Arthrosis is a disease accompanied by dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage without an inflammatory process. As a rule, the disease is most often diagnosed in older people (after 45 years). But there are exceptions when the disease occurs at a younger age, mainly after injuries. It is impossible to get rid of it completely. Treatment of arthrosis should be comprehensive in order to eliminate exacerbation and improve the general condition.
How to treat arthrosis?
The following are used in complex therapy:
- drugs (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors);
- physiotherapy (heat, 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 (hirudotherapy, acupuncture, acupuncture).
Each of the treatment stages should be prepared individually by the doctor for each patient.
How to treat arthrosis with medicine?
To date, there are many drugs used in the treatment of this disease. But they only help to eliminate the main symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Since dystrophic changes are irreversible, it is impossible to restore articular cartilage.
Medical therapy consists of the following drugs:
- NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors with chondroitin and glucose;
- corticosteroids for intra-articular administration are used in severe cases of the disease, they can eliminate inflammation and restore the mobility of the damaged joint;
- Hyaluronic acid for intra-articular injection - used as a lubricant for the joint, prevents friction, reduces pain, promotes the formation of hyaluronate.
If the joint is seriously 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 in the initial stage of the development of the disease, in the absence of serious injuries. Sometimes doctors advise their patients to visit the bath, believing that it has a beneficial effect on their well-being. But it should be remembered that it is necessary to warm up moderately. Overheating, like hypothermia, will have a negative effect on the development of the disease. It is also forbidden to heat the damaged area during exacerbation.
One of the physiotherapy methods involves the use of a laser to stop the progression of degenerative processes. During the procedure, the painful area is exposed to light. As a result, it is possible to improve blood circulation, eliminate inflammation, swelling, and relieve pain. Before using the laser, the patient should be examined. If severe, it is prohibited.
The effectiveness of electrophoresis in arthrosis has been proven. The affected area is affected by special preparations, for which an electric field is created. Thanks to this, the drug is broken down into ions, then passes to the upper layers of the skin, enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
UVT therapy helps to treat arthrosis. This procedure helps to eliminate inflammation, soften and remove calcium deposits from the body, and reduce swelling. However, this physiotherapy method has many contraindications, including thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, tumors and purulent processes.
Exposure to ultrasound makes it possible to anesthetize the affected area and eliminate inflammation. Usually, ultrasound treatment is used during the rehabilitation period after surgery.
Surgical intervention
When drugs are ineffective, which usually occurs in the advanced stages of the disease, the doctor may decide on surgical intervention. There are several types of such operations:
- arthroplasty - damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial cushion, which helps reduce pain and improve mobility;
- prostheses - the joint is completely removed and replaced by a prosthesis made of special material, which prevents rejection by the body;
- arthroscopy - helps to prevent the destruction of the joint, areas with inflammatory processes are removed during the operation.
Surgery can be avoided if the patient consults a doctor at an early stage of the disease.
Folk treatment
In complex therapy, in addition to drugs, folk remedies are used that help the patient to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
The following recipes have gained popularity:
- mix equal amounts of calendula inflorescence, birch leaves and nettle leaves, then pour 2 tablespoons of the herbal collection with 1 liter of boiling water and insist overnight, take half a glass 5 times a day;
- mix fresh egg yolk with turpentine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions, rub the painful area with the resulting mixture and wrap it with a woolen scarf, keep it overnight;
- 2 teaspoons of celery juice is taken 3 times a day;
- squeeze the juice of a head of cabbage, soak a woolen cloth in it and apply it as a compress;
- boil until a thick oatmeal is obtained, cool and apply in the form of a compress at night;
- pharmacy root elecampane (25 g) insists in 150 ml of vodka for 12 days, rub at night.
Traditional medicine will not replace medicines, but will be an excellent addition to them.
Basic rules when using traditional medicine
Using folk methods, you should follow these general rules:
- before using one of the recipes, it is important to consult a doctor who can indicate possible complications after a detailed examination;
- 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, because in this case the risk of side effects increases;
- it is advisable to use fresh infusions and ointments, as they are not suitable for every recipe collected for future use;
- if unwanted effects occur, treatment should be stopped and another remedy should be chosen.
To protect yourself from complications, you should follow these simple rules.
Special exercises
Therapeutic exercises are given to prevent weakening of ligaments and muscle atrophy. Gymnastics is selected individually depending on the condition of the patient and the course of the disease. This is done by a physiotherapist.
Exercises are prohibited during exacerbation, as well as 6 days before the removal of severe pain. The main task in performing therapeutic exercises is to restore mobility and flexibility.
Unconventional ways
Non-traditional methods of treating this disease include hirudotherapy, acupuncture and acupuncture.
Leeches are used in hirudotherapy. Although this method is not medical, it is quite effective. Leeches are placed at specific points corresponding to certain active zones. It helps to increase microcirculation in tissues, relieve muscle spasms and reduce swelling. Medicinal saliva of leeches has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Acupuncture is based on the activation of certain points with needles. Sometimes burning wormwood sticks are used instead. The effect is similar to the result of hirudotherapy. Metabolic processes improve significantly, blood circulation increases, pain syndrome is eliminated.
All the above procedures should be performed only by specialists. Otherwise, the condition may worsen instead of improving.
Massage therapy
The most desirable result of therapeutic massage is the restoration of working capacity of the affected joint. But this is possible when arthrosis of the joints is in the initial stage of development. Massage should be performed only by a specialist. Sometimes the patient is allowed to do this on his own, but it is necessary to learn these techniques. Before the procedure, the injured area is warmed up with regular hot showers or exercise therapy exercises.
One of the types is hydromassage, which is carried out by immersion in a hot bath. The full course is up to 20 procedures. It is recommended to repeat them at least twice a year. If the massage is done correctly, there is a pleasant warmth and comfort after it. To get the desired result, you need to gradually increase the duration of the procedure.
Only an integrated approach will allow you to get rid of the symptoms of arthrosis and prevent exacerbations.