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. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.

Treating osteoarthritis is a complex and time consuming process. In this case, it is not enough to just take various pills to reduce symptoms. Other measures that contribute to inhibiting disease progression will need to be implemented. Without them, the risks of complications and disabilities 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 is fraught with the development of the disease. Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints, accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic processes. During its development, the following processes take place:

• cartilage density and elasticity decrease, they cease to perform their cushioning functions;
• the level of friction between the bones increases, which leads to their gradual destruction and deformation, creating sharp corners on the surface;
• sharp elements dig into nearby tissues, causing their inflammation;
• motor functions are partially or completely impaired.

Deforming arthrosis has severe symptoms. Most often, patients complain of pain and swelling in the joints, as well as squeaking, restricted movement and morning stiffness.

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

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

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

Basics of treatment

Can Arthritis Be Cured? no. This disease is not curable. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with it. Lack of therapy can lead to serious consequences - the pathology will progress, the person will lose their ability to work and become disabled. 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. ), one treatment regimen is used that 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.

In osteoarthritis, a very important point is the fight against excess weight, if any. Excess weight is an additional burden on the ligament apparatus, which causes rapid progression of the disease. Therefore, if the patient's body weight exceeds the norm, he must lose weight urgently. But fasting is contraindicated. In this case, the diet 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 purines. To:

• meat of young animals;
• soups of mushrooms, meat, vegetables and fish;
• Jelly jelly;
• meat sauces, sauces;
• viscera;
• smoked meat;
• fatty fish;
• salty and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory greases;
• legumes;
• grape-based products;
• yeast dough pastries, etc.

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

Also, speaking about how to treat osteoarthritis, it should be noted that massages and physiotherapy exercises must be performed without error. But not on your own! Massages should be performed only by experts, because any wrong action can lead to complications. And exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of a doctor are carried out only for the first time, and then the patient can perform physical exercises at home.

Medications

Medications will not help cure osteoarthritis forever. But they will ensure the reduction of symptoms and stop pathological processes in the joints, which will normalize their motor functions and significantly improve the patient's condition.

As a rule, the treatment of osteoarthritis involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several effects at once:

• stop inflammatory processes;
• reduce pain syndrome;
• have antipyretic action.

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 a long time. But this group of drugs has several drawbacks. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, because the components contained in them have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. And this in turn can cause worsening of peptic ulcers, 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. 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 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs does not give positive results, corticosteroids are used. They are usually injected into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids last for several months. But you can not use them more than 4 times a year, because they also negatively affect the condition of the joints.

Bitan! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic medications. They do not cure osteoarthritis, but simply remove its unpleasant manifestations.

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help eliminate inflammatory processes, but they relieve pain much better. And if the patient has muscle cramps, 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 work slowly. In order 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 admission will be meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are also often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. They provide better blood flow, as well as the elimination of cramps in small vessels. Apply such agents 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 treat the disease, but contribute to a significant improvement in patient well-being. The most popular among them are:

• Shock wave therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure is aimed at eliminating the main cause of pain that occurs in osteoarthritis. Eliminates spiky bone processes - osteophytes. Of course, this does not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improves blood circulation in the pathological focus and normalizes metabolism. But, despite the efficiency of this procedure, its use is possible only in the early stages of disease development. In addition, there are many contraindications.
• Myostimulation. This procedure involves the application of electrical impulses that cause muscle contraction. Its use is recommended for bedridden patients and in cases of severe injuries, when exercise therapy becomes impossible. Thanks to the stimulation of the muscles, their tone increases and the blood circulation improves, which has a positive effect on the course of arthrosis.
• Phonophoresis. This procedure is performed using ultrasound waves with the simultaneous use of drugs. The waves amplify the action of drugs. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the pathological focus, which greatly enhances their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It involves introducing a mixture of gases into the joint capsule. The main actions are alleviation 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 arthrosis.

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

Physiotherapy

Can osteoarthritis be cured with exercise therapy? The answer is the same - no. Patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises 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. They are first performed under the strict supervision of a specialist, and 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 affected area, removal of cramps, normalization of blood circulation. Massages and manual therapy are performed exclusively by specialists. They can be done both in the remission phase and in the period of deterioration.

Mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy is a special type of gymnastics, during which all physical exercises are performed with the help of special simulators. They contribute to increasing the load on the body, and at the same time prevent damage to diseased joints. Like physical therapy, mechanotherapy allows you to increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation.

Traction of the joint

The essence of the procedure is 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 from the load, slow down the progression of arthrosis and reduce pain.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine also effectively helps to get rid of the pain that occurs in the background of osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis and other types of diseases. But as in other cases, they do not provide a cure for pathology, so you should not place high hopes on them.

Bitan! Folk remedies should be used as adjunctive therapy in combination with other treatments prescribed by a doctor.

homemade grease

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 birch buds are added to it. The resulting composition is then simmered in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. Propolis (previously ground on a grater) is then added and the fat 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 not more than 5 times a day. It should be noted that such a drug has not only analgesic but also anti-inflammatory effect. It can be used not only for osteoarthritis. It will also help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and bronchitis. It can be used for both adults and children.

cabbage leaf

An effective remedy for joint pain. It is applied as follows. A large leaf of white cabbage is taken, placed on the inside of the affected area and fixed on top with a warm bandage. The compress is left overnight. To enhance the effect, the leaf is smeared with honey.

Healing compresses

Every pharmacy sells drugs that are cheap and sold without a prescription. For example, Dimexide. This drug has a good analgesic, absorbent and anti-inflammatory effect. Improves metabolism and improves blood circulation.

To apply the compress, it is necessary to take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, moisten it in the solution and apply to the sore joint, after smearing it with some vegetable oil. You need to fasten polyethylene on top and make a warm bandage. Hold the dressing for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.

Compress 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, 1 tbsp. l. salt and 120 g of fortified red wine. All components are well mixed and cooled. It is applied as follows - about 10-15 g of the mixture is rubbed into the sore spot, and then put a warm bandage for 30-40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
• The medicinal mixture is prepared first. To do this, red wine and bee venom are mixed in a bowl in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting composition is heated slightly, then moistened with gauze and applied to the damaged joint, and a warm bandage is made on top. Hold the compression for 30 minutes.
• 150 g of radish will be needed for this wrap. It is rubbed on a fine grater, and then mixed with 2 teaspoons. guilt. The resulting slurry is placed on the tissue and applied to the wrist. Polyethylene must be applied from above, and the limb is wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Hold the compression for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

garlic juice with oil

Peel a clove of garlic, put it through a press and squeeze the juice from them. 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 tsp. every day before breakfast.

Cranberry decoction

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

Infusion of black currant leaves

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

It should be understood that no drug can eliminate the causes of osteoarthritis and completely get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this disease is not curable 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.