Treatment of joint damage - arthritis and osteoarthritis is complex. The earlier the therapy is started, the less pronounced the pathological process will be. Pathology of the musculoskeletal system can occur at any age, against the background of existing chronic diseases, due to trauma or as a manifestation of congenital anomalies. Joint pathology requires not only traditional methods of treatment in the form of drugs, physiotherapy, but also lifestyle changes.
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Arthritis and osteoarthritis - differences
These two pathologies have a similar name for the root of the word, which derives from the Latin articulatio, which translates as articulation. The ending -means inflammation and -osis - deformity. The name is due to the process that occurs in the joints.
Arthritis affects the synovial membrane along with blood vessels and nerve endings. Synovial fluid production is impaired. It develops at any age, can occur in children as a manifestation of connective tissue diseases, autoimmune pathology. One or more joints are affected, in rare cases polyarthritis occurs.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the destruction of the cartilage located on the surface of the bone that forms the joint. Cartilage tissue thins, points of deformation are replaced by bone tissue. Formed in adulthood, it can be a consequence of injury. It mainly affects the large joints - knee, elbow, etc.
The first symptoms of arthritis are acute pain that occurs during movement and at rest, stiffness of movement in the morning. In addition to local manifestations, this pathology is accompanied by general symptoms in the form of fever, general weakness, lethargy. In autoimmune diseases, other organs are affected: the heart, the kidneys.
With osteoarthritis in the early stages, there are no symptoms. Complaints are presented by patients in the later stages, there is pain during physical exertion, a crunch when moving, impaired movement. In the last stages, contractures appear.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis can be complications of each other.
Which doctor should I contact?
If arthritis and osteoarthritis are suspected, treatment is carried out by specialists such as:
- Surgeon: to examine the condition of the tissues.
- A rheumatologist deals with autoimmune diseases.
- Traumatologist: Treats the pathology caused by injuries.
- Orthopedic - is engaged in the rehabilitation of patients after a course of treatment.
Principles of effective joint treatment
Effective joint treatment is based on an integrated approach, the period of exacerbations includes taking drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect. During the period of remission, physiotherapeutic methods, massage and gymnastics are prescribed. Arthrosis therapy is different in that it includes the use of chondroprotectors.
In arthritis, in addition to symptomatic treatment, etiotropic treatment should be prescribed. With the development of reactive arthritis against the background of infection, antibiotics are prescribed, with autoimmune diseases, hormonal agents are prescribed. Treatment may include antiviral agents, immunomodulators.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are a pathology in which blood circulation and lymphatic flow are disturbed, therefore, their effective treatment is based on the normalization of these processes, improving the nutrition of tissues.
Effective treatment of the joints in the presence of synovitis against the background of arthritis and osteoarthritis is based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
A mandatory step is to reduce the load on the affected limbs. This includes conservative methods: wearing orthopedic shoes, protecting joints from injuries, normalizing weight, dosed physical activity.
How to cure osteoarthritis and arthritis? Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease. It cannot be completely cured, so the main task of therapy is to prevent further development of the deformity.
Arthritis that arose against the background of the underlying disease disappears after treatment of the pathology that caused inflammation of the joint.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis of the foot is the same as for other joints. Make sure you are wearing proper shoes with arch support. When wearing high heels and flat shoes, the deformation progresses, other groups of joints and the spine will begin to get involved in the process.
The main methods of treatment of joint pathology:
- lifestyle correction;
- orthopedic correction;
- Physiotherapy;
- massage;
- Physiotherapy;
- Pharmacological treatment;
- Surgery.
Non-pharmacological methods
How to treat arthritis at home? Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis at home is carried out using compresses with dimethyl sulfoxide, bischofite or medical bile. All these substances can be purchased at the pharmacy.
- Bischofite - relieves inflammation, has a local warming effect. It is prescribed for the treatment of large joints, with deformities not complicated by synovitis.
- Medical bile has a local warming and absorbing effect.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide relieves inflammation, is absorbed into deep tissues.
You can apply anti-inflammatory ointments on your own. When arthritis is caused by autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, gout, diet is of great importance in therapy. The diet is saturated with vegetables, fruits, fiber, exclude:
- fried and fatty foods;
- smoked meats;
- canned food;
- carbonated drinks;
- alcohol.
Gouty arthritis also requires the exclusion of spices, hot spices, fatty meats, caviar, legumes, coffee, tea, chocolate.
Joint health benefits:
- pineapple;
- Cherry juice
- Ginger;
- Lemon;
- Turmeric;
- hot pepper.
For a patient who treats osteoarthritis at home, it is important to include gelatin and gelatin in the diet. In the early stages, these dishes will act as natural chondroprotectors and stimulate the restoration of cartilage. The restriction is imposed on salt and mineral water.
The next step in home therapy is daily joint exercises and stretching. Small joint arthritis is prevented by activities in which the motor skills of the hands are involved: modeling, drawing. For the general improvement of the body are useful: cycling, swimming.
Medical treatment
Treatment of arthrosis with the help of drugs consists in the appointment of NSAIDs, chondroprotectors. Forms of release: tablets, capsules, injections, ointments and gels. The oral form of release has a number of contraindications, such as bronchial asthma, stomach ulcers.
Their long-term use can cause stomach bleeding. Ointments have no contraindications, but their effectiveness is lower.
Dosage is prescribed by a doctor, usually 1-2 tablets are taken per day, propionic acid derivatives are taken no more than 1 tablet every 4-6 hours.
Hormonal drugs are injected into the joint cavity. They are prescribed for severe pain that is not relieved by NSAIDs. The most commonly prescribed are glucocorticoids.
Chondroprotectors - a group of drugs prescribed for the restoration of cartilage tissue. When using the oral form, they are used for a long course - up to 3 months, with intra-articular - up to 2 weeks. The main active ingredients are chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. Ointments with chondroprotectors are effective for the prevention of joint pathology.
Arthritis is treated by injecting a therapeutic substance with a laser through the skin. These procedures include phonophoresis and electrophoresis.
Phonophoresis: The device creates a direct flow, which improves the permeability of tissues for drug delivery. In addition, the beam has a massage effect on deep tissues, thereby improving their nutrition, increasing blood circulation and reducing inflammation.
Electrophoresis is the action of an electric current that breaks down substances into ionized particles. The tissue is impregnated with medicine, placed under opposite-charged electrodes. An electric field is created in the affected area, which allows the active ingredient to penetrate into the deep tissues. The number of such procedures varies up to 10.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with drugs is effective in the early stages. In the future, drugs do not have the desired effect.
Surgery
With osteoarthritis and arthritis, surgical treatment of the joints is indicated when the movement of the joint is already impaired, the pain is always bothersome and is not interrupted by drugs. The main operation is arthroplasty.
The puncture is used to examine synovial fluid, remove it, and administer medications.
Arthroscopy refers to research methods, but it can be therapeutic. With osteoarthritis, osteophytes are removed using an endoscope.
Osteotomy - excision of the bone edges to reduce the load on the diseased joint. Used for arthritis.
Prevention of osteoarthritis and arthritis
To keep your joints healthy, you need to change your lifestyle. Namely, to establish a diet, reduce body weight and exercise regularly. At the first pathological symptoms, consultations of specialists, research and treatment are indicated.