With age, many people have to deal with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. As a rule, in this case, medication is prescribed, which is often accompanied by supportive measures. Phonophoresis or, as it is also called, ultrasound with hydrocortisone for diseases of the joints of the hands, legs, spine and other parts of the body is a physiotherapeutic treatment method that helps to quickly return to normal and return to normal life.
In this case, we are talking about a complex effect, which is on the affected areas. Thanks to ultrasound and active drugs that are applied to the skin, the procedure becomes one of the most effective.
Operating principle
If we talk about ultrasound treatment, then in this case we are talking about special equipment that is able to create certain vibrations in different parts of the human body. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve:
- Stimulation of blood vessels, against which puffiness decreases, and muscles relax.
- Improved blood circulation. Thanks to this, more nutrients are delivered to the diseased joints. Joints heal much faster.
- Increased venous tone, which is necessary in order to prevent stagnant processes. Due to this, spasms are reduced and puffiness is relieved.
Thanks to such therapeutic procedures, it is possible to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. As a rule, this type of treatment does not bring patients painful or other unpleasant sensations. Phonophoresis is used for arthrosis, arthritis and other pathologies. Simultaneously with ultrasound, you can attend massage sessions, exercise therapy, and engage in heat therapy.
Varieties of procedure
When using ultrasound, the doctor decides which drug to use to enhance the effect. As a medical composition can be used:
- Chondroxide. Thanks to this composition, it is possible to slow down the degenerative processes that occur in the tissues. A similar method of treatment is effective even in advanced stages of the disease.
- Caripain. As a rule, it is most effective only at the initial stages of the development of pathology. In this case, the tool helps to get rid of the pain syndrome and the onset of inflammatory processes.
- Ketoprofen. It has a very strong analgesic effect.
Hydrocortisone is the most common remedy. When this drug is added during ultrasound procedures, it is possible to quickly relieve inflammation. Ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease is usually used in the very initial stages of the development of the disease, the first and second stages. The course of treatment is 10 procedures. After patients noted significant relief.
Features of treatment with ultrasound with hydrocortisone
If we are talking about phonophoresis using this medication, then it perfectly relieves swelling and inflammation. This component activates the formation of cells of the immune system. However, these therapeutic measures are permissible only after talking with a doctor. The specialist will determine the dose of the active drug for ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease.
It is also worth noting that this tool is hormonal, so you need to clearly calculate how much exactly the substance will affect the human body.
Benefits of Using Hydrocortisone
If we talk about the positive aspects of such treatment, then the active drug perfectly enhances the effect of ultrasound radiation on the affected areas. Thanks to this, the best therapeutic effect is observed.
In addition, according to reviews, ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease:
- Improves the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins.
- Increases membrane permeability. Therefore, the medicine is fed directly to the focus of inflammation and faster has a positive effect.
Among other things, this drug relieves an allergic reaction, itching, inflammation and strengthens the protective functions of the body.
How is the procedure performed?
With ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease, the doctor performs several manipulations. First of all, the skin of the patient is carefully treated with antibacterial agents. After that, a drug (usually in the form of an ointment) is applied to the site of inflammation of the vessel. At the next stage, ultrasonic pulses are supplied with the necessary frequency and power.
It is important to note that after ultrasound with hydrocortisone, do not remove ointment residues. The drug that is contained in it can have a positive effect after the procedure. Therefore, within a few hours after performing ultrasound, it is better not to wash the applied composition from the skin.
Usually, after the first session, people experience relief. In addition, this procedure has other positive aspects.
Pros of phonophoresis
When performing ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease, patients also receive a massage that stimulates blood flow. It is not only an anti-inflammatory effect. Connective structures loosen, a faster healing process begins. The process of collagen production is also activated, which has a lot of positive properties.
The therapeutic effect increases significantly. In this case, the patient does not need to take pills that will be distributed throughout the body and only in the last turn will reach the affected area.
Indications for the procedure
As a rule, ultrasound physiotherapy with hydrocortisone is usually prescribed for arthrosis of the knee joints. It is this area of the human body that is most often affected. However, the knee joint responds well to treatment of this type. In addition, the procedure is recommended if the doctor has diagnosed:
- Gonarthrosis.
- Arthritis of a rheumatic type.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Bursitis or inflammation of the joint bag.
- Tendon dystrophy, which is accompanied by infringements in the joints or bones.
- Gout, which developed against a background of increased uric acid volume.
Also, similar physiotherapeutic procedures may be required if the patient has recently undergone surgery.
Ultrasound with hydrocortisone: contraindications
Carrying out such procedures is prohibited if a person suffers from:
- Ailments associated with the activity of the hematopoietic system.
- The last stage of diabetes.
- Jade.
- High blood pressure.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Acute forms of tuberculosis.
- Oncological diseases.
- Infections of bacterial and viral origin.
- Abscesses on the skin.
- Neuralgia (including a disease affecting the facial nerves).
- Individual intolerance to the drug used in conjunction with ultrasound.
- Poor blood coagulation.
Also, speaking about contraindications of ultrasound with hydrocortisone for joint disease, it is worth noting that such procedures are prohibited for pregnant women in the early stages of bearing a baby. In addition, doctors do not prescribe such physiotherapy if a woman is breastfeeding, the patient has obvious violations of the integrity of the skin, as well as with tuberculosis or suspicion of it.
Such treatment is strictly forbidden to small patients under the age of three years. Moreover, doctors are cautious in prescribing such procedures even for adolescents and adult patients who are not yet twenty years old. If the person is elderly, then ultrasound is also not recommended.
The consequences of the procedure
Some patients in their reviews complain of some side effects. For example, hydrocortisone can cause itching and the appearance of swelling in the place that was directly affected. Some begin to show symptoms of hyperemia. There have been cases of increasing pressure indicators.
If a similar reaction is observed, then do not worry and completely refuse treatment. In most cases, it is possible to avoid unpleasant consequences if you adjust the dose of the drug (reduce it) or reduce the number of procedures. The doctor will help you draw up the correct schedule of treatment measures, based on the patient's complaints.
Ultrasound mode
Therapeutic activities may vary. For example, there are two modes of performing such procedures. With constant ultrasound, the effect is due to continuous signals and pulses. In this case, the level of thermal influence will be more clear.
Also, the procedure can be performed in a pulsed mode. In this case, there is a decrease in the dosage of ultrasonic vibrations. Such a variety of therapeutic measures is considered the most sparing.
How effective is this treatment?
To adequately assess the effectiveness of treatment, first of all, it is worth listening to your feelings. As a rule, in 80% of cases there is a clear decrease in pain. Thanks to physiotherapeutic procedures of this type, as well as in combination with complex treatment, excellent results can be achieved. There is a rapid removal of edema, pain, etc. Bone growth becomes much smaller. If the patient complies with all the recommendations of a specialist, then he can count on a fairly quick positive result.
Patient opinion
If you read reviews about ultrasound with hydrocortisone, then most patients positively recall the effectiveness of the procedure. Many note that after the second session there is a clear improvement. The pain passes, it becomes much easier to walk or move your hands.
Some patients perform this treatment several times a year. Due to this, they can refuse to take the drugs inside and not remember the problem for quite a long time. Also, patients pay attention that complex treatment gives much better results. Therefore, you should consult a doctor and clarify the possibility of carrying out such procedures using ultrasound and medications. If the specialist has nothing against and does not see any reasons or contraindications, then there is every chance to facilitate his existence.