The treatment of joint damage - arthritis and osteoarthritis - is complex. The earlier therapy is started, the less pronounced the pathological process will be. The pathology of the musculoskeletal system can appear at any age against the background of existing chronic diseases, as a result of 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 due to the root of the word, which comes from the Latin word articulatio, which translates as joint. The ending -it means inflammation and -osis - deformity. The name is due to the process that takes place 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 appear 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 cartilage that is on the surface of the bone that makes up the joint. The cartilage tissue becomes thinner, the places of deformation are replaced by bone tissue. Formed in adulthood, can be a result of injuries. It mainly affects large joints - knees, elbows, etc.
The first symptoms of arthritis are acute pain that occurs during movement and at rest, morning movement stiffness. In addition to local manifestations, this pathology is accompanied by general symptoms in the form of fever, general weakness, lethargy. With autoimmune diseases, other organs are affected - heart, kidneys.
In the early stages of osteoarthritis, there are no symptoms. Complaints are brought up by patients in the later stages, there is pain during physical exertion, a crunch during movement, movement disorders. In the last stages, contractures appear.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis can be a complication.
Which doctor should I contact?
If arthritis and arthrosis 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.
- Orthopedist - deals with the rehabilitation of patients after 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. Osteoarthritis therapy differs in that it involves 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 antivirals and immunomodulators.
Arthritis and arthrosis are pathologies in which blood and lymphatic circulation are disturbed, therefore their effective treatment is based on normalizing these processes and improving tissue nutrition.
Effective treatment of joints in synovitis against the background of arthritis and arthrosis is based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
A mandatory step is taking the load off the affected limb. These include conservative methods - wearing orthopedic shoes, protecting joints from injury, normalizing weight, dosed physical activity.
How to cure arthrosis and arthritis? Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease. Complete healing is not possible, 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 in the joint.
treatment methods
Treatment for osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis of the foot is the same as for other joints. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes with arch support. When wearing high heels and flat shoes, the deformation progresses, other groups of joints and the spine are involved in the process.
The main methods of treating joint pathology:
- lifestyle correction;
- orthopedic correction;
- Physical therapy;
- Massage;
- Physical therapy;
- medication;
- surgical intervention.
Non-drug methods
How to treat arthritis at homeTreatment of arthritis and arthrosis at home is carried out using compresses with dimethyl sulfoxide, bischophite or medicinal bile. All of these substances can be purchased at a pharmacy.
- Bischofite - relieves inflammation, has a local warming effect. It is prescribed for the treatment of large joints, the deformity of which is not complicated by synovitis.
- Medicinal bile has a local warming and absorbing effect.
- dimethyl sulfoxide reduces inflammation, is absorbed into deep tissues.
You can apply anti-inflammatory ointments yourself. If arthritis is caused by autoimmune diseases, connective tissue pathology, gout, then diet is of great importance in therapy. The diet is saturated with vegetables, fruits, fiber, except:
- fried and fatty foods;
- smoked meat;
- canned food;
- carbonated drinks;
- Alcohol.
Gouty arthritis also requires the exclusion of spices, hot spices, fatty meat, caviar, legumes, coffee, tea, chocolate.
Joint Health Benefits:
- Pineapple;
- cherry juice;
- Ginger;
- Lemon;
- Turmeric;
- hot chili pepper.
For a patient treating osteoarthritis at home, it is important to include jelly and jelly in the diet. In the early stages, these dishes serve as natural chondroprotectors and stimulate cartilage repair. The restriction applies to salt and mineral water.
The next step in home therapy is daily exercise and stretching together. Arthritis of the small joints is prevented by activities that involve fine motor skills in the hands - modeling, drawing. For the general improvement of the body are useful - cycling, swimming.
Medical treatment
Treatment of osteoarthritis with the help of drugs consists in the appointment of NSAIDs, chondroprotectors. Release forms - tablets, capsules, injections, ointments and gels. The oral form of release has a number of contraindications, such as bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer disease.
Their long-term use can cause gastric bleeding. Ointments have no contraindications, but their effectiveness is lower.
The dosage is prescribed by a doctor, usually take 1-2 tablets 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. Glucocorticoids are most commonly prescribed.
Chondroprotectors - a group of drugs prescribed to restore 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 pathologies.
Arthritis is treated by injecting a therapeutic substance through the skin with a laser. These methods include phonophoresis and electrophoresis.
Phonophoresis - the device creates a directional flow that improves the permeability of tissues for drug delivery. In addition, the jet has a massage effect on deep tissues, improving their nutrition, increasing 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 and placed under electrodes of opposite charge. An electric field is created in the affected area, which allows the drug to penetrate into deep tissues. The number of such procedures varies up to 10.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with medication is effective in the early stages. In the future, drugs will not have the desired effect.
surgery
With arthrosis and arthritis, surgical treatment of the joints is indicated if the movement in the joint is already impaired, the pain is constantly annoying and is not stopped by medication. The main operation is endoprosthetics.
Through the puncture, the synovial fluid is examined, removed and medication administered.
Arthroscopy refers to research methods, but it can be therapeutic. In osteoarthritis, osteophytes are removed with an endoscope.
Osteotomy - Removal of the edges of bone to reduce stress on the diseased joint. Used for arthritis.
Prevention of arthrosis 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 with specialists, research and treatment are indicated.