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Osteoarthritis drug treatment
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Treatment of osteoarthritis continues to be a serious problem, despite the fact that the list of recently used drugs has significantly increased. First of all, this is due to the fact that most drugs used in osteoarthritis have only symptomatic effect. Until the ability of any drug to change the course of this disease in humans in vivo has not been proven . In many respects this is due to the limited possibilities of biochemical and instrumental methods to prove the property of drugs "to modify the disease," although by individual researchers this possibility has been demonstrated for some biomechanical and pharmacotherapeutic methods.
Among the tasks of treatment of osteoarthritis are the following:
- decrease in the severity of the symptoms of the disease,
- improvement of functional activity,
- slowing the progression of osteoarthritis.
To perform these tasks, there are non-medicamentous and medicamentous treatment of osteoarthritis. These include:
- patient education and social support,
- reduction of excess body weight,
- physiotherapy,
- physiotherapy,
- The use of assistive devices that facilitate movement,
- other methods of rehabilitation,
- non-traditional methods of treatment (acupuncture, homeopathy, etc.).
- systemic pharmacotherapy,
- local pharmacotherapy (application, intra-articular drug administration), as well as surgical treatment of osteoarthritis.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with drugs
Treatment should also include the use of medications:
- Anesthetics taken to reduce the intensity of painful sensations. Often these are non-steroid drugs that suit you. However, when using them, do not forget the recommendations given in the first stage, because all these drugs only relieve pain, but do not cure it.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen, diclofenac, orthophene, etc.). To apply them for a long time is not advised - it is fraught with the appearance of problems with the stomach, kidneys, intestines.
- Hondoprotectors, which practically help to "rebuild" the cartilage. However, be prepared for the fact that the course of their admission can be quite long: take up to one year.
Treatment of osteoarthritis should also be combined with physiotherapy, and here there is considerable variation: from laser and thermal procedures, electrophoresis, massages to treatment with leeches and mud. All these classes will help not only to get rid of soreness, but also to reduce inflammation, help in strengthening tissues.
In particularly difficult cases, even surgical treatment of osteoarthritis is used. In extreme measures, the affected joint can even be replaced with a prosthesis.
What to do in order to avoid problems with the vessels in the future? The following elements can be included in the prevention system of this problem:
- Swimming classes;
- Performing daily a simple complex of exercises;
- Proper nutrition;
Despite the fact that the treatment of osteoarthritis can become a difficult task, observe everything in everything, do not strain excessively, but do not give up all the joys of life - then treatment of osteoarthritis will not be a burden to you!