TOP 5 physiotherapeutic procedures for arthrosis
1. Therapeutic massage.
The mechanical effect helps to warm up the tissues, as a result of which their blood supply improves and muscle spasms are eliminated. Proper massage relieves pain and also accelerates the synthesis of synovial fluid. For this purpose, specialists practice kneading, stroking, rubbing and effleurage. To soften the effect, massage ointments or oils are good.
2. Laser therapy.
Penetrating through the skin, light affects the affected tissues and stimulates regeneration. The laser has a pronounced analgesic effect - it reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings and also improves blood circulation.
Laser therapy is indicated mainly for patients with arthrosis of the spine - cervical and lumbar regions
3. Magnetic therapy.
The method is based on vortex magnetic flows, which reduce stagnation and swelling of tissue at a fairly large depth - 5-10 cm. Magnetotherapy also promotes regeneration, accelerates the resorption of edema in the periarticular tissues, improves metabolism and has a beneficial effect on inflammation.
Improvements after magnetic therapy are noted by up to 90% of patients
4. Applications of ozokerite.
Ozokerite, a substance of petroleum origin, contains mineral oils, resins and paraffins. That is why it is often used as the basis of heat treatment, in the form of applications and compresses on the affected joint. Thanks to the warming effect, blood microcirculation improves and pain decreases.
5. Electrophoresis.
Medicines, such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory novocaine, dimexide, are administered using electric current through intact skin. This relieves the patient of side effects that are possible with conventional administration. In addition, the drugs act locally - directly on the joint. The active substance accumulates in the layers of the skin after several procedures. The current strength is minimal and is not felt by humans.
The therapeutic effect of a course of electrophoresis lasts up to three weeks
Two innovative physiotherapy methods
1. Cryotherapy
Treatment of arthrosis and osteoarthritis with cold began to be practiced relatively recently. Cooled gas has a beneficial effect on inflamed tissues, relieves swelling, and blocks pain receptors. Due to cooling, muscle tone decreases, which allows you to get rid of muscle spasms and joint pain.
2. Homeosynia.
This innovative method involves the introduction of homeopathic remedies into biologically active points of the body through superficial injections. The specialist individually selects acupuncture points and homeopathic medicines for each patient, depending on the severity and location of arthrosis. The technique is actively used in the West, but has not yet become widespread in Russia.
Another popular physiotherapeutic method is shock wave therapy:
How effective is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is used for arthrosis mainly for pain relief and inflammation. The optimal effect can be achieved by combining this procedure with the introduction of chondroprotectors. Under this condition, the regeneration of cartilage tissue occurs faster, and the body’s own forces are activated. Therapy takes at least 15 days.
Ultrasonic waves differ in characteristics, which makes it possible to obtain completely different results with their help:
- improve metabolism and normalize blood circulation;
- warm up the affected tissues;
- accelerate the production of enzymes that affect tissue repair.
Ultrasound therapy is prescribed mainly during the rehabilitation period after surgery. In advanced stages, for example, with grade 2 arthrosis of the joints, especially on its own, the procedure is ineffective.
Ultrasound improves metabolism in joints
Other drugs for electrophoresis for osteochondrosis
The electrophoresis procedure for osteochondrosis at the Yusupov Hospital is carried out using the following substances:
- aminophylline – an anesthetic that accelerates local blood circulation and improves the nutrition of cartilage tissue;
- magnesium sulfate or urea - which have antispasmodic, sedative, anticonvulsant and diuretic properties. Thanks to the use of urea, swelling is eliminated, its further occurrence is prevented, trophism and transmission of nerve impulses are improved;
- lidase - a preparation containing a special enzyme - hyaluronidase, which increases tissue permeability and facilitates the movement of fluid in the joints, resulting in increased mobility;
- apifor - a drug with bee venom that has anti-inflammatory, local irritant and analgesic effects;
- Shilajit solution is a natural remedy that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, regenerative and anti-edematous effect. Thanks to this substance, pain is eliminated, tissue regeneration is stimulated, and their functions are normalized;
- Karipain – which has a regenerating effect in damaged intervertebral discs;
- humisol - a preparation with sea medicinal mud that has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes the activation of regenerative processes in damaged tissues, as well as increasing the nonspecific resistance of the body.
The electrophoresis procedure with novocaine or any other drug prescribed by the attending physician can be performed at affordable prices in the rehabilitation clinic of the Yusupov Hospital. Our highly qualified specialists will select the most effective treatment regimen that will allow you to forget about the disease in a short time and forever.
You can ask all your questions and make an appointment with a doctor by phone or online on the Yusupov Hospital website.
Will baths help?
Some patients diagnosed with arthrosis are prescribed balneotherapy - taking special medicinal baths. The most commonly practiced are:
- Hydrogen sulfide.
The active substance improves nutrition and blood supply to joints and tissues, promotes the production of its own synovial fluid. To achieve the effect, you need to undergo 10-15 sessions lasting 7-15 minutes (water temperature - 33-36 ° C).
- Radon.
They are especially useful for the heart muscle and bones, but are often prescribed for arthrosis. The active substance improves blood supply to bones and joints, relieves pain, and generally improves immunity. You can undergo such procedures every day or every other day for 10-15 minutes. To achieve the effect, 10-15 sessions are required.
Radon baths are useful not only for arthrosis: they have a general strengthening effect
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
Osteoarthritis of the knee is characterized by the appearance of the following general symptoms:
- discomfort in the morning when trying to get up after prolonged sitting;
- pain in the knee joint due to being in a standing position for a long time;
- burning and irritation in the knee while walking up the steps;
- pain at night and after physical activity;
- the legs weaken and “give way.”
The main sign indicating the development of arthrosis of the knee joint is painful manifestations around the knee. The disease is characterized by a slow progression, the pain will increase over time. At first, it will appear only when the load on the lower limbs increases, and later in a quiet position.
Symptoms of stage 1 gonarthrosis
Stage 1 gonarthrosis is a painful condition characterized by the absence of pronounced morphological changes. Therefore, arthrosis of the knee joint is asymptomatic. At this stage, the appearance of:
- fatigue in the lower extremities;
- slight decrease in motor function, most often at the moment of waking up.
Painful sensations are usually mild. At this period, gonarthrosis is visualized on an x-ray as a small unevenness in the cartilage and bones.
Sometimes there is the development of a slight narrowing in the lumen between the bone tissues. At this stage, it is very difficult to diagnose the problem, so radiography is a mandatory diagnosis.
Signs of stage 2 gonarthrosis
At stage 2 of knee arthrosis, the joint tissue begins to deteriorate. At this stage, the development of the first osteophytes—marginal bone growths—is noted. Pain occurs even with minor exertion or immediately after it. In the affected area, painful manifestations are provoked by almost any movement. They completely disappear after a long rest. But the next physical activity causes pain.
Also, stage 2 of arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by the development of the following signs:
- crunching in the knee during movements;
- decreased ability to bend the leg normally at the knee joint;
- changes in the bone structure of the joint;
- progressive synovitis.
The sound of crunching in the joints is usually practically inaudible at first, but as the disease progresses it can be heard quite clearly. When trying to bend the leg at the knee joint, a person feels a sharp pain. Sometimes you can only bend your leg at an angle of 90°, and this is very difficult to do and you have to overcome the pain. The altered shape of the joint becomes noticeable, which is aggravated by the pathological fluid accumulated in it.
Signs of stage 3 gonarthrosis
The third stage is the last phase of arthrosis of the knee joint, which is characterized by pathological deformation of the articular and cartilage tissue, which causes a change in the axis of the leg. Due to the gradual change in articular anatomy and the presence of pathological changes in connective tissues, ligamentous fibers lose their functionality, which leads to their shortening.
This process is the cause of the development of pathological joint mobility, and at the same time there is a significant decrease in motor function. Contracture develops in the leg, and subluxation may occur. The muscles in the knee area become significantly shortened and weakened. The affected area receives insufficient nutrients.
After stage 3 gonarthrosis, the articular tissue is completely destroyed. As a result, a person’s motor function is completely absent, or slight pathological mobility develops, which is called neoarthrosis. At this stage of knee arthrosis, only endoprosthetics will help.
If you have any symptoms, we advise you to seek advice from a specialist as soon as possible. Diagnostics will allow you to begin timely treatment of the knee joint, which will avoid the risk of developing serious pathologies and allow you to forget about pain.
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Are there any contraindications to physiotherapy for arthrosis?
You cannot take physiotherapy courses:
- during late pregnancy;
- if an active inflammatory process occurs in the joint;
- for mental illnesses (epilepsy, psychomotor agitation and other pathologies with a tendency to agitation);
- for malignant tumors of any location;
- with active forms of tuberculosis;
- for severe diseases of the heart and blood vessels, for example, stage 2-3 heart failure or stage 3 hypertension;
- severe atherosclerosis;
- with extreme exhaustion of the body and severe weight loss;
- with bleeding tendencies.
Each type of physiotherapy has its own contraindications
Electrophoresis with novocaine: indications
Electrophoresis with novocaine is used at the Rehabilitation Center of the Yusupov Hospital for patients with various diseases in almost all medical fields:
- neurological ailments (migraines, neuroses);
- diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension);
- ENT diseases;
- pulmonary (bronchitis, pneumonia);
- gynecological (adhesions, erosions;
- urological (inflammatory, adhesive processes);
- in surgery (for burns, postoperative scars);
- dermatological problems;
- dental diseases (inflammation, fluorosis);
- in traumatology and orthopedics.
Due to its absolute safety, electrophoresis with novocaine can be used even by children, including newborns.
