Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is characterized by the process of destruction of the cartilage of the joint. Due to metabolic disorders, cartilage tissue does not receive the necessary nutrients and fluids, resulting in its degeneration. Elderly people usually suffer from this disease. But, due to poor lifestyle, every year there is a tendency to diagnose the disease at an earlier age. The earlier arthrosis is detected, the more effectively it will be possible to cope with it at home, without resorting to drug or surgical treatment.
It is important to know! Doctors are shocked: “An effective and affordable remedy for ARTHROSIS exists. " Read more.
Treatment at home for a disease such as arthrosis of the knee joint involves the use of the following methods:
Since these methods have many contraindications, it is important to consult a specialist before you begin to treat arthrosis yourself.
Before you begin treatment for arthrosis of the knee joint, you first need to replenish your diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals. The main useful elements can be identified as follows:
Therapeutic nutrition for arthrosis of the knee joint should begin with cleansing the body. For 3 days, you must eat rice, raw vegetables and fruits, and also take a decoction of horsetail, birch, juniper and nettle leaves.
In the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, the use of gelatin and dishes that contain it (jellied meat, jellied fish) is very useful. Gelatin contains natural animal protein - collagen, which serves to build and restore bone tissue. Fruit jelly, which is also considered a source of vitamins, will also be useful.
People suffering from arthrosis of the knee joint should avoid alcohol, salty, fatty and smoked foods, and coffee.
Since ancient times, our ancestors have used traditional medicine methods in the treatment of various diseases, including arthrosis. The ingredients of traditional medicines are available to everyone and their effectiveness has been proven over the years.
Among the most common recipes that can be used to treat arthrosis are the following:
At home, you can resort to various methods of traditional medicine, proven over the years, which relieve pain and swelling, and stop the process of destruction of the knee joint.
Compresses in the treatment of arthrosis
Even “advanced” ARTHROSIS can be cured at home! Just remember to apply this once a day.
Analyzing numerous reviews from people who have encountered this problem, various homemade rubs will also help relieve swelling and pain due to arthrosis of the knee joint.
Treatment of knee arthrosis at home also involves competent and regular physical activity.
Before you start doing exercises on your own, it is important to consult with a specialist who will select a set of gymnastic exercises depending on the course of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body.
In any case, the following activities will be useful:
It is recommended to perform the following set of therapeutic exercises for arthrosis:
The exercises performed should not cause pain, otherwise they should be stopped immediately.
Using the method of blows (through the palm, fingers, slaps) at home, you can work on a sore knee joint. It is important to know how certain movements affect the deforming joint:
Also, for arthrosis, it is recommended to massage individual points:
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With the right approach to treating arthrosis of the knee joint at home, you can significantly improve the condition, and in the initial stages of the disease, even cure it completely.
But orthopedist Valentin Dikul claims that a truly effective remedy for ARTHROSIS exists! Read more >>>
If you want to get the same treatment, ask us how?
Arthrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic change in articular cartilage, which inevitably leads to deformation of bone tissue. Synonyms for arthrosis, according to the latest International Classification of Diseases of 1989, are the terms: osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis, arthrosis deformans, osteoarthritis deformans (DOA), arthrosis-arthritis. Let's look at the symptoms and possible treatments for the disease.
The word “osteoarthrosis” is Late Latin, containing two ancient Greek roots: osteon - “bone” and arthron - “joint”, -osis is the ending indicating a chronic, destructive form of the disease, in contrast to the ending -itis, indicating acute inflammatory process. For this reason, it is important to distinguish arthrosis, or osteoarthritis, from arthritis - one disease is chronic, the other is predominantly acute inflammatory in nature. However, in practice they can be combined.
In fact, arthrosis also differs from arthritis in that the disease covers the entire joint (articular capsule (capsule) and the synovial membrane located inside, subchondral bone, ligaments and periarticular muscles), and not just the articular cartilage.
Osteoarthritis first affects the knee joints, followed by the hip joints and thumb joints on the lower extremities. Less commonly, arthrosis affects the ankle and distal interphalangeal joints, located at the ends of the fingers. Other joints are extremely rarely affected by osteoarthritis.
There are four main common symptoms of arthrosis, these are:
The main difference between arthrosis pain and arthritis pain is that in the first case the pain occurs with movement and mainly during the day, and in the second case it does not depend on movement and usually appears at night. Arthritic pain is more acute and intense.
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish three degrees (stages) of osteoarthritis:
At the end of the third stage of arthrosis, complete destruction of the joint occurs, accompanied by its complete immobility or partial unnatural mobility - neoarthrosis. Usually, at this point, doctors make a verdict about endoprosthetics of the damaged joint. For example, arthrosis of the hip joint ends with the fusion of bone surfaces - ankylosis, or closure of the joint, and this occurs in an unnatural position, which disrupts the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.
There are several principles for the treatment of arthrosis, including:
The above scheme is classic in the treatment of arthrosis; we will also dwell on pharmacotherapy and a therapeutic diet.
The first thing pharmacotherapy is aimed at is reducing pain and inflammation. Therefore, immediately after diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the “gold standard” in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. As a rule, they are prescribed intravenously or intramuscularly, so as not to irritate the gastric mucosa and quickly obtain a therapeutic effect. Local use of these products can be considered solely as an addition, since the effectiveness of ointments and gels is extremely low.
NSAIDs are started with the minimum effective doses, avoiding long-term use. In this case, the most “harmless” drugs are used first. To reduce the risk of destruction of the gastric mucosa, omeprazole is prescribed.
During periods of exacerbation of arthrosis, hormonal corticosteroids are used - hydrocortisone, Kenalog or Diprospan intra-articularly. Additionally, local capsation - an alkaloid of hot pepper - is sometimes used in the form of a patch, ointment or alcohol tincture.
Chondroprotectors are also prescribed, substances that promote the restoration of cartilage tissue and improve the quality of synovial fluid. These include chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Their peculiarity is a long course of treatment until the first effect is obtained. However, if no signs of their effects are detected within six months, these drugs are discontinued. Hyaluronic acid, or more precisely, drugs based on it (Giastat, Durolan, Ostenil, Khialart, Sinokorm, Fermatron), is used along with chondroprotectors, since it is also part of connective tissues, forming the membrane of articular cartilage cells - chondrocytes. The drugs are administered intra-articularly.
In addition to the “classical” NSAIDs, diacerein is also prescribed for osteoarthritis, which is an inhibitor of the activity of interleukin-1, which stimulates inflammatory processes and promotes the degradation of cartilage tissue. The effect occurs no earlier than after two weeks, most often after a month of use.
In particularly severe forms of osteoarthritis, some opioids and narcotic analgesics are prescribed as an exception. This is perhaps an exhaustive list of standard pharmaceuticals.
There is no strict diet, as with gout, during the treatment of osteoarthritis; for example, there is not the slightest need to give up meat and offal. On the contrary, you should “sin” with such dishes as jellied meat and khash, cooked on the basis of cartilage and legs, since when they are prepared, the collagen contained in the offal and bones, the building material of cartilage tissue, is boiled into the dishes. Such “heavy” dishes should alternate with light ones - based on fermented milk products and vegetables. Especially important are those foods that are dominated by vitamins B and C. Abundant fluid intake is encouraged, but alcohol intake is strictly contraindicated.
Modern methods of treating arthrosis increasingly use the experience of homeopathy. For example, a complex preparation from the world-famous German company Heel called Zeel T is a homeopathic remedy for the treatment of arthrosis of various etiologies and spondyloarthrosis. It is available in the form of a solution for intramuscular and periarticular injections, sublingual tablets and ointment.
Its only contraindication is allergies and increased individual intolerance to the components of the drug, which contains 14 positions of active substances. According to the instructions, simultaneous administration in all dosage forms is recommended.
"Tsel-T" has a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effect, stimulates the restoration of connective tissues, in particular, the formation of chondrocytes, activating their division. This drug can be used in conjunction with NSAIDs. The average course of treatment is just over one month.
Another homeopathic medicine from the pharmaceutical company Heel, designed for use during osteoarthritis, is Traumeel S. It successfully complements the therapeutic effects of Tsel-T.
"Traumel S" has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant and regenerating effect, simultaneously stimulating the immune system. Available in the forms of drops for oral administration, sublingual tablets, solution for intramuscular and periarticular administration and ointment. The course of treatment is about one and a half months.
While oral medications and local ointments can be used independently, periarticular and intramuscular injections are best done in a doctor’s office. Moreover, the ideal option would be to contact not a general practitioner, but a specialist in the field of homeopathy.
There are quite a few homeopathic centers in Moscow, among them we can highlight the One Schaden clinic, which practices the method of homeosiniatry, which is the intradermal and subcutaneous administration of homeopathic medicines to acupuncture points in the form of microinjections. Homeopathic medicines introduced into special biologically active and trigger points increase their initially intended therapeutic effects several times due to the activation of nerve endings that communicate information to the brain and organs about the activation of their self-regulatory functions.
The One Schaden Clinic has been specializing exclusively in the homeosiniatric method for more than 10 years, and it is the only medical institution of its kind in Moscow. Every year, several hundred patients are treated there, and almost all of them show positive dynamics. The professionalism of doctors not only in the field of homeopathy is confirmed by their diplomas of higher medical education and many years of experience in the field of neurology, therapy and orthopedics.
The One Schaden Medical Center has clear pricing that eliminates the sudden appearance of any additional payments for related services and other hidden fees. “One Schaden” is a German method and proven homeopathic medicines, high competence of specialists and a favorable prognosis in treatment.
Persons No. LO-77-01-003287 dated December 22, 2010.
Issued by the Moscow City Health Department
There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.
The diagnosis of arthrosis is often perceived as a death sentence. This disease does not pose a threat to life, but its quality deteriorates significantly. Habitual movements cause pain, it is difficult to walk, sit down, stand up, over time the limbs become deformed, and the gait changes. People with severe forms of arthrosis, especially arthrosis of the knee joints, become disabled because they cannot move without assistive devices.
Is it possible to cure arthrosis of the knee joint? This question worries many. Arthrosis is a chronic disease, that is, you can slow down its development, achieve long-term remission, but not be completely cured. And yet, there is hope for patients with gonarthrosis.
Arthrosis goes through 4 stages in its development. The further the process goes, the more difficult it is not only to cure gonarthrosis, but at least to alleviate the symptoms.
Arthrosis of the 1st degree can be suspected by short-term pain that occurs when a person gets up, sits down, or starts walking. There is no pronounced deformation of the joint, which can be seen during the examination; radiography is also not informative enough; additional examinations are needed to make a diagnosis. If you make a timely diagnosis and begin comprehensive treatment, you can actually stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and even restore it.
Starting from stage 2, therapy is aimed primarily at alleviating symptoms and slowing down degenerative processes. Tissue restoration is unlikely; the main task is to preserve what remains. If arthrosis has reached stage 3, attempts to slow down the destruction of cartilage and bone deformation are often unsuccessful, the disease quickly progresses to stage 4 (which is why some sources distinguish only 3 degrees of gonarthrosis). In case of irreversible changes, they resort to replacing the joint with a prosthesis; this method of surgical correction is called endoprosthetics.
Surgical intervention is sometimes resorted to at stage 2 of gonarthrosis. A minimally invasive arthroscopic operation is performed, removing dead tissue and pieces of destroyed cartilage through a small incision. Thanks to this, the range of movements increases, they are not accompanied by pain, and inflammation is relieved. This is not a cure, but only a relief of symptoms for the next year or two.
Therapy for various diseases can be carried out in 3 areas:
The choice of methods of etiotropic therapy for arthrosis of the knee joints is limited, as is the effectiveness of treatment. In old age, natural changes in the body lead to the development of arthrosis. Arthrosis occurs against the background of congenital dysplasia, genetic pathologies, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. All these factors are practically impossible to correct. Gonarthrosis of the knee joint often develops after an injury; this cause also cannot be eliminated; you can only try to prevent complications of the injury. But post-traumatic arthrosis appears several years after the injury, and its development indicates that it was not possible to compensate for its consequences.
It is possible to minimize the factors contributing to the development of arthrosis. For example, change jobs or hobbies that regularly place excessive stress on the knee joints. Or, on the contrary, lead a more active lifestyle, give up smoking and alcohol, balance your diet, and lose excess weight.
Symptomatic therapy only alleviates the patient’s condition, but does not prevent the progression of arthrosis, much less contribute to tissue restoration. Of course, this does not mean that taking anti-inflammatory drugs with an analgesic effect does not make any sense. In case of acute arthrosis, you cannot do without them. But if the pain and swelling disappeared, and the leg began to move better at the knee, this does not mean that the disease was defeated. She was just hiding for a while. So symptomatic therapy has nothing to do with the question of how arthrosis of the knee joint can be cured. But it is worth dwelling on the methods of pathogenetic therapy, because they are aimed at curing the patient.
Before talking about such treatment of arthrosis, we need to remember what its pathogenesis is, that is, the mechanism of development. The disease begins with changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of cartilage tissue. Its change can be provoked by insufficient blood supply to the periarticular tissues, deficiency of oxygen and nutrients in the synovial fluid, and disruption of the mechanism of enzyme production. The cartilage loses its elasticity, begins to crack, thin out, and cannot fulfill its function as a shock absorber between the articulating bones.
Due to changes in cartilage, the subchondral bone plate located directly below it is subject to increased stress. A protective mechanism is triggered, and the production of bone substance is activated. Along the edges, where the plate is subjected to the least pressure, osteophyte growths are formed. They irritate the synovial membrane, which lines the joint capsule from the inside.
As a result, the composition of the synovial fluid changes, which plays the role of a natural lubricant and nutrient medium for the joint. Arthrosis is often complicated by synovitis - excessive production of pathological synovial fluid, the knees swell and increase in volume. Cartilaginous tissue is replaced by fatty and connective tissue, dense connective tissue cords limit the mobility of the joint.
To cure or at least stop arthrosis, you need to:
Most physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as ointments with a local irritant effect, help improve blood supply and tissue nutrition. During electrophoresis, tissues can be saturated with enzymes. But the main method of treating arthrosis, aimed at protecting and restoring cartilage, is the use of chondroprotectors. In recent years, arthrosis has been actively treated with injections of hyaluronic acid. And the most progressive methods are biological therapy.
Chondroprotectors are drugs that contain natural components of cartilage tissue or their synthetic analogues, substances that activate the synthesis of such components or slow down their breakdown. Chondroprotectors may include:
3rd generation chondroprotectors - Artron triactive forte, Teraflex Advance, Movex Active - contain 2 components of cartilage tissue and an anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac, ibuprofen, dimexide, methylsulfonylmethane). The latter drug also promotes cartilage regeneration. Combination drugs are more effective than single drugs, which is why they are mainly used in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint.
Chondroprotectors are produced in the form:
Preparations for external use can be used as an auxiliary treatment; systemic therapy with chondroprotectors is more effective.
Principles of treatment with chondroprotectors:
If you are at risk, you should start taking chondroprotectors for preventive purposes, before the first symptoms of arthrosis appear. Chondroprotectors are not a panacea; they rather protect cartilage than restore it, and arthrosis is easier to prevent than to treat.
Pathogenetic therapy of arthrosis involves, along with the introduction of cartilage tissue components into the body, the use of joint (synovial) fluid substitutes. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the joint and the nutrition of cartilage. Kidney disease, advanced age, and underdosed exercise can lead to joint fluid being produced in insufficient quantities. With arthritis and other inflammatory processes, chronic injuries, endocrine disorders, arthrosis, its composition changes, viscosity decreases, and the activity of enzymes that cause cartilage destruction increases.
Hyaluronic acid is the most popular joint fluid substitute. It forms a protective film on the inner surface of the joint, increases the elasticity of cartilage and joint mobility. Hyaluronic acid preparations: Giastat, Ostenil, Sinvisc, Duralan.
Important principles of treatment with these drugs:
Biological therapy is a new, promising direction of conservative treatment. In the treatment of arthrosis, the following methods are used:
The main method of treating arthrosis is drug therapy. But treatment must be comprehensive. For a more pronounced effect you need:
It is also necessary to follow a certain diet, control weight, and use orthopedic products. Foot massage and ozone therapy - injections of laser-irradiated ozone into the joint are useful. You can prepare potions for internal and external use according to folk recipes.
It should be understood that all these methods improve the quality of life, promote longer remission, but are not able to permanently relieve arthrosis. The most effective methods of conservative treatment have a limit; starting from stage 3 of the disease, they only help to reduce pain and delay the inevitable. How to cure arthrosis of the knee joint? Perhaps, where therapy is powerless, surgery will help?
Arthroscopic debridement (removal of dead particles of cartilage), as mentioned above, gives a temporary effect. The operation of osteotomy, during which they try to restore the congruence of the articulating bones (their correspondence to each other) by filing them, is rarely resorted to. It is very complex, requires long-term rehabilitation and gives a temporary effect.
Arthrodesis, in which the cartilage is completely removed and the bones are fused directly, is even less effective. A person loses a joint, the leg does not bend at the knee, its mobility is limited to movements in the hip and ankle joint. The only advantage of this operation is the elimination of pain.
The most effective operation is endoprosthetics. This is the replacement of the knee joint with a ceramic, polymer or metal (titanium) prosthesis. If the operation itself and postoperative rehabilitation are successful, the patient can forget about pain and limited mobility for a long time. The service life of the highest quality modern endoprostheses reaches 25 years, but many models wear out earlier. Patients with an artificial joint should not put too much stress on it, do jumping, weightlifting, or traumatic sports.
Endoprosthesis replacement is the most radical method of treating arthrosis, but it is not without a number of disadvantages:
To date, there is no reason to claim that arthrosis is curable. Theoretically, you can be cured if you start treatment at an early stage. In practice, the first symptoms of arthrosis go unnoticed; the patient underestimates their danger and seeks help when time has already passed. Conservative therapy, including treatment with chondroprotectors, is effective only at stages 1-2, and surgery cannot turn a sick person into an absolutely healthy one, and the endoprosthesis will not last forever. There is hope that the situation will change for the better with the widespread introduction of stem cell therapy. But so far this has not happened due to high cost, insufficiently studied effects on the body, and ethical considerations. So it is better to make every effort to prevent arthrosis.
Treatment of arthrosis comes down to achieving the longest possible remission, alleviating symptoms, delaying the transition of the disease to an advanced form, but not curing it completely. The disappointing prognosis for arthrosis is explained by the fact that it is usually diagnosed at the stage when the articular cartilage has been thoroughly destroyed and bone tissue deformation has begun. These processes are irreversible, but if you detect them in their infancy and begin treatment immediately, there is a chance to restore the normal state of the joint and defeat arthrosis. Modern medicine knows how to cure arthrosis of the joints, but the process is long and requires effort from the patient.
There are a number of conditions under which arthrosis can actually be stopped. The earlier treatment is started, the more successful it is. Therefore, if you experience pain or stiffness in your joints, you should not delay visiting a doctor. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is practically asymptomatic, and is often discovered by chance during a comprehensive medical examination, and it is important to correctly differentiate the disease. Regular examinations are especially important for patients who are at risk:
A timely diagnosis and early treatment are half the success. There is no miracle pill that, by taking it, can cure arthrosis without hassle and effort. Treatment of this disease is a responsible job, and the outcome depends not only on the qualifications of the specialist who prescribes the therapy, but also on the patient, who must follow his instructions without giving himself any concessions. Successful treatment requires:
People diagnosed with arthrosis need to first evaluate their physical activity. If the joints are systematically exposed to excessive loads, they should be limited. You may need to use orthopedic products to unload. Shock and vibration loads on joints, heavy lifting, and traumatic sports are contraindicated. But a lack of physical activity can also lead to joint degradation due to insufficient blood supply and muscle weakening. A specialist will help you choose a set of exercises to develop a specific joint and strengthen the muscles around it, which can be performed at home. In addition, walking, Nordic walking, and swimming are shown. Along with dosed physical activity, for successful treatment of arthrosis it is necessary:
If arthrosis is secondary and has developed against the background of an existing disease, you need to make every effort to treat it. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders are quite difficult to treat, but it is necessary to at least minimize their negative impact on the joints. In case of insufficient blood supply to the joints, vasodilators and microcirculation-improving drugs are indicated. Treatment of infectious arthrosis, which has developed against the background of arthritis or septic inflammation in other organs, must begin with the sanitation of the source of infection. If arthrosis is caused by flat feet, orthopedic shoes are needed.
When degenerative processes in articular cartilage just begin, they can be stopped and even reversed. At the second stage, when the integrity of the cartilage is damaged, it is still possible to stop its destruction. There are even methods that allow you to “patch up the holes,” but they give a temporary effect. But getting rid of osteophytes and eliminating bone deformities can only be done surgically. If the disease becomes advanced, it is too late to wonder how to stop arthrosis. You can only reduce the intensity of pain, take measures so that the patient does not completely lose his ability to work and the ability to self-care. The most radical solution to the problem is surgery, but it will not turn a patient with arthrosis into a completely healthy person.
If treatment is not started in a timely manner or is not effective enough, arthrosis often leads to disability. With arthrosis of the knee, hip, and ankle joints, the musculoskeletal function of the leg is impaired, the gait becomes lame, and it is necessary to use auxiliary devices. With arthrosis of the hands, fine motor skills are impaired, joint damage is usually multiple, and it is difficult for the patient to perform basic everyday operations.
Treatment for arthrosis has a number of goals:
For symptomatic treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, less often steroids with an anti-inflammatory effect. Ointments with a warming, locally irritating effect, compresses, baths, and physiotherapeutic procedures also mainly alleviate the symptoms, but do not stop the process of joint destruction. Therefore, a review of these methods will not answer the question of how to cure joint arthrosis. Taking chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid injections, cell therapy, and manual therapy are more effective. A number of physiotherapeutic procedures also stimulate regeneration processes.
Chondroprotectors are drugs that contain components of cartilage tissue, glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate. Their long-term use can compensate for the deficiency of these substances in the body. The instructions for the drugs indicate that they promote tissue repair and regeneration, but practice shows that their protective (protective) function is more pronounced. Chondroprotectors can slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but they can ensure its restoration only at an early stage. When starting treatment with chondroprotectors, you need to remember a number of rules:
Hyaluronic acid is also sometimes classified as a chondroprotector; it is also called a liquid synovial fluid prosthesis. Intra-articular injections help normalize its volume and composition, provide cartilage with nutrients, and reduce bone friction. In the early stages, hyaluronic acid protects articular cartilage from destruction; in the later stages, its injections are also effective, but do not help restore damaged cartilage tissue. But they provide freer and painless movement of the bones in the joint. Injections of hyaluronic acid are often used for arthrosis of the knee joints. It is much more difficult to introduce the drug into the cavity of the hip joint due to its deep location. For arthrosis of small joints of the foot, hand, and spine, intra-articular injections are rarely performed.
Diacerin also has a chondroprotective effect, suppressing the activity of inflammatory mediators that provoke the destruction of articular cartilage. Although the drug belongs to the group of NSAIDs, it should be taken according to the same regimen as chondroprotectors for at least 4 months.
You can stop the destruction and deformation of joints by stretching them. It is carried out by a chiropractor; it is also possible to use special devices for traction therapy. In the early stages of arthrosis, manual therapy is considered as an alternative to taking chondroprotectors, but it is not always indicated. Traction is effective if joint destruction is associated with mechanical factors. If the degradation of cartilage began due to abnormal biochemical processes in the body, manual therapy will not help correct them. A massage performed by a qualified medical massage therapist relieves pain, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens muscles and relieves spasms. In the absence of contraindications, it complements other treatment methods well, but cannot replace them.
Is it possible to cure arthrosis without drugs and surgery? According to Dr. Bubnovsky, this is real, you need to use the body’s own resources, mobilize it to fight the disease. In kinesiotherapy centers, an individual training program is developed for each patient. Exercises restore joint mobility, elasticity of muscles and ligaments, help work deep muscles, and activate blood circulation. A number of exercises are performed on proprietary simulators. During treatment, non-drug methods of pain relief and exposure to high and low temperatures are used.
Exercise therapy is indicated at any stage of arthrosis, with damage to any joints, only the set of exercises and the intensity of the loads change. Traditional medicine is inclined to believe that it is impossible to cure arthrosis with exercises alone, but at the same time it considers exercise therapy as the most important component of non-drug therapy.
Biological (cellular) therapy methods produce an excellent effect, especially in the early stages of arthrosis. This is treatment with drugs obtained from the patient's own blood, bone marrow or fat tissue. In the treatment of arthrosis, the following methods are mainly used:
Cytokine therapy is indicated for arthritis; it is also used for arthrosis caused by an inflammatory process. It comes down to the injection of a protein isolated from the blood into the site of inflammation, which suppresses the activity of interleukin-1, a mediator of inflammation.
Some physiotherapeutic procedures also help to launch the processes of cartilage tissue regeneration. This effect is most pronounced in:
All of these methods are effective at a stage when bone deformities have not yet begun. They stimulate cartilage regeneration, but osteophytes will not resolve under their influence. Physiotherapeutic procedures can also be used at a later stage, but only as a symptomatic treatment, to relieve pain and increase joint mobility.
Sometimes, in search of ways to stop arthrosis, doctors come to the conclusion that surgical or arthroscopic intervention is advisable. Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive operation performed through a small incision, is indicated already at stage 2, and sometimes at stage 1, of arthrosis. Arthroscopic debridement is a simpler and more common operation, during which osteophytes are cut off and loose bodies are removed from the articular cavity. After such an intervention, the patient recovers quickly and for a year or two practically does not suffer from pain or stiffness of movement.
A more complex technique is chondroplasty. During this operation, the cartilage is “patched” by transplanting fragments of cartilage tissue taken from the patient or a donor, stem cells, collagen membranes, and implants. They also resort to arthroscopic abrasive or laser chondroplasty, stimulating the regeneration of cartilage tissue by influencing undamaged areas. The rehabilitation period after such operations is longer, and the effect is temporary; the transplanted or not yet involved in the degenerative-dystrophic process areas of cartilage will still be destroyed sooner or later.
Also for arthrosis the following is performed:
It is possible to cure arthrosis, but only if you start treatment at an early stage and do not limit yourself to fighting the manifestations, but try to eliminate the cause. Such treatment is quite expensive, but endoprosthesis replacement surgery is even more expensive. You can often find advertisements for miracle drugs, folk recipes or unique methods of alternative medicine that allow you to forget about arthrosis forever. Among the non-traditional methods, there are indeed quite effective ones, but one should not overestimate their capabilities and abandon the classical treatment regimen. Otherwise, precious time will be lost.
Treatment of arthrosis comes down to achieving the longest possible remission, alleviating symptoms, delaying the transition of the disease to an advanced form, but not curing it completely. The disappointing prognosis for arthrosis is explained by the fact that it is usually diagnosed at the stage when the articular cartilage has been thoroughly destroyed and bone tissue deformation has begun. These processes are irreversible, but if you detect them in their infancy and begin treatment immediately, there is a chance to restore the normal state of the joint and defeat arthrosis. Modern medicine knows how to cure arthrosis of the joints, but the process is long and requires effort from the patient.
There are a number of conditions under which arthrosis can actually be stopped. The earlier treatment is started, the more successful it is. Therefore, if you experience pain or stiffness in your joints, you should not delay visiting a doctor. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is practically asymptomatic, and is often discovered by chance during a comprehensive medical examination, and it is important to correctly differentiate the disease. Regular examinations are especially important for patients who are at risk:
A timely diagnosis and early treatment are half the success. There is no miracle pill that, by taking it, can cure arthrosis without hassle and effort. Treatment of this disease is a responsible job, and the outcome depends not only on the qualifications of the specialist who prescribes the therapy, but also on the patient, who must follow his instructions without giving himself any concessions. Successful treatment requires:
People diagnosed with arthrosis need to first evaluate their physical activity. If the joints are systematically exposed to excessive loads, they should be limited. You may need to use orthopedic products to unload. Shock and vibration loads on joints, heavy lifting, and traumatic sports are contraindicated. But a lack of physical activity can also lead to joint degradation due to insufficient blood supply and muscle weakening. A specialist will help you choose a set of exercises to develop a specific joint and strengthen the muscles around it, which can be performed at home. In addition, walking, Nordic walking, and swimming are shown. Along with dosed physical activity, for successful treatment of arthrosis it is necessary:
If arthrosis is secondary and has developed against the background of an existing disease, you need to make every effort to treat it. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders are quite difficult to treat, but it is necessary to at least minimize their negative impact on the joints. In case of insufficient blood supply to the joints, vasodilators and microcirculation-improving drugs are indicated. Treatment of infectious arthrosis, which has developed against the background of arthritis or septic inflammation in other organs, must begin with the sanitation of the source of infection. If arthrosis is caused by flat feet, orthopedic shoes are needed.
When degenerative processes in articular cartilage just begin, they can be stopped and even reversed. At the second stage, when the integrity of the cartilage is damaged, it is still possible to stop its destruction. There are even methods that allow you to “patch up the holes,” but they give a temporary effect. But getting rid of osteophytes and eliminating bone deformities can only be done surgically. If the disease becomes advanced, it is too late to wonder how to stop arthrosis. You can only reduce the intensity of pain, take measures so that the patient does not completely lose his ability to work and the ability to self-care. The most radical solution to the problem is surgery, but it will not turn a patient with arthrosis into a completely healthy person.
If treatment is not started in a timely manner or is not effective enough, arthrosis often leads to disability. With arthrosis of the knee, hip, and ankle joints, the musculoskeletal function of the leg is impaired, the gait becomes lame, and it is necessary to use auxiliary devices. With arthrosis of the hands, fine motor skills are impaired, joint damage is usually multiple, and it is difficult for the patient to perform basic everyday operations.
Treatment for arthrosis has a number of goals:
For symptomatic treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, less often steroids with an anti-inflammatory effect. Ointments with a warming, locally irritating effect, compresses, baths, and physiotherapeutic procedures also mainly alleviate the symptoms, but do not stop the process of joint destruction. Therefore, a review of these methods will not answer the question of how to cure joint arthrosis. Taking chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid injections, cell therapy, and manual therapy are more effective. A number of physiotherapeutic procedures also stimulate regeneration processes.
Chondroprotectors are drugs that contain components of cartilage tissue, glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate. Their long-term use can compensate for the deficiency of these substances in the body. The instructions for the drugs indicate that they promote tissue repair and regeneration, but practice shows that their protective (protective) function is more pronounced. Chondroprotectors can slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but they can ensure its restoration only at an early stage. When starting treatment with chondroprotectors, you need to remember a number of rules:
Hyaluronic acid is also sometimes classified as a chondroprotector; it is also called a liquid synovial fluid prosthesis. Intra-articular injections help normalize its volume and composition, provide cartilage with nutrients, and reduce bone friction. In the early stages, hyaluronic acid protects articular cartilage from destruction; in the later stages, its injections are also effective, but do not help restore damaged cartilage tissue. But they provide freer and painless movement of the bones in the joint. Injections of hyaluronic acid are often used for arthrosis of the knee joints. It is much more difficult to introduce the drug into the cavity of the hip joint due to its deep location. For arthrosis of small joints of the foot, hand, and spine, intra-articular injections are rarely performed.
Diacerin also has a chondroprotective effect, suppressing the activity of inflammatory mediators that provoke the destruction of articular cartilage. Although the drug belongs to the group of NSAIDs, it should be taken according to the same regimen as chondroprotectors for at least 4 months.
You can stop the destruction and deformation of joints by stretching them. It is carried out by a chiropractor; it is also possible to use special devices for traction therapy. In the early stages of arthrosis, manual therapy is considered as an alternative to taking chondroprotectors, but it is not always indicated. Traction is effective if joint destruction is associated with mechanical factors. If the degradation of cartilage began due to abnormal biochemical processes in the body, manual therapy will not help correct them. A massage performed by a qualified medical massage therapist relieves pain, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens muscles and relieves spasms. In the absence of contraindications, it complements other treatment methods well, but cannot replace them.
Is it possible to cure arthrosis without drugs and surgery? According to Dr. Bubnovsky, this is real, you need to use the body’s own resources, mobilize it to fight the disease. In kinesiotherapy centers, an individual training program is developed for each patient. Exercises restore joint mobility, elasticity of muscles and ligaments, help work deep muscles, and activate blood circulation. A number of exercises are performed on proprietary simulators. During treatment, non-drug methods of pain relief and exposure to high and low temperatures are used.
Exercise therapy is indicated at any stage of arthrosis, with damage to any joints, only the set of exercises and the intensity of the loads change. Traditional medicine is inclined to believe that it is impossible to cure arthrosis with exercises alone, but at the same time it considers exercise therapy as the most important component of non-drug therapy.
Biological (cellular) therapy methods produce an excellent effect, especially in the early stages of arthrosis. This is treatment with drugs obtained from the patient's own blood, bone marrow or fat tissue. In the treatment of arthrosis, the following methods are mainly used:
Cytokine therapy is indicated for arthritis; it is also used for arthrosis caused by an inflammatory process. It comes down to the injection of a protein isolated from the blood into the site of inflammation, which suppresses the activity of interleukin-1, a mediator of inflammation.
According to statistics, about 15% of all inhabitants of our planet suffer from arthrosis. Most often, this disease manifests itself after the age of 30, and by the age of 60, almost everyone suffers from arthrosis! Women are affected twice as often as men. And if you think that crunching knees or pain in the hip joint are harmless and arise from overwork, you are mistaken. Over time, the pain will intensify, joint mobility will be limited, and if arthrosis develops, there is a high probability of complete immobility and disability. As you can see, arthrosis is no joke. And the sooner it is detected, the fewer consequences this disease can have for you.
2. Crunching and aching in the joint. The crunching is not strong at first, but over time, if left untreated, others will hear it. Aches in the joint appear when hypothermia occurs.
3. The appearance of swelling. This symptom is characteristic of another joint disease - arthritis (inflammation of the joint). But with arthrosis, swelling occurs only during exacerbations and is accompanied by aching, not acute pain. It is quite noticeable and causes considerable inconvenience.
Causes of arthrosis
Arthrosis of the knee joint at the early (left) and late (right) stages of the disease
Like many other diseases, there are many reasons for the appearance of arthrosis. Despite the fact that arthrosis is considered an age-related disease, it also occurs in young people.
* long-term static load on the joint;
* as already mentioned, age-related changes in the structure of articular cartilage;
* excess weight, which significantly increases the load on the joints, especially the joints of the lower extremities.
* metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, disease of the endocrine glands), which leads to failures in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
* flat feet – shifts the center of gravity and increases the load on the joints;
* problems with the vessels of the lower extremities, which complicate the nutrition of cartilage tissue.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Local injection of steroid drugs into the joint.
Drugs that improve metabolism in articular cartilage tissue.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce inflammation and pain. These drugs include, for example, indomethacin, ibuprofen, ortofen, piroxicam and many others. Unfortunately, these drugs also have side effects, such as effects on the gastric mucosa. Therefore, they are contraindicated if the patient has gastritis or gastric ulcer.
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are successfully used:
Low intensity laser irradiation
Electrophoresis with drugs
Phonophoresis (use of ultrasound to administer drugs to the site of inflammation).
If such methods of conservative therapy are ineffective, steroid drugs are injected into the joint. These include diprospan, kenalog, hydrocortisone. This method is very effective in eliminating inflammation and pain in the joint and soft tissues around the joint.
Treatment of osteoarthritis is a long-term process and includes various methods that can be divided into 3 groups: non-pharmacological, pharmacological and clinical methods.
The main objectives in the treatment of arthrosis are:
— Preventing the progression of the degenerative-dystrophic process in articular cartilage and subchondral bone.
— Reducing pain and symptoms of synovitis (inflammation of the joint capsule).
— Restoring joint function and, as a result, achieving an improvement in the patient’s quality of life.
How to treat arthrosis of the joints - this is the question asked by every person faced with this problem. Non-pharmacological treatment methods are one of the first places in the treatment of the disease, especially in its initial stages, when it is still possible to slow down, prevent the development and progression of degenerative changes in the joints, and reduce pain. These include:
1. Educational programs.
The results of numerous studies show that the patient’s education and level of intelligence have a significant impact on a favorable prognosis in the treatment of joints. Changes in the patient’s lifestyle aimed at unloading the diseased joint, awakening motivation for a healthy lifestyle, developing the necessary motor skills, training in exercise therapy techniques for independent use,? all this is an integral part of the healing process.
2. Body weight control.
One of the risk factors for the development and progression of osteoarthritis is excess body weight. Therefore, reducing and maintaining normal body weight both reduces the risk of developing the disease and improves the functionality of the joints.
3. Physiotherapy exercises (physical therapy).
Pain syndrome in osteoarthritis can lead to physical inactivity, because the patient will spare the diseased joint, thus avoiding pain. The result of physical inactivity, in turn, is muscle atrophy and ligament weakness. Classes are held without exacerbation of arthrosis . Exercise can improve blood circulation, reduce pain and maintain quality of life.
4. Physiotherapeutic treatment.
Ultrasound, microwave therapy, applications of coolants, electrophoresis for arthrosis are effective methods of pain relief.
6. Sanatorium-resort treatment.
For the purpose of drug therapy for arthrosis, two groups of drugs are used:
All drugs from this group are characterized by the following effects:
— Anabolic (replacement of the missing substrate for cartilage synthesis, stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis).
— Anti-catabolic (inhibition of the action of catabolic enzymes that destroy cartilage).
The purpose of surgery for arthrosis , as well as conservative therapy methods, is to eliminate pain, improve joint function and the patient’s quality of life. If indicated, endoprosthetics is performed (replacement of joint components with implants that have an anatomical shape and allow the full range of movements) of the joints.
At the GarantKlinik medical center, indications for surgical treatment are determined by a specialist - an orthopedic traumatologist, professor. The main indications for this operation for arthrosis are the patient’s complaints, confirmed by clinical and radiological studies. The equipment of the clinic allows not only to provide effective treatment, but also to help in speedy rehabilitation.
With arthrosis, cartilage tissue becomes thinner, becomes covered with a network of small cracks and quickly wears out, exposing the bones. Acute pain occurs that reduces the mobility of the knee joint. The disease develops due to deposits of calcium salts in the muscles and ligaments. At risk are professional athletes, people with excess weight and knee injuries. Arthrosis is treated with diets, folk remedies and medications that trigger the restoration of cartilage.
Calcium salts enter the human body with the wrong foods and unfiltered water. A balanced diet stimulates the cleansing of the body from harmful deposits and stops bone deformation. The diet is also recommended for overweight patients. Extra pounds are an additional burden on sore knees.
Nutrition for arthrosis performs two functions: restores cartilage tissue and normalizes body weight. A person will have to adhere to several rules:
The main goal of a diet for arthrosis is to normalize weight. Pork and beef can be consumed twice a week. Cutlets, meatballs and other meat dishes are prepared from chicken breast or turkey; rabbit is also suitable. Sausages, lard, ham and smoked meats are prohibited, as are butter and sour cream.
You need to prepare poultry jelly or jelly weekly. Use legs, wings, breast. The meat is cleaned of fat and skin to reduce its calorie content. A little gelatin is added to the dish. The additive is classified as a chondroprotector. The substances trigger the renewal of cartilage tissue and stop bone deformation.
Joint function improves thanks to fatty fish: mackerel, salmon and trout. Seafood is prepared twice a week. Calcium sources that are useful for a patient with arthrosis are:
Bone deformation is stopped by foods containing B vitamins. These include black and grain bread, egg yolk, seafood and peas, hard cheese, bananas and baked potatoes.
The body needs tocopherol. Vitamin E removes inflammation, increases the elasticity of cartilage tissue and joint mobility. The disease is slowed down by sprouted wheat, walnuts and pine nuts, hazelnuts and flaxseed oil.
A patient with knee arthrosis is recommended to include fresh fruits and vegetables in his diet. Allowed to use:
Metabolic processes in the body are restored with porridge. Only polished rice and semolina are prohibited. Vegetable oils are useful, but more than 1 tbsp. l. in a day. It is recommended to drink a decoction of rose hips, raspberry twigs and leaves, as well as green tea.
Cartilage tissue is restored with desserts made from cottage cheese and dried fruits, seasoned with yogurt. Only gelatin must be added to the dish.
If you have arthrosis and are overweight, you should avoid processed foods, marinades, white cabbage, chips and crackers, buns and cakes. Marshmallows and halva, canned meat and fish, pates, and offal dishes are contraindicated.
You should not get carried away with hot spices: mustard, paprika, black pepper and chili. The amount of salt is reduced to 5 g per day. Seasoning is added to dishes after cooking, not during.
Arthrosis begins with poor circulation in small vessels located next to the knee cartilage. For pain and destruction of bone tissue, massage is recommended. One of the most common is honey.
The muscles and cartilage tissue are heated with salt or a heating pad for 10 minutes. Apply a little liquid honey to the skin and rub in the bee product using stroking and patting movements. The procedure lasts 20 minutes. The remains of the sweet product are washed off with warm water, and a compress is applied to the sore knee.
Blood circulation in the cartilage is restored with burdock leaves. Take 5-7 fresh specimens, stack them and place a kettle of hot water on top. The skin is treated with vegetable oil, for example, sunflower or olive. Badger or bear fat will also work. Warm leaves are applied to the sore leg, wrapped in cling film and an elastic bandage. Cover with a woolen scarf.
Instead of heating the burdock, you can wash and mash it. When the juice comes out, apply triple cologne to the fluffy side. Apply to the deformed joint and secure with a plastic bag, with a warm scarf on top. On the second day, the leaf is smeared with honey and then cologne. On the third day, the bee product is replaced with garlic pulp. On the fourth day, use Vishnevsky ointment instead of honey and cologne. Compresses are alternated for 2 months. Break – 4–6 weeks. Burdock leaves restore mobility to joints, reduce swelling and discomfort.
Arthrosis is treated with tincture of black radish, cranberries and beets. 500 g of berries and root vegetables are passed through a meat grinder and the mixture is poured into a bottle. Pour 0.5 liters of cognac and leave in a closed container for 10 days. The medicine is taken in the morning before breakfast. Take 30 ml of liquid. The break between courses is 2–3 months.
Severe pain and swelling of the knee can be relieved with celery. The whole plant, along with the stems and roots, is washed and crushed. Squeeze the juice out of the mass and store it in a glass jar. Drink 60 ml three times a day. Food is consumed after 40 minutes. The cake is applied to the knee overnight. Before the procedure, the skin is moisturized with vegetable oil.
A medicine for arthrosis is prepared from celery root. The workpiece is cleaned, washed, and crushed. Measure out 1 kg of mass and mix with 1 liter of vodka. The jar with the preparation is placed in a dark place for 10 days. The strained celery product is stored in a bottle. The cake is left in the jar and 1 liter of water is added. The resulting water infusion is mixed in equal proportions with vodka. Drink 60 ml of medication half an hour before eating. The course lasts from 5 to 6 months. Celery infusion stops the destruction of cartilage tissue and relieves pain.
Joint mobility will be restored if the patient rubs protein into the skin daily. The egg is broken and the contents are poured into a bowl. The clear mucus remaining on the walls is picked up with a finger and applied to the sore knee.
A mixture of beaten chicken eggs relieves severe pain. Take half the white and the same amount of yolk, beat with a fork. Add 10 ml of turpentine and 1 tbsp to the mass. l. apple cider vinegar. Rub the workpiece into the inflamed knee using massage movements, cover with a cotton cloth and a plastic bag. The procedure is repeated 4 times a week until symptoms disappear.
Apply compresses from horseradish roots to deformed joints. The fresh product is grated and boiled in water. The mass should simmer over low heat. The preparation must not boil. The warm solution is placed on gauze and taped to the sore knee. A compress is prepared from fresh and dried roots. The course of treatment lasts until the discomfort disappears completely.
Dandelions remove calcium salts from muscles and ligaments. 300–400 g of fresh flowers are poured into a bottle and the container is filled with vodka. A triple cologne would also work. The rubbing is left for a month. While the medicine is being prepared, fresh dandelion flowers are consumed internally. 5 pieces are picked daily, washed and chewed slowly. The plant has a bitter taste, but it should not be eaten or washed down. In winter, fresh flowers are replaced with dried leaves. The workpiece is first soaked in hot water, and the swollen pieces are eaten before breakfast or lunch.
Treat your knees with an infused dandelion rub after warming up. The medicine is rubbed into the joints with gentle and careful movements. The sore leg is wrapped in film and a scarf, and the compress is left until the morning.
Cabbage leaf, no worse than burdock, draws calcium salts from muscles and ligaments. The product is dipped in boiling water, beaten with a hammer, and then soaked in honey. The blank is wrapped around the knee, and the compress is wrapped in a woolen scarf.
Apply blue or red clay to the inflamed cartilage. The product removes accumulated fluid, reducing swelling and pain. The powder is diluted with cool water and stirred with a wooden spoon. The creamy paste is applied to a clean and dry knee in a thick layer. Secure with cotton cloth and bandages. The leg is wrapped in a scarf for 4–5 hours. The remaining clay is removed with wet wipes or cotton swabs, and ointment is rubbed into the knee. Treatment lasts 5 days.
During periods of exacerbation of arthrosis, elecampane helps. You can buy crushed root at the pharmacy. Mix 25 g of raw material with a glass of vodka and leave in a dark place for 14 days. Rub in for severe pain and stiffness.
In case of exacerbation of arthrosis, gelatin tincture is taken orally. In the evening, soak 5 g of powder in 100 ml of boiled water. In the morning, jelly is prepared from thick paste. Dilute with water in a ratio of 1 to 1 and add 1 tsp. honey The taste of the medicine is improved with lemon or any other juice.
The mixture for inflammation of the joints is made from gelatin and milk. For 5 g of dry ingredient, 120 ml of liquid base. Bring the pasta to a boil, sweeten with sugar. Store in the refrigerator, eat 2-3 tbsp daily. l. milk jelly.
The destruction of cartilage tissue is stopped with lotions. The product includes:
The products are mixed in equal proportions and poured into a jar. Use after 14 days. Soak gauze or cotton cloth with the composition and apply to the knee for 4–6 hours. The compress is wrapped around the joint with a bandage or cling film, and a scarf is tied on top.
Lingonberry leaves cleanse the body of calcium salts and prevent the formation of thorns. Powder from dried raw materials is mixed with water and boiled for 15 minutes. The decoction is drunk instead of water when thirst appears.
Lingonberry tea helps with arthrosis. The berries are brewed with boiling water: 2 tbsp. l. fruits 1 liter of hot water. After an hour, the drink is divided into 4 servings and drunk per day. Lingonberry infusion is taken 30–40 minutes before meals.
Blood circulation in the inflamed knee is restored with moderate physical activity. Light exercise relieves pain, reduces swelling and slows down the aging of the joint.
Patients with advanced disease are advised to start with regular walks. You need to take 3000 steps per day. The distance is increased gradually so as not to overload the legs.
You can do gymnastics at home:
A patient for whom simple exercises do not cause discomfort in the knee can do squats 10–20 times a day. Do not lower the pelvis too low so as not to overload the damaged cartilage. Rise smoothly and without sudden jerks.
Folk remedies remove calcium salts from muscles, slowing down the destruction of cartilage tissue, but it is better to combine decoctions and compresses with pharmaceutical drugs. Patients with arthrosis are prescribed non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors.
The first group of medications includes:
Nonsteroidal drugs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Thanks to tablets and gels, swelling is reduced and bone tissue deformation is slowed down. Non-steroidal drugs affect the functioning of the digestive organs, liver and kidneys, so medications should be selected together with a doctor. The drugs relieve the symptoms, but do not restore the structure of the cartilage.
Chondroprotectors normalize blood circulation in the knee joints. The remedies eliminate the cause of the disease and trigger the renewal of cartilage tissue. Chondroprotectors include:
Cartilage repair starts with collagen. They produce tablets for internal use, ointments for external use and injections. Injections are one of the most effective ways to treat arthrosis. The medicine is injected directly into the joint, so it is better absorbed. Collagen is prescribed during the period of remission, when the patient is not bothered by pain and swelling.
Arthrosis is treated with hyalorunic acid. The product is included in Fermatron, Sinokrom, Ostenil and Suplazin. Preparations with hyaloronic acid are recommended to be injected directly into the joint. The product covers the bones with a protective film that prevents friction and wear of the cartilage.
Medicine for arthrosis is combined with vitamin complexes that contain tocopherol, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene, as well as magnesium, boron, calcium, copper and zinc. The components increase the level of collagen in the body, stop the inflammatory process and normalize blood circulation in soft tissues.
Arthrosis is on the list of the most common diseases. Young and elderly patients experience cartilage destruction. At the first symptoms of joint deformation, you need to use folk remedies, vitamin complexes and pharmaceutical preparations to stop the inflammatory process and slow down the aging of the knee.
Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis occupies one of the leading positions. The knee joints are most often affected, which is associated with a large load on them throughout life, especially in overweight people, and quite frequent injuries to the knees. With gonarthrosis, the cartilage tissue around the knee joint is gradually replaced by bone, spines form and grow, limiting the mobility of the joint and leading to its deformation, the joint space narrows, which is why the cartilage wears out faster.
The question of how to cure arthrosis of the knee joint worries more and more people, not only older people, but also quite young ones.
Despite the chronic nature of the disease, proper diagnosis of the stage of development of gonarthrosis and a set of therapeutic measures will alleviate the condition and stop the course of the disease.
To establish a diagnosis of arthrosis of the knee joint, the doctor, in addition to a personal examination of the patient, can rely on data from such research methods as:
Based on the diagnostic data, the doctor makes a decision on the stage of development of the disease and the appropriate set of treatment measures.
At the first stage of the disease, the bones of the knee are not deformed, although the joint swells a little, and sometimes a soft crunching sound is heard when moving. Pain usually appears with increased stress on the legs, sudden rise from a chair or walking up the stairs and disappears at rest.
A crunch in the knee joint when moving, its deformation, swelling, severe pain in the knee even after light loads indicates the transition of the disease to the second stage. Full bending of the knee becomes problematic; abnormal fluid often accumulates in it, causing pain and stiffness in the movement of the joint. Long rest can relieve severe pain.
At the last stage of degeneration, the affected knee joint makes it impossible to fully bend or straighten the leg; severe pain in the knees is felt even at rest, especially with a sudden change in the weather. Significant deformations of the knee bones affect the gait, making it unstable.
Gonarthrosis is not completely curable, but it is quite possible to stop the destruction of cartilage tissue, maintain the motor ability of the knee joint and reduce pain with the help of a set of therapeutic measures.
Drug treatment for gonarthrosis is aimed at accelerating the process of restoration of cartilage tissue in the knee joint, slowing down the destruction of cartilage, and improving the production of joint fluid. This effect is caused by long-term and regular use of chondroprotectors. To relieve pain in the knee joint and relieve inflammation and swelling, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used, respectively, in the form of tablets, gels, ointments or compress bases. Vasoconstrictor drugs prevent stagnation of venous blood in the knee joint. Intra-articular injections reduce swelling and pain in the knee joint, but do not cure arthrosis.
2. Surgical interventions.
The use of arthroscopy as a therapeutic measure is inappropriate: this surgical procedure does not reduce pain or restore the motor ability of the affected joint. If the cartilage layer is completely destroyed, an artificial knee joint can be implanted.
In the early stages of the disease, physiotherapeutic methods are very effective:
Manual and hardware massage, especially manual therapy, help improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscles around the affected knee joint and relieve pain. The basic rule is to avoid direct strong impact on the knee joint when massaging.
Static or slow dynamic exercises strengthen the leg muscles and ligaments, help relieve pain, muscle tension, and improve the mobility of the knee joint. Movements associated with active flexion and extension of the knees should be excluded. Using a cane when walking allows you to relieve the load on the knee joints and slow down degenerative changes in them.
Treatment of arthrosis with traditional methods includes the use of ointments, rubs, compresses, and tinctures. To achieve a therapeutic effect, their regular use is necessary.
If arthrosis has just begun to develop in the knee joint, treatment with folk remedies in the form of compresses can not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also improve blood circulation in the affected joint.
The most effective is a compress made from blue or red clay, which you need to scoop with a wooden spoon and dilute in cool water to a creamy consistency. Place the mixture on a cotton cloth, secure it to the knee joint with a bandage, wrap it with a woolen cloth on top and hold it for a couple of hours. Repeat the procedure for five days.
Applying a cabbage leaf smeared with honey to the knee joint for a month relieves inflammation and pain. The compress is secured with a bandage overnight. In the morning you need to put a fresh leaf, which will be on your knee until the evening.
A compress of grated horseradish root, filled with water and not brought to a boil over heat, must be placed on a cotton cloth and applied to the sore knee. Such treatment should continue for at least three months.
To anesthetize the knee joint, prepare an ointment from a raw egg, a tablespoon of 5% ammonia and the same amount of turpentine, which is rubbed into the affected areas overnight.
Camphor oil, heated sunflower oil is rubbed into the knee joint before going to bed, relieving pain already on the fifth day of the procedure.
When arthrosis worsens, treatment with a folk method - tincture of elecampane roots - can effectively relieve pain. To make it, 25 grams of elecampane roots, purchased at a pharmacy, need to be poured with half a glass of vodka and left to steep in a dark bottle for two weeks. Rub your knee joints before going to bed.
Gonarthrosis is an aging of the knee joint that cannot be avoided. But preventive and therapeutic measures will help maintain healthy joints for as long as possible.
This is how man is designed, until the thunder strikes. and I'm no exception.
And it all started like this: somehow raising my hand up, either to screw in a light bulb, or for some other need, I felt a not very strong, but some kind of sharp, piercing pain in the right shoulder joint. At first, of course, I didn’t attach any importance to this, you never know where it might sting or ache - it will go away on its own, because everything always somehow went away on its own, resolved, healed, etc.. But this time it didn’t go away, but quite the opposite, through For a couple of months, my shoulder began to hurt at the slightest raising of my arm.
I began to think (pain generally greatly activates the thought process) why am I being given such torment from above, in the end I blamed it all on the recently completed apartment renovation plus the spring season in the garden, they say, I overstrained the joint, I need to rest, relieve my hand as much as possible, some kind of ointment anoint and everything will definitely pass.
Probably many respected readers reasoned the same way in their cases. But such thoughts and ointments did not make it any easier; pain in the elbow joint was added to the pain in the shoulder; it got to the point where I was lifting a cup of tea from the table to my mouth with my right hand, wincing in pain. The daily dose of painkillers is at least two tablets.
Gradually, security reflexes formed, the hand was automatically pressed to the stomach in a semi-bent state, I learned to do everything with my left hand, what is possible, of course, but not everything is possible. In a word, the situation confidently and quickly turned from a minor nuisance into a major life problem.
No matter how you look at it, I had to go to the doctor. The therapist sent me to a rheumatologist, who I managed to get to see more than a month later, however, I’m not the only one suffering from joint pain, there were many of us. A very elderly doctor met me and, without saying anything, sent me for x-rays and blood/urine tests. At the second appointment, she diagnosed me in a couple of minutes - some kind of arthrosis, primary or secondary, I don’t remember now, and it doesn’t matter.
Well, the diagnosis is okay, I’m not interested in what it’s called, but how to get rid of this trouble quickly and so that there are no relapses later? And here unpleasant discoveries awaited me; my grandmother-doctor told me my age was the cause of this misfortune! So she said: “It’s your age.” What age?! I'm only forty-five! My daughter is three years old, I am a young dad, and not an old rheumatic person, that is, an arthrosis sufferer! But what “pleased” me even more were the recommendations for treatment, there were three of them:
The first thing is to remove all physical stress from your hands, but they have been gone for a long time already; the pain quickly stops you from grasping heavy objects.
Secondly, you need to smear yourself with a warming ointment, which is advertised on TV every day from morning to evening. I sometimes envy people who are inspired, tell them to apply it and it will go away, they apply it and it will go away, but I need to understand everything, how an ointment with minimal activity can penetrate the skin, all sorts of soft and connective tissues, get inside the joint and something like that cure, who will explain to me the physics of this wonderful process? And I’ve been smearing it for a long time, I’ve smeared more than one tube, but it’s all to no avail.
Well, the third recommendation is to take some pills that help restore cartilage tissue, read carefully - they do not restore, but only promote. That's all! Go, be patient, there will be money - come in.
Having left the “medicine”, I realized that they were ready to treat me, they did not refuse, but they did not refuse to cure me. And it seemed to me that they themselves did not understand what the cause of my illness was, and if the cause was unknown, then how to eliminate the illness? If the pills (not cheap by the way) only help, that is, help, what do they help? What should restore this tissue of mine, with or without pills? And why did it do this before, but now it has stopped? Lots of questions.
Of course, there is another option to take your money to paid clinics, but something told me that the result would be the same, only more expensive. Well, I don’t believe in paid medicine or paid education. After all, the problem is not in the doctor, she is a pensioner in a district clinic or a younger lady in a fashionable medical center, but in the very approach to the problem. How can you treat something without even trying to understand the cause of the disease? It's like catching a gray cat in a dark room, maybe you'll catch it, maybe you won't. But I have pain, I need a sure and 100% way to cure it.
If you don’t want to be treated, but to be cured, then you need to be cured like in the old Soviet film “sama-sama-sama”!
You cannot self-medicate, this is the law, but only you can self-medicate. I began to think and wonder how to cope with the illness, I came up with something and decided to conduct experiments on myself, realizing the inhumanity of this act. And I started with self-education.
The Internet, of course, is a great thing; in a very short time you can get acquainted with the legends of deep antiquity and listen in real time to a lecture by a professor from overseas. Find out what is written about joints in the Chinese “treatise of the yellow emperor”, and what yogis, adherents of Ayurveda or Vedanta think about this, and how bones ruled in Mother Rus'.
Having spent 1.5 months studying all the available information about the treatment and restoration of joints, I compiled for myself a list of five natural “diamonds” that at different times were used for treatment by Emperors, Kings, General Secretaries, Yogis, Tibetan monks, Old Believers and many more by whom.
The first place is occupied by “Cedar resin” , or simply pine resin. Extract from Zhivitsa is in its pure form a concentrate of the molecules that make up cartilage and which restore this very cartilage tissue with amazing speed.
"Burdock extract." This plant was first used in the Caucasus. The trick of “burdock extract” is its unique ability to liquefy and remove salt deposits. It instantly makes the salt “deposits” in the joints looser, and after 15-19 days of regular use, it completely dissolves the salts in the joints and spine. Agree, a very useful property.
“Thyme extract” or, as it is also called “Thyme”. Belongs to the genus of the Lamiaceae family, one of the largest and taxonomically complex genera of this family.
Thyme is the fastest natural anti-inflammatory “drug”. Thyme extract quickly destroys any inflammatory process. Since time immemorial, Thyme has been used to treat radiculitis, rheumatism, polyarthritis, gout and varicose veins.
"Cincinque Extract." It is also called Cinquefoil, Ognevets, Rastopyrka, Russian Ginseng. Acts as an immunostimulant, stopping the autoimmune process in the body, which is the starting point of joint diseases and cartilage degradation. Sabelnik extract was used at various times to treat osteochondrosis, arthritis and rheumatism. It was especially popular in the royal pharmacy of Peter the Great, who had chronic problems with his joints.
"Hop extract" The well-known plant is the strongest natural anesthetic, absolutely safe and non-addictive. It was used by the ancient Slavs for quick relief from pain. Pure Hops extract is 11 times stronger than the currently popular Ibuprofen, but unlike it, it does not affect the nervous system.
"Beeswax". I specifically wrote about five healing ingredients, the sixth - Beeswax, does not exactly heal joints, but it is no less important. Beeswax has the property of enhancing the effect of medicinal components. And two: provides protection for bone and cartilage tissue. In other words, the first five plants TREAT joints and cartilage, and the wax PRESERVES the achieved result for decades.
Having dealt with the “ingredients” of the treatment, I wondered - how will all these wonderful natural remedies get into my sore joint? After all, no matter what manufacturers say, conventional plant extracts are not able to quickly penetrate the skin and tissue into the joint. Only a microscopic amount of them reaches the diseased joint and you need to use them for YEARS to get the desired effect. But my shoulder hurts here and now, and I need to treat it urgently! Preferably yesterday.
In 1983, a group of Soviet scientists was tasked with developing a technology for obtaining medicinal plant extracts at low (room) temperatures, without the use of chemical catalysts (titanium dioxide, chlorine oxide, acetone), with a purity of at least 99.3%.
5 years of research and experience have been crowned with success. In 1988, the technology of CO2 nanoextracts was presented to the state commission. This technology marked the beginning of a new science - Phytochemistry.
The essence of the technology was to obtain medicinal extracts by “exploding” carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is pumped into the chamber with the raw material to a pressure of 7000 atmospheres. Then the pressure is sharply released, the CO2 gas instantly changes from a liquefied state to a gaseous state, increasing in volume hundreds of times. At the same time, it literally breaks the molecules of the raw material, thereby releasing medicinal extracts. In addition, the “explosion” of CO2 not only releases the purest extract of the plant, but also disinfects it, because the bacterial molecules are also torn as a result of sudden expansion. The result is a sterile medicinal extract with a purity of 99.93%. An unimaginable figure for ordinary extracts. The usual ones have a maximum purity of 75%, and the remaining 25% are the remains of the original chemistry - catalysts (titanium, chlorine, acetone).
But the main “magic” of the technology is not even the 99% purity of the resulting extracts. The main achievement is the PARTICLE SIZE of the CO2 extract. It measures a mind-blowing 94 nanometers(.). We are dealing with nano-sized particles, and this, as you know, activates the properties of any substances crushed to such limits.
CO2 extracts are hundreds to thousands of times more effective than conventional extracts of the same plants!
And, most importantly in my case, CO2 nanoextracts, due to their nano-size, freely penetrate through the skin and tissues into the joint! And this process takes NOT YEARS, BUT MINUTES!
Eureka! That's what I need! And I began to look for some drug based on CO2 extracts.
Imagine my disappointment when I realized that finding something with CO2 extracts was not as simple as I thought. The technology was completed in 1988, already at the end of the existence of the USSR, and after the collapse of the Union, it was safely forgotten. However, as well as about hundreds of miracle technologies from other fields of science.
I spent another month looking for anything. I even talked with 84-year-old Boris Mikhailovich Tkachev, one of the developers of CO2 nanoextract technology. But everything was in vain. The technology is there, the documentation is there, the results of clinical studies are there, but there are no factories.
Almost in despair, I accidentally came across an article in Popular Mechanics, which described the technology of CO2 extraction using the example of, lo and behold, a small plant in the Tver region! I quickly found the company’s contacts, without wasting a minute, I called directly to the factory and asked what they were producing.
This was what I needed! In addition to CO2 preparations for the treatment of gastritis and ulcers, varicose veins and blood vessels, they produce “Artraid” cream for the treatment of joints and cartilage! Artreid’s recipe completely coincides with mine, it’s immediately clear that professionals were involved in developing the recipe! There is a CO2 extract of Zhivitsa, and Sabelnik, Burdock, Hops, in general, the whole set of the best CO2 extracts for joints.
But then another bird, “Oblomingo,” was waiting for me. Their factory, although equipped with the latest technology and at the cutting edge of phyto-technologies, is very small. Therefore, the production of drugs is almost “piecemeal”; people wait for months for Artreid to go on sale. And as soon as it appears, in a matter of days it is sold out through pre-orders via the Internet.
For 2 weeks, while I was at work, I went to the Artreid website every day and checked to see if it was on sale. And now I finally see the coveted “In stock”. I place an order right away, because what the heck – they’ll sell out in no time! After 10 minutes, a nice girl called and began to talk in detail about the drug, but I interrupted her and said:
– Girl, don’t be offended, but I know more about this drug than you do, so don’t try. Better arrange for me to have 7 pieces delivered to Artreid.
– Sorry, but you cannot order 7 pieces. Due to increased demand, we sell a maximum of 5 pieces per person.
- Yes, what’s that! I waited 2 weeks, I wanted to take it right away with a reserve. Okay, make it 5.
It is worth saying that Artreid acts almost instantly, joint mobility returns on the 2nd day, and the pain generally goes away after 8-12 hours. But it is precisely for treatment and consolidation of the result for many years that a course is needed - 20-27 days. This is approximately 3-4 tubes of cream. I wanted to order 7 at once, just in case. Still, it’s a rare drug that you can’t get your hands on. In the end, I would give it to someone, but the company’s policy is cruel - No more than 5 pieces per person.
In general, they allowed me to order only 5 tubes of Artreid, confirmed the order, and said - wait, your order will arrive by mail. I must say that I haven’t received anything by mail for a long time, so I was a little tense. After all, who knows, this Post Office will lose my Artreid, and then I’ll have to wait another 2 months until it goes on sale again.
Fortunately, everything worked out fine. Surprisingly quickly, in just 5 days, my order was already at the post office. Jumping with impatience and howling with pain in my shoulder, I galloped like a saiga to the post office for my salvation. Having quickly received the parcel, the Post office surprised me again, I was already rushing home at a gallop, to quickly try out the product of high Soviet technology.
My tubes were packed very securely, I had no reason to worry that the postmen might break them or crush them or whatever else they do with parcels. A beautiful box, surrounded by foam plastic and wrapped with foam rubber on top. If you want one, you won’t break it and you won’t remember it!
Of course, I understood that the treatment would be relatively quick, the course would only last 20-25 days. But it was a surprise to me that I would feel the effect SO quickly!
Having anointed my shoulder and elbow before going to bed, I went to sleep on my left side, because I had already lost the habit of sleeping on my right - it hurt. I woke up on my RIGHT side, on my sore shoulder, but there was no pain! I carefully began to raise my long-suffering hand, stretching, but there was still no pain! After 8 hours of sleep with Artreid, the pain disappeared! I jumped out of bed and tried to pick something up. A dusty pound weight caught my eye, carefully taking it with my sore hand, I began to slowly lift it. The sore shoulder responded with a click-click and I felt a slight pain. So, okay, let’s wait with the weights for now, after all, only 8 hours of treatment have passed, I thought.
The instructions said: Apply to sore joints 2-3 times a day. I immediately started smearing myself 3 times to make the process go faster. No wonder I bought the cream with a reserve!
In general, these experiments on myself gave wonderful results, one hundred percent healing, now I will try to restore my feelings one day at a time.
8 hours of treatment: pain disappeared at rest. Minor pain remained when moving.
Day 1: the pain completely disappeared. The swelling has subsided. I can move my arm, but my joints still click.
Day 7: The clicking in the joints finally disappeared. I move my hand easily, I can calmly lean on it. I don't dare lift heavy weights yet.
Day 14: I feel completely healthy! I did 5 pull-ups on the bar. 16 kg kettlebell – no discomfort!
Day 20: I took tests and had an x-ray of my shoulder and elbow. No traces of arthrosis! The cartilage in the joints is like that of a 20-year-old boy. The doctor said that there was most likely a defect in the previous x-ray, so the diagnosis of Arthrosis was erroneous.
PS Dear reader, thank you for reading this article to the end, I am pleased. In gratitude for your patience, I am giving you a link to the website where you can order Artreid. It goes on sale about once every 2 months, but the wait is worth it, believe me.
It took me six months to find it, but I give it to you in 5 minutes of reading =) Share your successes in the comments. If you know any other drugs based on CO2 extracts, be sure to write!