In most cases, referral to specialists with joint diseases is not considered by patients as a priority. This irresponsible attitude leads to the fact that doctors are engaged in the diagnosis and therapy of already neglected and chronic forms. The treatment of arthrosis and arthritis must be started in the early stages of the onset of symptoms to obtain a favorable result.
The difference between major joint diseases
Let's look at the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. The appearance of inflammatory processes in the joints, the main clinical sign of which becomes a painful syndrome, is called arthritis. In such cases, the pain intensifies with a change in body position, a sudden movement, physical activity, or even just when walking.
Articular cartilage wear can occur for many reasons:
- infectious diseases;
- injuries
- patient age;
- prolonged physical activity.
Due to the loss of cartilage, the bones that form the joint begin to come into contact with each other. The result of this is pathological changes, soreness and the appearance of inflammation. Similar inflammatory processes can occur in any joint or group of joints.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis? During the development of arthrosis, all joint structures are involved in the pathological process, starting from the articular membrane, bones, cartilage and ending with the periarticular muscular apparatus. Deforming arthrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which we will consider later, can even lead to disability.
The main factors in the etiology of arthrosis are obesity, physical activity for a long time, congenital pathology in the form of dysplasia, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis, age-related and hormonal changes.
The clinical picture of arthritis
Symptoms of inflammatory joint disease will manifest itself depending on its form and each specific case of the disease:
- Rheumatoid arthritis - the lesion is symmetrical in nature, the first swelling and inflammation appear on the small joints of the hands. The pain syndrome is paroxysmal in nature, more often appears at night and in the morning. Patients complain of stiffness and a feeling that parts of the body are numb.
- Infectious arthritis - in parallel with pain in the joints there is an increase in body temperature, signs of intoxication. The skin over the joints is hot, swollen, red.
- Gouty arthritis - signs are short-term, pain, swelling, swelling appears. Symptoms occur due to a diet disorder.
- Psoriatic arthritis - a pathological process often occurs on the small joints of the fingers. There is stiffness of movement, soreness, swelling, red flaky spots on the skin.
Features of the manifestation of arthrosis
Unlike inflammatory processes, the clinic of arthrosis is not accompanied by a bright pain syndrome in the early stages. At first there is a feeling that the movement of the joint is accompanied by a crunch. Slight pain and discomfort are present after sleep, but when walking these symptoms quickly disappear. In the future, the pain becomes dull, aching and begins to bother a person, even at rest.
A deforming process develops in the joints. In this case, stiffness progresses, the volume of possible movements decreases. The disease takes on a chronic form. Periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of remission.
General Concepts for Arthritis Therapy
Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis is based on the use of drug therapy, physiotherapy, folk remedies and therapeutic exercises. Next, we consider each of these types in more detail.
For the treatment of inflammatory processes, medicines are used in various forms of release - injectable drugs, oral preparations, suppositories, ointments and gels. First of all, antibacterial drugs of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed. They can reduce inflammatory manifestations and eliminate the possible cause of the disease. Fluoroquinolones, tetracycline drugs , macrolides, cephalosporins are used.
Analgesics used in the form of tablets or injectables (Analgin, Ketanov, Dexalgin, Naproxen, Ketorol) will help reduce pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the next group of drugs for the treatment of arthritis. Among these funds, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, Movalis, Revmoxicam gained the most popularity.
In addition, combined preparations are used that combine the anti-inflammatory active substance and antispasmodic: Spazmalgon, Baralgetas, as well as glucocorticoids - Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Diprospan.
Arthrosis and the fight against them
Treatment for arthrosis and arthritis seems to be some of the groups of drugs used:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory - these drugs relieve pain, reduce swelling, but are used only for symptomatic therapy, because they are not able to eliminate the cause of the disease (Ibuprofen, Dicloberl, Indomethacin).
- Painkillers are drugs used in the form of tablets or injectables. They include analgesics.
- Chondroprotectors are the main group of drugs for the treatment of arthrosis. The active substances that make up their composition are able to influence the restoration of cartilage tissue (Teraflex, Don, Arthra).
- Vascular preparations are used to restore local blood circulation in the places where the pathology occurred (Trental, nicotinic acid).
Each of the groups of drugs cannot be prescribed separately, but is combined for each individual treatment regimen.
Local therapy
Arthritis, arthrosis of the joints require the use of ointments and gels for local treatment. The local effect of drugs at the pathology site accelerates the healing, recovery and elimination of symptoms.
"Diclofenac" - a drug for external use in diseases of the joints. It belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its use is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
"Ortofen" is available in the form of a gel and cream. Eliminates pain, reduces signs of swelling and hyperemia. It is an analogue of Diclofenac.
Ketorol is a local drug. Used to relieve pain. Ketorol does not eliminate the cause of the disease.
Nise is a fairly effective tool. Treatment of arthrosis and arthritis is based on the local action of active substances - steroids, which reduce inflammatory processes.
Physiotherapy for joint diseases
Drug therapy usually requires any joint disease. Arthritis, arthrosis, however, is also treated with physiotherapeutic procedures. The use of magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF therapy, massage, therapeutic baths, paraffin therapy accelerates the processes of cartilage tissue regeneration, enhances local blood microcirculation and the process of drug penetration.
Magnet treatment is one of the widespread types of physiotherapy. The main goal of the procedure is to reduce discomfort and pain. It is also possible to reduce the inflammatory process. Magnet treatment has the following positive aspects:
- increases mobility in the joints;
- removes stiffness;
- restores the work of nerves and lymphatic system;
- resolves infiltrated tissue.
Paraffin therapy is one of the most affordable procedures for conducting at home. Applications or baths with paraffin contribute to tissue warming, improve microcirculation, and improve joint mobility.
The use of therapeutic elements of physical education also has a positive effect on the body as a whole and those areas to which the impact is directed.
The use of folk remedies
Alternative treatment for arthritis, arthrosis is a fairly common method of treatment of joint diseases. Widely used baths and compresses.
Recipe number 1
Choose a wide cabbage leaf, make a lot of small incisions on it. Heat the sheet and apply a thin layer of honey on its surface. Attach the cabbage to the diseased joint, fasten and wrap it with a warm scarf. The procedure should be performed at night.
Recipe number 2
Boil a few potatoes. Crush potatoes in the water in which it was cooked. Let stand. A medicinal infusion is formed on top, which must be drunk several times a day.
Recipe number 3
Take 0.5 kg of celery and lemons, mince and add the same amount of honey. Leave in the refrigerator for 5 days. The resulting mixture is consumed in a tablespoon 3 times a day until it is completely over. After half a month, repeat the treatment.
Recipe number 4
A tablespoon of nettle pour a glass of boiling water. After insisting, strain the resulting solution and take a tablespoon several times a day.
Forecast
Arthritis or arthrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which are known to every rheumatologist, require immediate medical attention. This will achieve a favorable result, as well as prevent the occurrence of possible complications from the musculoskeletal system.