How to Treat Arthropathy

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease in which cartilage in adjacent bone structures is destroyed. The disease spreads widely around the world.

The main cause of pathology is the violation of metabolic processes. Predisposing factors are congenital malformations, internal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and overweight. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.

The treatment of arthropathy is a complex and time-consuming process. In this case, simply taking various pills to relieve symptoms is not enough. Additional measures to help inhibit disease progression are necessary. Without them, the risk of complications and disability increases severalfold.

Brief description of the disease

Before talking about how to treat arthropathy, it is necessary to say what it is and what the development of the disease is full of. Arthropathy is a disease of the joints with a degenerative dystrophic process. During its development, the following processes take place:

• The density and elasticity of the cartilage are reduced, they no longer perform their shock-absorbing function;
• Increased friction between bones, causing them to gradually break down and deform, forming sharp corners on the surface;
• Sharp elements burrow into nearby tissues, triggering their inflammation;
• Partial or complete impairment of motor function.

Deformed joints have severe symptoms. Most often, patients complain of joint pain and swelling, as well as tightness, limited mobility, and morning stiffness.

Unfortunately, joint disease cannot be cured permanently. You can only get rid of it in one situation - 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 they have the pathology and therefore do not undergo any treatment. And when symptoms appear, an irreversible process occurs in the joints that cannot be eliminated.

As for the factors that trigger the development of the pathology, the following reasons should be distinguished:

• trauma;
• low temperature;
• bad habits;
• Excessive physical work;
• professional sports;
• malnutrition;
• hormone imbalance;
• autoimmune diseases, etc.

Therapeutic basis

Can arthritis be cured? Do not. There is no cure for this disease. But that doesn't mean you don't have to deal with it. Lack of treatment can have serious consequences - pathology can progress, people can lose their ability to work and become disabled. Therefore, although the methods used do not get rid of the disease, it must be treated!

As arthropathy (any type of arthropathy, osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. ) develops, use a single treatment regimen that includes:

• taking medicines that help relieve pain and stop the disease from progressing;
• weight loss and proper nutrition;
• exercise therapy courses;
• massage;
• Physical therapy program.

With arthropathy, a very important point is to fight overweight (if any). The extra kilograms are an extra load on the ligamentous device, leading to rapid disease progression. Therefore, if the patient's weight exceeds the normal standard, he urgently needs to lose weight. But fasting is taboo. In this case, dietary nutrition is selected individually.

As for the food itself, it also has limitations. For any type of joint disease, it's worth forgoing high-purine foods. it:

• young animal meat;
• mushrooms, meat, vegetables and fish soup;
• jelly dishes;
• meat sauce, gravy;
• internal organs;
• smoked meat;
• oily fish;
• savory and spicy cheeses;
• caviar;
• Cocoa, black tea, coffee;
• refractory fat;
• beans;
• Products made from grapes;
• Baked goods made from yeast dough, etc.

Your doctor should tell you in detail how to eat after identifying osteoarthritis or other types of DOA. With a proper diet, patients will be able to prevent the accumulation of urate in the body and avoid serious complications.

In addition, when it comes to how to treat joint diseases, it should be noted that massage and physical therapy exercises must be carried out. But not on your own! Massage should only be performed by a specialist, as any wrong operation can lead to complications. The exercise therapy exercise under the guidance of a doctor is only performed for the first time, and then the patient can perform physical exercise at home.

drug

Medications will not help cure joint disease forever. But they will reduce symptoms and stop the pathological process of the joints, which will normalize their motor function and significantly improve the patient's condition.

Typically, treatment of joint disease involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have multiple effects at the same time:

• stop the inflammatory process;
• Alleviate pain syndrome;
• Has antipyretic effect.

NSAIDs come in many forms—tablets, ointments, rectal suppositories, intramuscular solutions. Practice has shown that they can quickly eliminate pain syndrome and the effect can last for a long time. But this group of drugs has several drawbacks. It is impossible to take them for more than 5-7 days, as the ingredients they contain have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. This, in turn, can lead to worsening of peptic ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, and side effects such as diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating.

NSAIDs should only be taken with the permission of your doctor. Incorrect doses can lead to worsening of joint disease and even greater damage to cartilage and bone tissue!

In severe cases, corticosteroids are used when treatment of osteoarthropathy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has not yielded positive results. Typically, they are introduced into the body by injection into the joint capsule. Unlike NSAIDs, the effects of corticosteroids can last for several months. But you can't use them more than 4 times a year because they can also negatively affect the condition of your joints.

important! NSAIDs and corticosteroids are symptomatic drugs. They do not cure arthropathy, but only remove its unpleasant manifestations.

Analgesics are also used to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, these drugs do not help to eliminate the inflammatory process, but they are better at eliminating pain. If the patient has muscle cramps, antispasmodics are used to stop them. Analgesics and antispasmodics are most effective in the form of intramuscular solutions.

Deformed joints and bones are also treated with chondroprotective agents. If the above groups of drugs only produce symptomatic effects, then these drugs have a therapeutic effect. They contain substances that help restore nutrients to damaged tissue, restoring its integrity.

Chondroprotective agents act slowly. In order to get positive results from them, they must be taken continuously for at least six months. But if the disease has reached stage 3 or 4, their reception will be meaningless.

In addition, vasodilators are also commonly used in the treatment of arthropathy. They provide improved blood flow, as well as eliminate spasms in small blood vessels. Use such funds in combination with chondroprotective agents.

Physical Therapy Program

In addition to medication, arthropathy is treated with physical therapy procedures. They also do not help cure the disease, but help significantly improve the health of the patient. Among the most popular are:

• Shockwave Therapy (SWT). The action of this procedure is aimed at eliminating the main cause of pain caused by arthropathy. It eliminates spiky bony processes - osteophytes. Of course, this will not happen immediately, but gradually. Under the influence of ultrasound, the osteophytes soften and eventually dissolve. In addition, SWT improved blood circulation in the lesions and normalized metabolism. But while the procedure is effective, it can only be used in the early stages of disease development. In addition, it has many contraindications.
• Muscle stimulation. The process involves applying electrical impulses that cause muscle contractions. Exercise therapy is recommended for bedridden patients and severe injuries when it becomes impossible. Due to the stimulation of the muscles, their tone is increased and blood circulation is improved, which has a positive effect on the progression of arthropathy.
• Acoustic swimming. The procedure is performed using ultrasound at the same time as the medication. The waves enhance the effect of the drug. Thanks to them, they are delivered directly to the lesions, greatly improving their therapeutic effect.
• Ozone therapy. It involves introducing a gas mixture into the joint capsule. The main role is to relieve inflammation, reduce pain, and improve motor function. Typically, ozone therapy is prescribed in a procedure that includes several injections. Their number depends on the severity of the arthropathy process.

important! Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed on an individual basis, taking into account contraindications and the severity of the disease process.

physiotherapy

Can osteoarthritis be cured with exercise therapy? The answer is the same - no. Patients are given therapeutic exercises to develop joints and improve motor function. Performing special exercises also helps to normalize blood circulation in pathological lesions and increase the supply of nutrients to the affected tissues.

All physical exercises are also individually selected. First, they are carried out under the strict supervision of an expert and then can be done independently at home.

Massage and Manual Therapy

They are used to treat osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) and other types of joint disease. These procedures provide heating of the affected area, elimination of spasms, normalization of blood circulation. Massage and manual therapy are performed by specialists only. They can be done during the remission phase and during the exacerbation.

mechanical therapy

Mechanical therapy is a special type of gymnastics during which all physical exercises are performed using special simulators. They help increase the load on the body while preventing damage to diseased joints. Like physical therapy, mechanical therapy increases muscle tone and improves blood circulation.

combined traction

The essence of the procedure is the mechanical "stretching" of the joint with the help of special equipment. A class lasts about 15-20 minutes. The full course consists of 10-12 procedures, which are conducted every six months. Stretching the joints helps reduce the load on them, slowing the progression of arthropathy and reducing pain.

alternative medicine

Alternative medicine is also effective in helping to get rid of pain that occurs in the context of osteoarthritis, hip disease and other types of diseases. But like other conditions, they don't cure the disease, so you shouldn't have high hopes for them.

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

home ointment

For its preparation you will need:

• animal fat (eg pork) - 1 cup;
• Unrefined Vegetable Oil - 100 ml;
• Birch sprouts - 1 tbsp. l. ;
• Propolis - 50 g.

The ointment was prepared as follows. First, the animal fat is melted, boiled, and birch sprouts are added. The resulting composition was then simmered in a water bath for about 2-3 hours and cooled to room temperature. After that, add propolis (pre-ground on a grater) and stir the ointment until it dissolves. The last ingredient is vegetable oil. Next, keep the product in the shade until completely cooled and strained.

Apply the ointment as needed, but no more than 5 times a day, depending on the level of pain. It should be noted that this drug is not only analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory. It is not only useful for arthropathy. It also helps with arthritis, osteochondrosis, and bronchitis. It can be used for adults and children.

cabbage leaves

An effective treatment for joint pain. Its application is as follows. Take a large cabbage leaf and place it on the inside of the affected area, securing the top with a thermal bandage. Apply the compress overnight. To enhance the effect, apply honey to the leaves.

medicated dressing

Every pharmacy sells medicines that are inexpensive and do not require a doctor's prescription. For example, two mexicans. This drug has good analgesic, absorption and anti-inflammatory properties. It improves metabolism and promotes blood circulation.

To apply the compress, you take a gauze napkin folded in several layers, dip it in the solution, and after lubricating it with some vegetable oil, apply it to the painful joint. On the top, you need to attach polyethylene and make a warm bandage. Keep compressing for about 20-30 minutes. Do it before bed.

compress with wine

Available in multiple versions:

• Melt 280 g of linden or nectar in a water bath, then add 350 ml of radish juice, 1 tbsp. l. Salt and 120 g fortified red wine. All components are thoroughly mixed and cooled. It is applied as follows - rub about 10-15 grams of the mixture into the painful area, then wrap it with a warm bandage for 30-40 minutes. The duration of treatment is 30 days.
• First, a drug mixture is prepared. To do this, mix red wine and bee venom in a 1: 1 ratio in a container. The resulting composition is heated slightly, then a gauze napkin is soaked in it and applied to the damaged joint to make a warm bandage over it. Keep compressing for 30 minutes.
• This compress requires 150 grams of radishes. Rub on a grater, then mix with 2 tsp. guilty. The resulting serum is placed on the tissue and applied to the joint. Polyethylene must be applied from above and the limb wrapped in a warm scarf or towel. Keep compressing for 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5 weeks.

Garlic Sauce

Peel the garlic cloves, press them into a press, and squeeze out the juice. Mix it with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 10. If olive oil is not available, you can use corn oil, but in this case the ratio is 1: 12. The resulting mixture should be taken in 1 teaspoon. Every day before breakfast.

Cranberry Soup

To prepare it, you will need lingonberry leaves. 1st. l. Pour the ingredients into 250ml of water, then bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. The finished broth is then cooled and strained. Sip sips throughout the day.

Infusion of blackcurrant leaves

1st. l. Pour the crushed black currant leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water, let stand for about 1 hour, and then filter. Take ½ cup 5-6 times a day.

It should be understood that no drug can eliminate the cause of osteoarthritis and get rid of the disease completely. Unfortunately, the disease is not treatable and all measures used will only help reduce symptoms. For the maximum effect of the treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.