Treatment of joint diseases: drugs and traditional methods

Treatment of arthropathy involves a comprehensive approach and a combination of methods. Most treatment strategies include the correct prescription of medications. They can be supplemented with traditional medical methods.

Main Trends in Modern Arthropathy Treatment

After a thorough examination, including making the primary and accompanying diagnoses, appropriate treatment for the arthropathy is initiated.It includes the following methods:

• lifestyle changes;
• medication correction;
• physiotherapy;
• Surgery.

The choice of method depends on the stage of the disease and the degree of destruction of joint structures. First, you should know the following rules to make the treatment more effective:

1. correct weight;
2. Exercise therapy—exercises that eliminate static load on joints;
3. Improve patients’ knowledge of pathology;
4. use of additional accessories (joint bandages, insoles, canes or orthotics);
5. physiotherapy.

The diagnosis is made by an orthopedic-traumatologist. However, other consulting experts can also be involved in this process:

• Neurologist: If you have intervertebral structural damage, nerve root syndrome, severe back pain caused by disease, etc. , you need to consult a neurologist;
• Infectious Disease Specialist: Rule out contagiousness of joint diseases;
• Oncologist: excludes malignant tumors of bone and joint tissues or metastases to these areas;
• Osteoarthritis Doctor: Rule out tuberculous nature of bone lesions.

During the illness, prevent pathological complications and their progression. This requires the use of orthotics and immobilizing bandages, monitoring of weight, nutrition and regular visits to the doctor. Consultation with a treating specialist is required at least twice a year.The effectiveness of treatment meets the following criteria:

• arrest the progression of the disease;
• The new joint does not participate in the pathological process;
• Pain decreases or disappears;
• There are no signs of inflammatory processes;
• Quality of life, motor activity, and work ability improved.

On the contrary, the course of the disease has some characteristics that require hospitalization and correction of rehabilitation strategies:

• persistent severe pain syndrome;
• Severe inflammation of joints and periarticular structures (skin in affected areas feels warm to touch, red, increases in size, painful, and limited movement).

drug

The choice of drug complex depends on the stage of the process:

• Phase 1 – non-pharmacological correction methods, non-steroidal medications and medications to strengthen cartilage tissue;
• The second stage - non-drug correction methods, non-steroidal drugs and drugs that strengthen cartilage tissue, and intra-articular maintenance treatment;
• The third stage - non-pharmacological correction methods, non-steroidal drugs and drugs that strengthen cartilage tissue, intra-articular maintenance therapy, antidepressants;
• Stage 4 – Radical surgical intervention involves removal of affected tissue and installation of an artificial joint.

In addition, if the pain is severe, analgesics can be used, and various ointments can be used to eliminate severe inflammation of the soft tissue.The treatment of arthrosis is carried out according to the established course of treatment, the duration of which cannot be violated individually. Even if the condition seems to be improving, it is necessary to continue taking the medication because it tends to accumulate in the body. Likewise, you cannot independently adjust your medication dosage, either by decreasing or increasing it.These medications must be taken at the same time every day. Reception features - as per description. If the patient is being treated for another condition, the doctor must analyze the combined effect of all drugs and rule out dangerous combinations.

drug

Let's look at the main categories and examples of drugs. Examples are given; the attending physician may prescribe other representatives of these drug groups.

• Painkillers.They are used to relieve pain, allow you to regain your range of motion, and improve your quality of life.
• NSAIDs.They can reduce joint pain, eliminate swelling and redness of soft tissues, normalize the temperature of the skin over the joints and restore range of motion.
• Chondroprotectant.They contain components of animal cartilage tissue that restore the structure of joints, periarticular surfaces, ligaments and synovial membranes. Slows the progression of the process and strengthens healthy joints.
• Narcotic analgesics.For emergency relief in severe pain. Admission time: once if necessary.
• Derivatives of hyaluronic acid.A sticky implant containing hyaluronic acid is inserted into the joint. It improves the condition of ligaments, synovium and soft tissues. Allows water retention, improves the condition of collagen fibers, makes tissues elastic and resistant to damage and destruction.
• Glucocorticoids.For severe inflammation. They allow you to effectively influence pathology and act quickly.

Use of ointments

Treatment of joint disease does involve the use of ointments. In some cases, they provide relief to patients by reducing pain. However, this only makes sense in the first stages of pathology. Virtually any medication a patient takes orally will be absorbed into the bloodstream of the digestive tract and through it act on the joint tissue. If administered intravascularly, it can take effect more quickly and effects on the mucosa are also eliminated.Using the medication in ointment or gel form causes the medication to only act on the skin and a small layer of soft tissue beneath it. Patients must understand that it does not affect the joints but only produces symptoms.Use the following ointments for this:

• Contains nonsteroidal drugs;
• Contains salicylic acid;
• Contains capsaicin.

It can also be an ointment or gel based on medicinal plants that can improve soft tissue conditions and reduce sensitivity. This can be an ointment containing menthol, camphor, eucalyptus or peppermint.

Traditional methods of treating joint disease

Folk remedies involve alleviating pathological syndromes. Complete recovery from the disease cannot be achieved using such techniques; they are used simultaneously with therapy and physical surgery. If only homemade medicines are taken, the condition will worsen and the patient will only be wasting his or her time.The following drugs have a symptomatic effect:

• Compress grated horseradish roots. Use daily, treatment course is 7-9 days. Place the film and warm cloth on top of the root pulp. The pressing time is 30 minutes;
• Use oatmeal dressing according to a similar principle. For this, a creamy flake paste is prepared. After the mixture has cooled, apply it to the joints;
• The honey compress can be left on overnight. Field honey is best;
• Apply cabbage leaves coated with honey on the affected joints. Fix and leave overnight;
• Mix chalk powder with thick yogurt. Apply to the seams, wrap with film and lay a warm natural cloth on top. Leave the compress on overnight.

diagnosis

Arthropathy can be effectively treated with correct diagnosis. Use the following method for this:

• Clinical diagnosis, including the results of examination and questioning of the patient;
• Diagnostic X-rays, which examine healthy joints and affected joints and compare their conditions;
• Laboratory methods allow you to exclude other pathological causes;
• synovial fluid analysis;
• Ultrasound to detect soft tissue inflammation;
• Tomography allows for a more detailed study of soft tissue and periarticular structures.