Osteoarthritis is a permanent joint disease that leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue.The disease develops in the bone material beneath the cartilage and in the muscles that connect joints and ligaments.The disease is caused by poor metabolism in the body, but the impetus for its development can be injuries to the joint, inflammatory processes, excess 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-pharmacological, medicinal and surgical.Today you will learn how to deal with pain, what is the best physical therapy to use and what measures to take to avoid relapses.Severe joint disease can be cured if you follow your doctor's recommendations, exercise, and don't break your routine.
List of conservative methods of therapy.
How to cure osteoarthritis?This question torments many patients with this diagnosis.Doctors recommend various methods of therapy, because the cases are completely different.But experts are confident that if immediate treatment of joint osteoarthritis is started at the first signs of the disease, it will not only be possible to prevent the disease from progressing, but also to cure it.The first step is to advise the patient about daily behavior, physical activity and excess weight.The rules must be followed throughout the therapy process.The second step is to prescribe medications.Various medications are used to treat osteoarthritis:
- Pain relievers with anti-inflammatory effects.
- The injections help relieve pain for up to four weeks.
- "Chondroitin" is an important component of connective tissue and cartilage cells.It suppresses inflammation in the joints and protects them from further damage.
- "Hyaluronic acid" for osteoarthritis is necessary for synovial fluid and proper joint function.It can be injected directly into the joint or taken in pills.
Osteoarthritis is treated in combination with physiotherapy.Heat treatment is usually recommended in the acute phase, cold compresses, muscle strengthening and stretching, electrical and ultrasound therapy.
The benefits of physiotherapy procedures and their types.
You can restore joints and their mobility with the help of physical therapy.Physiotherapy for osteoarthritis includes a wide range of therapeutic methods that improve joint function and reduce pain during 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 osteoarthritis of the hands, physiotherapists recommend using paraffin therapy.
- If the spine has been affected by the disease, it is necessary to purchase a hard mattress, a cervical collar or a corset for the lumbar region.
It is advisable to perform individual exercises that mobilize the joints.Physiotherapists also recommend that patients with osteoarthritis include swimming, water aerobics, Pilates and walking on a stationary bike in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Benefits of physiotherapy:
- reduction of pain and inflammation;
- greater flexibility and range of motion;
- increased muscle strength;
- better 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 stage.Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed during remission and after surgery.
The effectiveness of aquatic exercises.
Therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis are an important part of any treatment program.Exercise therapy helps strengthen and stabilize joints, preventing further damage.Patients suffering from severe pain only find that the pain worsens with regular exercise.Aquatic exercise is an excellent option 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 cartilage thins, bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.Due to the loss of shock absorption function, exercises such as running and aerobics will aggravate the symptoms of the disease.Water therapy, on the other hand, will eliminate them, as it does not have a strong effect on the joints.Your doctor may recommend:
- aquatherapy;
- hydrotherapy.
A swimming instructor will explain in detail how to combat osteoarthritis through hydrotherapy.The force of water counteracts gravity, thus reducing 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 control their symptoms.The most common therapies are chiropractic and massages for osteoarthritis.Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals.Treatment and prevention of the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal system is what its 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 that affect the nervous system.Chiropractors have become an integral part of pain management.Chiropractors can also give you advice on how to restore mobility on your own.
Therapeutic massage for osteoarthritis 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 massages:
- point - reduces pain;
- deep - relieves pain in the muscles and tendons located near the joints;
- Swedish: increases blood circulation.
A session lasts 30 to 60 minutes.Massage therapists rub, press, caress and pat in a single session to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure.It is better to carry out manual aquatic treatment of osteoarthritis in a sanatorium.In this way the patient will be protected from falls and intense stress.
Effect of intra-articular oxygen therapy.
Osteoarthritis of the joints can be treated with intra-articular oxygen therapy.Oxygen saturation of joint tissues accelerates metabolic processes.This is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, which results in the following:
- the joints receive all the necessary nutrients;
- tissue degeneration slows down;
- improves collagen synthesis;
- hyaluronates are filtered more efficiently;
- cellular metabolism is stimulated;
- the joint capsule is straightened;
- the range of motion increases;
- The elasticity of cartilage and meniscus is restored.
Treatment of osteoarthritis without surgery or medications, but with the help of oxygenation stimulates self-healing of cartilage tissue, which occurs due to better blood circulation in the joints.
Traditional and folkloric creams
Ointments for osteoarthritis help relieve the main symptoms of the disease.Pharmaceutical companies claim that in case of osteoarthritis of the foot, hip, shoulder or knee, creams can cure the pathology.But this is far from true.Osteoarthritis ointment only reduces the manifestations of its symptoms: pain, redness, inflammation.
Joint mobility is restored with ointments prepared at home from natural ingredients.Recipes:
- Take a sachet 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 tightly closed container.After 12 hours, the ointment is applied to the sore joints.
- Green berries of juniper and nettle are mixed with crushed herbal leaves in equal quantities.Then you should 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 osteoarthritis with the help of ointments is aimed at the symptoms of the disease.Great remedies include lavender oil, vitamin E and peppermint oil.
Surgical methods of therapy
Most patients control the disease through conservative methods.Surgery is necessary if other measures fail or if the damage is too extensive that non-surgical options are not even worth considering.How to stop the disease?For osteoarthritis of the joints, one of the following surgical methods is possible:
- Arthrodesis.
- Arthroscopy.
- Osteomy.
Cartilage replacement is necessary when severe damage occurs and the disease progresses to other tissues.The damaged cartilage is replaced with an artificial one.This treatment method is called endoprosthesis.After the operation is completed, recovery is required, during which it is necessary to perform physiotherapy and it is possible to take antibiotics to prevent suppuration.
How to prevent a relapse?
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knee joints (hip, shoulder) consists of lifestyle changes.Simple changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, increasing mobility, maintaining a good daily routine, and taking care of your joints go a long way toward preventing the development of osteoarthritis.Certain activities, such as running and heavy lifting, should be avoided.It is better to replace them with swimming, cycling and physiotherapy.Neglecting physical activity will not only negatively affect your joints, but will also cause other health problems.Your doctor may suggest alternative exercises.People with ankle arthritis should wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
You need to rest periodically if you feel pain.Moderate pain means the joint needs to rest.Excess weight 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, additional stress destroys cartilage.The less weight, the less stress on the joints.To do this, it is advisable to abandon 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.