As a result of heavy loads or any pathological changes in the human body, the structure of cartilage tissue and the production of synovial (intra-articular) fluid may be impaired. This leads to painful changes in the joint, and sometimes to immobilization.
In such cases, treatment with chondroprotectors is used - drugs that stimulate the restoration of articular cartilage and slow its destruction. We will talk about what these medicines are and how to choose the best of them in today's article.
What is a part of chondroprotectors
These therapeutic agents are based on biologically active components, which are structural elements of natural cartilage. They facilitate the patient’s condition with arthrosis, joint mobility disorders, radiculitis, pain in the neck or lower back, osteochondrosis of the spine and some other pathologies.
Chondroprotectors for joints combine two important components of cartilage: glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. As a rule, the lack of these particular substances reduces the mobility of the joint, causes pain during movement and leads to arthrosis.
Features of the action of chondroprotectors
Diseases in the treatment of which these drugs are used are many. These include osteoarthrosis, arthrosis and coxarthrosis, arthritis, degenerative changes in the articular cartilage, spondylosis, osteochondrosis and some other ailments.
But it should be noted immediately that chondroprotectors for arthrosis of the knee joint and other listed pathologies are effective only in the early stages of the disease. In those cases when cartilage destruction has already occurred, these drugs are useless. This is due to the focus of the drug on the restoration of existing tissue, and not on the formation of a new one.
The features of these funds should also be attributed to their slow effect on cartilage tissue. As a rule, in order to achieve a therapeutic effect, at least six months must pass from the start of the drug.
The active substance of a chondroprotector, when it is absorbed into the body, is absorbed into the blood, but its accumulation occurs in the articular tissues, where the restoration process takes place. True, it is difficult for some drugs to penetrate into the cells of the cartilage tissue (this applies to products containing chondroitin), in such cases, additional components or physiotherapy are used in parallel with the main therapeutic agent.
Classification of Chondroprotectors
Depending on the time of introduction into practice, in medicine it is customary to distinguish three generations of these drugs:
- Medicines "Rumalon" and "Alflutop" from the bone marrow and cartilage of animals.
- Preparations containing glucosamines, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.
- Means with components in the form of chondroitin sulfate with hydrochloride.
All these funds are released in the form of ointments, solutions for injection, gels, tablets and capsules.
How to choose chondroprotectors
When choosing the described drugs, it cannot be argued that some of them are the best chondroprotectors with a wide field of application and suitable for absolutely everyone. For each patient in need of such drugs, they are selected strictly individually. That which is unconditionally suitable for one patient may, for various reasons, be useless for another. However, this can be said about all medicines.
Based on the above, it is clear that the choice of a chondroprotector must be agreed with an arthrologist (specialist in joint diseases). He will choose the drug that is suitable in a particular case and tell you the scheme of its use (after all, taking such a medicine is often a component of complex therapy).
The most popular joint chondroprotective drugs
Among the most common drugs in domestic medicine with the effect of restoring the affected cartilage, several items can be distinguished. Here is a brief description of them.
- Chondroprotectors for joints "Rumalon" and "Alflutop". They are natural products derived from the bones and cartilage of fish and animals. They improve metabolism in cartilage tissue and have anti-inflammatory properties. They are used for deep intramuscular and intraarticular injections. But remember that these funds are effective only with systematic use!
- The hyaluronic acid preparation “Hyaluron” is also used internally. It is able to stimulate the restoration of solid cartilage, thereby preventing their destruction. The tool is used in combination with chondroprotectors for internal use or ointments.
- The drug "Don" not only restores tissue, but also relieves inflammation. It is available as a powder for internal use and as an injection. Often, this drug is prescribed simultaneously as an intramuscular and as an oral agent. The effect occurs two weeks after the start of administration.
- The drug "Structum" is available in the form of gelatin capsules. It restores mobility to affected joints, reduces pain and restores cartilage, helping to retain moisture in it, thereby enhancing its elasticity. The effect of taking the medicine lasts up to six months.
Contraindications
When using the described drugs, it is important to remember that they are not used during pregnancy and lactation. Chondroprotectors for joints are also contraindicated in the presence of allergic reactions to the components of these funds.
Some of these drugs are not used for diabetes, kidney failure, thrombophlebitis, and bronchial asthma. You should pay attention to the age of the patient. Particular care must be taken in patients with digestive system problems.
Chondroprotectors: reviews of doctors and patients
Opinions on the effectiveness of the described drugs are strongly divided. There are various comments: from grateful and enthusiastic reviews of patients who are convinced that chondroprotectors restored their ability to move without pain and lead a full lifestyle, to very skeptical comments of those who consider treatment with these drugs to be simply wasted time.
But with a detailed study of the problem, doctors found that negative reviews belong to those who have tried the drug only once. It was emphasized above that these funds are classified as long-acting drugs, the effect of the use of which can sometimes be expected for several months. And two or three ingestions or externally will not give anything. Only long-term therapy, and often in combination with other therapeutic agents, will detect the positive effect of chondroprotectors on the patient's body!
Recommendations for use
Chondroprotectors for joints should be applied, observing certain rules that will increase the effectiveness of these drugs.
- Get rid of overweight, review your diet.
- Protect a sore joint, trying to reduce the load on it.
- Engage in physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the muscles around the diseased cartilage.
- Intermit motor activity with a state of rest. Every hour spent on feet should end with ten minutes of rest while lying or sitting.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Remember that chondroprotectors are used for joints during remission. The acute condition is relieved by analgesics and non-steroidal drugs.
- In order to completely restore the joint, the patient needs at least six courses of treatment for three years (if the drug is used correctly, the effect persists until the next course).
How much are chondroprotectors
For chondroprotectors for joints, prices usually range from 1,500 rubles. up to 4000 rub. for medicines necessary for a monthly course. As you can see, they cannot be called cheap. But if the doctor permits you, then in some cases the cost of such treatment can be reduced by replacing the drugs with their components, which are available separately.
So, a package of “Glucosamine” means about 300 rubles, the same amount of the drug “Chondroitin”. A chondroprotector "Don" (based on glucosamine) is sold at a price of 990 rubles. So, you guessed it, you can choose a replacement that will not be so painful for your wallet. But you can do this only after consulting with your doctor!
Remember that only a specialist will help solve your problem. Do not self-medicate!