Osteoarthritis is a permanent joint disease that leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue.The disease develops in the bony material below the cartilage and in the muscles that connect the joints and ligaments.The disease is caused by poor metabolism in the body, but the impetus for its development can be joint injuries, inflammatory processes, excess weight and high physical activity.
Therapy for degenerative disease consists of several stages.The entire treatment process can take from several months to several years.Treatment methods are divided into 3 groups: non-drug, medicinal, surgical.Today you will learn how to deal with pain, what is the best physiotherapy to use and what measures to take to avoid relapse.Severe joint disease can be cured if you follow the doctor's recommendations, do exercises and do not disrupt your routine.
List of conservative methods of therapy
How to cure arthrosis?This question haunts many patients with this diagnosis.Doctors recommend several methods of therapy, because the cases are completely different.But experts are convinced that if you start immediate treatment of joint arthrosis at the first signs of the disease, you can not only prevent the progression of the disease, but also cure it.The first step is counseling the patient about daily behavior, physical activity and excess weight.The rules must be respected throughout the therapy process.The second step is the prescription of drugs.Various medications are used to treat arthrosis:
- Pain reliever with anti-inflammatory effects.
- The injections help relieve pain for up to four weeks.
- Chondroitin is an important component of connective tissue, cartilage cells.It suppresses inflammation in the joints and protects them from further damage.
- "Hyaluronic acid" for arthrosis is necessary for synovial fluid and good joint functioning.You can inject directly into the joint or take pills.
Arthrosis is treated in combination with physiotherapy.Thermal treatment in the acute phase, cold compresses, muscle strengthening and stretching, electrical and ultrasound therapy are usually recommended.
Benefits of physiotherapeutic procedures and their types
You can restore the joints and their mobility with the help of physiotherapy.Physiotherapy for arthrosis includes a wide range of therapy methods that improve joint function and reduce pain with inflammation.These include:
- Thermal procedures - application of cold and heat.
- Use of assistive devices such as splints, canes, walkers.They will provide stability and mobility.Doctors teach patients how to use them correctly
- To get rid of arthrosis of the hands, physiotherapists advise using paraffin therapy.
- If the spine is affected by the disease, you should buy a firm mattress, a cervical collar or a corset for the lumbar region.
It is recommended to perform individual exercises that mobilize the joints.Physiotherapists also recommend that patients with osteoarthritis include swimming, water aerobics, Pilates and stationary cycling in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Benefits of physiotherapy:
- reduction of pain and inflammation;
- increased flexibility and range of motion;
- increasing muscle strength;
- improved coordination;
- weight loss and control;
- improving the function of the cardiovascular system.
It is important to remember that rest and immobilization are important in the acute phase.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during remission and after surgery.
Effectiveness of water exercises
Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis are an important part of any treatment program.Exercise therapy helps strengthen and stabilize the joints, preventing further damage.Patients suffering from severe pain feel that the pain only worsens with regular exercise.Water exercises are an excellent opportunity to stop osteoarthritis, reduce symptoms and reduce pressure on the joints.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that begins as a result of the breakdown of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones.When the cartilage thins, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.Due to the loss of shock absorbing function, exercise such as running and gymnastics will worsen the symptoms of the disease.Water therapy, on the contrary, will save them, since it does not have a strong effect on the joints.Your doctor may recommend:
- aquatherapy;
- hydrotherapy.
A swimming instructor will tell you in detail how to fight arthrosis using hydrotherapy.The force of the water opposes gravity, thus reducing the pressure on the joints.In addition to reducing symptoms, water therapy has cardiovascular benefits.After completing the course, patients experience improved blood circulation in their muscles and joints, resulting in the restoration of cartilage tissue.
Manual therapy against disease
In addition to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the foot, knee, hip, and other joints, some patients may benefit from manual therapy to manage their symptoms.The most common therapies are chiropractic and massage for osteoarthritis.Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals.The treatment and prevention of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal system is what their activities focus on.The chiropractor uses manual manipulation to relieve pressure on sensory nerve cells, improve overall health, restore the structural integrity of the spine, and correct biomechanical problems affecting the nervous system.Chiropractors have become an integral part of pain management.Chiropractors can also provide advice on how to restore mobility on your own.
Therapeutic massage for arthrosis is performed by a qualified specialist.A physical therapist or massage therapist may use a variety of massage techniques that are appropriate for a particular case.There are several types of massage:
- point - reduces pain;
- deep - relieves pain in the muscles and tendons located near the joints;
- Swedish - increases blood circulation.
A session lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.Massage therapists use rubbing, pressing, stroking and caressing in one session for better effectiveness of the procedure.It is better to carry out manual water treatment of arthrosis in a sanatorium.In this way, the patient will be protected from falls and severe stress.
Effect of intra-articular oxygen therapy
Arthritis of the joints can be treated with intra-articular oxygen therapy.Saturation of joint tissues with oxygen accelerates metabolic processes.This is an effective treatment for arthrosis, which results in the following:
- the nodes receive all the necessary nutrients;
- tissue degeneration slows down;
- collagen synthesis improves;
- hyaluronates are filtered more efficiently;
- cellular metabolism is stimulated;
- the joint capsule is directed;
- the range of motion increases;
- The elasticity of cartilage and meniscus is restored.
Treatment of arthrosis without surgery or drugs, but with the help of oxygenation stimulates the self-healing of cartilage tissue, which occurs due to the improvement of blood circulation in the joints.
Traditional and popular cream
Ointments for arthrosis help relieve the main symptoms of the disease.Pharmaceutical companies claim that for arthrosis of the leg, hip, shoulder or knee, creams can cure the pathology.But this is far from the truth.Ointment for arthrosis only reduces the manifestations of its symptoms: pain, redness, inflammation.
Joint mobility is restored by ointments prepared at home from natural ingredients.Recipe:
- Take a bag of mustard powder, a pinch of salt and paraffin.The ingredients are mixed and placed in a water bath.The resulting mass is placed in a well-closed container.After 12 hours, the ointment is applied to the injured joints.
- Unripe juniper and nettle seeds are mixed with crushed plant leaves in equal amounts.Then you need to add 1 tbsp.l.melted fat, mix all the ingredients well and put the ointment in the refrigerator.You can use the product up to 4 times a day.
The fight against arthrosis with the help of oils is aimed at the symptoms of the disease.Excellent remedies include lavender oil, vitamin E, and peppermint oil.
Surgical methods of therapy
Most patients manage the disease using conservative methods.Surgery is necessary if other measures fail or the damage is so extensive that non-surgical options are not even worth considering.How to stop the disease?For joint arthrosis, one of the following surgical methods is possible:
- Arthrodesis.
- Arthroscopy.
- Osteomy.
Cartilage replacement is required when severe damage occurs and the disease progresses to other tissues.The damaged cartilage is replaced with the artificial one.This treatment method is called endoprosthetics.After the surgery, recovery is required, during which physical therapy must be performed and it is possible to take antibiotics to prevent suppuration.
How to prevent a relapse?
Prevention of arthrosis of the knee joints (hip, shoulder) consists in changing the lifestyle.Some simple changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, increasing mobility, having a good daily routine and taking care of the joints go a long way in preventing the development of osteoarthritis.Certain activities should be avoided, such as jogging and lifting weights.It is better to replace them with swimming, cycling and physical therapy.Neglecting physical activity will not only have a bad effect on your joints, but will also lead to other health problems.Your doctor may suggest alternative exercises.People with ankle arthritis should wear comfortable shoes that provide support.
It is necessary to rest periodically if you feel pain.Moderate pain means the joint needs rest.Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for osteoarthritis—and for good reason.Extra pounds put extra pressure on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees.Over time, the extra stress wears down the cartilage.The less weight, the less stress on the joints.To do this, you need to give up certain foods, follow a diet and work more with a physiotherapist.You can also use a cane or walker to make walking easier.Some patients use meditation, relaxation and hypnosis as prevention.