How to treat osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease in which cartilage in adjacent bone structures is destroyed. The disease is widespread throughout the world.

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

The treatment of osteoarthritis is a complex and slow process. In this case, it is not enough to take several pills to reduce the symptoms. It will be necessary to carry out other measures that contribute to the inhibition of the progression of the disease. Without them, the risks of complications and disability increase several times.

Brief description of the disease.

Before talking about how to treat arthrosis, it is necessary to say a few words about what it is and what the development of the disease is fraught with. Osteoarthritis 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 cartilages decrease, they cease to perform their shock-absorbing functions;
• the level of friction between the bones increases, which leads to their destruction and gradual deformation, the formation of sharp corners on the surface;
• sharp elements dig into nearby tissues, causing their inflammation;
• motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deforming osteoarthritis has severe symptoms. Very often, patients complain of joint pain and swelling, as well as tightness, limited movement, and morning stiffness.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis 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 since in this phase it is asymptomatic, most patients do not even suspect that they have a pathology and, consequently, do not carry out any treatment. And when symptoms appear, irreversible processes occur in the joints that cannot be eliminated.

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

• trauma;
• hypothermia;
• bad habits;
• excessive physical work;
• professional sports;
• malnutrition;
• hormonal disorders;
• autoimmune diseases, etc.

Treatment Basics

Can arthritis be cured? No. This 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 will progress, the person will lose his 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 arthrosis (any of its types, coxarthrosis, arthrosis, etc. ), a single treatment regimen is used, which includes:

• take medications that help relieve pain and stop the progression of the disease;
• weight loss and proper nutrition;
• exercise therapy classes;
• massages;
• physiotherapy procedures.

With osteoarthritis, a very important point is the fight against excess weight, if any. Excess kilograms is an additional load on the ligamentous apparatus, which provokes the rapid progression of the disease. Therefore, if the patient's body weight exceeds the norm, she urgently needs to lose weight. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, dietary nutrition is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has limitations. For any type of arthrosis, it is worth abandoning the use of foods rich in purines. It's:

• meat from young animals;
• mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish broths;
• jellied dishes;
• meat sauces, sauces;
• offal;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salty and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory fats;
• legumes;
• prepared products based on grapes;
• baked goods made from yeast dough, etc.

Your doctor should tell you in detail about how to eat after identifying osteoarthritis or other types of DOA. By eating properly, the patient will be able to prevent the accumulation of uric acid salts in the body and avoid serious complications.

Also, speaking about how to treat arthrosis, it should be noted that massage and physiotherapy exercises should be carried out without fail. But not on your own! Massages should be carried out 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 perform physical exercises at home.

Medicines

Medications will not help cure osteoarthritis forever. But they will provide a reduction in symptoms and stop pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor functions and significantly improve the patient's condition.

As a general rule, the treatment of osteoarthritis includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several actions 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 pain syndrome, and their effect lasts 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 they contain have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. And this, in turn, can cause an exacerbation of peptic ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as the appearance of side effects such as diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal distension, etc.

NSAIDs can only be taken with a doctor's permission. An incorrect dosage can lead to an exacerbation of arthrosis and even further destruction of cartilage and bone tissues!

In severe cases, when the treatment of deforming osteoarthritis with NSAIDs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. As a rule, they are introduced into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effect of corticosteroids lasts for several months. But you can not use them more than 4 times a year, since they also negatively affect the condition of the joints.

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

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not contribute to the elimination of inflammatory processes, but they eliminate pain much better. And if the patient has muscle spasms, then antispasmodics 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 nutrition to damaged tissues, restoring their integrity.

Chondroprotectors 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, its reception will be meaningless.

Furthermore, vasodilators are also often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They provide improved blood flow, as well as the elimination of spasms in small vessels. Apply such funds in combination with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy procedures

In addition to drug therapy, arthrosis is also treated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. They also do not help cure the disease, but contribute to a significant improvement in the well-being of the patient. 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. Eliminates bone processes in the form of a spike - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. Also, 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. This procedure consists of the application of electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction. Its implementation is advisable for bedridden patients and in cases of serious injuries, when exercise therapy becomes impossible. Thanks to the stimulation of the muscles, there is an increase in their tone and an improvement in blood circulation, which has a positive impact on the evolution of osteoarthritis.
• Phonophoresis. This procedure is carried out using ultrasonic waves with the simultaneous use of drugs. The waves enhance the effect of drugs. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the pathological focus, which greatly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It consists of the introduction of a mixture of gases in the joint capsule. The main actions are relief of inflammatory reactions, pain reduction, improvement of motor functions. 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.

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. Carrying out special exercises also contributes to the normalization of blood circulation in pathological foci and to the increased supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also individually selected. First, they are carried out 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 osteoarthritis. These procedures provide heating of the diseased area, elimination of spasms, normalization of blood circulation. Massages and manual therapy are performed exclusively by a specialist. They can be performed both at the stage of remission and during the period of exacerbation.

mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of gymnastics, during which all physical exercises are performed using special simulators. They contribute to an increased load on the body, while preventing damage to diseased joints. Like physiotherapy, mechanotherapy provides increased muscle tone and improves blood circulation.

joint traction

The essence of the procedure is the mechanical "stretching" of the joints with the help of a special apparatus. A session lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course includes 10-12 procedures, performed every six months. Stretching the joints helps relieve them of load, slows down the progression of osteoarthritis and reduces pain.

Alternative medicine

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

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

homemade ointment

For its preparation you will need:

• animal fat (for example, 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 simmered in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. After that, propolis is added (it is previously crushed on a grater) and the ointment is stirred until dissolved. 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 no more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a remedy has not only an analgesic effect, but also anti-inflammatory. It can be used not only for arthrosis. It will also help 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 leaf of white cabbage is taken, placed inside the affected area and fixed with a warm bandage on top. The compress is left overnight. To enhance the effect, the leaf is smeared with honey.

medicinal compresses

All pharmacies sell medications that are inexpensive and sold without a prescription. For example Dimexide. This remedy has a good analgesic, absorbable and anti-inflammatory effect. Improves metabolism and improves 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 little vegetable oil. On top you need to put polyethylene and make a warm bandage. Keep the compress for about 20-30 minutes. Do before bed.

compress with wine

Available in various versions:

• 280 g of linden or flower honey are melted in a water bath, then 350 ml of radish juice is added, 1 tbsp. yosal and 120 g of 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 prepared. To do this, red wine and bee venom are mixed in a container in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting composition is slightly heated, and then a gauze napkin is moistened and applied to the damaged joint, a warm bandage is made on top. Keep the compress for 30 minutes.
• This compress will require 150 g of radish. It is rubbed on a fine grater, and then mixed with 2 tsp. fault. The resulting suspension 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. Keep the compress for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel the garlic cloves, pass them through a press and squeeze the juice out of them. Mix it 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 teaspoon. every day before breakfast.

blueberry decoction

For its preparation, you will need lingonberry leaves. 1stIraw materials are poured into 250 ml of water, and then put on fire, boiled and boiled for 20 minutes. Then the finished broth is cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips throughout the day.

Infusion of black currant leaves

1stICrushed blackcurrant leaves pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 1 hour, and then filter. Take ½ cup 5-6 times a day.

It should be understood that no remedy can eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not treatable and all the measures used only contribute to the reduction of symptoms. And in order for the therapy to give maximum results, it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations.