Osteoarthritis is a disease that leads to deformation of the cartilage of the joints. As a result, the cartilage gradually thins and loses its integrity, which can lead to the separation of the tissues into fibers. For a progressive disease, exposure of the body of the bone and the appearance of small cracks are more characteristic.
Acute and slow inflammatory processes are also observed. When asking the question of how to treat arthrosis, it is necessary to take into account all the specifics of the course of the disease, the reason for which is often the aging of the body as a whole or the presence of various joint injuries in the past.
What determines the effectiveness of arthrosis treatment?
Treatment of arthrosis can be very effective if all necessary measures are taken in time. At the beginning, the doctor prescribes a series of diagnostic measures to determine the presence of lesions and their severity. This can take a long time and also requires patience and endurance from the patient. Depending on the degree (stage) of the disease, a detailed treatment plan is drawn up.
Treatment of arthrosis requires an integrated approach. Sometimes the greatest effectiveness can be achieved through the simultaneous and competent use of traditional medicine, drugs and a special diet, which is necessary when a disease is detected.
The most appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs: steroidal and non-steroidal drugs that can relieve inflammation and stop further tissue damage. However, sometimes traditional medicine also shows a good result, allowing you to rid the body of the disease without resorting to chemicals and physiotherapy.
The effectiveness of the treatment of arthrosis largely depends on the degree of tissue damage - the neglect of the disease, as well as on a well-developed treatment program and an integrated approach.
That is why it is so important not to miss the moment of the beginning of the development of the disease in order to avoid problems in the future.
Arthrosis: treatment methods
Today, there are many different ways to treat osteoarthritis.
They include:
- reducing the load on inflamed joints;
- orthopedic regimen;
- physical therapy exercises;
- physiotherapy: laser and shock wave therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy, magnetotherapy, etc. ;
- intra-articular oxygen therapy or saturation of the tissues of the joints with oxygen;
- decompression of the metaepiphysis and establishment of intraosseous blocks;
- pharmacotherapy, including nonsteroidal and steroidal hormonal drugs, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs;
- specific diet;
- Balneotherapy.
It must be recognized that the classic scheme for the treatment of arthrosis is long-term.
Pharmacotherapy can include non-steroidal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as taking steroids and other drugs, which the patient will have to drink for a fairly long period of time.
Many experts agree that the best cure for arthrosis is measured physical activity and following a special diet that includes foods that are good for the body.
Arthritis diet
Diet is the most important step in the treatment of osteoarthritis. After all, obesity is often one of the factors complicating the course of the disease. The main goal of the diet in this case is to provide the body with all the necessary substances, including vitamins and trace elements, and at the same time prevent weight gain. It can complement non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and to a greater extent contribute to increasing the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to include protein-rich foods in your diet. Promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue. The use of dairy products, lean meat, legumes, as well as oatmeal and oatmeal dishes is welcome. Drinking milk and kefir with arthrosis is also useful because it contains calcium, which is so necessary to maintain healthy bones and joints.
A separate niche is occupied by products rich in gelatin and collagen: aspics, jellies, bone broths, etc. In folk medicine, the treatment of arthrosis with gelatin is extremely popular, for the simple reason that it is precisely the lack of such an important substance as natural gelatin in the tissues of the joint-ligament apparatus that leads to the development of the disease. Reviews of the treatment of arthrosis with gelatin are generally very positive.
Folk methods for the treatment of arthrosis
There are several folk ways to treat the disease. Among the most popular and effective:
- treatment with gelatin. Depending on the degree of the disease, gelatin can somewhat improve the situation, relieving the patient's suffering. In addition, non-steroidal drugs used in traditional medicine cannot cause any harm to the body. So, folk healers advise drinking swollen gelatin prepared according to a very simple recipe: one teaspoon of dry gelatin should be dissolved in a glass of warm water, mix well, let it boil. You should drink this medicine once a day, in the morning, on an empty stomach. Gelatin is not able to completely replace anti-inflammatory drugs, but it can be a great addition to the prescribed course of treatment. In addition, in this way, it is possible to prevent the development of the disease at an early stage.
- Fir oil to a greater or lesser extent helps to get rid of unpleasant symptoms. It is very useful, especially in the early stages of the disease. First, you need to warm the joint with a warm sea salt compress. In addition, the skin at the site of the affected area is rubbed with fir oil, massaging movements. A waterproof insulating dressing is placed on top to improve the rate of absorption of beneficial trace elements and achieve their intended purpose. Such rubbing should be done no more than 1-2 times a day.
- Ointment based on nettle and juniper received many positive reviews from grateful patients. You can buy it at the pharmacy or make it yourself. For this purpose you need: green juniper berries, freshly picked nettle leaves, sheep oil. By weight, all ingredients must be presented in equal volumes. The leaves and fruits should be finely chopped, mixed with oil, transferred to a glass container and placed in the refrigerator. Depending on the degree of damage and the patient's well-being, this ointment should be rubbed into the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is symptomatic.