Effective treatment of arthrosis

Joint damage caused by arthrosis is progressive.Pain, immobility and general unpleasant symptoms gradually increase.Without adequate and comprehensive therapy, irreversible changes occur quickly in the form of deformation of bone joints and loss of working capacity.A prerequisite for stopping the destruction of the joints and restoring their functionality is the comprehensive treatment of arthrosis with special drugs and non-pharmacological agents.

What is arthrosis and why does it occur?

Arthrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic pathology of the joints, with multiple changes in nearby tissues.It is progressive, non-inflammatory and develops gradually over several years.It mainly affects women over 50 years of age.

The causes of the disease lie in the degradation of the cartilage tissue, which begins to decay as a result of the natural aging of the body.

Unfavorable internal and external factors contribute to this process:

• bad heredity;
• congenital disorders of the locomotor system;
• untreated and advanced arthritis;
• heavy physical activity related to work or professional sports;
• autoimmune and metabolic disorders;
• injuries and surgical interventions on the joints;
• overweight and bad habits;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoarthritis affects almost all moving joints that bear the greatest stress during life - ankles, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, hands, toes, cervical spine and even the lower jaw.Gradual destruction of the articular joints occurs, accompanied by pain during movement, external deformation, muscle and blood spasms, and general malaise.

The disease is subject to complex therapy, without which it quickly leads to loss of performance and disability.

Principles of treatment of arthrosis

Osteoarthritis, unlike arthritis, occurs only in a chronic form.Therefore, the answer to the question of whether arthrosis can be cured is clear - the pathology cannot be completely cured.But thanks to timely and permanent maintenance therapy, long-term and stable remission can be achieved.It is important to consult a doctor (arthrologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist) when the first signs appear and to conduct an examination, based on which an effective treatment regimen is selected.

The therapy of arthrosis has several important goals:

• relieves painful symptoms and accompanying discomfort;
• restoration of joint function;
• preservation of mobility and ability to work until old age;
• prevents bone deformation and serious complications;
• stabilizes the general well-being.

Regardless of the form of the disease, two treatment approaches are used:

• medicinal (medicinal)- symptomatic and therapeutic preparations in the form of tablets, powders, solutions, ointments, creams, intramuscular and intra-articular injections;
• not medicated– traditional and alternative medicine, physiotherapy, diet, surgery.

The techniques are selected individually based on the clinical picture, the stage of the disease, the patient's age and well-being.Medicines and procedures are prescribed by the attending physician based on the diagnostic results.Self-medication of joint pathology is unacceptable.

Drug treatment of joint arthrosis

Almost all stages of joint arthrosis can be treated conservatively with the help of various drugs.Systemic and topical medications are applied directly to the affected area.The choice depends on the severity of the disease and the severity of the clinical picture.

Medicines belonging to different pharmacological groups are used:

• anti-inflammatory and pain relievers;
• chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid;
• corticosteroids;
• vasodilators and muscle relaxants;
• vitamin complexes.

In the presence of the pathology of arthrosis, the therapy is quite long, and supportive measures are prescribed continuously.

Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs form the basis of anti-arthrosis therapy.They are prescribed regardless of the form and degree of joint damage.

1. NSAIDs are designed to relieve inflammation and moderate pain.They use tablets and injections.Medicines in the form of ointments, gels and creams are effective in the initial stages of the disease.
2. Pain relievers help to cope with mild to moderate pain.

Medicines from these groups are taken in short courses due to the presence of side effects.

Chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid

What to do with arthrosis in case of partial destruction of the cartilage tissue?In order to stop the complete degradation of the joints, a course of chondroprotective drugs is recommended.The chondroitin and glucosamine they contain improve functionality and metabolism.

The knee and hip areas are treated with several intra-articular injections.

Hyaluronic acid injections can provide additional help, especially in the case of gonarthrosis.

Sodium hyaluronate creates a protective layer on the damaged cartilage, replaces the lack of synovial fluid, reduces trauma and increases the motor function of the joints.

You cannot expect quick healing results from these medicines.It can only be used as a maintenance therapy.

Corticosteroids

In case of severe pain and inflammation, corticosteroid hormones are indicated.It is most often used in stages 3-4 of the disease due to the ineffectiveness of previous drug groups.

During the treatment period, no more than three injections are allowed.In the case of a favorable clinical picture, the positive result lasts for several months.

Vasodilators and muscle relaxants

Arthrosis often causes a local deterioration of blood circulation, spasms of muscles and blood vessels, and leads to congestion.

To improve blood flow, relieve muscle hypertonia and facilitate mobility, the following are used:

• vasodilators;
• muscle relaxants.

The listed drugs are not always needed, only if the degenerative-dystrophic process spreads to nearby tissues.The treatment is carried out carefully, with strict dosage and under constant medical supervision.

Vitamin complexes

In order to improve the cellular metabolism of the joints, it is recommended to take vitamins.Useful microelements stop the destruction of cartilage tissue, prevent serious complications, reduce the frequency of relapses and normalize the general condition.

Vitamin complexes are prescribed for preventive and supportive purposes:

• a complex containing more than 20 vitamins and minerals necessary for the development of muscle and bone tissue;
• neurotropic drug with a series of B vitamins (B1, B6, B12);
• 8 B-vitamin complex with calcium, magnesium and zinc;
• mineral and vitamin preparation with a high calcium content, which acts as a building material for bone tissue.

Medicines belonging to this group increase the body's resistance to various diseases, mental and physical activity, and prevent vitamin deficiency.

It is not drug therapy

A nem gyógyszeres megközelítés ugyanolyan fontos összetevő az ízületi arthrosis kezelésében.The auxiliary techniques are based on the achievements of traditional and alternative medicine, as well as on such simple and yet effective things as proper nutrition and moderate physical activity.

In total, they are:

• accelerates rehabilitation;
• prolongs the remission period;
• prevention of complications;
• improves general well-being.

As a last resort, surgery is used to maintain mobility.

How to treat arthrosis - folk recipes

Traditional medicine has many recipes for all forms and stages of arthrosis.They are based on the use of ingredients of natural plant and animal origin only.Medicines are prepared at home from products known to many, but they are completely simple and affordable.

Regardless of the location of the joint pathology, the following remedies will help:

1. Poultice made from burdock leaves, white cabbage, and aloe.Wash the fresh leaves and mash a little to release the juice.Apply it to the sore spot overnight.
2. Ginger root poultice warms and stimulates blood circulation.Grate the root and wrap a clean cloth around the painful joint.
3. Soda-salt solution baths for the limbs.Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda and table salt, dissolve in 40-degree water.Keep your hands or feet in the pool for 15-20 minutes, wrap them in warmth.

4. Rub from honey and mummy.Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of mumiyo and 100 g of natural honey.Rub the painful area with light massaging movements.
5. Blue clay poultice.Dissolve the dry powder in water, apply it to a piece of cotton cloth, apply it to the joint for 2 hours, wrapped with a bandage and film.
6. Dandelion decoction.2 tsp.Boil the leaves and roots of dry dandelion in a glass of water in a bath for 10 minutes, let them cool.Drink the medicine 1/3 tbsp.3 times a day.

Folk remedies help to cope with painful symptoms and alleviate arthrosis, but they do not replace medicines.

Tibetan medicine methods for treating joints

Tibetan healers and healers give a leading role to physiotherapy and manual techniques.

Let's look at the most effective ways to treat arthrosis:

• reflexology (acupuncture, acupuncture)– effect on biologically active points of the human body by introducing special thin needles, which are used for pain relief and improvement of tissue metabolism;
• acupressure (acupressure)– massage by pressing certain points of the body, which are responsible for the health of certain organs or areas;
• vacuum massage– with the help of cups or a special device, we exert a targeted effect on the pathological area, improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminating congestion;
• stone therapy– massage with hot stones of volcanic origin, promoting the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues, stimulating metabolic processes.

As a result of the application of Tibetan procedures, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints slow down, natural regeneration is activated, and the general health of the body is improved.

Treatment of arthrosis with stem cells

Cell therapy is a new method for restoring joint structure using stem cells that initiate regeneration processes in the cartilage.Autologous (own) material isolated from the patient's fat tissue, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood is used as "medicine".Sometimes donor material from a relative or an aborted fetus is taken.

The procedure is as follows:

1. The collected material is sent to the laboratory to grow stem cells.The process takes from 7 days to 2 months.
2. The finished material is minimally invasive or surgically injected into the joint.The course is selected individually and can last from 10 days to several months.

Positive results can be noticed already after the first procedure.Pain decreases, mobility improves.The structure of the cartilage is gradually restored, the metabolism is normalized, and the joint is completely regenerated.The therapeutic effect lasts up to 5 years.The treatment allows to avoid surgery in the first stages;ineffective in advanced cases.

Proper nutrition

The state of the locomotor system largely depends on the metabolism in the body.A balanced diet can normalize the metabolism and improve the condition of the joints.During the treatment of arthrosis, it is recommended to follow a special diet, preferably forever.

The daily diet should include:

• rabbit, chicken, turkey meat as an important source of protein;
• vegetables and fruits rich in fiber and vitamins (zucchini, cauliflower, apples, bananas, limit citrus fruits);

• Sea fish containing omega-3 fatty acids (tuna, cod, salmon);
• buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, durum wheat pasta;
• calcium-rich fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese);
• legumes, nuts, bran;
• linseed, olive, sesame oil;
• bone broth and gelatin-based aspic (jelly), which replaces collagen reserves.

You can prepare a variety of delicious dishes from the offered products by steaming, baking in the oven, boiling or steaming.You can't eat fried food.

To get the best out of your joints, you should avoid:

• fatty meat and sausage;
• baked goods and sweets;
• home and store canned goods;
• semi-finished products and fast food;
• whole milk;
• table salt;
• alcoholic beverages.

With arthrosis of the lower limbs, you need to monitor your weight and avoid obesity, so as not to cause additional stress on the painful legs.It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day.Meals should be balanced and regular.

How to cure arthrosis with exercises

Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis help to restore the mobility of the joints, expand the range of motion and prevent severe deformation.It is used for all forms of joint pathology during the period of remission.

Different specific practices have been developed depending on the location:

1. Ankle arthrosis
   • With light movements, massage each toe separately, gradually moving to the foot area;
   • sit on a chair, slightly raise your legs and slowly rotate your legs counterclockwise;
   • from the previous position, pull the toe away from you and towards you.
2. Hip joint
   • squat at right angles without lifting your heels off the floor;
   • from a standing position, make wide swings with your legs back and forth;
   • perform the well-known "Bike" and "Scissors" exercises from the school curriculum in a lying position.
3. Knee arthrosis
   • kneel down, sit on your heels and rise, straighten your back;
   • the mentioned "bicycle" exercise is equally useful for the knees;
   • standing straight, close your legs, make circular movements with your knees in both directions;
   • move slowly around the apartment in squats, the so-called "goose walk";
4. When the hands and fingers are affected
   • make circular movements with your wrist in different directions;
   • to clench and unclench strongly with outstretched arms, fingers spread like a fan;
   • spin a round object (ball) in your hand, rolling it in different directions.

5. Shoulder and elbow area
   • roll your shoulders back and forth without bending your elbows;
   • from a standing position, raise your arms as if trying to reach the ceiling;
   • bend and straighten your arms at the elbows, extending them out in front of you, palms up.

Home gymnastics should be done carefully, paying attention to the body's reaction.If severe pain occurs and the condition worsens, you should stop training.Any exercise is allowed only with a doctor's permission.

Operation

Surgery is the last option in the treatment of arthrosis.The direct indication for surgery is the low efficiency of conservative therapy, the rapid deterioration of the condition of the joints and well-being.In case of significant deformation of bone joints and loss of mobility, surgery is the only and life-saving method.

Depending on the condition of the joints, the following types of operations are used:

• arthroscopy– minimally invasive manipulation, during which a device is introduced into the joint cavity in order to remove the damaged cartilage or its fragments, as well as to diagnose and treat pathological changes;
• joint surgery– partial replacement and modeling of joint surfaces by inserting an insert made of artificial material or the patient's own tissue;
• cheilectomy– surgery with preservation of the joint, during which the osteochondral growths are removed;
• endoprosthesis– radical surgery to replace the non-functioning joint with an artificial implant, to restore mobility for many years;
• arthrodesis– surgical immobilization of the joint for complete bone fusion, if prosthetics is not possible.

Surgery is often the only method that can prolong the patient's active life and avoid disability.

Conclusion

The answer to the question, can arthrosis be cured?received - due to the chronic course of the disease, it is incurable, but can be successfully treated with complex therapy.The appropriate combination of medicinal and non-medicinal methods allows achieving long-term remission, getting rid of unpleasant symptoms and preserving joint mobility for many years.It is only important that you start treatment on time and constantly monitor your health.