Treatment of osteoarthritis involves an integrated approach and a combination of several methods. Most treatment tactics consist of the correct prescription of medications. They can be supplemented with traditional medicine methods.
Main trends in modern treatment of osteoarthritis
After a comprehensive examination, which includes the establishment of the main and associated diagnoses, appropriate treatment of osteoarthritis begins.
It includes the following methods:
- lifestyle modification;
- drug correction;
- physiotherapy;
- surgery.
The choice of method depends on the stage of the disease and the degree of destruction of joint structures. First of all, you need to learn the following rules that will make the treatment more effective:
- Body weight correction;
- Exercise therapy – exercises that eliminate static load on the joint;
- Increase the level of knowledge of pathology among patients;
- The use of additional accessories (joint bandages, insoles, cane or orthosis);
- Physiotherapy.
The diagnosis is made by an orthopedist-traumatologist. However, other specialists who provide consultations may participate in this process:
- neurologist: a consultation is necessary in the event of damage to the intervertebral structures, radicular syndrome, severe back pain due to the disease;
- specialist in infectious diseases: exclusion of the infectious nature of joint diseases;
- oncologist: exclusion of malignant tumors of bone and joint tissues or metastases in these areas;
- Osteophthisiatrician: exclude the tuberculous nature of the bone lesions.
During illness, prevention of complications of pathology and its progression is carried out. To do this, it is necessary to use orthotics and fixation bandages, monitor body weight, nutrition and regularly consult a doctor. Consultations with a treating specialist are necessary at least 2 times a year.
The effectiveness of the treatment meets the following criteria:
- Stop the progression of the disease;
- The new joints are not involved in the pathological process;
- The pain diminishes or disappears;
- There are no signs of an inflammatory process;
- Quality of life, motor activity and ability to work improve.
On the contrary, some features of the course of the disease require hospitalization and correction of healing tactics:
- persistent and intense pain syndrome;
- severe inflammation of the joint and periarticular structures (the skin in the affected area is hot to the touch, there is redness, an increase in size, pain and limitation of movements).
Drugs
The choice of a drug complex depends on the stage of the process:
- Stage I – non-drug correction methods, non-steroidal drugs and drugs strengthening cartilage tissue;
- Stage II – non-drug correction methods, non-steroidal drugs and drugs strengthening cartilage tissue, intra-articular administration of maintenance therapy;
- Stage III – non-drug correction methods, non-steroidal drugs and drugs strengthening cartilage tissue, intra-articular administration of maintenance therapy, antidepressants;
- Stage IV – radical surgical intervention involving excision of the affected tissue and installation of an artificial joint.
Additionally, with severe pain, pain relievers are used, and various ointments can be used to eliminate severe inflammation of soft tissues.
Treatment of osteoarthritis is carried out according to established courses, the duration of which cannot be violated independently. Even if the condition seems improved, it is necessary to continue taking the medication, as it tends to accumulate in the body. In the same way, you cannot independently adjust the dose of the drug, either in the direction of a decrease or an increase.
Medications should be taken at the same time each day. Reception characteristics - according to the instructions. If the patient is being treated for another pathology, the doctor must analyze the combined effect of all drugs and exclude dangerous combinations.
Drugs
Let's look at the main groups and examples of drugs.
Examples are given, the attending physician may prescribe other representatives of these groups of drugs.
- Painkillers.They are used to relieve pain, thereby restoring range of motion and improving quality of life.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They reduce joint pain, eliminate swelling and redness of soft tissues, normalize skin temperature at the joint and restore range of motion.
- Chondroprotectors.They contain elements of animal cartilaginous tissue, which make it possible to restore the structure of the joint, periarticular surfaces, ligaments and synovium. Slow down the progress of the process and strengthen healthy joints.
- Narcotic analgesic.Used for emergency relief of severe pain. Duration of admission: once, if necessary.
- Hyaluronic acid derivatives.A viscous implant containing hyaluronic acid is inserted intra-articularly. It improves the condition of ligaments, synovium and soft tissues. Allows water retention, improves the condition of collagen fibers, which makes tissues elastic, resistant to injury and destruction.
- Glucocorticoids.Used for severe inflammations. They make it possible to effectively influence the pathology and act quickly.
Use of ointments
Treatment of osteoarthritis involves the use of ointments. In some cases, they facilitate the patient's condition by relieving pain. However, this only makes sense in the early stages of the pathology. The fact is that any medication that the patient takes orally is absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive tract and thus acts on the joint tissues. If intravascular administration is used, the effect can be achieved more quickly and the effect on the mucous membrane is also eliminated.
Applying the medication as an ointment or gel causes the medication to work only on the skin and a small layer of soft tissue beneath it. The patient should understand that this does not affect the joint, but only acts symptomatically.
The following ointments are used for this:
- containing non-steroidal drugs;
- containing salicylic acid;
- containing capsaicin.
It can also be an ointment or gel based on medicinal plants, which improve the condition of soft tissues and reduce sensitivity. This can be menthol, camphor, eucalyptus or peppermint ointment.
Traditional methods of treating osteoarthritis
Folk remedies consist of relieving pathological syndromes. Such techniques do not achieve complete cure of an illness; they are used alongside therapy and physical procedures. If you only take self-made medications, the disease may progress and the patient will only waste time.
The following drugs have a symptomatic effect:
- compress of grated horseradish root. Used daily, for 7 to 9 days. A film and a warm cloth are placed on the root pulp. The duration of the compress is 30 minutes;
- An oatmeal compress is used according to a similar principle. For this, a creamy paste of flakes is prepared. Once the mixture has cooled, it is applied to the joint;
- The honey compress can be left overnight. It is best to use field honey;
- A cabbage leaf covered with a layer of honey is applied to the affected joint. Repair and leave overnight;
- mix chalk powder with thick yogurt. Apply to the joint, wrap with film and cover with a warm natural cloth. Leave the compress overnight.
Diagnostic
Effective treatment of osteoarthritis is possible with correct diagnosis. The following methods are used for this:
- clinical diagnosis, which includes the results of the examination and questioning of the patient;
- X-ray diagnosis, for which a healthy and affected joint is examined and their condition is compared;
- laboratory methods that allow you to exclude other causes of pathology;
- synovial fluid analysis;
- ultrasound examination for soft tissue inflammation;
- tomography for a more detailed study of soft tissues and periarticular structures.