treat osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease in which cartilage in adjacent bone structures is destroyed. The disease is spread worldwide.

The main cause of the pathology is a violation of metabolic processes. Predisposing factors are congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and obesity. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.

Treating osteoarthritis is a complex and time-consuming process. In this case, just taking different pills to relieve symptoms is not enough. Other measures must be taken to help slow the progression of the disease. Without them, the risks of complications and disabilities increase many times over.

Brief description of the disease

Before we talk about the treatment of arthrosis, it is necessary to say a few words about what it is and what the development of the disease is fraught with. Arthrosis is a disease of the joints, which is accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic processes. During its development, the following processes take place:

• the density and elasticity of the cartilage decrease, they cease to perform their shock-absorbing functions;
• the friction between the bones increases, which leads to their gradual destruction and deformation, the formation of sharp corners on the surface;
• sharp elements dig into nearby tissues and provoke their inflammation;
• Motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deforming osteoarthritis has severe symptoms. Patients most frequently complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as grinding, restricted mobility and morning stiffness.

Unfortunately, arthrosis cannot be permanently cured. You can get rid of it only in one case - if the disease was detected at the initial stages of development. However, since it is asymptomatic at this stage, most patients do not even suspect that they have a pathology and, accordingly, do not conduct treatment. And when symptoms appear, irreversible processes take place in the joints that cannot be eliminated.

Among the factors provoking the development of pathology, the following reasons should be distinguished:

• Trauma;
• hypothermia;
• Bad habits;
• excessive physical labor;
• professional sports;
• malnutrition;
• hormonal disorders;
• autoimmune diseases, etc.

Basics of treatment

Can osteoarthritis be cured? noThis disease is not treatable. But that doesn't mean you don't have to deal with it. The lack of therapy can have serious consequences - the pathology progresses, the person loses his working capacity and becomes disabled. Despite the fact that the methods used do not allow getting rid of the disease, it must be treated!

With the development of arthrosis (any of its kind, 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;
• exercise therapy courses;
• massages;
• physiotherapeutic procedures.

In the case of arthrosis, a very important point is the fight against excess weight, if any. Excess kilograms are an additional load on the ligamentous apparatus, which causes the rapid progression of the disease. Therefore, if the patient's body weight exceeds the norm, then he urgently needs to lose weight. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, the diet is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has limitations. With any arthrosis, it is worth avoiding purine-rich foods. That:

• Meat from young animals;
• Mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish broths;
• jelly dishes;
• meat sauces, sauces;
• Offal;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salty and spicy cheese;
• Caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory fats;
• Legumes;
• Products made from grapes;
• Baked goods made from yeast dough, etc.

The doctor should give you detailed advice on what to eat after diagnosing osteoarthritis or other types of DOA. Proper nutrition allows the patient to prevent the accumulation of uric acid salts in the body and avoid serious complications.

When treating arthrosis, it should also be noted that massages and physiotherapeutic exercises must be carried out. But not alone! Massage should be performed only by specialists, since any wrong action can lead to complications. And exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of a doctor are carried out only for the first time, then the patient can do physical exercises at home.

medication

Medications do not help to cure osteoarthritis forever. However, they provide a reduction in symptoms and stop pathological processes in the joints, thereby normalizing their motor functions and significantly improving the patient's condition.

Treatment of osteoarthritis usually involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several effects at once:

• stop inflammatory processes;
• reduce pain syndrome;
• have an antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs are available in various forms - tablets, ointments, rectal 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 several disadvantages. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, since the components contained in them have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. And this, in turn, can lead to an exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as the appearance of such side effects as diarrhea, flatulence, flatulence, etc.

NSAIDs can only be taken with the permission of a doctor. Incorrect dosage can lead to worsening of arthrosis and even greater destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, when treatment of the deforming arthrosis with NSAIDs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. They are usually introduced into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids last for several months. However, you can use them no more than 4 times a year, as they also have a negative effect on the condition of the joints.

Important! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic medications. They do not cure arthrosis, but simply eliminate its unpleasant manifestations.

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help eliminate inflammatory processes, but eliminate pain much better. And if the patient has muscle spasms, antispasmodics are used to stop them. The greatest effect is achieved 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 show only a symptomatic effect, then these drugs have a therapeutic effect. They contain substances that help restore nutrition to damaged tissues and restore their integrity.

Chondroprotectors act slowly. To get a positive result, they must be taken continuously for at least six months. But if the disease has reached stage 3 or 4, then its inclusion is meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are also widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They ensure improved blood circulation, as well as the elimination of spasms in small vessels. Apply such funds in combination with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

In addition to drug therapy, arthrosis is also treated with the help of physiotherapeutic procedures. They also do not help to cure 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 is aimed at eliminating the main cause of pain that occurs with arthrosis. It eliminates spiny bone processes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation in the pathological focus and normalizes metabolism. But, despite the effectiveness of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of the development of the disease. In addition, it has many contraindications.
• myostimulation. In this procedure, electrical impulses are applied that cause muscle contraction. Its use is advisable for bedridden patients and for severe injuries when exercise therapy becomes impossible. The stimulation of the muscles leads to an increase in tone and improvement in blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the course of arthrosis.
• phonophoresis. This procedure is performed using ultrasonic waves with the simultaneous use of medication. Waves enhance the effects of drugs. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the pathological focus, which significantly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• ozone therapy. A gas mixture is introduced into the joint capsule. The main effects are the reduction of inflammatory reactions, pain relief, improvement of motor skills. As a rule, ozone therapy is prescribed in a course that includes several injections. Their number depends on the severity of the course of arthrosis.

Important! Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed individually, taking into account contraindications and the severity of the course of the disease.

physical therapy

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 flow to pathological foci and increased nutrient supply to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also selected individually. First they are carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist, then they can be carried out independently at home.

Massage and manual therapy

They are used to treat arthrosis (osteoarthritis) and other types of osteoarthritis. These procedures ensure warming of the diseased area, elimination of spasms and normalization of blood circulation. Massages and manual therapies are only carried out by a specialist. They can be carried out both in the stage of remission and during the period of exacerbation.

mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of gymnastics in which all physical exercises are performed using special simulators. They contribute to an increase in the load on the body and at the same time prevent damage to diseased joints. Like physical therapy, mechanotherapy increases muscle tone and improves blood flow.

Shared Traction

The essence of the procedure is 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 performed every six months. Stretching the joints relieves them, slows the progression of arthrosis and relieves pain.

alternative medicine

Alternative medicine also effectively helps to get rid of pain that occurs against the background of arthrosis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But, as in other cases, they do not provide a cure for the pathology, so you should not put high hopes on them.

Important! Folk remedies should be used as an adjunctive therapy in combination with other treatments prescribed by a doctor.

house ointment

For the preparation you need:

• animal fat (e. g. pork) - 1 cup;
• unrefined vegetable oil - 100 ml;
• Birch buds - 1 tbsp. L ;
• Propolis - 50 g.

The ointment is prepared as follows. First, animal fat is melted, brought to a boil, and birch buds are added to it. Then the resulting composition is boiled in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. After that, propolis is added (it is pre-ground on a grater) and the ointment is stirred until it dissolves. And the last ingredient is vegetable oil. Next, the product is left in a cool place until completely cooled and filtered.

Apply the ointment as needed, depending on the degree of pain, but no more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a remedy has not only an analgesic, but also an anti-inflammatory effect. It can be used not only for arthrosis. It also helps with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. It can be used for both adults and children.

cabbage leaf

An effective remedy for joint pain. It is applied as follows. A large white cabbage leaf is taken, placed on the inside of the affected area and fixed with a warm bandage. The compress is left overnight. To enhance the effect, the sheet is smeared with honey.

Medical compresses

Any pharmacy sells medicines that are inexpensive and sold without a doctor's prescription. For example dimexide. This remedy has a good analgesic, absorbable and anti-inflammatory effect. It improves metabolism and promotes blood circulation.

To put a compress, you need to take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, moisten it in a solution and apply it to the sore joint, after lubricating it with a small amount of 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.

Compress with wine

Available in several versions:

• 280 g of linden or flower honey are melted in a water bath, then add 350 ml of radish juice, 1 tbsp. l. salt and 120 g fortified red wine. All components are thoroughly mixed and cooled. It is applied as follows: about 10-15 g of the mixture is rubbed into the sore spot, and then a warm bandage is applied for 30-40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
• First, a medicinal mixture is made. To do this, red wine and bee venom are mixed in a vessel in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting composition is slightly heated, and then a gauze napkin is moistened in it and applied to the damaged joint, a warm bandage is made over it. Hold the compress for 30 minutes.
• For this compress you will need 150 g of radish. It is rubbed on a fine grater, and then mixed with 2 tsp. Fault. The resulting slurry is placed on the tissue and applied to the joint. Polyethylene is necessarily applied from above, and the limb is wrapped with a warm scarf or towel. Hold the compress for 40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel the garlic cloves, put them through a press and squeeze out the juice. Mix it with olive oil in a 1: 10 ratio. 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

To prepare it you will need cranberry leaves. 1. l. Raw materials are poured into 250 ml of water, and then put on fire, bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes. Then the finished broth is cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips throughout the day.

Blackcurrant leaf infusion

1. l. crushed black currant leaves pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 1 hour, and then filter. Take ½ cup 5-6 times daily.

It should be clear that no remedy is able to eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not treatable and all measures taken only help to alleviate the symptoms. And in order for the therapy to give maximum results, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.