How to treat osteoarthritis

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

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

Treating osteoarthritis is a complex and time-consuming process. It is not enough to just take different pills to reduce the symptoms in this situation. Other measures should be taken to help prevent the development of the disease. Without them, the risk of complications and disability increases several times.

Brief description of the disease

Before talking about how to treat osteoarthritis, it is necessary to say a few words about what it is and what the development of the disease is full of. Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic processes. The following processes take place during its development:

• the density and elasticity of cartilage decreases, they stop performing shock-absorbing functions;
• the level of friction between the bones increases, which leads to their gradual destruction and deformation, the formation of sharp corners on the surface;
• sharp elements are dug into nearby tissues, causing their inflammation;
• motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deformative osteoarthritis has serious symptoms. Patients often complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as tingling, limited mobility, and morning stiffness.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis cannot be treated permanently. You can get rid of it only in one case - if the disease is detected in the early stages of development. However, because it is asymptomatic at this stage, most patients do not suspect that it is pathological and therefore do not receive any treatment. And when symptoms appear, irreversible processes occur in the joints that can not be eliminated.

As for the factors that lead to the development of pathology, it is necessary to distinguish the following reasons:

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

Basics of treatment

Can Arthritis Be Cured? No. This disease is not curable. But this does not mean that it is not necessary to deal with it. Lack of therapy can lead to serious consequences - the pathology will progress, the person will lose the ability to work and become disabled. Therefore, although the methods used do not allow to get rid of the disease, it must be treated!

With the development of osteoarthritis (any type of it, coxarthrosis, osteoarthritis, etc. ) a treatment regimen is used, which includes:

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

A very important point with osteoarthritis, if any, is the fight against excess weight. Excess weight is an additional burden on the ligamentous apparatus, causing the disease to progress rapidly. Therefore, if the patient is overweight, he should lose weight immediately. But fasting is the opposite. In this case, the diet is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has its limitations. For any type of osteoarthritis, it is worth avoiding foods high in purines. O:

• meat of young animals;
• mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish broths;
• jelly containers;
• meat sauces, gravies;
• sakatat;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salty and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory oils;
• legumes;
• grape-based products;
• baked goods from yeast dough, etc.

After diagnosing osteoarthritis or other types of DOA, your doctor should explain in detail how you should eat. With proper nutrition, the patient will be able to prevent the accumulation of uric acid salts in the body and avoid serious complications.

Also, when talking about how to treat osteoarthritis, it should be noted that massage and physiotherapy exercises are mandatory. But not alone! Massages should be performed only by specialists, as any wrong move 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 do physical exercises at home.

Medications

Medications will not help cure osteoarthritis forever. However, they will reduce symptoms and stop pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor function and significantly improve the patient's condition.

As a rule, treatment of osteoarthritis involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several actions at the same time:

• stop inflammatory processes;
• reduce pain syndrome;
• has an antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs are available in several forms - tablets, ointments, rectal suppositories, solutions for intramuscular injection. Experience shows that they eliminate the pain syndrome quickly and their effect lasts a long time. However, this group of drugs has a number of disadvantages. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, because their components have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. And this, in turn, leads to exacerbation of gastric ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as diarrhea, flatulence, edema, etc. may cause the appearance of side effects such as.

NSAIDs can only be taken with a doctor's permission. Improper dosing can lead to exacerbation of osteoarthritis and further destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, corticosteroids are used when treatment of deforming osteoarthritis with NSAIDs does not work. As a rule, they are injected into the body through a joint capsule injection. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids last for several months. However, you can not use them more than 4 times a year, because they also have a negative effect on the condition of the joints.

It is important! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic medications. They do not cure osteoarthritis, they simply eliminate its unpleasant manifestations.

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help relieve inflammatory processes, but they do relieve pain better. If the patient has muscle spasms, 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. If the above groups of drugs have only a symptomatic effect, these drugs have a therapeutic effect. They contain substances that help to restore the nutrition and integrity of damaged tissues.

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

In addition, vasodilators are often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They provide improved blood flow and also relieve spasms in small blood vessels. Apply such means together with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy procedures

In addition to medication, osteoarthritis is treated with physiotherapy procedures. They also do not help cure the disease, but they do help to significantly improve the patient's well-being. The most popular among them:

• Shock wave therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure is aimed at eliminating the root cause of the pain that occurs with osteoarthritis. It eliminates bone processes like spikes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasound waves, osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation in the pathological focus and normalizes metabolism. However, despite the effectiveness of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of the disease. In addition, it has many contraindications.
• Myostimulation. This procedure involves the application of electrical impulses that cause the muscles to contract. Its implementation is advisable for bedridden patients and in case of severe injuries, when exercise therapy is not possible. Due to the stimulation of muscles, there is an increase in their tone and an improvement in blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the course of osteoarthritis.
• Phonophoresis. This procedure is performed using ultrasound waves with the simultaneous use of drugs. Waves increase the effect of drugs. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the pathological focus, which significantly increases their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It involves inserting a gas mixture into a joint capsule. The main actions are to eliminate inflammatory reactions, reduce pain, improve motor function. As a rule, ozone therapy is prescribed in one course, which includes several injections. Their number depends on the severity of osteoarthritis.

It is important! Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed individually, taking into account the contraindications and severity of the disease.

Physiotherapy

Can Osteoarthritis Be Treated With Exercise Therapy? The answer is the same - no. Patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises to develop joints and improve motor function. Special exercises also help to normalize blood circulation in pathological lesions and increase the supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also selected individually. First, they are carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist, and then 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 warming of the diseased area, elimination of spasms, normalization of blood circulation. Massages and hand therapy are performed only by a specialist. They can be done both in remission and in exacerbation.

Mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of gymnastics, during which all physical exercises are performed using special simulators. They help to increase the load on the body, 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 with the help of a special device. One session lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course includes 10-12 procedures performed every six months. Stretching the joints helps to relieve them of the load, slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and reduce pain.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine also helps to get rid of pain in the background of osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other diseases. However, as in other cases, they do not provide treatment for the pathology, so you should not have high hopes for them.

It is important! Folk remedies should be used as adjuvant therapy in combination with other treatments prescribed by a doctor.

home ointment

To prepare it you will need:

• animal fat (for example, pork) - 1 cup;
• unrefined vegetable oil - 100 ml;
• maple buds - 1 tbsp. l. ;
• propolis - 50 q.

The ointment is prepared as follows. First, the animal fat is melted, brought to a boil and maple buds are added to it. The resulting composition is then boiled in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. Then propolis is added (pre-ground in a grater) and mixed until the ointment is dissolved. And the last ingredient is vegetable oil. The product is then left in a cool place until completely cooled and filtered.

Depending on the degree of pain, apply the ointment as needed, but not more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a tool has not only analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory effect. Can be used not only for osteoarthritis. It will also help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. Can be used for both adults and children.

cabbage leaves

It is an effective tool for joint pain. Applied as follows. A large leaf of white cabbage is taken, placed inside the damaged area and covered with a warm bandage. The compress stays overnight. The leaves are mixed with honey to enhance the effect.

Medicinal compresses

Every pharmacy sells cheap and over-the-counter medicines. For example, Dimexide. This tool has a good analgesic, absorbent and anti-inflammatory effect. Improves metabolism and improves blood circulation.

To apply a compress, you need to take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, moisten it with a solution and apply it to the painful joint after lubricating it with a little vegetable oil. It is necessary to glue polyethylene on top and make a warm bandage. Keep the compress for about 20-30 minutes. Take it before bed.

Squeeze with wine

Available in several versions:

• 280 g of linden or flower honey is dissolved in a water bath, then 350 ml of radish juice is added, 1 tbsp. l. salt 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 on the sore spot and then a warm bandage is applied for 30-40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
• First, the drug mixture is prepared. To do this, red wine and bee venom are mixed in a bowl in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting composition is slightly heated, then moisten a gauze napkin inside and apply to the damaged joint, put a warm bandage on top. Keep the compress for 30 minutes.
• This compress will require 150 g of radish. Rub with a fine grater, then mix with 2 tsp. sin. The resulting ointment is applied to the tissue and applied to the joint. Polyethylene must be applied from above and the limb is wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Keep the compress for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel a clove of garlic, grate it and squeeze the juice. Mix with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 10. If you do not have olive oil, you can use corn oil, but in this case the ratio will be 1: 12. The resulting mixture should be taken 1 tsp. every day before breakfast.

Cranberry decoction

You will need lingonberry leaves to prepare it. 1 st. l. The raw material is poured into 250 ml of water, then put on fire, bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes. The finished broth is then cooled and filtered. Take small sips throughout the day.

Infusion of black currant leaves

1 st. l. crushed currant leaves pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 1 hour, then strain. Take ½ cup 5-6 times a day.

It should be understood that no remedy is able to eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be cured, and all the measures used only help to reduce symptoms. For maximum effect of therapy, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.