Osteoarthritis is a disease that leads to deformation of the cartilage of the joints. As a result of this, the cartilage gradually becomes thinner and loses its integrity, which can lead to the separation of tissues into fibers. For a progressive disease, the exposure of the body of the bone and the appearance of small cracks are more characteristic.
Also, acute and subdued inflammatory processes are observed. When asking the question of how to treat arthropathy, it is necessary to take into account all the peculiarities of the course of the disease, the cause of 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 arthropathy treatment?
Arthritis treatment can be very effective if all the necessary measures are taken in time. At first, 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.
The treatment of arthropathy requires a comprehensive approach. Sometimes, the greatest effectiveness can be achieved through the simultaneous and competent use of traditional medicine, drugs and special nutrition that is necessary when a given disease is detected.
The most relevant drugs are 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 a disease without resorting to chemicals and physiotherapy.
The effectiveness of the treatment of arthropathy largely depends on the degree of tissue damage - the neglect of the disease, as well as on a well-planned treatment program and a comprehensive approach.
That is why it is so important not to miss the moment of the beginning of the development of the disease to avoid problems in the future.
Arthritis: methods of treatment
Today, there are many different ways to treat osteoarthritis.
These include:
- reducing the load on painful joints.
- orthopedic way;
- physical therapy exercises;
- physiotherapy: laser and shock wave therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy, magnetotherapy, etc.
- intra-articular oxygen therapy or saturation of joint tissues with oxygen.
- decompression of the metaphysis and creation of intraosseous blocks.
- pharmacotherapy, including nonsteroidal and steroidal hormonal drugs, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.
- special diet?
- Spa treatment.
We have to admit that the classic scheme for the treatment of arthropathy is long-term.
Drug therapy may include non-steroidal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as taking steroids and other drugs that the patient will have to take for quite a long time.
Many experts agree that the best treatment for arthritis is moderate physical activity and following a special diet that includes foods that are beneficial to the body.
Diet for arthritis
Diet is the most important step in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Besides, often, one of the factors that complicate the course of the disease is excess weight. 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 restoration of cartilage tissue. The use of dairy products, lean meats, legumes, as well as dishes with oatmeal and oats is welcome. Eating milk and kefir, with joints, is also useful because it contains calcium, which is so necessary to maintain healthy bones and joints.
A special place is occupied by products rich in gelatin and collagen: shields, jellies, bone broths, etc. In folk medicine, the treatment of arthritis with gelatin is extremely popular, for the simple reason that it is the lack of such an important substance as natural gelatin in the joint and ligament tissues that leads to the development of the disease. Reviews about the treatment of arthritis with gelatin, in general, are very positive.
Folk methods for the treatment of arthropathy
There are various folk ways of treating the disease. Among the most popular and effective:
- gelatin treatment. All depending on the degree of the disease, gelatin is able to somewhat improve the situation, relieving the patient's suffering. In addition, the non-steroidal drugs used in traditional medicine are not capable of causing any harm to the body. So, folk healers advise drinking expanded gelatin prepared according to a very simple recipe: a teaspoon of dry gelatin should be diluted in a glass of warm water, mixed well, and left to brew. 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 may well be an excellent 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 at an early stage of disease development. First, you need to warm the joint with a warm sea salt compress. Further, the skin at the site of the affected area is rubbed with fir oil, massaging movements. A waterproof insulating bandage is applied on top to improve the degree of absorption of useful trace elements and achieve their intended purpose. Such rubbing should not be done more than 1-2 times a day.
- Ointment based on nettle and juniper has received many positive reviews from grateful patients. It can be bought at a pharmacy or you can make it yourself. For this, you will need: green juniper berries, freshly cut nettle leaves, sheep oil. By weight, all ingredients must be presented in equal volumes. Leaves and berries should be finely chopped, mixed with oil, transferred to a glass dish 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.