Arthrosis treatment methods

arthritis- a disease that develops over many years with predominant damage to certain joints.Most often, painful changes affect large joints - knees, hips, shoulders, etc.Pain and difficulty moving in it complicate a person's life physically and emotionally, and considering the fact that arthrosis often occurs at a young age, it can interfere with achieving professional and personal goals.That is why it is important to diagnose this disease as early as possible and start comprehensive treatment of arthrosis.

Treatment of arthritis

In the early stages of arthrosis, conservative methods are used that do not involve surgical intervention.Meanwhile, the correction methods used can stop the progression of the disease, maintain motor activity, reduce the severity of the main symptoms of arthrosis and generally improve a person's quality of life.

1. Drug treatment:
   • NSAIDs;
   • GCS;
   • chondroprotector.
2. PRP Therapy.
3. Therapeutic exercise.
4. Massage and manual therapy.
5. Traction therapy.
6. Physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy techniques that are widely used for arthrosis:

• magnetic therapy;
• UHF;
• inductothermy;
• ultrasound therapy;
• balneotherapy;
• surgical treatment.

Treatment with drugs

There is a widespread belief among patients that taking drugs with an analgesic effect (orally in tablet form or by injection - intramuscularly) is the most important method of eliminating pain in arthrosis.In fact, the use of medications is a quick pain relief method that should be prescribed only in the acute period.The fact is that the drugs that are widely prescribed for this purpose have serious side effects, which increase with long-term use and especially with uncontrolled use.We are talking about undesirable effects from the digestive, cardiovascular, nervous systems, which can most likely land the patient in a hospital bed (gastric bleeding, heart rhythm disturbances, effects on the liver and kidneys, etc.).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

1. NSAIDs- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, many of which are available without a prescription and are widely consumed by patients themselves.This group includes drugs of various chemical structures.These drugs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, are able to reduce pain in the joint area and surrounding muscle tissue, but do not affect the development of the disease.They are used only to reduce symptoms at all stages of the disease.Effective for concomitant synovitis (fluid accumulation in the joints).

2. GKS— glucocorticosteroid drugs have a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.It is advisable and effective to manage it periarticularly.However, patients often have a negative attitude towards the use of this drug in treatment, which is associated with possible side effects: infectious complications, damage to ligaments, articular surfaces and cartilage degeneration.However, with periarticular administration, the risk of this complication is minimal.

3. Chondroprotector— the substance is a natural component of cartilage tissue, which, when taken orally, contributes to the gradual restoration of cartilage, normalizing its density and elasticity.These active components are usually used in combination and are included in various drugs and additional products.Chondroprotectors do not have a rapid analgesic effect;improvement develops with long-term use of drugs based on the drug, which is associated with partial restoration of cartilage tissue.Recommended at all stages of the disease.

PRP Therapy

One of the most modern methods of restorative treatment, which is used for sports injuries and degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the joints, is PRP therapy (PRP - platelet-rich plasma) or plasma biorevitalization, autoplasmic therapy.This technique is actively used abroad.

The essence of this procedureconsists of injecting platelet-rich plasma directly into the site of injury, in this case the joint.The medicine used for administration is obtained from the patient's own blood, so this method is considered not only very effective, but also safe for humans.Growth factors and other biologically active substances (serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, etc.) contained in platelet-rich plasma contribute to the activation of regeneration processes and the synthesis of its own basic substances.

The resulting platelet-rich plasma is injected both periarticularly and directly into the affected joint, thereby achieving partial restoration of the tissue, especially the cartilage.

This technique is most widely applied in stage 1-2 osteoarthritis.Shows good results and allows you to delay the rapid progression of the disease due to the release of growth factors by platelets.This method is relatively new, but has proven to be very effective.PRP therapy was first used in surgery;currently this technique is successfully used in many areas of medicine, including rheumatology and orthopedics, neurology and cosmetology.Carrying out autoplasmic therapy allows you to increase the lifespan of joints without other aggressive interventions.

Synovial Fluid Protector- a group of drugs based on hyaluronic acid, which is injected directly into the joint cavity (injection) and plays the role of a thick lubricating fluid in the almost complete absence of natural synovial fluid (it is this that provides the role of lubrication of the articular surfaces).Used in the final stages of arthrosis.

Drugs in this group are also called “synovial fluid prostheses”, “biological substitutes for synovial fluid”.The effect after administration of the drug lasts a long time - from 6 to 13 months, depending on the drug used.

Some appliedother drug groups- antispasmodics, muscle relaxants, B vitamins in therapeutic (high) doses, but they all have only additional value in the treatment of arthrosis.

Therapeutic exercise

Special therapeutic exercises can and should be used even during exacerbations, at all stages of arthrosis.These measures can reduce pain and prevent severe restrictions on joint movement.However, this method is not popular among arthrosis patients, since most of them mistakenly believe that if pain occurs, it is necessary to limit any movements.On the contrary, starting physical exercise on time accelerates recovery and reduces symptoms, especially pain.

The most effective are physical therapy in water, joint movements in unloading positions (lying, sitting, hanging), and moderate walking on flat surfaces.If necessary, for example, in case of severe pain, a special bandage can be applied to the joint, but physical education should be started as early as possible.

Massage and manual therapy

Methods of mechanical impact on joints, muscles and ligaments can reduce the severity of pain, increase mobility, improve blood circulation and metabolism in the area of the affected joint, relieve muscle spasm, and normalize muscle function.

Traction therapy

In a medical hospital or sanatorium, it is possible to carry out traction therapy - this is traction of the joint (hip, knee) using special techniques using various loads.The standard traction scheme is designed for 28 days, with a gradual increase in load and exposure time.Classical and more modern techniques using simulators are used.The effectiveness is almost the same, but the simulator is more comfortable for the patient.

Physiotherapy

The use of various physical therapy techniques in the early stages of arthrosis can significantly relieve pain and increase mobility in the affected joints.A course of physiotherapy helps to slow down the pathological process and prolong the period without exacerbations.

Physiotherapy techniques that are widely used for arthrosis:

1. Magnetotherapy— local exposure to constant or alternating low frequency magnetic fields.In the area of the affected joint, metabolic processes are accelerated, blood circulation and delivery of nutrients to the joint structures improves, the processes of regeneration and synthesis of substances necessary for the functioning of the joint are activated.

   Magnetic therapy has antiedema, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects almost from the first session, which has a positive effect on the general condition of the patient.Magnetic therapy is successfully used in hospitals and sanatoriums, where medical equipment of various modifications is used.

   A great advantage for arthrosis patients is the ability to independently carry out magnetic therapy at home, according to the prescription and under the supervision of the attending physician.Timely use of portable magnetic therapy devices allows you to stop the onset of pain, the onset of exacerbations or take preventive measures - that is, maintain normal health.

   A positive aspect of magnetic therapy can also be called the beneficial effect of the procedure on the state of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.Considering the fact that the majority of arthrosis patients are middle-aged and elderly people with a set of chronic diseases (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, etc.), the mild sedative and stabilizing effect of magnetic therapy will be very useful.

2. Ultrasound therapymore often used in combination with the effects of drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, restorative effects - ultraphonophoresis or phonophoresis.Ultrasound increases tissue permeability to drugs, so their main effect is enhanced.Even without medicinal components, this method is very effective for arthrosis: ultrasound has a mechanical effect on tissues (micromassage), activates local immune and regenerative processes in the area of the joint and adjacent muscles, and has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

3. Laser therapy– one of the most common and widely used procedures.The therapeutic effect is based on the reflex expansion of blood vessels above the site of the pathological process.This leads to an increase in local blood flow, activation of metabolism, removal of under-oxidized metabolic products, and a decrease in pain intensity.Laser therapy, due to its shallow penetration depth, has minimal systemic effects, while enhancing the therapeutic effect of other procedures.

4. Shock wave therapy– method of high energy influence.It is based on the piezoelectric effect.By applying a piezoelectric discharge to the pathological focus, a number of effects can be achieved.Non-viable cells are destroyed, which leads to activation of local immunity.Hibernating (dormant) cells are stimulated, which promotes the regeneration process.At the same time, the intensity of the pain syndrome is significantly reduced (although the procedure itself is painful).The undoubted advantage of this method is its use once every 4-7 days.

5. Diadynamic therapy– method of therapeutic effect on the body with diadynamic pulse currents.The diadynamic current used in this method rhythmically stimulates skin receptors, which indirectly leads to the activation of descending physiological mechanisms to suppress pain and leads to a reduction in the patient's pain, up to complete analgesia.Therefore, the procedure is effective for severe pain.

6. Electromyostimulation– exposure to electric current on muscle tissue.With arthrosis of large joints, the work of the surrounding muscles is disrupted, which leads to atrophy of some joints and overload of other muscles.Gait disorders develop.When exposed to alternating electric current according to a special program, the muscles contract rhythmically, producing a certain amount of work, which leads to the restoration of their volume and function.

7. Cryotherapy- a simple and effective method of treatment, unfortunately rarely used.Local exposure to low temperatures reduces the sensitivity of pain receptors and the synthesis of biologically active substances that stimulate the development of inflammation.After cryotherapy, reflex expansion of blood vessels occurs, local blood flow is accelerated, and recovery processes are activated.This method is very effective when combined with shock wave therapy.

8. Balneotherapy.In sanatorium-resort conditions, hydrotherapy is carried out - medical baths, among which radon baths are especially effective for arthrosis.There is a general effect on the body of radioactive decay products of radon dissolved in water.The most important effect is the activation of metabolic processes.

   A similar effect, although less pronounced, is characteristic of therapeutic mud (peloid), hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide baths.

Surgical treatment

Surgical techniques are used in the late stages of arthrosis, when joint mobility is very limited or absent altogether, thereby affecting the patient's quality of life.Throughout the world, various methods of joint replacement are used, which allow complete restoration of the range of motion and return the patient to an active life at any age.

The tactics and scope of surgical intervention are determined by the attending physician;the choice is based on parameters such as the general condition of the patient, age and the presence of concomitant diseases, overweight and others.The best results after endoprosthetics were obtained in young and middle-aged patients (regeneration of the range of motion is almost complete), but also in the elderly there was a significant improvement in their condition, because after the operation and successful recovery they were able to fully support themselves in everyday life and move not only within the apartment, but also go outside, without limiting themselves in communication.

Prevention

Arthrosis belongs to the group of diseases of upright walking and develops mainly as a result of age-related changes in the joints, which are enhanced by the influence of external negative factors.Attention to the condition of the musculoskeletal system, prevention of joint diseases and treatment of arthrosis in the early stages allows you to maintain physical activity and avoid major medical interventions in the future.