherapy. Metabolic processes are significantly improved, blood circulation is increased, and pain syndrome is relieved.
All of the above procedures should only be carried out by specialists. Otherwise, instead of improvement, a sharp deterioration in 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 be performed only by a specialist. Sometimes the patient is allowed to perform it on his own, but for this it is necessary to learn these techniques. Before the procedure, the damaged area is warmed up using a regular hot shower or exercise therapy exercises.
One of the types is hydromassage, which is carried out by immersion in a hot bath. The full course includes up to 20 procedures. It is recommended to repeat them at least twice a year. If the massage is performed correctly, then 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.