The treatment of joint damage - arthritis and arthrosis is complex. The earlier the treatment 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 arthrosis - differences
These two pathologies have a similar name due to the root of the word, which comes from the Latin word articulatio, it translates as a joint. The ending -it means inflammation and -osis - deformation. The name is due to the process that occurs in the joints.
Arthritis affects the synovial membrane as well as 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, places of deformation are replaced by bone tissue. Formed in adulthood, can be a consequence of injuries. It mainly affects large joints - knee, elbow, etc.
The first symptoms of arthritis are sharp pains that occur 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, kidneys.
With osteoarthritis in the early stages, there are no symptoms. Complaints are presented by patients at later stages, there is pain during physical exertion, a creak during movement, impaired movement. In the later stages, contractures appear.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis can be a complication of each other.
Which doctor should I contact?
If arthritis and arthrosis are suspected, treatment is carried out by such specialists as:
- Surgeon - to examine the condition of the tissues.
- A rheumatologist deals with autoimmune diseases.
- Traumatologist - treats pathology caused by injuries.
- Orthopedist - is engaged in 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. The treatment of arthrosis is different in that it includes the use of chondroprotectors.
In arthritis, in addition to symptomatic therapy, etiotropic therapy 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. Their effective treatment is therefore based on the normalization of these processes, improving tissue nutrition.
Effective treatment of joints in the presence of synovitis against the background of arthritis and arthrosis 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 injury, normalizing weight, dosing physical activity.
How to cure osteoarthritis and arthritis? Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease. It cannot be completely cured, therefore 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 the inflammation of the joint.
Treatment methods
Treatment for osteoarthritis and arthritis of the foot is the same as for other joints. Be sure to wear proper shoes with arch support. When wearing high heels, flat shoes, the deformity will progress, other joint groups and the spine will begin to be involved in the process.
The main methods of treating joint pathology:
- lifestyle correction;
- orthopedic correction;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- medical treatment;
- surgical intervention.
Non-drug methods
How to treat arthritis at home? Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis at home is carried out with the help of compresses containing dimethyl sulfoxide, bischofite or medical bile. All these substances can be purchased in pharmacies.
- Bischofite - relieves inflammation, has a local warming effect. It is prescribed for the treatment of large joints, with deformity not complicated by synovitis.
- Medical bile has a local heating and absorbing effect.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide relieves inflammation, is absorbed into deep tissues.
You can apply anti-inflammatory ointments yourself. When arthritis is caused by autoimmune diseases, connective tissue pathology, 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;
- soft drinks;
- alcohol.
Gouty arthritis also requires the exclusion of spices, hot spices, fatty meats, caviar, legumes, coffee, tea, chocolate.
Benefits for joint health:
- Pineapple;
- Cherry juice;
- Ginger;
- lemon;
- Turmeric;
- hot pepper.
For a patient treating arthrosis at home, it is important to include jelly and jelly in his diet. In the early stages, these dishes will serve 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. Arthritis of small joints is prevented by activities involving the fine motor skills of the hands - 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.
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 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 time - up to 3 months, with intra-articular - up to 2 weeks. The main active ingredients are chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. Ointments containing chondroprotectors are effective in 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 directed flow, which improves tissue permeability 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 which breaks down substances into ionized particles. The fabric is impregnated with the drug, placed under electrodes of opposite charge. An electric field is created in the affected area, which allows the active substance 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.
Operation
With arthrosis and arthritis, surgical treatment of the joints is indicated when the movement of the joint is already impaired, the pain bothers all the time and is not stopped by medication. The main intervention is arthroplasty.
The puncture is used to examine the synovial fluid, remove it and administer medication.
Arthroscopy refers to research methods, but can be therapeutic. With arthrosis, osteophytes are removed using an endoscope.
Osteotomy - excision of 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, establishing a diet, reducing body weight and exercising regularly. At the first pathological symptoms, specialist consultations, research and treatment are indicated.