Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the joints in which cartilage is destroyed in adjacent bone structures. The disease is widespread throughout the world.
The main cause of pathology is the violation of metabolic processes. Predisposing factors are congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and overweight. The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.
Treating arthritis is a complex and time consuming process. In this case, it is not enough just to take various pills to reduce the symptoms. Other measures will need to be taken to help stop the disease from progressing. Without them, the risks of complications and disability increase several times over.
Brief description of the disease
Before we talk about how to treat arthritis, it is necessary to say a few words about what it is and what the full development of the disease is. Arthropathy is a disease of the joints, accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic processes. During its development, the following processes take place:
- the density and elasticity of the cartilage are reduced, they cease to perform the functions of shock absorption.
- the level of friction between the bones increases, which leads to their gradual destruction and deformation, to the formation of sharp corners on the surface.
- sharp elements dig into nearby tissues, causing them to become inflamed.
- motor functions are partially or completely impaired.
Deformative arthritis has serious symptoms. Most often, patients complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as creases, limited movement and morning stiffness.
Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured permanently. You can get rid of it only in one case - if the disease was detected in the early stages of development. But because it is asymptomatic at this stage, most patients do not even suspect that they have any pathology and, as a result, do not receive any treatment. And when symptoms do occur, irreversible processes occur in the joints that cannot be eliminated.
Regarding the factors that cause the development of pathology, the following reasons must be distinguished:
- wound;
- hypothermia;
- Bad Habits;
- excessive physical work;
- professional sports;
- malnutrition;
- hormonal disorders?
- autoimmune diseases etc.
Basic principles of treatment
Can arthritis be cured? No. This disease is not treatable. But that does not mean you do not have to deal with it. Lack of treatment can lead to serious consequences - the pathology will progress, the person will lose the ability to work and become disabled. Therefore, despite the fact that the methods used do not allow to get rid of the disease, it must be treated!
With the development of arthropathy (any of its types, coxarthrosis, osteoarthritis, etc. ), a single treatment regimen is used, which includes:
- taking medications that help relieve pain and stop the progression of the disease.
- weight loss and proper nutrition.
- therapy exercise courses;
- massage?
- physiotherapy procedures.
With arthritis, a very important point is to fight overweight, if any. Excess weight is an additional burden on the ligament device, which causes the rapid progression of the disease. Therefore, if the patient's body weight exceeds the norm, he must urgently lose weight. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, the nutritional diet is selected separately.
As for the food itself, it also has limitations. For any type of arthritis, it is worth giving up the use of foods high in purines. The:
- meat of young animals;
- mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish broths.
- jelly dishes;
- meat sauces, sauces;
- offal;
- smoked meat;
- fatty fish;
- salty and spicy cheeses;
- caviar;
- cocoa, black tea, coffee;
- refractory fats;
- legumes;
- products made from grapes;
- yeast dough pastries etc.
Your doctor should tell you in detail how to eat after diagnosing osteoarthritis or other types of DOA. By eating right, the patient will be able to prevent the accumulation of uric acid salts in the body and avoid serious complications.
Also, when talking about how to treat arthritis, it should be noted that massages and physiotherapy exercises should be done without failure. But not alone! Massages should only be done by specialists, as any wrong action can lead to complications. And exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of a doctor are performed only for the first time, then the patient can perform physical exercises at home.
Medicines
Medications will not help treat arthritis forever. But they will provide a reduction of symptoms and stop the pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor functions and will significantly improve the patient's condition.
As a rule, the treatment of arthritis includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have many actions at the same time:
- stop inflammatory processes.
- reduction of pain syndrome;
- have antipyretic action.
NSAIDs are available in various forms - tablets, ointments, anal suppositories, solutions for intramuscular injection. As practice shows, they quickly eliminate the pain syndrome and their effect lasts for a long time. But this group of drugs has many disadvantages. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, as the ingredients contained in them have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. This in turn can cause an exacerbation of peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as side effects such as diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, etc.
NSAIDs can only be taken with a doctor's permission. An incorrect dosage can lead to an exacerbation of arthritis and even greater destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!
In severe cases, when treating the deformed joint with NSAIDs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. They are usually inserted into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the action of corticosteroids lasts for several months. But you can not use them more than 4 times a year, as they adversely affect the condition of the joints.
Great! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic drugs. They do not cure arthritis, but simply eliminate its unpleasant manifestations.
Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help remove inflammatory processes, but they eliminate pain much better. And if the patient has muscle spasms, then anticonvulsants are used to stop them. The greatest effect is given by analgesics and antispasmodics in the form of solutions for intramuscular injection.
Deformed joints and bones are also treated with chondroprotectors. And if the above groups of drugs give only a symptomatic effect, then these drugs have a therapeutic effect. They contain substances that help restore the nutrition of damaged tissues, restoring their integrity.
Chondroprotectants act slowly. To achieve a positive result from them, they must be taken continuously for at least six months. But if the disease has reached stage 3 or 4, taking them will not make sense.
In addition, vasodilators are also often used in the treatment of arthropathy. They provide improved blood flow as well as eliminate spasm in small blood vessels. Apply such funds in combination with chondroprotectants.
Physiotherapy procedures
In addition to medication, arthritis is also treated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. They also do not help treat the disease, but contribute to a significant improvement in the patient's well-being. The most popular among them are:
- Shock Wave Therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure aims to eliminate the main cause of pain that occurs with arthropathy. Eliminates the processes of bone that looks like a spike - osteophytes. Of course, this is not done immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation to the pathological focus and normalizes metabolism. However, despite the effectiveness of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of disease development. In addition, it has many contraindications.
- Muscle stimulation. This procedure involves applying electrical pulses that cause the muscles to contract. Its application is indicated in bedridden patients and in cases of serious injuries, when the exercise of exercises becomes impossible. Thanks to the stimulation of the muscles, there is an increase in their tone and improvement of blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the course of the joint.
- Phonophoresis. This procedure is performed using ultrasound waves with simultaneous use of drugs. The waves enhance the effect of the drugs. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the pathological focus, which significantly enhances their therapeutic action.
- Ozone therapy. It involves inserting a mixture of gases into the joint capsule. The main actions are the relief of inflammatory reactions, the reduction of pain, the improvement of motor functions. As a rule, ozone therapy is prescribed in a course that includes many injections. Their number depends on the severity of the course of the joint.
Great! Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed on an individual basis, taking into account the contraindications and the severity of the course of the disease.
Physiotherapy
Can osteoarthritis be cured with exercise therapy? The answer is the same - no. Therapeutic exercises are prescribed to patients to develop joints and improve motor functions. Performing special exercises also contributes to the normalization of blood circulation in the pathological foci and to the increased supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.
All physical exercises are also selected individually. First, they are performed under the strict supervision of a specialist, then they can be done independently, at home.
Massage and manual therapy
They are used to treat osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) and other types of joints. These procedures provide heating of the affected area, elimination of convulsions, normalization of blood circulation. Massage and chiropractic are performed exclusively by a specialist. They can occur both in the recession and in the boom period.
Mechanical therapy
Mechanical therapy is a special type of exercise, in which all physical exercises are performed using special simulators. They help increase the load on the body, while preventing damage to diseased joints. Like physiotherapy, mechanotherapy provides an increase in muscle tone and improves blood circulation.
Common attraction
The essence of the procedure is the mechanical "stretching" of the joints with the help of a special device. A session lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course includes 10-12 procedures, which take place every six months. Stretching the joints helps to relieve the load, slow down the progression of the joint disease and reduce the pain.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine also helps to effectively get rid of the pain that occurs in the background of osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But as in other cases, they do not provide treatment for the pathology, so you should not place high hopes on them.
Great! Folk remedies should be used as adjunctive therapy in combination with other therapies prescribed by a doctor.
ointment for the home
For its preparation you will need:
- animal fat (for example, pork) - 1 cup.
- crude vegetable oil - 100 ml.
- birch buds - 1 tbsp. large. ;
- propolis - 50 g.
The ointment is prepared as follows. First, the animal fat is melted, brought to a boil and birch buds are added to it. The resulting composition is then simmered in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. Then propolis is added (pre-heated on a grater) and the ointment is mixed until it dissolves. And the last ingredient is vegetable oil. The product is then left in a cool place until completely cooled and filtered.
Apply the ointment as needed, depending on the degree of pain, but not more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a drug has not only analgesic but also anti-inflammatory effect. It can be used not only for joints. It will also help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. Can be used for both adults and children.
cabbage leaf
An effective remedy for joint pain. It is applied as follows. A large sheet of white cabbage is taken, placed inside the affected area and fastened with a warm bandage on top. The compress is left overnight. To enhance the effect, the leaf is smeared with honey.
Pharmaceutical compresses
Every drugstore sells drugs that are cheap and sold without a prescription. For example, Dimexide. This drug has a good analgesic, absorbent and anti-inflammatory effect. Improves metabolism and enhances blood circulation.
To put a compress, you need to take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, wet it in solution and apply it to the aching joint, after lubricating it with a little vegetable oil. On top you need to attach polyethylene and make a warm bandage. Hold the compress for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.
Compression with wine
Available in different versions:
- 280 g of linden honey or flower honey melt in a water bath and then add 350 ml of radish juice, 1 tbsp. large. salt and 120 grams of fortified red wine. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and cooled. Apply as follows - about 10-15 g of the mixture is rubbed on the sore spot and then a warm bandage is applied for 30-40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
- Initially, a drug mixture is prepared. To do this, the red wine and bee venom are mixed in a container in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting composition is slightly warmed and then moistened with a gauze napkin and applied to the damaged joint, a warm bandage is made on top. Hold the compress for 30 minutes.
- This compress will require 150 g of radish. Grate on a fine grater, and then mix with 2 tbsp. guilt. The resulting slurry is placed on the tissue and applied to the joint. The polyethylene is necessarily applied from above and the end is wrapped with a warm scarf or towel. Hold the compress for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.
garlic juice with oil
Peel the garlic cloves, put them in a press and squeeze the juice. Mix with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 10. If there is no olive oil, you can use corn oil, but in this case the ratio will be 1: 12. The resulting mixture should be taken in 1 tsp. every day before breakfast.
Decoction of cranberries
For its preparation you will need berry leaves. 1 ag. large. The raw materials are poured into 250 ml of water and then put on fire, boil and boil for 20 minutes. The finished broth is then cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips throughout the day.
Infusion of gooseberry leaves
1 ag. large. crushed gooseberry leaves pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 1 hour and then filter. Take 5-6 cup 5-6 times a day.
It should be understood that no treatment is able to eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not curable and all the measures used only help to reduce the symptoms. And for the treatment to give maximum results, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.