Arthropathy is a disease with dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage without an inflammatory process. Typically, the disease is most often diagnosed in older adults (after age 45). However, there are exceptions when the disease strikes at a younger age, mainly after an injury. It is impossible to get rid of it completely. In order to alleviate the aggravation of the disease and improve the general condition, the treatment of joint disease should be comprehensive.
How to treat joint disease?
In complex treatment, the following methods are used:
- Medications (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectants);
- Physiotherapy (heating, laser, UVT therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound);
- special exercises;
- Surgical intervention (at a later stage, in case of ineffectiveness of drugs);
- folk remedies;
- massage therapy;
- Non-traditional methods (leech therapy, acupuncture, acupuncture).
Each stage of treatment should be prescribed individually by a physician for each patient.
How to treat arthritis with medication?
To date, there are a large number of drugs used to treat this disease. However, they only help to eliminate the main symptoms and relieve the patient's condition. It is impossible for articular cartilage to recover, because the changes in malnutrition are irreversible.
Medication includes the following drugs:
- NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotective agents containing chondroitin and glucose;
- Corticosteroids for intra-articular administration are used in severe cases of disease, where they reduce inflammation and restore mobility to damaged joints;
- Hyaluronic Acid for Intra-Joint Injections – Used as a lubricant in the joints, it prevents friction, relieves pain, and aids in the formation of hyaluronic acid.
If the joint is severely deformed, medical treatment will not help. Only surgery can replace it.
physiotherapy
Warming up helps to eliminate pain and normalize blood circulation. However, this method is only used in the initial stages of disease development and there is no serious harm. Doctors sometimes advise their patients to take a bath, believing it to be good for health. But it should be remembered that it is necessary to moderately warm the joints. Overheating, such as hypothermia, will adversely affect the development of the disease. It is also forbidden to apply heat to the injured area when the condition is aggravated.
One of the physical therapy methods involves the use of lasers to stop the progression of the degenerative process. During surgery, the painful area is exposed to light flux. As a result, blood circulation can be improved, inflammation, swelling and pain can be reduced. Before surgery is performed with the laser, the patient must be examined. When aggravated, it is prohibited to use.
The effectiveness of electrophoresis in arthropathy has been demonstrated. The affected area is subject to special preparations, for which an electric field is created. Therefore, the drug breaks down into ions, which then move to the upper layers of the skin, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
UVT therapy helps heal joint disease. The procedure helps to reduce inflammation, soften and remove calcium deposits from the body, and reduce swelling. However, this physical therapy method has many contraindications, including thrombosis, diabetes, tumors, and purulent processes.
Exposure to ultrasound allows you to numb the affected area and relieve inflammation. Typically, ultrasound therapy is used during recovery after surgery.
operation treatment
When drugs are ineffective, usually in the later stages of the disease, doctors may decide to perform surgery. There are several types of such operations:
- Arthroplasty - replacing damaged cartilage with an artificial pad, which helps reduce pain and improve mobility;
- Prosthetics - joints are completely removed and a prosthesis made of special materials is fitted, which helps prevent rejection by the body;
- Arthroscopy - Helps prevent joint destruction and, during surgery, removes areas of inflammation.
Surgery can be avoided if the patient consults a doctor early in the disease.
folk remedies
In complex treatments, in addition to medication, folk remedies are used to help relieve the patient's uncomfortable symptoms.
The following recipes are wildly popular:
- Mix equal parts calendula, birch leaves, and nettle leaves, then pour 2 tablespoons of the herbal collection into 1 liter of boiling water, keep it overnight, and take half a cup 5 times a day;
- Mix fresh egg yolks with turpentine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions, wipe the sore area with the resulting mixture, wrap it in a woolen scarf, and let it sit overnight;
- 2 teaspoons celery juice, 3 times a day;
- Squeeze the juice from the head of cabbage, dip a wool cloth into it, and use it as a compress;
- Boil oatmeal until a thick porridge, cool and spread as a dressing at night;
- Pharmacy root Inula (25g) stick to 150ml of vodka for 12 days and rub at night.
Traditional medicine will not replace medicine, but it will be an important complement to medicine.
Basic Rules for Using Traditional Medicine
With folk remedies, you must follow these general rules:
- Before using one of these recipes, a doctor must be consulted, after a detailed examination, possible complications can be pointed out;
- It is important not only to consult a specialist, but also to perform an allergic reaction test yourself - for this, apply a small amount of the product 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;
- Fresh infusions and ointments are recommended as harvesting for future use is not suitable for every recipe;
- If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and another remedy should be selected.
To protect yourself from complications, you should follow these simple rules.
special exercise
Provides therapeutic exercises to prevent weakening of ligaments and muscle wasting. Gymnastics are selected individually according to the patient's condition and course of the disease. This is done by a physical therapist.
Exercise is prohibited during an acute attack and until 6 days after the severe pain has resolved. The main task of performing therapeutic exercises is to restore mobility and flexibility.
non-traditional way
Non-traditional methods of treating the disease include leech therapy, acupuncture, and acupuncture.
Leeches are used in leech therapy. Although this method is not medical, it is very effective. Leeches are placed on special spots corresponding to certain active areas. This helps increase microcirculation in tissues, eliminate muscle spasms and reduce swelling. The medicinal saliva of leeches has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Acupuncture is based on activating certain acupuncture points with needles. Sometimes a lit wormwood stick is also used instead. The effect is similar to the results of leech therapy. Metabolic processes are significantly improved, blood circulation is increased, pain syndrome is relieved.
All the above procedures should only be performed by experts. Otherwise, a sharp deterioration of the condition, rather than improvement, may occur.
massage therapy
The ideal result of therapeutic massage is to restore the ability of the affected joint to work. However, this is possible when arthropathy of the joint is in the initial stages of development. Massages can only be performed by experts. Patients are sometimes allowed to do it themselves, but it is necessary to learn these techniques for this. Before surgery, warm up the damaged area with regular warm showers or exercise therapy exercises.
One of these types is hydromassage, which is performed by immersing in a warm bath. Complete courses up to 20 programs. It is recommended to repeat at least twice a year. If the massage is done correctly, there is a pleasant warmth and relaxation after the massage. To achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to gradually increase the duration of the operation.
Only a comprehensive approach will allow you to get rid of the symptoms of joint disease and prevent it from getting worse.