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 are congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and overweight. With age, the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases.

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

Brief description of the disease

Before we talk 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 fraught with. Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints, associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes. During its development, the following processes occur:

• cartilage density and elasticity decrease, they cease to perform their absorption 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 dig into nearby tissues, provoking their inflammation;
• motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deformative arthrosis has severe symptoms. Most often, patients complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as a crackling, limited movement, and stiffness in the morning.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis cannot be cured forever. You can get rid of it only in one case - if the disease was detected in the early stages of development. But since it is asymptomatic at this stage, most patients do not even suspect that they have a pathology and, consequently, do not undergo any treatment. And when the symptoms appear, irreversible processes occur in the joints that can not be eliminated.

Regarding the factors that provoke 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.

Basics of treatment

Can arthritis be cured? Nr. This disease is not treated. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t deal with it. Lack of therapy can lead to serious consequences - the pathology will progress, the person will lose his ability to work and become incapacitated. Therefore, despite the fact that the methods used do not allow you to get rid of the disease, it must be treated!

With the development of osteoarthritis (any of its types, 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;
• exercise therapy classes;
• massages;
• physiotherapy procedures.

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

As for the food itself, it also has limitations. For any type of osteoarthritis, it is worth abandoning the use of foods high in purine. Ajo:

• meat of young animals;
• mushroom, meat, vegetable and fish soup;
• jelly dishes;
• meat sauces, meat sauces;
• underwear;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• salty and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory fats;
• legumes;
• products prepared on the basis of grapes;
• baked goods from yeast dough etc.

The doctor should tell you in detail 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, talking about how to treat osteoarthritis, it should be noted that massages and physiotherapy exercises should be performed without fail. But not only! Massages should be performed only by specialists, as any wrong action can lead to complications. And exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of a doctor are performed only for the first time, then the patient can perform physical exercises at home.

medicaments

Medication will not help cure osteoarthritis forever. But they will provide a reduction of symptoms and stop the pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor functions 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 once:

• inhibition of inflammatory processes;
• reduce pain syndrome;
• have an antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs are available in several forms - tablets, ointments, rectal suppositories, solutions for intramuscular injection. As practice shows, they quickly eliminate the pain syndrome and their effect lasts for a long time. But this group of drugs has some disadvantages. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, as the ingredients contained in them have an irritating effect on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. And this, in turn, can cause aggravation of peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, as well as the appearance of side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, bloating, etc.

NSAIDs can only be taken with a doctor's permission. A wrong dose can lead to a worsening of osteoarthritis and an even greater destruction of cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, when treatment of deforming osteoarthritis with NSAIDs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. As a rule, they are inserted 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, as they also negatively affect the condition of the joints.

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

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not contribute to the removal 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 the nutrition of 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, their expectation will be meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are also often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They ensure improved blood circulation as well as elimination of spasm in small vessels. Apply such funds in combination with chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy procedures

In addition to drug therapy, osteoarthritis is also treated with the help of physiotherapy procedures. They also do not help cure the disease, but contribute to a significant improvement in patient well-being. The most popular of them are:

• Shock wave therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure aims to eliminate the main cause of pain that appears with osteoarthritis. Eliminates rivet-like bone processes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, osteophytes soften and eventually disperse. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation to the pathological focus and normalizes metabolism. But, despite the effectiveness of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of disease development. In addition, it has many contraindications.
• Myostimulation. This procedure involves the application of electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction. Its application is advised for patients lying in bed and in cases of severe 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 positively affects 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 distributed directly to the pathological focus, which greatly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It involves inserting a gas mixture into the joint capsule. The main actions are the relief of inflammatory reactions, reduction of pain, 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 osteoarthritis.

Important! Physiotherapeutic procedures are described on an individual basis, taking into account the contraindications and 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. Performing special exercises also contributes to the normalization of blood circulation in pathological foci and increase the supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also selected individually. First, they are performed 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 ensure warming of the diseased area, elimination of spasms, normalization of blood circulation. Massages and manual therapy are performed exclusively by a specialist. They can be done both in the remission phase and during the period of deterioration.

Mekanotherapy

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

Joint attraction

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 from the load, slows the progression of osteoarthritis, and reduces pain.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine also helps to effectively get rid of the pain that occurs against the background of osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But as in other cases, they do not cure 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 are prescribed by the doctor.

home ointment

To prepare it 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, the animal fat is melted, brought to a boil, and the birch buds are added. The resulting composition is then boiled in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. After that, propolis is added (pre-ground on a grater) and the ointment is mixed until it dissolves. 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 not more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a drug has not only an analgesic effect, but also an 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

An effective remedy for joint pain. Applies as follows. A large white cabbage leaf is taken, placed on the inside of 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

Every pharmacy sells drugs that are cheap and sold without a doctor's prescription. For example, Dimexide. This drug 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 in a solution and apply it to the injured joint, after lubricating it with a little vegetable oil. On top you need to tie polyethylene and make a warm bandage. Hold the compress for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.

Compress with wine

Available in several versions:

• 280 gr of linden or flower honey are melted in a water bath, then add 350 ml of radish juice, 1 tablespoon. l. salt and 120 g fortified red wine. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and cooled. 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 container in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting composition is heated slightly, and then a gauze napkin is moistened in it and applied to the damaged joint, on top becomes a bandage ofwarm. Hold the compress for 30 minutes.
• This compress will require 150 g of radish. Rub on a fine grater and then mix with 2 tbsp. faji. The resulting slurry is placed in the tissue and applied to the joints. Polyethylene is necessarily applied from above, and the limb is wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Hold the compress for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic oil with oil

Peel a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. 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 tablespoon. every day before breakfast.

Decoction of blueberries

To prepare it, you will need lingonberry leaves. 1 st. l. The raw materials are poured into 250 ml of water, and then put on fire, put in boiling water and boil for 20 minutes. The finished soup is then cooled and filtered. Take it in small sips throughout the day.

Infusion of black grape leaves

1 st. l. Crushed black grape 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 medicine is able to eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely cure 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 recommendations of the doctor.