Arthritis is a permanent joint disease that leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue.The disease develops in the bone material under the cartilage and in the muscles that connect the joints and ligaments.This disease is caused by poor metabolism in the body, but the impetus for its development can be injuries to the joints, inflammatory processes, excess body weight and high physical activity.
Therapy for degenerative diseases 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, medical, surgical.Today you will learn how to cope with pain, what is the best physiotherapy to use and what steps to take to avoid relapse.Severe joint disease can be cured if you follow your doctor's recommendations, do exercise and don't break your routine.
List of conservative therapy methods
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 sure that if you start immediate treatment of joint arthrosis at the first signs of the disease, you can not only prevent the disease from developing, but also cure it.The first step is to advise the patient about daily behavior, physical activity, and excess weight.Rules must be followed throughout the therapy process.The second step is to prescribe medication.Various drugs are used to treat arthrosis:
- Painkillers with anti-inflammatory effects.
- 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 needed for synovial fluid and works well in joints.You can inject directly into the joint itself or take a pill.
Arthritis is treated in combination with physiotherapy.Heat treatment in the acute stage, cold compresses, muscle strengthening and stretching, electrical therapy and ultrasound are usually recommended.
Benefits of physiotherapeutic procedures and their types
You can restore the joint and its mobility with the help of physiotherapy.Physiotherapy for arthrosis includes various therapeutic methods that improve joint function and reduce pain with inflammation.These include:
- Thermal procedures - using cold and heat.
- The use of aids such as splints, canes, walkers.They will provide stability and mobility.Doctors teach patients how to use them correctly
- To get rid of hand arthrosis, physiotherapists advise using paraffin therapy.
- If the spine has been affected by this disease, you need to buy a hard mattress, cervical collar or corset for the lumbar region.
It is advisable to do individual exercises that move the joints.Physiotherapists also recommend that patients with arthrosis include swimming, water aerobics, Pilates, and walking on a stationary bicycle in the treatment of arthrosis.Benefits of physiotherapy:
- reduction of pain and inflammation;
- increased flexibility and range of motion;
- increased muscle strength;
- better coordination;
- weight loss and control;
- improve the function of the cardiovascular system.
It is important to remember that rest and immobilization are important in the acute stage.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during remission and after surgery.
Effectiveness of water exercise
Therapeutic exercise for arthrosis is an important part of any treatment program.Exercise therapy helps strengthen and stabilize the joint, preventing further damage.Patients with severe pain only feel that the pain worsens with regular exercise.Aquatic exercise is the best option to stop arthrosis, reduce symptoms and reduce stress on the joints.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that begins as a result of damage to the cartilage that covers the ends of bones.As 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 aerobics will worsen the symptoms of the disease.Water therapy, on the other hand, will get rid of it, because 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 combat arthrosis using hydrotherapy.The force of the water opposes gravity, thereby reducing stress on the joints.In addition to reducing symptoms, water therapy has cardiovascular benefits.After completing the course, patients experience better blood circulation in their muscles and joints, resulting in the restoration of cartilage tissue.
Manual therapy for disease
In addition to drug treatment for arthrosis of the feet, knees, hips and other joints, some patients may benefit from manual therapy to manage their symptoms.The most common therapies are chiropractic and massage for arthrosis.Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals.The treatment and prevention of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal system is the focus of their activities.Chiropractors use manual manipulation to relieve pressure on sensory nerve cells, improve overall health, restore structural integrity of the spine, and correct biomechanical problems affecting the nervous system.Chiropractors have become an integral part of pain management.A chiropractor can also provide advice on how to restore your own mobility.
Therapeutic massage for arthrosis is carried out by a qualified specialist.A physical therapist or massage therapist can use a variety of massage techniques that are appropriate for a specific case.There are several types of sequences:
- points - reduce pain;
- in - relieves pain in the muscles and tendons located near the joint;
- Sweden - improves blood circulation.
A session lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.Massage therapists use rubbing, pressing, stroking and patting in one session for better effectiveness of the procedure.It is better to carry out aquatic manual treatment of arthrosis in a sanatorium.In this way the patient will be protected from falls and heavy pressure.
Effects of intra-articular oxygen therapy
Arthritis of the joints can be treated with intra-articular oxygen therapy.Saturation of joint tissue with oxygen accelerates metabolic processes.This is an effective treatment for arthrosis, which results in the following:
- joints receive all the necessary nutrients;
- tissue degeneration slows down;
- collagen synthesis improves;
- hyaluronate is filtered more efficiently;
- cellular metabolism is stimulated;
- the joint capsule is straightened;
- the amplitude of movement 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 better blood circulation in the joints.
Traditional and folk creams
Ointment for arthrosis helps relieve the main symptoms of the disease.Pharmaceutical companies claim that for arthrosis of the legs, hips, shoulders or knees, the cream can cure the pathology.But this is far from the truth.Ointment for arthrosis only reduces the manifestation 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 put in a water bath.The resulting mass is placed in a tightly closed container.After 12 hours, the ointment is applied to the sore joint.
- Unripe juniper berries and nettles are mixed with equal quantities of crushed herb leaves.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 ointments aimed at the symptoms of the disease.Great remedies include lavender oil, vitamin E, and peppermint oil.
Surgical treatment methods
Most patients manage this disease using conservative methods.Surgery is necessary if other measures fail or the damage is so extensive that non-surgical options are not worth considering.How to stop this disease?For joint arthrosis, one of the following surgical methods is possible:
- Arthrodesis.
- Arthroscopy.
- Osteomy.
Cartilage replacement is needed when severe damage occurs and the disease spreads to other tissues.The damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial one.This treatment method is called endoprosthetics.After the operation is completed, recovery is required, where it is necessary to do physical therapy, and it is possible to take antibiotics to prevent suppuration.
How to avoid relapse?
Prevention of arthrosis of the knee joint (hip, shoulder) consists of lifestyle changes.Some simple changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, increasing mobility, having a good daily routine and taking care of your joints go a long way in preventing the development of arthrosis.Certain activities should be avoided, such as running and heavy lifting.It is better to replace it 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 sick.Moderate pain means the joint needs rest.Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for osteoarthritis—and for good reason.The extra pounds put extra stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees.Over time, the added stress destroys the cartilage.The less weight, the less pressure on the joints.To do this, you should 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.