All pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are socially significant ailments. After all, it is they who often become sources of permanent or temporary disability. Such diseases are not only accompanied by pain, but also significantly violate the quality of life of people. In this regard, scientists are constantly developing to create new effective drugs for the treatment of bones and joints. Chondoprotective drugs have recently appeared. These medicines raise many different questions, both in patients and in doctors.
Characterization of the drug group
What are chondoprotective drugs? These are medications that help restore cartilage. At the same time, they nourish it and slow down the destruction processes.
However, such drugs have their own characteristics:
- The effect of these agents on cartilage is slow. The result can be noticeable after six months, and sometimes after a longer period. That is why chondroprotective drugs are considered long-acting drugs.
- It is important to start treatment in a timely manner. Since with a variety of ailments that affect cartilage, chondroprotectors can only help in the initial stages, while the destruction processes are still reversible. In other words, if the cartilage is able to recover. If it is completely destroyed, these drugs, unfortunately, are useless.
Mechanism of action
To better understand how drugs that restore cartilage tissue work, consider the anatomical structure of the joint. In articulation, the surface of the bones is lined with a smooth and moistened layer. Cartilage cells produce a special synovial fluid. She is a kind of lubricant. In addition, synovial fluid is an excellent nutrient for cartilage. In order for the lubricant to be produced, movement of the joint is necessary. With active operation, fluid articulations are produced more.
When cartilage is destroyed, bone tissue is exposed. Its surface is rough and rough. Opposite cartilage in contact with such a bone also begins to be damaged. This defect violates the production of synovial fluid. The joint does not receive enough lubrication, and the cartilage does not receive the necessary nutrition. The result of such a violation is the gradual loss of articulation of their functions. In this case, a slow death of cartilage tissue is observed.
Chondroprotectors can inhibit the pathological process. They eliminate pain discomfort, relieve the inflammatory process. These drugs contain substances that the human body produces. Such components determine the lubrication process.
Classification of Chondroprotectors
Like other medicines, this group is divided into several signs. Widely accepted in medical practice is a classification based on the components that are included in chondoprotective drugs. The list of such a separation is as follows:
- Chondroitin Sulfate Medicines This ingredient is the main building material for joints. It prevents further destruction of cartilage, stimulates the production of articular fluid, and reduces the intensity of pain discomfort. Basic medicines: Chondrolone, Chondroxide, Arthron, Mucosat.
- Drugs that include cartilage and bone marrow of animals. These are the medicines “Rumalon”, “Alflutop”.
- Mucopolysaccharides. The main representative is the drug "Arteparon".
- Medicines based on glucosamine. This is a natural compound that helps to restore the functioning of cartilage. The substance inhibits degenerative processes perfectly. This group includes drugs "Don", "Artron Flex".
- Means of an integrated composition. The most popular drugs: "Artron complex", "Teraflex".
- Drugs with anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties. This action has the medication "Artrodar."
In addition to the above classification, chondoprotective drugs differ in generation. List of such groups:
- First generation. The medicines "Rumalon", "Alflutop" belong.
- Means of the second generation. Medicines containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine.
- Third generation. These are drugs that are based on hydrochloride in combination with chondroitin sulfate.
Medications vary according to the method of application:
- Means for oral administration. Arthra, Structum, Formula-S, Teraflex, and Piaskledin belong to this category. These funds have a beneficial effect only after 3 months. Persistent relief can only be said after six months. Patients are well tolerated. And in most cases, side effects do not cause.
- Injectable medicines. These are the drugs "Alflutop", "Adgelon", "Noltrex", "Chondrolon". This group allows you to achieve a therapeutic effect much faster than when using medications inside. However, the result is not so long. Therefore, every six months it is recommended to repeat the course of treatment.
- Deputy intraarticular fluid. These are hyaluronic acid based medicines. This group includes drugs "Sinokrom", "Sinvisk", "Ostenil", "Fermatron." The above funds are injected into large joints directly. They are able to replace intraarticular fluid, the production of which, with many ailments, is significantly reduced. The treatment consists of 3-5 injections. In most cases, one course is sufficient. Repeat therapy is allowed only after six months.
Indications and contraindications
For any diseases that are associated with the destruction of cartilage, chondoprotective drugs are prescribed. Indications for the use of drugs are the following conditions and ailments:
- arthrosis (gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis of small joints);
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis, periarthritis (inflammatory ailments of joints, periarticular tissues);
- cartilage dystrophic changes;
- spondylosis (bone growths on the vertebrae);
- joint injuries;
- periodontal disease;
- rehabilitation after surgery on the joints.
The main contraindications to taking medications are:
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- allergic reactions to drug components.
Children can take chondroprotectors only after the appointment of a doctor. Most drugs are strictly contraindicated for children under 15 years of age. But sometimes such funds, given the severity of the disease, can be used individually.
The following drugs are allowed for children: Piaskledin in capsules (a herbal product, which includes avocado and soybean oil), Don in powder. Homeopathic chondroprotectors can be given to babies from the age of three.
Medicines for osteochondrosis
With this pathology, chondroprotectors are widely used. In fairness, it should be noted that some doctors consider the effectiveness of such drugs unproven.
The following chondoprotective drugs for osteochondrosis are prescribed:
- Structum.
- "Arthra."
- Teraflex.
- "Don."
Such medications help repair damaged cartilage in the intervertebral joints. They perfectly reduce pain discomfort.
It is important to start taking these drugs in the initial stages of the disease. Since in the case of a deep violation of the cartilage, they turn out to be useless.
However, the patient should understand that solely chondoprotective drugs for osteochondrosis cannot cure pathology. They are introduced into therapy with other drugs. This combination allows you to increase the effectiveness of not only chondroprotectors, but also drug treatment. The necessary funds, as well as the scheme for their admission, are prescribed by the doctor for each patient individually. The course of therapy is quite long - from 1 to 2 months.
Spinal hernia
The above pathology is a very common disease, which in some cases can lead to untreated osteochondrosis or trauma. Do I need to use chondoprotective drugs for hernia of the spine? This question remains open today. Since the results of studies on the effectiveness of chondroprotectors for this pathology are quite contradictory.
This group does not apply to the main drugs that are recommended for the above pathology. In most cases, they are prescribed only for the relief of inflammatory symptoms. As a rule, funds for oral administration are recommended. The average course of treatment is 6 months.
The patient must understand that the main factor provoking a hernia is a violation of blood supply. Chondroprotective drugs will be ineffective if the patient does not perform physical exercises aimed at developing muscle tissue that are adjacent to the hernia localization zone.
The choice of drug depends on the characteristics of the pathology, the medicine is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Patients may be recommended funds based on chondroitin sulfate. Such drugs trigger reparative processes in cartilage. But they will be effective only in case of good blood supply to the altered intervertebral discs. The most commonly prescribed medications are:
- Mucosat.
- Chondroxide.
- Structum.
- Chondrolone.
- Khonsurid.
- Chondramed.
Medicines based on the substance glucosamine may be recommended by a doctor. These drugs inhibit degenerative processes in cartilage. These include medicines:
- Aminoarthrin.
- "Don."
- "Glucosamine sulfate."
- "Elbona".
- Farmaskin TGK.
For some patients, the combination of the above ingredients will be the best option. In this case, the doctor prescribes drugs:
- "Arthra."
- Teraflex.
- "Kondronova."
- "Chondrosamine."
A disc herniation is already the result of the disease. Chondroprotectors are mainly aimed at protecting cartilage from destruction. And, unfortunately, these drugs can not affect the restoration of the disk, i.e., its integrity. Therefore, it is difficult to talk about the effectiveness of these categories of drugs with hernia.
Use for arthrosis
A favorable result from the use of chondroprotectors is possible only in the initial stages of ailments. With advanced diseases, unfortunately, no medicines can help.
Effective cartilage preparations:
- "Don."
- "KONDRONova."
- Arthron Flex.
They stimulate the production of intraarticular fluid, contribute to the improvement of lubricating properties.
Especially effective is the use of chondroprotectors in the treatment of coxarthrosis. With such an ailment, the following drugs are included in therapy:
- "Don" (capsules, powder, ampoules).
- "Elbona" (powder, capsules, ampoules).
- Arton Flex (tablets).
- "Mucosate" (tablets, ampoules).
- Arthron Chondrex (tablets).
- Structrum (capsules).
- "Arthra chondroitin" (capsules).
- "Artradol" (ampoules).
- Chondroxide (ointment).
- "Chondroitin Akos" (ointment is used).
Comprehensive chondoprotective joint preparations containing chondroitin and glucosamine are quite popular. These are the following medicines:
- "Rumalon" (ampoules).
- Aflutop (ampoules).
- "Teraflex" (capsules).
- Chondroflex (capsules).
- "Arthra" (tablets).
- "Movex comfort" (tablets).
- Osteal (tablets).
- "Protekon" (tablets).
In addition, intraarticular input under x-ray observation of the following chondroprotectors is included in the treatment:
- "Fermatron."
- "Ostenil."
- Sinvisk.
- "Sinocrome."
In order for the patient to receive a stable therapeutic effect with coxarthrosis, it will take 2-4 courses. Given interruptions, such therapy lasts approximately 1.5 years.
Arthritis Treatment
With this pathology, the most successful is the combination of chondroprotectors with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Most often, the doctor prescribes the following medicines:
- Chondroxide.
- "Don."
- Structum.
- Arthron Flex.
Combination therapy helps reduce swelling, reduce pain discomfort, and eliminate joint stiffness. When large joints are affected (especially the knee joints), intra-articular injections of chondroprotective drugs are included in the treatment.
The medicine "Teraflex"
The tool is one of the complex preparations, since it contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate. This medicine helps restore cartilage. In addition, the drug protects them from further destruction. The medicine has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect. The Teraflex preparation provides restoration of the viscosity of the synovial fluid. The use of the product is effective for combating osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis.
The drug is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. In patients with severe renal failure, this drug is not prescribed. It is forbidden to take the drug for children under 15 years of age. It is extremely cautious to use the medicine for patients with diagnoses: diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma.
During administration, side effects may occur, such as:
- constipation, flatulence, diarrhea;
- insomnia, headache;
- swelling
- allergy;
- palpitations.
The cost of this medicine (in capsules) averages 1230 rubles.
Reviews about the drug are quite diverse. Some patients express enthusiastic opinions. Others talk about a waste of money. Many consumers testify that the remedy relieved them of pain and characteristic crunch in the joints. Patients note that the mobility of damaged joints has significantly increased.
However, they consider the main disadvantage of the high cost of the necessary course of therapy.
The drug "Chondrolone"
The price of this medicine is also high. The cost of one package (ampoule) is approximately 1200 rubles.
The active substance of the drug is Chondroitin Sulfate. The drug is the main part of proteoglycans, which, together with collagen, enter the cartilage matrix. The tool provides chondroprotection. It perfectly stimulates the synthesis of proteoglycans. At the same time, it contributes to the inhibition of enzymatic activity, which is a source of cartilage destruction. The drug improves metabolism in damaged tissue. Participates in the formation of the base of cartilage and bone.
Perfectly relieve chondrolone injections from inflammation and pain. The instruction positions the medicine as an excellent means of restoring cartilage tissue. In addition, it reduces pain and helps to increase joint mobility. The maximum concentration of the drug occurs 1 hour after entering the muscle.
Contraindicated in:
- pregnancy
- thrombophlebitis;
- tendency to bleeding;
- lactation;
- hypersensitivity.
Side effects include: allergic reactions, the occurrence of hemorrhages at the injection site.
Opinions about the effectiveness of the drug vary widely. Many patients note that a second course of treatment is very helpful in the fight against ailments. As a rule, these are patients with unreleased stages of the disease. The main disadvantage of such consumers consider the high cost of the drug "Chondrolon". The price of the drug is really considerable, and 1 course requires about 40 ampoules. However, patients claim that this treatment allows you to forget about joint pain for 1.5-2 years.
Other patients talk about the insufficient effect of these injections. As a rule, these are patients who are diagnosed with severe joint damage.
The drug "Alflutop"
This tool is a natural chondroprotector. Since the composition of the medicine includes extracts of marine fish. Designed to improve metabolism in cartilage, as indicated for use with the Alflutop preparation, instructions for use. Injections provide an anti-inflammatory effect.
This tool is prescribed for:
- osteochondrosis;
- arthrosis;
- periarthritis;
- spondylosis;
- joint injuries;
- periodontal disease.
Effectively its use after surgery on the joints.
Patients should be studied before taking the means "Alflutop" instructions for use. Injections are contraindicated for people whose age has not reached 18 years. Side effects may occur. This is usually muscle and joint pain.
According to the doctor’s prescription, the drug can be simultaneously administered intramuscularly and into the joint.
In most cases, patients note the effectiveness of Alflutop. Application (reviews of doctors and patients almost coincide) allows you to stabilize the patient's condition, to achieve significant relief. However, the medicine does not provide perfect healing for joint diseases.
The cost of packaging the drug (10 ampoules) varies from 1200 rubles to 1755.
The medicine "Elbona"
This tool is available in 2 forms: in the form of a powder (for internal use) and a solution for injection.
With many ailments, the drug "Elbona" can be prescribed. Injections are prescribed to patients who are diagnosed with:
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis;
- osteoporosis;
- spondylarthrosis.
Effective use of this drug after a fracture of the spine. The drug is aimed at restoring cartilage, improving metabolism in them. It helps to reduce the destructive processes in the joints. In addition, the drug causes the restoration of hyaluronic acid in the joint fluid. Such a process helps to normalize movement, reduce pain and stiffness.
The drug has contraindications. The drug is not prescribed to patients, with the following factors:
- allergy to the components of the drug;
- age less than 12 years;
- pregnancy, feeding;
- epilepsy;
- renal and hepatic insufficiency;
- bronchial asthma;
- heart failure (acute);
Side effects can sometimes be observed while taking the drug "Elbon". The analogs of this medicine are Unium, Farmaskin, Sustilak.