Arthritis is a disease accompanied by dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage without an inflammatory process. As a rule, the disease is diagnosed more often in the elderly (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 arthropathy must be comprehensive.
How to deal with arthritis?
In complex treatment, the following are used:
- drugs (painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors).
- physiotherapy (heating, laser, UVT therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound).
- special exercises;
- surgical intervention (in the last stages, in the absence of effectiveness of drugs).
- folk remedies;
- massage therapy;
- non-traditional methods (irudotherapy, acupuncture, acupuncture).
Each of the treatment stages must be developed by the doctor separately for each patient.
How to treat arthritis with drugs?
To date, there are a large number of drugs 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, as dystrophic changes are irreversible.
Medical treatment consists of the following drugs:
- NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation.
- chondroprotectants with chondroitin and glucose.
- Corticosteroids for intra-articular administration are used in severe cases of the disease, they can relieve inflammation and restore mobility in the damaged joint.
- hyaluronic acid for intra-articular injection - used as a lubricant for the joint, can prevent friction, reduce pain, help the formation of hyaluronic acid.
If the joint is severely deformed, drug treatment will be ineffective. Only surgery can replace it.
Physiotherapy
Warming up helps to 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 visit the bath, believing that it has a beneficial effect on well-being. But we must remember 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 physiotherapy methods involves the use of lasers to stop the progression of degenerative processes. During the procedure, the sore spot is exposed to light flow. 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 aggravated, it is prohibited.
The effectiveness of electrophoresis in arthropathy 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 treat arthropathy. This process helps eliminate inflammation, softens calcium deposits and removes it from the body, reduces swelling. However, this method of physical therapy has many contraindications, such as thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, tumors and purulent processes.
Exposure to ultrasound allows you to anesthetize the affected area, relieve inflammation. Typically, ultrasound therapy is used during the recovery period after surgery.
Surgery
When drugs are ineffective, which usually occurs in the advanced stages of the disease, the doctor may decide to perform surgery. There are several types of such functions:
- arthroplasty - damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial pad, which helps reduce pain and improve mobility.
- prosthetic - the joint is completely removed and replaced with a prosthesis made of a special material, which helps 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 treatment, in addition to drugs, folk remedies are used that 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 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, stand overnight.
- 2 teaspoons of celery juice 3 times a day.
- squeeze the juice from a head of cabbage, soak a woolen cloth in it and apply it as a compress.
- boil oatmeal until a thick porridge is obtained, cool and apply in the form of compresses at night.
- elecampane root pharmacy (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 addition to them.
Basic rules when using traditional medicine
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 thorough examination, can 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 to the inside of the wrist for 2 hours.
- it is not recommended to exceed the dose, as in this case the risk of side effects increases.
- It is recommended to use fresh decoctions and ointments, as harvesting for future use is not suitable for every recipe.
- If adverse effects occur, treatment should be discontinued and another treatment selected.
To protect yourself from complications, you should follow these simple rules.
Special exercises
Therapeutic exercises are provided to prevent ligament weakening 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 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 hydrotherapy, acupuncture and acupuncture.
Leeches are used in irudotherapy. Despite the fact that this method is not medical, it is quite effective. Leeches are placed in special places corresponding to certain active zones. This helps to increase microcirculation in the tissues, eliminate muscle spasms and reduce swelling. Medicinal leech saliva has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Acupuncture is based on activating certain points with needles. Sometimes burning wormwood sticks are also used. The result is similar to the result of irudotherapy. Metabolic processes improve significantly, blood circulation increases and the pain syndrome is relieved.
All the above procedures should only be performed by specialists. Otherwise, instead of improvement, a sharp worsening of 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 arthropathy of the joints is in the initial stage of development. Massage should only be done by a specialist. Sometimes the patient is allowed to perform it himself, but for this it is necessary to learn these techniques. Before the procedure, the damaged area is heated using a regular hot shower or exercise exercises.
One of the types is hydromassage, which is carried out by immersion in a warm bath. The full course is up to 20 procedures. It is recommended that they be repeated at least twice a year. If the massage is done correctly, 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 a comprehensive approach will allow you to get rid of the symptoms of arthropathy and avoid exacerbations.