Among all joint diseases, osteoarthritis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world population.This concerns both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients have been registered as suffering from various forms of osteoarthritis.Fatal outcome of osteoarthritis is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to early disability, loss of work capacity and significant deterioration in quality of life.
Prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis should be carried out by a highly qualified medical specialist.
Traditional treatment
For effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of drugs, physiotherapeutic, orthopedic and surgical agents is used.It should be noted that great importance in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis is attached to the selection of the optimal motor mode and the normalization of body weight.Traditional therapy includes the following methods:
- Symptomatic treatment.
- Take chondroprotectors.
- Local therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- Surgical treatment.
Symptomatic therapy
In most cases, the cause of osteoarthritis pain is considered to be reactive inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.Therefore, it is quite reasonable to prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Most often, standard drugs from 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 provoke the development of serious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.To prevent such complications, special medications may be prescribed.
It is strongly not recommended 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 adverse reactions.
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, at stages 3 and 4 of the disease, chondroprotectors prove to be of little use.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.Unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their peculiarity 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 treatment.
Synovial fluid prostheses
All specialists will tell you: without synovial fluid, a joint cannot function normally.Certain types of medications are used as synovial fluid substitutes.
All drugs improve the properties of synovial fluid, while simultaneously suppressing inflammatory and destructive processes in articular cartilage.On average, a therapeutic course can include up to 5 intra-articular injections.It is recommended to hold up to two courses per year.The indication for repeated treatment with hyaluronic acid drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the functionality of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can determine the appropriateness of prescribing a particular medication.
Local therapy
It is rare for osteoarthritis to be treated without local treatment.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is used in cases of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and the lack of appropriate analgesic effect due to taking NSAIDs.During the year, 3-4 injections of glucocorticoids into the joint are allowed.The interval between injections is approximately 90 days.
If there are no contraindications, compresses containing painkillers are used.To achieve the desired effect, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.The possibility of extending therapy or repeating courses is not excluded.Additionally, to reduce pain and the dosage of prescribed NSAIDs, various analgesic ointments, gels or creams are used.
Physiotherapy
At all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease, various physiotherapeutic procedures can be used.Basic physiotherapy methods help to eliminate pain resulting from stress on the joint, reduce inflammation and improve the restoration of cartilage tissue.What physical procedures are used for osteoarthritis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet irradiation.
- 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.
Therapeutic exercise
The main goal of therapeutic exercises is to restore the function of affected joints, strengthen the musculo-ligament system and prevent 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 osteoarthritis - the knee joint:
- Let's grab a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Bend the left leg slightly at the knee joint.We step back with our right foot.Then the foot of that leg comes down.This movement creates tension in the muscles of the lower leg.You must 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.Just hold your legs for about 5-7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can do the exercise by straightening just one leg.Do 10 to 12 repetitions.If you feel good and there is no pain, you can increase the number of approaches.
- Our backs are against the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is pressed against the wall.We lower ourselves to a half squat.We try to hold this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we climb slowly.At the same time, your back does not come off the wall.Gradually increase the static load (maintaining the half-squat position).
- Regular squats are considered the 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 to 30 seconds.Then a little rest and another approach.If your physical fitness allows, increase the duration of the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of osteoarthritis without exacerbation, therapeutic exercises will be useful to help restore joint functionality.
Surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients manage to cope with the disease using conservative methods.If standard treatment does not bring the desired result and serious joint damage is observed, leading to disability, surgical treatment is indicated.Many patients with severe deformities of large joints are recommended to undergo endoprostheses.The effectiveness of replacing the affected joint with an artificial joint is more than 70%.Most patients after stenting experience a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize that in recent years the popularity of the use of folk remedies in the treatment of various diseases, including osteoarthritis, has sharply increased.Today, without much difficulty, you can find many traditional recipes for compresses, ointments and tinctures.Let's list the most common:
- Clay compress.Mix clay and water in such proportions to obtain a homogeneous mass.Then we place it on a small piece of fabric.We place a clay compress on the affected joint.The duration of the procedure can reach approximately one and a half hours.You will notice the positive effect after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey compress.It is particularly popular because it is quite simple to make and apply.Before going to bed, take 3-4 cabbage leaves.On the one hand, you need to lubricate them with honey and apply them to the painful joint.To enhance the effect of the compress, you can wrap the joint in polyethylene and a warm cloth.It is best to apply a compress in the evening.
- Oat compress.Take a glass of oatmeal and cook for 8 minutes.You will need less water than during normal cooking to obtain a fairly viscous porridge.At the end of cooking, let the porridge cool.Next, place the oatmeal on a thick cloth.And the compress is ready to use.In addition, it is also recommended to wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and a woolen scarf.
- Horseradish compress.Horseradish roots must be chopped.Fill them with water and boil for a few minutes.Then we evenly place the horseradish on a natural tissue which we apply to the painful joint.The compress is applied for approximately 2 hours.
- Rubbing with celandine oil.The leaves and stems of the medicinal plant should be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of celandine and pour it into a small pot.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist for 14 days.Then we strain.This celandine oil scrub can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Rub the dandelion.Find a bottle, jar, or other opaque glass container.Fill about half of the glass container with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You will have to insist for at least a month.Before use, you must filter the liquid.Dandelion tincture is used as a joint rub.Typically, it is best to perform the rubbing procedure before bed.
- Medicinal herbal bath.To prepare this bath, you will need medicinal plants such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettle and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infused liquid into the bath.Take an herbal bath for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies in the prevention and treatment of arthrosis of the joints (elbow, knee, hip), you should definitely consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to follow long and continuous treatments, adopt osteoarthritis prevention.Some useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative disorders in your joints:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- Eat well.
- Follow optimal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for osteoarthritis are swimming, skiing and measured walking.
Your musculoskeletal system will be in excellent condition if you do not ignore the recommendations of specialist doctors and undergo regular medical examinations.