Treatment of joint damage - Arthritis and arthropathy are complex. The earlier treatment is started, the less obvious the pathological process is. Pathology of the musculoskeletal system can occur at any age, in the context of existing chronic diseases, as a result of trauma, or as a manifestation of congenital abnormalities. Joint pathology requires not only traditional treatments such as medication, physical therapy, but also lifestyle changes.
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Arthritis and Arthropathy - Differences
The two pathologies have similar names due to the root, which comes from the Latin pronunciation, which translates to joint. End - it means inflammation, and -osis - deformity. The name is due to the process that takes place in the joint.
Arthritis affects the synovium as well as blood vessels and nerve endings. The production of synovial fluid is impaired. It occurs at any age, can occur in children, and manifests as connective tissue disease, autoimmune pathology. One or more joints are affected, and in rare cases polyarthritis can occur.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the destruction of cartilage on the surface of the bones that form joints. The cartilage tissue is thinned and the deformed place is replaced by bone tissue. Formed in adulthood, possibly as a result of injury. It mainly affects large joints - knees, elbows, etc.
The first symptoms of arthritis are acute pain with exercise and rest, and stiffness with exercise in the morning. In addition to local manifestations, this pathology is accompanied by general symptoms such as fever, generalized weakness, and lethargy. In autoimmune disease, other organs are also affected - heart, kidneys.
With early arthropathy, there are no symptoms. Patients complained later on, pain with physical exertion, tightness with exercise, and impaired movement. In the final stage, contractures appear.
Arthritis and joint disease can be complications of each other.
Which doctor should I contact?
Treatment by specialists if arthritis and joint disease are suspected, such as:
- Surgeon - Checks the condition of the tissue.
- Rheumatologists deal with autoimmune diseases.
- Traumatologist - treats pathologies caused by injuries.
- Orthopedic Surgeons - Engage in the rehabilitation of patients after a course of treatment.
Principles of Effective Combination Therapy
Effective combination therapy is based on an integrative approach, and the exacerbation period includes the administration of drugs with anti-inflammatory effects. During remission, physiotherapy methods, massage and gymnastics are prescribed. Arthropathy treatment differs in that it includes the use of chondroprotective agents.
In arthritis, symptomatic treatment should be prescribed in addition to symptomatic treatment. With the development of reactive arthritis in the context of infections, antibiotics are prescribed, and for autoimmune diseases, hormonal agents are prescribed. Treatment may include antiviral agents, immunomodulators.
Arthritis and arthropathy are pathologies in which blood circulation and lymph flow are disturbed, so their effective treatment is based on normalizing these processes, improving tissue nutrition.
Effective treatment of joints with synovitis in the context of arthritis and arthropathy is based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
A necessary step is to reduce the load on the affected limb. This includes a conservative approach - wearing orthopedic shoes, protecting your joints from injury, normalizing your weight, moderate physical activity.
How to cure arthritis and arthritis? Arthropathy is a progressive disease. It cannot be cured completely, so the main task of treatment is to prevent the further development of the deformity.
Arthritis that appears in the context of the underlying disease disappears after treatment of the pathology that causes inflammation of the joints.
treatment method
Foot arthropathy and arthritis are treated the same as other joints. Be sure to wear the right shoes with arch support. When wearing high heels and flats, deformation occurs and other joints and vertebrae begin to participate in the process.
The main treatments for joint disease are:
- lifestyle modification;
- orthopedic correction;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- medical treatement;
- operation treatment.
non-drug methods
How to treat arthritis at home? Arthritis and joint disease are treated at home with compresses using dimethyl sulfoxide, sodium diclophosphate, or medical bile. All of these substances are available in pharmacies.
- Bischofite - reduces inflammation, has a local warming effect. It is used to treat large joints without deformities associated with synovitis.
- Medicinal bile has a local thermal absorption effect.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide relieves inflammation and is absorbed by deep tissues.
You can apply anti-inflammatory ointment on your own. When arthritis is caused by autoimmune disease, connective tissue pathology, gout, diet is very important in treatment. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fiber that does not include:
- fried and greasy food;
- bacon;
- canned food;
- Carbonated drinks;
- Alcohol.
Gouty arthritis also needs to exclude spices, hot spices, fatty meat, caviar, beans, coffee, tea, chocolate.
Benefits for joint health:
- Pineapple;
- cherry juice;
- ginger;
- lemon;
- turmeric;
- chili.
It is important to include jellies and jellies in the diet for those who are treating joint disease at home. In the early stages, these dishes will act as a natural chondroprotectant and stimulate the recovery of cartilage. This limit applies to salt and mineral water.
The next step in home therapy is daily joint exercises and stretches. Arthritis of the facet joints can be prevented by activities involving fine motor skills of the hand - modeling, painting. It is useful for general improvement of the body - cycling, swimming.
medical treatement
Treatment of osteoarthritis with the help of drugs includes the appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotective agents. Release forms - tablets, capsules, injections, ointments and gels. There are many contraindications to the release in oral form, such as bronchial asthma, gastric ulcers.
Long-term use can cause stomach bleeding. The ointment has no contraindications, but it is less effective.
The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, usually 1-2 tablets per day, and no more than 1 tablet of the propionic acid derivative every 4-6 hours.
Hormonal drugs are injected into the joint cavity. They are used to treat severe pain that is not relieved by NSAIDs. The most commonly prescribed are glucocorticoids.
Chondroprotectants - a group of drugs used to restore cartilage tissue. When used in oral form, they are used for a long time - up to 3 months, and intra-articularly - up to 2 weeks. The main active ingredients are chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. Ointments containing chondroprotective agents are effective in preventing joint lesions.
Arthritis is treated by injecting therapeutic substances through the skin with a laser. These procedures include acoustophoresis and electrophoresis.
Phonophoresis - This device creates a directional flow that improves tissue permeability for drug delivery. In addition, the beam has a massaging effect on deep tissues, thereby improving their nutrition, increasing blood circulation, and reducing inflammation.
Electrophoresis is the action of an electric current that breaks matter down into ionized particles. The tissue is impregnated with the drug and placed under oppositely charged electrodes. An electric field is generated in the affected area, enabling active substances to penetrate into the deep tissue. The number of such programs can be up to 10.
Early use of drugs to treat joint disease is effective. In the future, the drug will not have the desired effect.
Operation
With arthropathy and arthritis, where movement in the joint has been compromised, surgery is required on the joint, the pain is persistent and not prevented by medication. The main surgery is joint replacement.
A puncture is used to examine synovial fluid, remove it, and administer medicine.
Arthroscopy refers to a research method but can be therapeutic. For arthropathy, use an endoscope to remove osteophytes.
Osteotomy - Removal of the edge of the bone to reduce the load on the diseased joint. for arthritis.
Prevention of joint disease and arthritis
To keep your joints healthy, you need to make lifestyle changes. Namely, establish a diet, lose weight, and exercise regularly. Consultation with specialists, research and treatment is required at the first symptoms of pathology.