Treatment methods for joint disease

Arthropathy- A disease that develops over many years and primarily damages certain joints.Most often, painful changes affect large joints—knee, hip, shoulder, etc.Pain and difficulty moving these joints complicates a person's physical and emotional life, and given that joint disease often occurs at a young age, it can interfere with the achievement of professional and personal goals.This is why it is important to diagnose the disease as early as possible and begin comprehensive treatment for joint disease.

Treatment of Arthropathy

In the initial stages of arthrosis, a conservative approach that does not involve surgical intervention is used.At the same time, the correction methods used can halt the progression of the disease, maintain motor activity, reduce the severity of the main symptoms of joint disease and generally improve a person's quality of life.

1. Medication:
   • NSAIDs;
   • ground station;
   • Chondroprotectant.
2. PRP treatment.
3. Therapeutic exercise.
4. Massage and manual therapy.
5. Traction therapy.
6. physiotherapy.

Physical therapy techniques widely used in joint diseases:

• magnet therapy;
• UHF;
• induction heating method;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• balneotherapy;
• Surgical treatment.

drug treatment

Patients generally believe that taking medications with analgesic properties (oral tablets or intramuscular injections) is the most important way to relieve joint pain.In fact, using medications is a quick way to relieve pain and should only be used during the acute phase.In fact, the drugs widely used for these purposes have serious side effects that increase with long-term use, especially uncontrolled use.We are talking about adverse effects on the digestive system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, which are likely to lead to hospitalization of the patient (gastric bleeding, cardiac arrhythmias, effects on the liver and kidneys, etc.).

NSAIDs

1. NSAIDs- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, many of which are available without a prescription and are widely self-administered by patients.This group includes drugs of various chemical structures.The drug has obvious anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which can reduce pain in joint areas and adjacent muscle tissues, but does not affect the progression of the disease.They are only used to relieve symptoms of various stages of the disease.Effective against accompanying synovitis (fluid in joints).

2. jix——Glucocorticoid drugs have strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Special management of them is recommended and also effective.However, patients often have a negative attitude toward treatment with these drugs, which is related to possible side effects: infectious complications, deterioration of ligaments, articular surfaces, and cartilage degeneration.But with periarticular administration, the risk of these complications is small.

3. chondroprotectant— This substance is a natural component of cartilage tissue and, when taken orally, contributes to the gradual recovery of cartilage, normalizing its density and elasticity.These active ingredients are often used in combination and are included in a variety of pharmaceutical and ancillary products.Chondroprotectants do not have a rapid analgesic effect; long-term use of drugs based on them improves the condition, which is associated with a partial recovery of cartilage tissue.Recommended for use in all stages of disease.

PRP treatment

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

The nature of the programIt involves injecting platelet-rich plasma directly into the site of injury, in this case a joint.The drug administered is extracted from the patient's own blood, so the method is considered not only highly effective but also safe for humans.Growth factors and other bioactive substances (serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, etc.) contained in platelet-rich plasma help activate regenerative processes and synthesize its own basic substances.

The resulting platelet-rich plasma is injected around the joint and directly into the affected joint, allowing partial recovery of tissue (mainly cartilage).

This technique is best used in stages 1-2 of osteoarthritis.Shows good results and allows you to delay the rapid progression of the disease due to the release of growth factors from platelets.This method is relatively new, but has proven to be very effective.PRP therapy was first used in surgery; today, the technology is successfully used in many medical fields, including rheumatology and orthopedics, neurology, and cosmetology.Autologous plasma therapy can extend the life of a joint without the need for any other aggressive intervention.

synovial fluid protector- A group of drugs based on hyaluronic acid, injected directly into the joint space (injection), acting as a viscous lubricant in the almost complete absence of natural synovial fluid (it is it that provides lubrication of the joint surfaces).Used in the later stages of joint disease.

This group of drugs is also known as "synovial fluid prostheses" and "synovial fluid biological substitutes".The effects of taking the drug are long-lasting - 6 to 13 months, depending on the drug used.

Somewhat applicableOther drug groups- Therapeutic (high) doses of antispasmodics, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, but they have only an auxiliary value in the treatment of joint diseases.

therapeutic exercise

Special therapeutic exercises can and should be used in all stages of arthropathy, even during exacerbations.These measures can reduce pain and prevent severe limitations in joint movement.However, this method is not popular among patients with arthrosis, as most of them mistakenly believe that it is necessary to limit any movement in case of pain.On the contrary, timely initiation of physical activity can promote faster recovery and reduce symptoms, mainly pain.

Particularly effective are aquatic physiotherapy, joint exercises in unloaded positions (lying, sitting, hanging) and moderate walking on flat surfaces.If necessary, for example if the pain is severe, special bandages can be used on the joints, but physical education classes should be started as early as possible.

Massage and manual therapy

The method of mechanical shock to joints, muscles and ligaments can reduce the severity of pain, increase mobility, improve blood circulation and metabolism in the affected joint area, relieve muscle spasms and normalize muscle function.

traction therapy

In a hospital or medical sanatorium, traction therapy can be performed - this is traction of the joints (hips, knees) using special techniques with various loads.The standard traction regimen is designed for 28 days, with gradually increasing load and exposure time.Use classic techniques and more modern techniques using emulators.They work almost the same, but the simulator is more comfortable for the patient.

physical therapy

The use of various physical therapy techniques during the initial stages of arthrosis can significantly relieve pain and increase mobility of the affected joints.Physical therapy sessions can help slow down the pathological process and prolong the period without deterioration.

Physical therapy techniques widely used in joint diseases:

1. Magnet therapy— Localized exposure to constant or alternating low-frequency magnetic fields.In the affected joint areas, metabolic processes are accelerated, blood circulation and the delivery of nutrients to the joint structures are increased, and processes of regeneration and synthesis of own substances necessary for joint function are activated.

   Magnetic therapy has anti-edema, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects almost from the first course of treatment, and has a positive effect on the patient's general condition.Magnetic therapy has been used successfully in hospitals and nursing homes where various modified medical devices are used.

   A huge advantage for patients with joint disease is the ability to carry out independent magnetic therapy sessions at home, as prescribed and under the supervision of their attending physician.Prompt use of a portable magnetic therapy device can allow you to stop pain, worsen an attack, or engage in a preventive process - that is, maintain normal health.

   The positive aspects of magnetic therapy can also be called the beneficial effects of this procedure on the cardiovascular and neurological state.Considering that most arthropathy patients are middle-aged and elderly people suffering from a range of chronic diseases (hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, etc.), the gentle sedative and stabilizing effects of magnetic therapy will be very useful.

2. Ultrasound therapyMore often used in combination with drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, restorative effects - phonophoresis or phonophoresis.Ultrasound increases tissue permeability to the drug and therefore enhances the drug's primary effect.Even without a pharmaceutical component, this method is very effective in arthropathy: ultrasound has a mechanical effect on the tissues (micromassage), activates local immune and regenerative processes in the joint area and adjacent muscles, and has a significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

3. laser treatment– One of the most common and widely used programs.The therapeutic effect is based on the reflex dilation of blood vessels above the site of the pathological process.This improves local blood flow, activates metabolism, removes underoxidized metabolites, and reduces pain intensity.Laser treatment has minimal systemic effects due to its shallow depth of penetration, while enhancing the therapeutic effects of other procedures.

4. shockwave therapy– High energy impact methods.It is based on the piezoelectric effect.By applying piezoelectric discharge to pathological lesions, a variety of effects can be achieved.Inactive cells are destroyed, resulting in local immune activation.Hibernating (inactive) cells are stimulated, thereby promoting the regeneration process.At the same time, the intensity of the pain syndrome is significantly reduced (although the surgery itself is painful).The undoubted advantage of this method is that it can be used every 4-7 days.

5. dynamic therapy– A method of using kinetic pulses of electric current to produce therapeutic effects on the body.This method uses dynamic current to rhythmically stimulate skin receptors, indirectly activating descending pain-inhibiting physiological mechanisms, thereby reducing the patient's pain until complete analgesia.Therefore, this type of surgery is effective for severe pain.

6. electromyostimulation– Muscle tissue is exposed to electrical current.When arthropathy occurs in large joints, the work of surrounding muscles is disrupted, causing some muscles to atrophy and others to be overloaded.Gait disturbance occurs.When exposed to alternating current according to a special procedure, the muscles contract rhythmically, producing a certain amount of work that restores their volume and function.

7. cryotherapy- A simple and effective treatment that unfortunately is rarely used.Local exposure to cold temperatures reduces the sensitivity of pain receptors and the synthesis of bioactive substances that stimulate the development of inflammation.After cryotherapy, blood vessels will reflexively expand, local blood flow will accelerate, and the recovery process will be activated.This method is particularly effective when combined with shock wave therapy.

8. Balneotherapy.In health resort conditions, hydrotherapy - medical baths are performed, among which radon baths are particularly effective against arthropathy.The radioactive decay products of radon dissolved in water have widespread effects on the body.The most important role is to activate metabolic processes.

   Therapeutic mud (mud), hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide baths have similar but less pronounced effects.

surgical treatment

Surgical techniques are used in the late stages of arthrosis, when joint mobility is severely limited or absent, affecting the patient's quality of life.Various joint replacement methods are used around the world to allow patients of any age to regain full range of motion and return to an active life.

The strategy and scope of surgical intervention are determined by the attending physician; selection is based on parameters such as the patient's general condition, age, and presence of concomitant diseases, excess weight, and so on.The best results after endoprosthesis surgery are obtained in young and middle-aged patients (almost complete restoration of the range of motion), but in older people their condition also improves significantly, since after successful surgery and recovery they can fully take care of themselves in daily life and can move not only within the apartment, but also outside without limiting their communication.

prevention

Arthropathy belongs to the group of diseases of upright walking and is primarily due to changes in the joints with age and aggravated by the influence of external negative factors.Paying attention to the condition of the musculoskeletal system and preventing joint disease and treating it early will allow you to remain physically active and avoid extensive medical intervention later on.