How to treat arthrosis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease in which cartilage is destroyed in adjacent bone structures. The disease has spread all over the world.

The main cause of pathology is a violation of metabolic processes. Predisposing factors include congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and overweight. As you age, the chances of developing osteoarthritis increase.

Treating arthrosis is a complex and time consuming process. In this case, it is not enough to just take different tablets to reduce the symptoms. Other measures that contribute to inhibiting the progression of the disease will need to be implemented. Without these, the risk of complications and disability increases many times over.

Brief description of the disease

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

• cartilage density and elasticity are reduced, they do not perform their damping functions;
• the level of friction between the bones increases, leading to its gradual destruction and deformation, the formation of sharp corners on the surface;
• sharp elements dig into nearby tissues, provoking their inflammation;
• motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deforming arthrosis is associated with severe symptoms. Patients most commonly complain of joint pain and swelling, as well as cracking, limited mobility, and morning stiffness.

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

Regarding the factors that cause the development of the pathology, the following reasons must be distinguished:

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

Basics of treatment

Can arthritis be cured? No. This disease cannot be treated. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with it. Lack of therapy can lead to serious consequences - the pathology progresses, the person loses their ability to work and becomes disabled. Therefore, even though the methods used do not allow the disease to get rid of, it needs to be treated!

In the event of the development of arthrosis (any type, 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;
• practical therapy classes;
• massages;
• physiotherapy procedures.

A very important point in arthrosis is the fight against overweight, if any. Excess pounds put an extra strain on the tape device, causing a rapid progression of the disease. Therefore, if a patient weighs more than normal, they should lose weight urgently. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, the diet is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has its limitations. For any type of arthrosis, it is advisable to stop using foods high in purine. It:

• meat of young animals;
• mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish soups;
• jelly dishes;
• Meat sauces;
• offal;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salty and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory greases;
• legumes;
• grape based products;
• bakery wares made from yeast, etc.

Your doctor should tell you in detail how to eat after identifying osteoarthritis or another type of DOA. With proper nutrition, the patient will be able to prevent the accumulation of uric acid in the body and avoid serious complications.

In addition, when it comes to treating arthrosis, it should be noted that massages and physiotherapy exercises should be performed without error. But not alone! Massage should only be performed by a professional, as any improper activity can lead to complications. And gymnastics exercises performed under the supervision of a doctor are performed only first, and then the patient can perform physical exercises at home.

Medicines

Medications do not help to cure arthrosis forever. But they reduce the symptoms and stop the pathological processes in the joints, which normalizes motor functions and significantly improves the patient's condition.

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

• stopping inflammatory processes;
• reduces pain syndrome;
• have an antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs are available in several forms - tablets, ointments, suppositories, solutions for intramuscular injection. As practice shows, they quickly eliminate pain syndrome and their effects last for a long time. But this group of drugs has several disadvantages. It is impossible to take it for more than 5-7 days because the ingredients in it have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to worsening of peptic ulcers, gastritis, inflammation of the pancreas, and side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, bloating, and so on.

NSAIDs should only be taken with a doctor's permission. Improper dosing can lead to worsening of arthrosis and even greater destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, when treatment of deforming arthrosis with NSAIDs is not positive, corticosteroids are used. It is usually given by injection into a joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids last for several months. But you should not use them more than 4 times a year as they also negatively affect the condition of your joints.

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

Painkillers are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help to eliminate inflammatory processes, but they do much better in relieving pain. And if a patient has muscle cramps, antispasmodics are used to stop them. The greatest effect is given by analgesics and antispasmodics in the form of intramuscular injection solutions.

Deformed joints and bones are also treated with chondroprotectors. And if the above groups of drugs have only a symptomatic effect, then these drugs have a therapeutic effect. They contain substances that help restore the nutrition and integrity of damaged tissues.

Chondroprotectors act slowly. They must be taken continuously for at least six months to achieve a positive result. But if the disease has reached stage 3 or 4, their reception will be meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are often used to treat arthrosis. They improve blood flow and eliminate cramps in small blood vessels. It is used in combination with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy procedures

Arthrosis is treated with physiotherapy in addition to drug therapy. They also do not help the disease to heal, but they do contribute to a significant improvement in the patient’s well-being. The most popular of them are:

• Shockwave therapy (SWT). The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate the main causes of pain during arthrosis. It eliminates spike-like bone processes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Ultrasound waves cause the osteophytes to 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 only possible at an early stage in the development of the disease. In addition, it has several contraindications.
• Myostimulation. This procedure involves the use of electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction. Its implementation is recommended in bedridden patients and in cases of severe injuries when movement therapy becomes impossible. Due to the stimulation of the muscles, their tone improves and blood circulation improves, which has a positive effect on the course of arthrosis.
• Phonophoresis. This procedure is performed with ultrasound waves using drugs at the same time. The waves increase the effect of drugs. Thanks to them, they get directly into the pathological focus, which greatly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. This involves introducing a gas mixture into the joint capsule. The main measures are to relieve inflammatory reactions, reduce pain, and improve motor function. Ozone therapy is usually prescribed in a multi-injection course. Their number depends on the severity of the course of arthrosis.

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

Physiotherapy

Can Osteoarthritis Be Cured With Gym Therapy? The answer is the same - no. Patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises to improve joints and improve motor function. Performing special exercises also contributes to the normalization of blood circulation in pathological foci and an increased supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

Each physical exercise is selected individually. They are carried out first under the strict supervision of a specialist and then on their own, at home.

Massage and manual therapy

It is used to treat osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) and other arthritis. These procedures ensure the heating of the diseased area, the elimination of convulsions, the normalization of blood circulation. Massages and manual therapy should only be performed by a specialist. They can be performed both during the remission phase and during the exacerbation period.

Mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of exercise in which all physical exercises are performed with special simulators. They help increase the load on the body while preventing damage to diseased joints. Like physiotherapy, mechanotherapy increases muscle tone and improves blood circulation.

Joint traction

The essence of the procedure is the mechanical "stretching" of the joints using a special apparatus. A session lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course includes 10-12 procedures to be completed semi-annually. Stretching the joints helps relieve them, slows the progression of arthrosis and reduces pain.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine is also effective in getting rid of the pain behind osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But as in other cases, they do not provide a cure for the pathology, so they should not have high hopes for them.

Important! Folk remedies should be used as adjuvant therapy in combination with other treatments prescribed by a physician.

home ointment

To prepare it you will need:

• animal fat (such as pork) - 1 cup;
• unrefined vegetable oil - 100 ml;
• birch buds - 1 tbsp. l. ;
• propolis - 50 g.

The ointment is prepared as follows. First, the animal fat is melted, boiled, and birch buds are added. The resulting composition was then evaporated in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. Propolis is then added (pre-milled 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 treatment has not only analgesic but also anti-inflammatory effects. Not only for arthrosis. It also helps with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. Can be used by both adults and children.

cabbage leaves

An effective cure for joint pain. It is applied as follows. Take a large white cabbage leaf, place it inside the affected area and secure it with a warm bandage on top. Leave the compress on overnight. To enhance the effect, smear the leaf with honey.

Medical compress

Cheap and over-the-counter medications are available at all pharmacies. For example, Dimexide. This drug has good analgesic, absorption and anti-inflammatory effects. Improves metabolism and increases blood circulation.

To compress, take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, moisten it in solution and apply it to the sore joint, then apply it with vegetable oil. Polyethylene should be attached to the top and a warm bond should be made. Keep the compress for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.

Squeeze with wine

Available in several versions:

• Melt 280 g of linden or flower honey in a water bath and add 350 ml of radish juice, 1 tbsp. l. salt and 120 g of fortified red wine. Mix all components thoroughly and cool. Apply 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 1: 1 ratio in a pot. The resulting composition is lightly heated, then a gauze napkin is moistened in it and placed on the damaged joint, making a warm bandage on top. Keep the compress for 30 minutes.
• 150 g of radish is required for this compaction. Rub on a fine grater and mix with 2 tsp. guilt. The resulting slurry is placed on the tissue and applied to the joint. Polyethylene should be applied from above and the limb should be wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Keep the compress for 40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. Mix 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 was added to 1 tsp. every day before breakfast.

Potion of blueberries

You will need cranberry leaves to make it. 1 p. m. l. The raw materials are poured into 250 ml of water, then placed on the fire, boiled and boiled for 20 minutes. The finished soup is then cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips during the day.

Infusion of blackcurrant leaves

1 p. m. l. pour crushed blackcurrant leaves with 0, 5 liters of boiling water and let stand for about 1 hour, then filter. Take ½ cups 5-6 times a day.

It should be understood that no cure can eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not treatable and all measures taken only contribute to the reduction of symptoms. And in order for therapy to yield maximum results, you must strictly follow all of your doctor’s recommendations.