Among all joint diseases, osteoarthritis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world population.It concerns both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients have been recorded as suffering from various forms of arthropathy.A fatal outcome from arthropathy is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to premature disability, loss of work capacity and significant deterioration in quality of life.
The prevention and treatment of arthropathy should be carried out by a qualified medical specialist.
Traditional treatment
For the effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of drugs, physiotherapy, orthopedic and surgical agents is used.It should be noted that great importance in the treatment and prevention of arthropathy is attributed to the choice of the optimal motor mode and the normalization of body weight.Traditional treatment includes the following methods:
- Symptomatic treatment.
- Taking chondroprotectors.
- Local treatment.
- Physiotherapy.
- Surgical treatment.
Symptomatic treatment
In most cases, the cause of pain in arthropathy is considered to be reactive inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.Therefore, it is quite reasonable to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Most often, typical drugs from the NSAIDs group are used.
When choosing a drug, he gives preference to those drugs that are sufficiently effective, safe and accessible to the majority of the population.At the same time, long-term use of NSAIDs can cause the development of serious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosions and ulcers.To prevent such complications, special drugs may be prescribed.
It is strongly recommended not to combine different types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this will not enhance the therapeutic effect, but will significantly increase the risk of side effects.
Carboprotectors
Currently, chondroprotectants are successfully used to restore cartilage tissue and prevent the development of pathological changes in the joints.In the initial stages of the disease, these drugs effectively inhibit the progression of the degenerative process.However, in stages 3 and 4 of the disease, chondroprotectants prove to be of little use.
Most chondroprotectants are well tolerated by patients.However, unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their special feature is that the therapeutic effect appears on average 3-4 weeks after the start of treatment.At the same time, they continue to work for 2-5 months after the end of the chondroprotective treatment.
Synovial fluid supplements
Any expert will tell you that without synovial fluid a joint cannot function properly.Certain types of drugs are used as synovial fluid substitutes.
All drugs improve the properties of the synovial fluid, while simultaneously suppressing inflammatory and destructive processes in the synovial cartilage.On average, a therapeutic course can include up to 5 intra-articular injections.It is recommended to take up to two courses per year.The indication for repeated treatment with hyaluronic acid-based drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the functionality of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can determine the feasibility of prescribing a particular drug.
Local treatment
It is rare that arthropathy is treated without the use of topical therapy.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is resorted to in case of chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and lack of adequate analgesic effect from taking NSAIDs.During the year, 3-4 injections of glucocorticosteroids into the joint are allowed.The interval between injections is about 90 days.
If there are no contraindications, compresses with painkillers are used.To achieve the desired result, 10-12 procedures are prescribed.The option of extending the treatment or repeating the courses is not excluded.In addition, various analgesic ointments, gels or creams are used to reduce pain and dosage of prescribed NSAIDs.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapeutic procedures can be used in all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease.Basic physical therapy methods help eliminate pain resulting from joint stress, reduce inflammation, and improve cartilage tissue repair.What physical procedures are used for arthritis:
- Electromagnetic field.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Ultraviolet radiation.
- Electrophoresis.
- Ultrasound.
- Induction heat.
- Infrared laser therapy.
- Bath therapy.
- Mud applications.
Physiotherapy can also be used to prevent arthritis.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 the affected joints, strengthen the muscle-connective system and prevent the 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 arthropathy - the knee joint:
- Let's get a chair.We stand behind the back of the chair.Bend the left leg slightly at the knee joint.We take a step back with our right foot.The foot of that leg then moves down.This movement creates tension in the muscles of the lower leg.You should 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 feet for about 5-7 seconds.If it is difficult to perform, you can do the exercise by straightening only one leg.Do 10-12 repetitions.If you feel well and there is no pain, you can increase the number of approaches.
- We stand with our backs against the wall.Let's take a small step forward.My back is pressed against the wall.We lower into a half squat.We try to stay in this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we lift slowly.At the same time, your back does not come off the wall.Gradually increase the static load (keeping the position in a half squat).
- Regular squats are considered the ideal exercise for the development of the knee joints.The optimal number of sessions depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.
- We lie on the floor.Lift your legs and make movements reminiscent of a bicycle.Do the exercise for 20-30 seconds.After a short rest and another approach.If your physical condition allows, increase the time you perform the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of non-flaring arthropathy, therapeutic exercises will be useful to help restore joint function.
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 severe joint damage is observed, leading to disability, surgical treatment is indicated.Many patients with severe deformities of large joints are advised to undergo endoprosthetics.The effectiveness of replacing the affected joint with an artificial one is greater than 70%.Most patients after endoprosthetics show a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize the fact that in recent years the popularity of the use of folk remedies in the treatment of various diseases, including arthropathy, has increased sharply.Today, without much difficulty, you can find many folk recipes for compresses, ointments and tinctures.Let's list the most common ones:
- Clay compress.Mix clay and water in such proportions to obtain a homogeneous mass.Then we place it on a small piece of cloth.Place a clay compress on the affected joint.The duration of the procedure can reach about an hour and a half.You will notice the positive result after 5-7 days.
- Compress with cabbage and honey.It is particularly popular because it is quite simple to construct 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 compression effect, you can wrap the joint with polyethylene and a warm cloth.It is best to apply a compress at night.
- Oatmeal compress.Take a glass of oatmeal and cook for 8 minutes.You will need less water than normal cooking to get a thick enough porridge.At the end of cooking, let the porridge cool down.Then place the oatmeal on a thick cloth.And the compress is ready to use.In addition, it is additionally 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 them for a few minutes.Then we place the horseradish evenly on a natural cloth, which we spread on the painful joint.The compress is applied for about 2 hours.
- Rubbing oil from felantina.The leaves and stems of the medicinal plant must be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of felantine and pour it into a small jar.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist 14 days.Then strain.This celandine oil rub can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Grinding dandelion.Find a bottle, jar or any other container made of opaque glass.Fill about half of the glass container with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You should persist for at least a month.Before use, you must drain the liquid.Dandelion tincture is used as a joint rub.Usually, the friction process is best done before bedtime.
- Medicinal herbal bath.To prepare this bath you will need medicinal plants such as hypericum, oregano, calendula, nettle and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each ingredient and leave it in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the infused liquid into the bath.Take a herbal bath for about 15-20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of arthropathy of the joints (elbow, knee, hip), you should definitely consult your doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to undergo long and continuous courses of treatment, take up the prevention of arthropathy.Some useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative disorders in your joints:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- Eat right.
- Stick to optimal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for arthritis 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.