Among all joint diseases, arthrosis is the most common.This pathology is observed in almost 20% of the world's population.It is relevant for both developing and developed countries.More than 2 million patients are registered as suffering from various forms of arthrosis.Fatal outcome of arthrosis is extremely unlikely, but it can lead to early disability, loss of work ability and significant deterioration of quality of life.
Prevention and treatment of arthrosis should be carried out by a highly qualified medical specialist.
traditional treatment
For the effective treatment of degenerative-dystrophic joint damage, the entire arsenal of medicines, physiotherapeutic, orthopedic and surgical means is used.It should be noted that in the treatment and prevention of arthrosis, choosing the optimal motor mode and normalizing body weight are of great importance.Traditional therapy includes the following methods:
- Symptomatic treatment.
- Taking chondroprotectors.
- Local therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- surgical treatment.
Symptomatic therapy
In most cases, reactive inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint is considered to be the cause of pain in arthrosis.Therefore, it is quite reasonable to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress pain and inflammation.Standard drugs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group are most often used.
When choosing a drug, he gives preference to those drugs that are quite effective, safe and available to the majority of the population.At the same time, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provoke the development of serious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of erosion and ulcers.Special medications can be prescribed to prevent such complications.
It is strongly not recommended to combine different types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this will not enhance the therapeutic effect, but will only significantly increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Chondroprotectors
Currently, chondroprotectors are successfully used to restore cartilage tissue and prevent the development of pathological changes in joints.At the early stages of the disease, these drugs effectively prevent the progression of the degenerative process.However, in the 3rd and 4th stages of the disease, chondroprotectors are less useful.
Most chondroprotectors are well tolerated by patients.However, unfortunately, they cannot be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Their distinctive feature is that the therapeutic effect appears after an average of 3-4 weeks after the start of treatment.At the same time, they continue to act for 2-5 months after the end of chondroprotective therapy.
Synovial fluid prostheses
All specialists will tell you that without synovial fluid, the joint cannot function normally.Certain types of drugs are used to replace synovial fluid.
All drugs improve the properties of synovial fluid, while suppressing inflammatory and destructive processes in articular cartilage.On average, a therapeutic course may include up to 5 intra-articular injections.It is recommended to conduct up to two courses per year.The indication for repeated therapy with hyaluronic acid-based drugs is increased pain and severe limitation of the functioning of the affected joint.
Only the attending physician can determine the appropriateness of prescribing a particular drug.
Local therapy
Treatment of arthrosis without local therapy is rare.Intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids is used for chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint and in case of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the absence of adequate analgesic effect.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.10-12 procedures are prescribed to achieve the desired effect.Extending therapy or repeating courses is not excluded.In addition, various pain-relieving ointments, gels or creams are used to reduce pain and to dose prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapeutic procedures can be used at all stages of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease.The main methods of physiotherapy help to eliminate pain caused by joint stress, reduce inflammation and improve cartilage tissue recovery.What physical procedures are used in arthrosis:
- electromagnetic field.
- magnetotherapy.
- Ultraviolet radiation.
- electrophoresis.
- Ultrasound.
- Inductothermy.
- Infrared laser therapy.
- Balneotherapy.
- mud applications.
Physiotherapy can also be used to prevent arthrosis.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 musculo-ligamentous 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 arthrosis - the knee joint:
- Let's take a chair.We stand behind the chair.Bend the left leg slightly at the knee joint.We stand back with the right foot.Then the foot of this leg moves down.This movement creates tension in the lower leg muscles.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 stop them directly in front of us.It is enough to hold the legs 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 good 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 against the wall.We lowered ourselves down to a semi-squat.We try to stay in this position for 5-7 seconds.Then we raise it slowly.At the same time, the back does not move away from the wall.Gradually increase the static load (holding the position in a semi-squat).
- Regular squats are considered an ideal exercise for the development of knee joints.The optimal number of sittings depends on the condition of the patient and the severity of the disease.
- We lay on the floor.Lift your legs up and perform movements reminiscent of riding a bicycle.Perform the exercise for 20-30 seconds.Then a short rest and another approach.If your physical training allows you, increase the time of performing the exercise and the number of approaches.
At any stage of arthrosis without aggravation, therapeutic exercises will be useful in restoring joint function.
surgical treatment
As clinical practice shows, not all patients are able to cope with the disease using conservative methods.If standard therapy does not bring the desired result and there is a severe damage to the joints that causes disability, surgical treatment is indicated.Endoprosthesis is recommended for many patients with severe deformity of large joints.The efficiency of replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one is more than 70%.After endoprosthesis, the majority of patients experience a significant improvement in the quality of life.
Traditional medicine
It is difficult not to recognize the fact that in recent years the popularity of using folk remedies for the treatment of various diseases, including arthrosis, has increased dramatically.Today, without much difficulty, you can find a lot of folk recipes for compresses, ointments and tinctures.Let's list the most common:
- Clay compress.Mix clay and water in such proportions to get a homogeneous mass.Then we place it on a small piece of fabric.We place a clay compress on the damaged joint.The duration of the procedure can reach about an hour and a half.You will notice the positive effect after 5-7 days.
- Cabbage and honey compress.It is especially popular because it is quite easy to make and use.Take 3-4 cabbage leaves before going to bed.On the one hand, you should lubricate them with honey and apply them to the painful joint.To enhance the effect of the compress, you can wrap the joint in polyethylene and a warm cloth.It is best to apply the compress at night.
- oat compress.Take one cup of oatmeal and cook it for 8 minutes.To get a fairly viscous porridge, you will need less water than during normal cooking.Let the porridge cool at the end of cooking.Then put the oatmeal on a thick cloth.And the compressor is ready to use.In addition, it is additionally recommended to wrap the affected joint with polyethylene and a woolen scarf.
- horse compress.The roots of the horse must be cut.Fill them with water and boil for a few minutes.Then we place the horse evenly on the natural fabric, which we apply to the painful joint.The compress is used for about 2 hours.
- Rubbing oil from celandine.Medicinal plant leaves and stems should be finely chopped.Take 3 tablespoons of celandine and pour it into a small jar.Pour 200 ml of vegetable oil into it.We insist on 14 days.Then we squeeze.This celandine oil can be used as an external remedy three times a day for a month.
- Dandelion rub.Find a bottle, jar, or other container made of opaque glass.Fill about half of the glass jar with dandelion flowers.Then add 400 ml of vodka to this container.You will have to persevere for at least a month.The liquid must be strained before use.Dandelion tincture is used as a joint rub.As a rule, the scrubbing procedure is best before going to bed.
- Medicinal bath with herbs.To prepare this bath, you will need medicinal herbs such as St. John's wort, oregano, calendula, nettle, and burdock.Take 3 tablespoons of each component and leave in hot water for 60 minutes.Then pour the soaked liquid into the bath.Take a herbal bath for about 15-20 minutes.
Before using folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of joint (elbow, knee, hip) arthrosis, you must consult a doctor.
Prevention
If you do not want to undergo long and continuous courses of treatment, take arthrosis prevention.Some useful tips that will significantly reduce the risk of developing degenerative disorders in the joints:
- Normalize your weight.
- Avoid injury and damage.
- eat right
- Follow optimal movement patterns.
- The most useful sports for arthrosis are swimming, skiing and moderate walking.
Your musculoskeletal system will be in excellent condition if you follow the recommendations of medical specialists and undergo regular medical examinations.