Arthritis leads to serious deformation of the joints, causes pain in the limbs, inflammation, damage internal organs. The article will tell you how to properly treat arthritis of the joints in order to achieve long-term remission and improve the patient’s overall well-being.

Treatment options

The basis of treating arthritis is identifying and eliminating the cause that triggered the development of inflammation in the joints. The sooner a patient seeks help from a qualified doctor, the higher the chances of recovery.

Attention!

Diagnostic measures include visual examination of joints, laboratory and instrumental studies.

Specialists who can be involved in therapy for arthritis are a traumatologist, rheumatologist, phthisiatrician, infectious disease specialist, and dermatologist. The fight against arthritis is carried out comprehensively, with the help of drug therapy, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, normalization of nutrition, non-traditional methods of treatment.

Drug treatment

Pharmacology for the treatment of arthritis offers various medications. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are used to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints, reduce the effect of toxic substances that are released during the inflammatory process.

It must be remembered that in addition to the benefits, pharmacological products can cause harm to the body, and therefore the dosage and course of treatment should be chosen only by the attending physician. Side effects of some drugs:

• Intestinal disorder;
• Kidney or heart failure;
• Reduced blood clotting;
• Nervous system disorder;
• Allergic reactions.

• Diclofenac;
• Indomethacin;
• Nimesulide;
• Etodolac;
• Meloxicam;
• Celecoxib.

These medications only relieve symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause of the disease. Taken in combination with other medications. However, it is worth remembering that they are not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Chondroprotectors help restore cartilage tissue. They are well tolerated and have virtually no contraindications.

Popular drugs in this category for the treatment of arthritis:

• Teraflex;
• Don;
• Structum;
• Rumalog;
• Artra;
• Chondroxide.

In order to eliminate the painful syndrome, painkillers for external use are used - creams, gels, ointments. They are quickly absorbed into the skin, accumulate in damaged tissues, and do not enter the intestines.

Can be used at home after doctor's recommendation Dolgit-cream, Apizatron, Butadione, Bengay, Voltaren, Fastum, Emulgel, Diclofenac acry-ointment. Contraindications include individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

A group of medications is also used to relax muscles during pain. They increase joint mobility and relieve swelling. Specialists prescribe Sirdalud, Mydocalm, Baclofen.

And to restore the mineral metabolism of bone tissue, mineral and vitamin supplements are used - Berocca, Vitrum calcium, Biovital, Materna, Teravit, Calcimin.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists know how to treat arthritis. This is an indispensable component of complex therapy. Some of them are appointed to acute stage development of the disease, others - during the period of remission.

In the acute phase of arthritis, the following are used:

• Ultraviolet - irradiation of the affected joints several times a day;
• Electrophoresis of glucocorticoids – course duration is 12 procedures.

In the subacute stage the following are used:

• DMV therapy for the area of ​​inflamed joints and adrenal glands;
• Laser neon irradiation of the damaged joint area;
• Pulsed low-intensity magnetic therapy;
• Light therapy using a Bioptron lamp.

In the proliferative stage of joint arthritis, general cryotherapy using an air-nitrogen mixture at a temperature of minus 160 degrees, as well as naphthalene therapy, can be used. The duration of the health course is 15 procedures.

Exercise therapy

Complex methods of treating arthritis necessarily include therapeutic exercises, which improve joint mobility and prevent the formation of ankylosis and connective adhesions in them.

Exercise therapy is used every day, for at least 15-30 minutes, but only after the symptoms of acute inflammation have been relieved. One of effective exercises when treating arthritis - walking on your knees, 400 steps a day.

Of all sports, the most effective is swimming; the intensity of the load is determined by the degree of immersion in water. The temperature in the pool also has a positive effect on the joints: if it is warm, the pain threshold is significantly reduced.

Massage

After performing therapeutic exercises, it is useful to conduct a massage course. This procedure will improve local blood circulation, relieve swelling, and reduce the intensity of inflammatory process.

On a note!

Physical impact on damaged areas helps improve metabolic processes and accelerates the removal of waste and toxins from the body.

Each session lasts at least 20 minutes and requires careful treatment of the joint area and surrounding soft tissues. The techniques used are stroking, rubbing, vibration, kneading with fingertips, squeezing with the edge of the palm, and lightly shaking the limb.

Nutrition for joint arthritis

To reduce the intensity of pain, it is important to normalize nutrition by following a special diet that helps reduce acidity in the body.

It is necessary to exclude canned foods, fats, oils, spicy, salty and sour foods from the diet, introduce more vegetables and fruits, porridge and grain bread are healthy. Fermented milk products should not be fatty.

When treating arthritis, it is recommended to include in the diet fish fat, trout, salmon, mineral water, freshly squeezed juices, food with polyunsaturated fatty acids from the Omega 3 group. Remove strong coffee, tea, give up alcohol, meat, fish, mushroom broths, all types of legumes.

Interesting!

To get rid of arthritis forever, you need to follow a balanced, low-calorie diet, high in natural vitamins and minerals.

Traditional methods

Numerous positive reviews about the treatment of arthritis indicate the effectiveness of traditional methods. They have a positive effect on the patient’s condition as part of complex therapy.

Before using traditional recipes, you should consult a doctor about the duration of the course and dosage, identify possible contraindications and avoid allergic reactions.

Traditional treatment for arthritis:

• Baths with sea salt - dissolve sea salt in warm water, immerse the damaged areas for 20 minutes, then lubricate with ointment with a soothing effect;
• Onion compresses - chop the onion, apply the resulting porridge to the damaged area, repeat the procedure several times during the day until the composition dries completely;
• Homemade ointment for pain - mix 200 g of salt and 100 g of dry mustard, add melted paraffin and mix the composition, send to a warm place overnight, lubricate the joints in the morning and evening, secure with a bandage;
• Decoctions from bay leaf– an excellent medicine for eliminating puffiness and swelling, just pour 2 liters of boiling water over a package of laurel, keep in a water bath for 5 minutes and drink the decoction before bed, 200 ml, the duration of the treatment course is 10 days.

Treatment for arthritis is performed using a warm bath. To prepare it, you need to take a few drops of essential oil of sandalwood, calendula, St. John's wort, dilute with warm water. Immerse the damaged joints for 20 minutes, then lubricate with anti-inflammatory ointment.

Adult patients can use alcohol tinctures. To do this, you need to prepare 1 liter of vodka and 100 g of wrestler root. Grind the product, add liquid and put in a cool place for 14 days, then strain and add 2 tsp to tea. every day.

Dry compresses (heated sea salt in fabric bags) effectively help with joint pain. Apply to the sore joint before going to bed. The maximum course is 3 weeks.

Nutritional supplements

When treating arthritis of the joints, food supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes containing the following elements can be introduced into the diet:

• Selenium is an antioxidant for removing free radicals from the body;
• Magnesium – to strengthen cartilage fibers;
• Vitamin C – to strengthen the body’s defenses;
• Pantothenic acid – to stabilize the acid balance in the body;
• Iron – to eliminate anemia deficiency;
• Thymus gland extracts – to improve immunity.

When treating arthritis, it is recommended to take herbal preparations - curcumin, as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, ginger - a universal natural medicine that reduces acidity levels, feverfew - an excellent remedy against fever, arthritis and migraines.

Surgical treatment

If conservative methods of treating arthritis do not give a positive result, severe deformation of the joints is observed, pain and other clinical symptoms of the disease intensify, then the progressive process can only be stopped using surgical methods:

• Removal of a fragment of the synovial membrane;
• Cartilage segment transplantation;
• Joint replacement with a prosthesis;
• Implantation of a metal support into a joint, as an imitation of the articular surface.

Invasive methods of treating arthritis include punctures and washing of the joint cavity with various medications. The procedure is carried out at stages 3-4 of development rheumatoid arthritis.

What is rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms and treatment

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that causes the body's immune system to “go crazy” and attack its own tissues, including the delicate connective tissues that encapsulate most joints.

RA can affect almost any joint in the body, but the disease initially affects the joints of the wrist, fingers, heels, and/or knees. In addition to inflammation, stiffness and terrible joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis can cause fever and fatigue and potentially lead to long-term joint deformity.

Doctors believe early diagnosis and treatment are critical to limiting potential tissue damage and preserving joint function, but the diagnostic process can be challenging.

There is no one laboratory test, which could diagnose RA completely, and the onset of the disease can vary significantly: some people may develop swelling, stiffness in the joints of the wrist and fingers for many months, while in other people the ghosts of fatigue, fever and severe inflammation of the knee may appear for a week and even overnight.

How does rheumatoid arthritis progress over time?

Whether symptoms appear gradually over a few months or quickly over a few weeks, the disease follows the same progression:

• The synovial membrane becomes inflamed. Initially, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the inner layer of the joint capsule (synovium). The synovium extends throughout the body and encapsulates (insulates) the joints and tendons. When it becomes inflamed, a person feels pain, stiffness and swelling of the joint. This condition is called synovitis.
• A pannus is formed. Inflammation causes synovial tissue cells to divide and multiply, which causes the synovium to thicken and lead to more swelling and pain. As we continue cell division cellular growth expands in the joint space. This new tissue (granulation tissue) is called pannus or rheumatoid pannus.
• Damage to cartilage and other joint tissues. Pannus releases enzymes that damage cartilage and underlying bone tissue. Over time, the damage will cause joint breakdown, lead to further pain and, in some cases, cause deformity.

Not all of the synovium in the body will undergo these changes at the same time. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects certain joints.

Who suffers from the disease?

Experts estimate that 0.5 to 1.9% of the world's population aged 18 years and older suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Although the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, experts believe a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors are to blame.

The disease is 2-3 times less common in women, and the age of onset of first symptoms usually varies between 40-60 years.

Symptoms

People with rheumatoid arthritis may experience both physical and emotional symptoms.

Physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

RA often affects the joints of the fingers and wrists, although primary symptoms may involve the joints of the foot, knee, ankle, or other joints.

Over time, the disease can affect more joints, most often the joints of the neck and cervical region spine, shoulders, elbow, ankles, jaw, and even the joints between the very small bones in the inner ear may be affected.

In addition to pain and stiffness associated with swelling and inflammation of the affected joint, general symptoms rheumatoid arthritis may include:

• Joint pain with characteristic features:
  • swelling;
  • redness;
  • warmth (feeling as if the hand or fingers are burning);
  • the affected area has difficulty bending and straightening (for example, knee, hands);
  • the pain can be symmetrical (for example, both the right and left wrist hurt).
• () caused by inflammation of RA in the wrist (rare).
• Tenosynovitis- inflammation of the thin lining of the tendon in the hand. One study found that tenosynovitis is a serious symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Constant stiffness in the morning, lasting 1-2 or more hours. Stiffness may also occur after light to moderate activity.
• Excessive, whole body fatigue, not related to physical activity or sleep.
• Low-grade fever (low-grade fever), which is always present, or almost always.
• General feeling of malaise or flu-like symptoms.
• Unexpected weight loss and loss of appetite.
• The overall functionality of the joints decreases, which makes it difficult to carry out the most simple tasks(for example, opening a can or turning the ignition key in a car); pain may occur when grasping and holding heavy objects, or may also occur at rest.
• Grinding sensation. Occurs when soft tissue is damaged when the bones of the joint rub against each other.
• Rheumatoid nodules, forming under the skin. These nodes are hard bumps, ranging from pea-sized to walnut and most often occur on or near the elbows, fingers.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person and affect everyone differently: some people experience constant discomfort, while others experience long periods of mild symptoms punctuated by painful flare-ups.

Emotional symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

In addition to physical symptoms, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may also experience related problems such as:

• depression or anxiety;
• sleep problems;
• feelings of helplessness;
• low self-esteem.

The combination of physical and emotional signs of RA disease can permeate a person’s work, social and family life.

Fortunately, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment measures, such as medications and Physical Culture(physical therapy) and/or lifestyle changes will help support active, productive lives for most people.

Causes and risk factors of RA

Scientists don't understand why people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis so often, but years of research show that people who are most susceptible to the disease are:

• genetically predisposed to RA;
• exposed to harmful environmental factors (for example, smoking);
• people experiencing significant hormonal imbalances;
• an imbalance of intestinal microflora that occurs naturally from birth or caused by an intestinal infection.

Many scientists and doctors believe that RA most likely develops in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease, exposed to certain factors environment, experience hormonal changes and/or are exposed to an imbalance of intestinal microflora.

Genetic predisposition

The specific gene (antigen) associated with rheumatoid arthritis, HLA-DR4, is found in 60%-70% of people with the disease. But in general it occurs only in 20% of the world's population.

Although the presence of this specific genetic marker increases the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis, it is far from a definitive sign. In fact, most doctors do not test for this gene when diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

Environmental and lifestyle factors

Daily habits seem to have some influence on the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. The most prominent studies in this area focus on smoking, diet, and human weight.

Smoking and nicotine exposure. One of the most significant reasons The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is exposure to nicotine, in particular smoking.

Although the direct effect of cigarettes has not been fully proven, it is believed that long-term smoking plays a role in increasing the concentration of protein (immunoglobulin IgM antibodies). The presence of rheumatoid factor (IgM antibodies) in the blood is a sign that the immune system may be faulty.

Nutrition/Diet. It is unclear exactly how diet affects a person's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. A large clinical study conducted with 121 thousand women over decades suggests that:

• Regular consumption of sugary carbonated drinks increases the risk of developing RA.
• The Mediterranean diet, which encourages eating vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains, does not affect the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women.
• Drinking coffee and tea (both caffeinated and decaffeinated) does not correlate with the development of the disease.
• Moderate alcohol consumption does not affect the development of the disease in women, and may even reduce the risk of the disease.

Body weight. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

One American study found that being overweight increases the risk of developing RA in women, but actually reduces the risk of developing it in men. For now, more research is needed in this area.

Although smoking, diet and excess weight affect the overall risk of developing RA, there are no specific links with the disease - most overweight people and those who smoke do not suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Hormonal imbalance

The fact that women are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis suggests that hormones are a major factor in the development of the disease. This idea is further supported by the fact that RA symptoms subside during pregnancy and flare up again after the baby is born.

There is also evidence that women with irregular periods or early menopause have increased risk development of RA.

In addition to natural hormone fluctuations, hormonal medications and birth control pills contribute to the development of the disease. Oral contraceptives containing doses of female sex hormones (progestin and estrogen) increase the likelihood of a woman developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Infections and microbiome

Some scientists are studying the connection between bacterial and viral infections and the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical studies have shown that there is a connection between RA and certain infections and viruses, such as gingivitis (EBV) and chronic gingivitis.

In addition, some scientists have suggested that the human microbiome may influence the development of RA.

Microbiomeperson- a set of microorganisms, viruses, bacteria and fungi living in the mouth, intestines, respiratory tract and other parts of the body.

At least in the body of every person there are more than 1000 different microorganisms. Microorganisms influence many processes in the human body, including metabolism and the immune system.

Although experts have identified a possible link between infection, the microbiome and RA, evidence points to obvious reasons No. Research in this area is ongoing.

Diagnostics

A significant amount of joint damage can occur during the first two years of rheumatoid disease activity, so early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference to a patient's prognosis.

However, diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be very difficult because:

• There are no uniform physical examinations or laboratory tests that can accurately diagnose RA.
• Symptoms of RA often mimic other diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), and polymyalgia rheumatica. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis can occur due to viral infections, in particular parvovirus infections, which makes diagnosis difficult.

Due to the difficulties in diagnosing the disease, experts recommend that a diagnostic evaluation be carried out by a rheumatologist or a doctor with extensive experience working with.

To help doctors make an early diagnosis, the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against (EULAR), working side by side back in 2010, created classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.

Unlike previous criteria established in 1987, the 2010 guidelines do not require the presence of rheumatoid nodules, symmetrical joints, or joint erosions visible on radiography or other medical imaging tests (MRI, ultrasound, etc.) that usually not observed in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. The 2010 criteria are described below.

A total score of 6 or more indicates rheumatoid arthritis.

Damaged joints
0 points	1 large joint
2 points	1 to 3 small joints (not counting large joints)
3 points	4 to 10 small joints (not counting large joints)
5 points	More than 10 joints, including at least one small joint
Duration of symptoms
0 points	The person has had symptoms for less than 6 weeks
1 point	The person has had symptoms for 6 weeks or more
Serology
0 points	Negative results: Tests are negative for both anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (called ACCP, usually using an anti-CCP assay) and rheumatoid factor (RF).
2 points	Low positive results: Analyzes show slightly elevated levels ACDC or RF
3 points	High positive results: Tests show elevated ACCP or RF levels
Acute phase reactants (acute phase proteins of inflammation)
0 points	Normal C-reactive protein (CRP) and normal level(ESR)
1 point	Abnormal CRP or abnormal ESR

Serology and acute phase reactants are measured using blood samples. Points can be added over time or retrospectively.

Joint swelling

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, it is common for multiple joints to experience active synovitis symptoms lasting 6 or more weeks.

Synovitis is an inflammation of the joint synovium, and its symptoms may include swelling, redness, fever, pain and stiffness, especially after prolonged rest.

Blood analysis

There is no single laboratory test that can definitively diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are few ways to detect changes in the body that would indicate rheumatoid arthritis.

Commonly used blood tests detect the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (called ACCP or anti-CCP), and inflammatory markers such as () and (CRP).

These tests are also used to diagnose other inflammatory diseases - for example, CRP tests can help diagnose heart disease.

Imaging research methods

A physician may refer a patient for imaging tests if the patient's clinical assessment and laboratory tests do not provide sufficient information to diagnose or rule out rheumatoid arthritis. Imaging will allow the doctor to see if there is damage to the joints.

• Ultrasonography. This imaging technology uses ultrasound waves to detect inflammation in the thin synovium that encapsulates some joints and tendons. This inflammation, called synovitis, is the first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Ultrasound can also detect tenosynovitis in the fingers, which is also considered early sign RA.
• Radiography. In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, a person may only experience soft tissue swelling that is not visible on x-rays, so early diagnosis X-rays are rarely used. X-rays are usually used when the disease has progressed. X-rays can help detect bone damage (erosions) that occur as a result of long-standing/long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. It can also detect narrowing of the joint space caused by cartilage degradation and bone moving closer to the joint.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Like ultrasound, MRI can detect inflammation and other changes in the soft tissue of a joint before bone erosion occurs. In addition, an MRI can show how much bone is damaged. The disadvantage of MRI is that it is more time-consuming and expensive than ultrasound and x-rays. In general, MRI is rarely used and is recommended only in cases where radiography and ultrasound have not been helpful.

Physical examination and patient history

The appointment will likely begin with the doctor taking a careful medical history, asking the patient to describe his or her symptoms, asking questions:

• Which joints hurt?
• How would you describe the pain (eg, dull, shooting or cutting, constant or intermittent)?
• Do you have morning stiffness?
• Have you noticed increased fatigue or changes in weight?
• Are you experiencing symptoms other than joint pain?
• When did the first signs start?
• How have your symptoms changed over time?
• What makes the patient feel better or worse? (for example, physical labor).

Patient's medical history:

• Other medical problems of the patient;
• Previous diseases and methods of their treatment;
• Taking current medications;
• Family history (family medical history).

During a physical examination, the doctor assesses the patient's general condition and then moves directly to the joints, looking for joints.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment usually includes combination therapy from medications, exercise, diet and lifestyle changes. The goal of therapy is:

• Controlling symptoms such as pain and fatigue;
• Preventing further damage to joints and other tissues;
• Improve the overall health and well-being of patients.

Almost all patients with rheumatoid arthritis are cured, but patients who receive timely treatment within the first two years after the first symptoms appear tend to recover faster. Timely measures taken reduce the risk of developing serious joint damage and disability.

Treatment of RA with drugs

People with rheumatoid arthritis usually take at least one medicine. Medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis fall into five main categories:

• NSAIDs such as Naproxen (or Aleve and Naprosyn), Meloxicamum and Celecoxibum;
• Corticosteroids, in particular Prednisone (Prednisonum);
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) such as Methotrexatum;
• Biologic drugs that suppress the immune system, such as Adalimumab (Humira), Etanercept, or Infliximab;
• Janus kinase (JAK) is the latest category of drugs to be approved for the treatment of RA. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration approved JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib citrate).

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually begins with Methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

The first results from taking medications can be seen in a few weeks or months, and corticosteroids may also be prescribed temporarily to relieve symptoms.

If symptoms do not go away within a reasonable period of time, your doctor may prescribe Methotrexate or another DMARD along with other medications.

Over the course of several months or years, the medicine may become less effective or cause side effects, and your doctor will prescribe a new medicine.

It is important to follow medication treatment recommendations! Some people tend to skip taking medications due to fear of side effects and related consequences. Others may simply forget to take their medication at the prescribed time. If medications are not taken properly (as directed by your doctor), the therapy will be less effective.

Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight

• muscle strength;
• general functionality and flexibility of joints;
• sleep quality;
• healthy weight;
• cardiovascular health.

Maintaining adequate weight and cardiovascular health is especially important for patients with RA because they have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

In addition, RA patients who are overweight or obese experience much more problems.

Healthy eating (diet)

Many experts believe that there is some connection between inflammation and nutrition. They recommend that people suffering from RA adhere to anti-inflammatory diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Surgery for RA

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis do not need treatment surgically, but like osteoarthritis patients, RA patients may choose surgery to reduce joint pain and improve their quality of daily life.

The most common operations are endoprosthetics, arthrodesis and synovectomy.

Endoprosthetics

Patients can have arthroplasty (surgery to replace joint components with implants) of the shoulder, hip, or knee joints, as well as small joints in the fingers and toes.

Arthrodesis

In this procedure, the damaged joint is removed and adjacent bones are fused together. The procedure significantly limits movement but increases stability and reduces pain in the affected joints.

Arthrodesis is most commonly used to treat arthritis in the ankles, wrists, and fingers.

Arthrodesis sometimes requires the use of bone grafts obtained from the patient's own pelvis. It is also used to relieve pain from the joints of the spine, only in this case the procedure is called spinal fusion.

Synovectomy

During this procedure, the surgeon removes the inflamed synovium around the joint. By removing the damaged tissue, it is hoped that all the patient's symptoms will be reduced or eliminated. However, not all tissue can be removed, so inflammation, swelling and pain may return.

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- This inflammatory disease joints. With arthritis, a person experiences pain during active movements, flexion and extension, as well as when walking if the joints of the legs are inflamed. Sometimes the skin over the sore joint begins to turn red, and a local increase in temperature or general fever is observed.

Let's take a closer look at what kind of disease this is, what causes and first signs are characteristic of it, and also what is the best way to treat arthritis in adults.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a collective term for inflammatory diseases of the joints, the main symptom of which is pain in the joints, especially when walking or using physical force.

The disease is caused by metabolic disorders inside the joint, which results in an increase in the synovial membrane, leading to tissue proliferation and destruction of cartilage. Excess fluid in the joint leads to inflammation and pain and fever.

Signs of arthritis may appear gradually, starting simply with a feeling of slight swelling and discomfort in the crook of the joint or phalanges of the fingers, and then developing sharp pain and other symptoms.

Kinds

Arthritis is divided according to localization:

• monoarthritis - arthritis of one joint;
• oligoarthritis (two or three affected areas);
• polyarthritis - arthritis of more than 3 joints.

Based on the nature of the changes that occur, arthritis is divided into:

• inflammatory, which are characterized by the presence of inflammation,
• degenerative, when first there is a malnutrition of the cartilage, dystrophy, a change in the appearance of the affected joint, followed by its deformation.

Arthritis can be acute or chronic:

• Acute arthritis develops rapidly, accompanied by severe pain and inflammation in the tissues, which disappear after 2-3 days.
• Chronic arthritis progresses gradually, slowly becoming a serious disease.

Due to the origin of the disease:

• Infectious or purulent arthritis. Manifests itself under the influence of a certain infection.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. It is formed due to the predominance of infectious and allergic diseases. This type is more dangerous than the first, as it often develops into chronic inflammation. If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, the patient may experience difficulty walking.
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This type predominantly occurs in children under 16 years of age. Unfortunately, the etiology of the disease is unknown to date, but has serious consequences: difficulty walking and disability in children.
• Reactive. Reactive arthritis manifests itself mainly due to changes in immunity in people who have a hereditary disposition to insufficient utilization of antigen complexes. Reactive arthritis sometimes occurs as a consequence of many infections. Most often it is a consequence of previous enterocolitis.
• Gouty arthritis. Usually one joint is affected, an attack of pain usually develops at night or in the early morning hours, in the absence of treatment, attacks are repeated more often and last longer, and the level of uric acid in the blood is elevated.
• Osteoarthritis. Joints fail within a few years. A characteristic symptom is a crunching sound in the fingers or toes. It is dangerous because it can hit the spine. They may begin to swell and hurt.
• Traumatic. It appears in the presence of open and closed joint injuries and in the case of regularly occurring minor injuries.
• Rheumatism is a chronic connective tissue disease primarily affecting the heart and joints. Its etiology is also unclear, as are the causes of the development of rheumatoid arthritis;
• Arthrosis is a form of arthritis that affects only the joints and periarticular tissues, without affecting other organs.

Causes

The clear and precise cause of arthritis is this moment is not defined, but doctors have identified some factors that can trigger the development of arthritis. Let's look at them:

• infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses;
• allergies;
• metabolic disease;
• injury;
• lack of vitamins (vitaminosis);
• insufficient intake of nutrients into the body
• diseases of the nervous system;
• disturbances in the functioning of the immune system;
• poor nutrition, incl. consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• overweight;
• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine gland;
• genetic predisposition;
• insect bites, such as wasps, bees, etc.;
• hypothermia (hypothermia);
• some diseases: tuberculosis, gout, gonorrhea.

Such factors cause a rather serious blow to the joints, which over time can cause the development of arthritis. In addition, among the main circumstances that cause the formation of an inflammatory process in the connecting elements are excessive physical activity, injuries, metabolic disorders, and diseases of the nervous system.

Hereditary pathologies of joints and bones, smoking and excess weight also contribute to the appearance of arthritis.

Arthritis symptoms

The leading symptom of arthritis is pain in one or more joints. At first they are weak and have practically no effect on a person’s ordinary life. Over time, the pain syndrome increases: the pain becomes wave-like, intensifying with movement, at night and closer to the morning. The intensity of pain varies from mild to very strong, severely complicating any movement.

Secondary symptoms:

• morning stiffness,
• swelling,
• skin redness,
• increase in local temperature in the area of ​​inflammation,
• deterioration of the patient's motor activity,
• restriction of his mobility,
• formation of persistent joint deformities.

It is important to remember that the first signs of arthritis are pain. At the initial stages they are weakly expressed, in the acute period they are especially pronounced, and in chronic arthritis they can change (weakly expressed to strongly expressed, and vice versa). As mentioned above, signs may vary for different types of disease.

Types of Arthritis	Symptoms
Reactive	joint pain, redness, swelling, limited mobility, inflammation of the eyes: - redness of the eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, lacrimation; inflammation urinary tract: urethritis - pain, burning or stinging when urinating.
Rheumatoid	When the joints are affected symmetrically, dense nodules form at the bends. During the period of remission, discomfort is felt mainly in the morning and practically disappears by the afternoon. Exacerbations are accompanied by fever, numbness of the extremities, pain when inhaling, inflammation of the lymph nodes and salivary glands, photophobia and pain in the eyes.
Infectious	Characterized by: a sharp increase in temperature; chills; headaches; weakness; swelling of periarticular tissues. The type of infection can be determined using tests.
Gout attack	In most cases the first joint is affected thumb on the leg, although the disease can manifest itself in both the knee and elbow. The site of inflammation becomes red, swollen and very painful.
Psoriatic	Distinctive features of psoriatic arthritis are the following: small joints fingers and toes, asymmetry of the lesion (unlike rheumatoid arthritis), Often the skin over the diseased joint acquires a purplish-bluish color (if the joints of the fingers are affected, swelling often develops, covering the entire finger - a “sausage-shaped finger”).
Osteoarthritis	manifests itself in the fact that the joints become ill very slowly and gradually as the disease progresses. A crunching sound is also a characteristic feature. Both the limbs and the spinal column are affected;
Traumatic arthritis	develops as osteoarthritis. The symptoms are the same - pain, swelling and crunching in the place where the inflammatory process began.

Degrees of the disease

Symptoms of arthritis vary by stage pain and aggravation of pathological processes. So, if the disease develops into a complicated form, then the symptoms will be more noticeable. Let's look at all four stages of arthritis:

1st degree

The disease does not manifest itself clinically, but X-rays of the joints show the first signs of inflammation. Sometimes there is a slight stiffness of movement and periodic pain during physical activity.

2nd degree arthritis

The progressive inflammatory process leads to thinning of the tissues of the articular structures and erosion of the heads of the bones. Swelling appears in the area of ​​the affected joints; A local increase in temperature and redness of the skin are often observed, movements are accompanied by a crunching sound.

3rd degree

The third degree of the disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• X-ray examination shows severe deformity;
• Often a person at this stage is assigned a disability;
• Mobility is limited, it is difficult for the patient to move if the lower part of the body is damaged;
• Hand movements are performed with great difficulty. It becomes difficult for the patient to perform even basic self-care actions. The hands are affected symmetrically;
• Pain haunts a person even when he is at rest;
• Due to muscle spasm caused by pain, the limbs are fixed in the wrong position. This ultimately leads to even greater deformation of the joints.

Arthritis 4 degrees

Leads to almost complete immobility of damaged joints, with severe round-the-clock pain. It is impossible to move independently. Negative changes in the bones are already becoming irreversible. When the knees are affected, muscle contractures form.

Complications

Ignoring the symptoms of arthritis can lead to serious complications that provoke other diseases:

• Diseases of internal organs.
• Heart failure.
• Damage to soft tissues.
• Tendon ruptures.
• Dislocation of the spine.
• Numbness of arms and legs.

Although arthritis is a common condition that most people experience, its treatment should be taken seriously. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help maintain flexibility and mobility of the joints, which will make it possible to lead an active lifestyle even in old age.

Diagnostics

Although signs of joint inflammation are clearly visible even to a non-specialist, it is not possible to accurately determine the form and stage of arthritis, as well as develop the correct treatment strategy, based solely on history and physical examination.

Diagnosis of arthritis includes:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• Analysis of urine;
• X-rays can determine the condition of the bones and identify changes caused by arthritis;
• computed tomography to assess the condition of soft tissues;
• magnetic resonance imaging helps to more clearly examine the condition of bone structures, as well as soft tissues;
• isotope scanning of the skeleton;
• Ultrasound helps determine the extent of damage to large joints;
• analysis of synovial fluid helps to identify inflammatory agents, especially in infectious arthritis, and choose an adequate treatment method;
• arthroscopy is an endoscopic method that involves introducing a special sensor into the joint cavity to study their condition;
• arthrography determines the condition of the cartilage and soft tissues that surround the joint;
• myelography evaluates the condition of the spinal cord, spine and its roots, and is used in conjunction with a computed tomograph.

Arthritis treatment

The sooner you worry about treatment, the greater the benefit will be. The first stages of arthritis already affect the joints, and with proper treatment it is quite possible to slow down the process. Special exercise therapy exercises have been developed and are prescribed during the period of improvement so that the muscles develop flexibility. Effective medications are also prescribed.

Treatment for arthritis depends on the stage and form of the disease. Therefore, at the first signs, be sure to contact a specialist and do not self-medicate.

Medicines for arthritis

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Methods involving the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are mandatory for the treatment of any diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. Commonly prescribed drugs include:

• Ortofen;
• Diclofenac;
• Ibuprofen;
• Imdomethacin;
• Ketoprofen;
• Acetylsalicylic acid.

The choice of these drugs depends on individual characteristics human body, age, type of disease, presence of diseases prohibiting the use of non-steroidal drugs.

• Painkillers for external use

This group of drugs is prescribed against pain in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They are applied topically to the skin above the joint. The main advantage of this method of application is that the components of the drug are absorbed directly into the area of ​​the affected tissue, bypassing the path through the gastrointestinal tract.

Examples of such drugs: dollit-cream, apisatron, butadione, bengay, voltaren, fastum, emulgel, diclofenac acry-ointment, etc.

The universal scheme of drug treatment for arthritis is as follows:

• Prescription of intra-articular injections, which consist of hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Taking medications to relieve muscle spasms.
• If the cause of arthritis is frequent stress, then antidepressants are prescribed.
• Injections of painkillers.
• Prescription of drugs that protect the gastrointestinal tract from the irritating effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Taking vitamins.

How to treat arthritis without drugs?

Reducing stress on diseased joints:

• selection of orthopedic shoes with comfortable soles;
• weight loss;
• use of knee pads, instep supports, canes when walking;
• a complex of therapeutic and health-improving physical education, which can be performed in different starting positions and in water.

Gymnastics should not cause discomfort or pain. Squats and exercises with bent knees should be avoided. A visit to the pool is recommended.

Physiotherapeutic procedures:

• heat treatment;
• magnetic therapy for joints;
• ultrasound;
• massage;
• hydrotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• laser therapy;
• electrical pulse stimulation of muscles.

To prescribe any physiotherapeutic procedures, the patient must have no contraindications. The patient must forever get rid of bad habits and drinking coffee in large quantities.

Surgical treatment

When damage to some or all of the joint tissues cannot be treated with pills, injections, ointments or physical therapy, various surgical methods are used:

• arthroscopic synovectomy – removal of a fragment of the synovial membrane;
• cartilage transplantation - cartilage tissue is taken from a healthy joint, grown in the laboratory and planted in the damaged one;
• joint replacement with a prosthesis;
• implantation of a metal spacer into the joint, simulating the articular surface.

Invasive methods of treating arthritis also include punctures and washing of the joint cavity with various drugs.

Diet

The goal of therapeutic nutrition for arthritis is to normalize the immune response, weaken inflammatory reactions and restoration of full range of motion of the affected joint.

Nutrition for arthritis is selected by your doctor and depends on:

• forms of the disease;
• degree of joint damage;
• concomitant diseases;
• severity of clinical manifestations.

Regardless of the type of arthritis, general rules nutrition for recovery:

• food should be low-calorie, the diet is aimed at not gaining excess weight, which puts stress on the joints - it is necessary to remove extra pounds;
• it is necessary to balance the supply of all necessary components;
• Food should be steamed; it can be boiled or stewed, but not fried;
• to restore the damaged structure of the joint, it is recommended to eat food from boiled bones (jellied meat), which you can eat as much as you like, they contain natural chondroprotectors that restore cartilage tissue, but such dishes cannot be consumed if;
• You can’t eat fatty meat – fats can only be of plant origin;
• freshly squeezed juices from fruits, beets and carrots help enrich the body with vitamins, remove toxins and waste from it;
• You should give up alcohol, strong coffee and tea, limit the use of pickles, seasonings and hot spices, except ginger and turmeric.

In total, nutrition for arthritis corresponds to the standard diet (general option) or treatment tables according to Pevzner No. 15, 10, 6, which are prescribed for different types of arthritis. The energy value of the diet is 2170-2400 kilocalories per day, and the nutrient content corresponds to the following scheme:

• proteins - 85-90g, of which 45-50g are animal proteins;
• fats – 70-80g, of which 25-30g are vegetable fats;
• carbohydrates - 300-330g, of which no more than 30-40g complex sugars.

If you are overweight, a hypocaloric diet is indicated, the energy value of which is 1340-1550 kilocalories per day.

Folk remedies

Before using traditional methods for arthritis, be sure to consult with your doctor.

1. Birch leaves (2.5 teaspoons), stinging nettle leaves (2.5 teaspoons), tricolor violet herb (2.5 teaspoons). Take the infusion 1/2 cup 4 times a day before meals.
2. Lubricate the knee with honey, apply mustard plaster and tie it. Hold until a burning sensation appears, then remove the mustard plaster, and wrap the knee with honey, as with a compress, and keep it overnight.
3. Mash buttercup flowers and apply to knee for 2 hours, then remove and wrap the sore spot overnight.
4. Grate radish or horseradish on a fine grater. Apply the paste or the juice itself to the painful area. Leave for 40 minutes. The course for arthritis is 10 procedures every other day.
5. If salts are deposited in the joint, cut the onion head in half. Pour one drop of tar into the middle of each half and apply to the sore spot.
6. Beat the yolk with apple cider vinegar. Apply the application until dry. Use several times a week for a month.
7. Garden purslane for arthritis. Grind the grass. Mix with cold water in a ratio of one spoon per glass of liquid. Place on the fire and boil for ten minutes. Cover the container with a towel and place in a warm place for two hours. Then strain. Take the finished infusion three times a day, one tablespoon.

Prevention

People who are at risk due to their professional activities should take care of the prevention of joints. And also for patients:

• with heredity to arthritis;
• those who have had viral diseases;

You can reduce the risk of developing pathology if you adhere to several rules. The attending physician must tell you about preventive measures, especially for elderly people. Prevention of joint arthritis includes:

• weight control;
• avoiding injuries while walking and playing sports;
• protecting joints from excessive stress.

If you feel pain returning or notice redness or swelling, consult your doctor. Timely seeking medical help will prevent severe joint destruction.

Arthritis is a fairly common inflammatory disease of the joints. It occurs at any age, although women over 40 are most susceptible to it. Arthritis causes severe pain and disruption of the functioning of many organs, and when chronic, leads to joint destruction and limited mobility. Without timely treatment the disease can cause serious complications. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of joint dysfunction in time and consult a doctor.

After examining and determining the cause of inflammation, the doctor chooses individual methods for treating arthritis. They necessarily depend on its type, stage of development and health status of the patient. Self-medication for this disease is unacceptable. After all, incorrectly chosen methods of therapy can not only cause side effects, but also aggravate the inflammatory process.

Features of the pathology

Unlike arthrosis, which is characterized by the development of degenerative processes in the joints, arthritis is an inflammatory disease. Moreover, inflammation often occurs acutely with fever, symptoms of intoxication and severe swelling of the joint. But sometimes it can occur in a chronic form. This happens most often if acute arthritis is not treated in a timely manner, as well as with some types of pathology.

Despite the modern level of medicine, it is not always possible to determine the cause of arthritis. But the symptoms of the disease, as well as the choice of methods for its treatment, depend on what caused the inflammation. Therefore, in medicine it is customary to distinguish between several types of arthritis, each of which has its own causes.

When diagnosing a disease, they must be identified, since treatment for different types is slightly different:

• Infectious arthritis is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Moreover, it does not necessarily enter the joint through damaged skin. The infection can be spread through the blood. Arthritis develops especially often in tuberculosis, influenza, gonorrhea, and dysentery.
• Reactive arthritis also often appears in infectious diseases, as a reaction of the body to antigens secreted by bacteria.
• Gouty arthritis develops with serious disorders of mineral metabolism. It received this name because such failures are accompanied by the deposition of salts in the joints, known as gout.
• Rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to failures in the body's immune system. This can happen due to congenital autoimmune pathologies, with allergic reactions or after infectious diseases. This type of pathology is sometimes also caused by disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.
• People with psoriasis sometimes develop psoriatic arthritis.
• Traumatic arthritis occurs as a complication after serious joint injuries. This could be a sprain, sprain or fracture. If treated incorrectly, swelling may develop and inflammation spreads to the joint cavity.
• Lack of vitamins and microelements leads to the development of dystrophic arthritis. This can happen due to pathologies of the digestive system or due to insufficient nutrition.
• In the most serious cases, accompanied by joint destruction and deformation, they speak of the development of osteoarthritis. At the same time, degenerative processes can be slowed down, but damaged cartilage cannot be restored.
• Sometimes so-called professional arthritis is classified into a separate group. It develops due to regular increased loads on the same joints.

All treatment methods should be aimed at reducing pain and restoring joint mobility

Treatment goals

In acute arthritis of the joints, treatment most often begins on time. Indeed, in this case, the pathology manifests itself with pronounced symptoms. The patient feels severe pain in one or more joints, which gets worse at night. The affected area swells, turns red, and the local temperature rises. Movement in the joint is severely limited due to pain, swelling and muscle spasm. General weakness often also develops, malaise and fever appear.

The goal of treating acute arthritis of the joints is primarily to alleviate the patient's condition. First, the pain is relieved and the inflammatory process is reduced. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or injections. In addition, it is very important to rest the affected joint. At the initial stage, this is bed rest, and then wearing special orthoses.

It is also necessary to immediately determine the cause of the pathology. Eliminating it is necessarily part of a comprehensive treatment. If this infectious diseases, antibiotics or antiviral drugs are prescribed; in case of injury, it is often necessary surgery, and for gout - special medications and diet.

In the chronic course of the pathology, not all patients consult a doctor. Some believe that they themselves know how to treat arthritis using folk remedies and drugs advertised on TV. But this approach is very dangerous, since arthritis can be cured by using a set of measures aimed not only at relieving symptoms, but also at eliminating the cause of inflammation, as well as restoring joint function.

If treatment is incorrect or absent, serious complications may develop. It could be purulent inflammation bursa, sepsis, kidney, liver or Bladder. Quite often, advanced arthritis leads to the appearance of arthrosis - the joint is destroyed or deformed. Therefore, it is very important to begin treatment of inflammation on time and under the guidance of a doctor.

It is very important that treatment is prescribed individually after a thorough examination of the patient and determination of the type of pathology

Features of therapy

Treatment of joint arthritis must be comprehensive. The conditions for its success are an individual choice of therapy methods, their regular and long-term use. If treatment is stopped as soon as acute pain and swelling have disappeared, the pathology may become chronic. Therefore, it is very important to strictly follow all doctor’s recommendations.

Typically, the choice of treatment methods for arthritis depends on the cause and type of pathology. But there are general recommendations that are used most often. For any type of arthritis, complex therapy is prescribed, which includes:

• use of NSAIDs intramuscularly or intravenously, as well as in tablet form;
• intra-articular injections of anesthetics or corticosteroids;
• external agents in the form of anti-inflammatory ointments or compresses;
• additional drugs: muscle relaxants, chondroprotectors, vitamin complexes;
• reducing the load on the joint using orthoses, bandages or orthopedic insoles;
• a special diet aimed at eliminating metabolic disorders or replenishing the lack of microelements;
• prevention stagnation in joints and muscle atrophy through physical therapy;
• spa treatment or the use of physiotherapeutic procedures in a local clinic.

Severe pain is effectively relieved by intra-articular injections

Medications

At mild form arthritis at the initial stage of the pathology, you can get rid of pain and inflammation only with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Nimesulide, Nise, Diclofenac, Meloxicam. If they are taken orally in tablet form, be sure to take Omeprazole to protect the gastrointestinal tract. NSAIDs cannot cure arthritis because they do not address the cause of the inflammation. But they effectively relieve symptoms, making the patient’s life easier.

Even an experienced doctor cannot immediately answer what is the best way to treat arthritis. All drugs have different effectiveness and side effects, so they are chosen only individually. For example, they try not to prescribe Indomethacin in old age, as it can cause mental disorders. Ibuprofen and Diclofenac are considered the most harmless. But even these drugs are recommended to be taken for no more than a week, and if the pain continues, you need to choose a stronger medicine, for example, Movalis. This remedy relieves pain and inflammation well, but causes almost no side effects, so it can be taken for a long time.

If NSAID therapy is ineffective, glucocorticosteroid injections can be used. They try to prescribe them only in extreme cases due to the high risk of side effects. For severe pain, intra-articular injections of Diprospan, Hydrocortisone or Kenalog are given. Usually one injection lasts for several days, during which the patient feels the disappearance of pain and morning stiffness. If fever or other extra-articular symptoms occur, intramuscular or intravenous administration of Dexamethasone, Metipred or Prednisolone may be prescribed.

Additionally, various ointments are used. It is impossible to cure the disease with their help alone, but they are good at helping to reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling. Most often it is recommended to use ointments based on NSAIDs: Indomethacin, Butadion, Dolgit, Voltaren. Sometimes hormonal drugs are prescribed: Betamethasone, Mometasone, Diflucortolone. Ointments are effective and easily transferred to plant based, for example, with extracts of cinquefoil, comfrey, golden mustache.

For successful treatment arthritis must be used different drugs in complex

Treatment of arthritis must be comprehensive, so in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, other medications are prescribed. To improve blood circulation, enzyme agents are sometimes used: Wobenzym or Phlogenzyme. To stop the destruction of cartilage tissue, chondroprotectors must be prescribed, for example, Teraflex, Rumalon, Artra. Such drugs are used for a long time, at least 3-6 months.

Additionally, it is recommended to take B vitamins, especially thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin. They improve the functioning of the nervous system, normalize metabolic processes, reduce pain. They can be used separately in injections or in the form of complex preparations. Effective, for example, Neuromultivit or Neurobinon.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Additionally, laser therapy is used for different types of arthritis. This method, unlike other physiotherapeutic procedures, can be used during the acute phase of the disease. But the laser is applied not to the inflamed joint, but to the ulnar vein. This irradiation of the blood helps to reduce the inflammatory process, eliminate infection and strengthen the immune system. In case of chronic pathology, laser treatment can be applied to the joint itself. This method is effective in 80% of arthritis, especially at the initial stage.

Cryotherapy is also effective for any form of the disease. This may be the effect on the joints of dry cold air in a cryosauna or jets of liquid nitrogen. Such procedures quickly relieve pain, reduce inflammation and swelling, and improve blood circulation.

Various physical procedures are effective in restoring joint mobility.

All other methods of physiotherapy can be used only after inflammation has subsided to restore joint function or during remission in the chronic course of the disease. After all, many procedures, and especially massage, can lead to an increase in the inflammatory process. But to improve tissue nutrition and joint mobility, relieve muscle spasms and eliminating contractures, physiotherapeutic treatment is effective.

Infrared irradiation, UHF, diathermy, amplipulse therapy, UV irradiation, phonophoresis or electrophoresis are used for this. Paraffin or ozokerite applications, mud or mineral baths are also effective during the recovery period.

Diet

For any type of inflammatory pathology of the joints, especially with rheumatoid or gouty arthritis, it is imperative to follow a certain diet. If the patient has a disturbed mineral metabolism, resulting in salt deposition, he needs to exclude salt, smoked meats, marinades, canned food, fatty meat, and alcohol from the diet. Certain foods can increase inflammation. Most often these are corn, pork, dairy products, and citrus fruits. Therefore, it is recommended to limit their consumption.

It is best to cook food with arthritis by steaming. It is not advisable to fry food and add as little salt as possible. It is useful to eat more vegetables, fruits, fish, seafood, buckwheat, and eggs. To improve the condition of cartilage tissue, it is recommended to include jellied meat, flaxseed oil, and herbs in the diet.

Traditional methods are used as an auxiliary treatment for arthritis of the joints.

Traditional methods

Only in rare cases does the patient require hospitalization. Arthritis is usually treated at home. In addition to medications and procedures prescribed by a doctor, you can use traditional methods. They will help speed up recovery, reduce pain, and restore joint mobility. But they can only be used after consultation with a doctor and as part of complex therapy. In addition, you need to remember that in case of acute inflammation, you should not heat the joint, as this will increase the swelling. But there are safe and effective recipes, which have been tested by time and many patients.

• Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and add a glass of kefir. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach. For the first 10 days you need to take this drink every day. Then - 10 times every other day, and at the end - 10 times every 2 days.
• In summer, a regular buttercup will help relieve pain. You need to take a handful of fresh flowers and grind them. Apply the resulting pulp to the sore joint and cover with film. Keep the compress for no more than 2 hours.
• For polyarthritis, it is recommended to take apple cider vinegar. A glass of water requires a teaspoon. This drink should be drunk 3-4 times a day.
• Fresh vegetable juices are good for arthritis. Mix the juice of carrots, beets and cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce and carrots. It is useful to drink turnip juice with honey or lingonberry juice.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most difficult to treat, since it is almost impossible to slow down joint deformation with conventional means.

Features of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is particularly challenging. After all, it occurs due to autoimmune disorders. That is, the body produces antibodies to its own cells. Therefore, in addition to general treatment aimed at relieving pain, inflammation and swelling, as well as restoring joint mobility, special methods must be used for rheumatoid arthritis.

Most often these are special medications that stop the activity of the immune system. The main drug used for this is Methotrexate. This is a drug used in chemotherapy for cancer, but for arthritis it is taken in small doses, so it does not cause such side effects. Among similar medications, Remicade or Leflunomide are also prescribed. They slow down cell division and stop the progression of pathology.

Gold preparations have been successfully used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for a long time: Auranofin, Crizanol, Tauredon and others. Previously, they were the main remedy for this pathology, but after the advent of Methotrexate they began to be used less frequently. Despite the large number of side effects, many patients are still prescribed gold preparations. They are especially effective at the initial stage of arthritis and in the case when high levels of rheumatoid factor are observed in the tests. Such tablets can slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue and improve bone mineralization.

For mild cases of the disease, antimalarial drugs are sometimes used: Delagil or Plaquenil. Although they act very slowly—you need to take them for at least 6 months—they gradually reduce inflammation. Moreover, such drugs are well tolerated by patients.

They complement the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with antibiotics. True, only sulfonamides are used for this, most often Sulfasalazine. It is well tolerated even with long-term use. This drug helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. D-penicillamine is used much less frequently, as it is more toxic.

In addition to medications, specific methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis are mechanical effects on the immune system. This drainage of lymph from the thoracic duct is an effective but complex procedure, as it must remain permanently in place for 1-2 weeks. Lymphocytophoresis is more often used - cleansing the lymph, reducing the degree of the inflammatory process. A procedure such as plasmaphoresis is also common - purification of the blood from inflammatory mediators and rheumatoid factor.

In the most severe cases, pain can only be relieved through surgery.

Need for surgery

In the initial stages of the disease, conservative therapy is sufficient. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, you can completely cure arthritis and restore joint health. But in advanced cases, surgery may be required. Most often this is arthroscopy, performed to take samples of synovial fluid or to drain pus from the joint.

Sometimes surgery is also necessary: ​​arthrotomy, arthrodesis or joint resection, bone reconstructive surgery. This treatment helps stop degenerative processes and prevent exacerbations. If the joint begins to deteriorate, leading to impaired mobility, endoprosthetics or at least arthroplasty may be recommended.

Recovery prognosis

Many patients who have been given such a disappointing diagnosis are interested in whether arthritis can be cured forever. The prognosis for recovery depends on the patient’s age, his general health, as well as the stage and cause of the pathology. Reactive and infectious arthritis are best treated. If you start therapy on time, the disease goes away without consequences. But even in this case, treatment will be long, sometimes about a year.

The worst prognosis is for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. These forms of the disease are characterized by long-term chronic course and frequent relapses. The pathology will progress if you stop the treatment recommended by the doctor, which should be permanent.

Curing arthritis is quite difficult, and in many cases even impossible. But treatment is still necessary. Only with its help can you get rid of excruciating pain and regain the ability to move normally. Proper therapy will also help stop the destruction of the joint and prevent serious complications.

Feet perform in the body important tasks. They help a person maintain balance, perform pushing movements when walking and absorb road unevenness.

Inflammatory processes in articular tissues inevitably lead to deformation of cartilage, it loses its ability to function fully and the load falls on other joints - the knee and hip.

Not designed for such functions, they also begin to cause problems over time. Thus, arthritis of the foot joints is only the beginning of the destruction of the musculoskeletal system.

Arthritis of the foot is an inflammation of the bones, their joints, cartilage and connective tissue that make up this part of the body.

Pathogenesis

Arthritis of the foot, like any inflammation of the joint, is accompanied by quantitative and qualitative changes in the synovial fluid. Let us recall that the joint is surrounded by an articular capsule, which is lined from the inside with a synovial membrane that produces synovial fluid.

This fluid acts as a lubricant, facilitating friction of the articular surfaces. In addition, synovial fluid delivers nutrients to the articular cartilage and removes metabolic products from it.

After all, as you know, cartilage in a joint is devoid of blood vessels.

Due to the above reasons, the synovial membrane is first affected and synovitis develops. The inflamed synovial membrane secretes an excess amount of fluid, which causes swelling of the joint.

With arthritis, synovial fluid, even in excess quantities, cannot perform the functions assigned to it, as a result of which not only the articular cartilage suffers, but also bone, ligaments, connective tissue.

It should be noted that inflammation of the joints, although in many cases has similar features, is formed in different ways. For example, rheumatoid arthritis of the foot develops against the background of an autoimmune process.

Microbial toxins combine with the body's antibodies in the so-called

immune complexes that attach to the connective tissue of the joint. The immune system The body, trying to destroy these complexes, destroys its own connective tissue.

Causes of foot arthritis

The etiology of the disease is often associated with inflammatory processes in the body. Experts believe that foot arthritis is a consequence of negative processes. Without identifying the cause, it is impossible to relieve pain and prevent joint destruction.

Negative changes in the cartilage tissue of the foot develop in following cases:

• metabolic disorders due to gout, accumulation of high concentrations of uric acid in tissues;
• injuries, sprains, bruises suffered by the patient previously;
• pathogenic microorganisms remaining in cartilage tissue after colds, flu (especially with complications);
• as a side effect in severe pathologies: tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis;
• as a complication of rheumatism;
• inflammation of cartilage in autoimmune pathologies. The body perceives connective tissue as a foreign body and begins to fight it.

Timely treatment of other diseases can protect you from such troubles as foot arthritis. After all, quite often it is a consequence of advanced pathological processes in the body. The main causes of arthritis in the legs are:

Several reasons contribute to the appearance of a disease such as arthritis:

• past infectious disease;
• previous trauma;
• weakening of the immune system and disruptions in its functioning;
• hypothermia;
• improper metabolism;
• heredity;
• bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol;
• changes in the structure of joints caused by the aging process;
• improper and unbalanced diet.

Arthritis of the foot joints can develop in any of these joints. Causes this state diverse.

We can say with confidence that any pathological process occurring in our body can lead to inflammation of various joints, incl.

and foot. After all, as you know, everything in our body is interconnected.

Depending on the reasons why inflammation in the joints develops, primary and secondary arthritis are distinguished. Primary arthritis is caused by damage to the joint itself. Secondary arthritis develops as a complication of other diseases.

Among the reasons why foot arthritis develops are:

• Systemic connective tissue diseases (rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Joint injuries
• Joint infections
• Infectious lesions of the respiratory and genitourinary system(reactive arthritis)
• Metabolic disorders (gout, diabetes)
• Helminthiasis
• Tuberculosis and syphilis
• Sepsis
• Flat feet and other anatomical defects of the foot.

It is noteworthy that certain causes lead to inflammation of certain joints. For example, ankle arthritis.

This joint is the largest in this anatomical region and is formed by the tibia and fibula and the talus of the foot. The most common reason ankle arthritis – injury.

Therefore, this pathology is accompanied by rather severe functional disorders and requires the most long-term treatment.

The articulation of the big toe and metatarsus - the first metatarsophalangeal joint is most often inflamed with gout. And arthritis of the small joints of the foot is usually caused by rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. Provoking factors for the emergence of new and exacerbation of existing arthritis are:

• Hypothermia
• Physical activity (long walking, carrying heavy objects)
• Weak immunity
• Accompanying illnesses
• Pregnancy.

Types and stages of the disease

Depending on the negative factors, which provoked the development of the disease, the following types of arthritis are distinguished:

There are the following types of arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis. With this disease, articular cartilage is destroyed, which causes severe pain. It becomes impossible for a person to stand on his feet. Redness and swelling appear around the affected joint.
2. Gout. In this disease, the joints are affected by uric acid crystals. Gouty arthritis also occurs with pain. Localization occurs in the thumb area. Males are more often affected by the disease.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis. All joints of the body can be involved. The disease is severe. People of all ages are susceptible to the disease.

If timely treatment is not started, any type of arthritis can lead to joint deformation and, accordingly, disability. With arthritis of the foot, the bones of the feet become deformed and the person is unable to move.

Characteristic signs and symptoms

The manifestations of arthritis are similar, regardless of the form of the disease:

• At first, pain is felt in the affected joints; with movement and stress on the foot, the negative phenomena intensify;
• over the inflamed cartilage skin hyperemic (reddened), local temperature rises;
• the joints swell slightly, in severe cases the changes are significant;
• in the morning the patient notes stiffness of movement, the foot bends and unbends poorly;
• sudden change temperature indicators, heat up to 39–40 degrees is one of the signs of an active inflammatory process in the joint tissue;
• when the case is severe, your health worsens;
• It is difficult for a person to choose comfortable shoes.

Note! Inflammation of cartilage tissue requires serious treatment: without the use of drugs, physiotherapy, and traditional methods, joint inflammation intensifies. Sometimes pathology leads to disability.

Arthritis of the foot joints is a disease that contributes to the destruction of the structure of the joint; characteristic signs appear in the early stages:

• pain when walking;
• swelling and increased local temperature in the area of ​​the affected joint;
• restriction of normal mobility;
• deformation of the foot itself;
• general malaise.

Symptoms

1. Rheumatoid arthritis. Affects connective tissue throughout the body. If we talk about joints, then this inflammation is always chronic and leads to joint deformation. Consequently, with rheumatoid arthritis, the foot functions worse. If the disease is neglected, it leads to the fact that the person stops moving independently and, as a result, becomes disabled. The following symptoms are characteristic of this disease:

• getting up in the morning, a person feels stiffness in his legs;
• when walking, your legs get tired quickly;
• swelling and redness are observed in the area of ​​sore joints;
• in most cases, two legs are affected;
• When an illness occurs, a person feels unwell for a long time. Symptoms of fever are observed.

In order to understand whether it really is rheumatoid arthritis or whether it is a completely different disease, you need to immediately contact a specialist, who, in turn, will make the correct diagnosis.

1. Gout manifests itself in attacks. Usually the pain occurs at night, and if nothing is done about this process, it can last up to one week. Symptoms of foot arthritis are:

• The pain is sometimes simply unbearable. In most cases, if you move your big toe, the pain immediately begins to increase. This is due to the fact that the crystals of uric acid salts that accumulate in the cavities of the joints have sharp edges.
• Swelling and redness in the area of ​​the affected joint increases very quickly. A lump also appears.
• The temperature of the joints gradually increases. If you touch them, you can feel the heat.

In most cases, the doctor makes a diagnosis without much difficulty. For accurate diagnosis a test is carried out that will ultimately indicate the level of uric acid.

Whatever the cause of this disease, it will always have some similar Clinical signs. To be precise, these are all signs of inflammation:

It is absolutely impossible to diagnose arthritis on your own at home. You need to start sounding the alarm and contact specialists if:

• The joint hurts. When moving and standing for a long time, the pain becomes more intense and more pronounced.
• The appearance of the joint has changed and become deformed.
• The soft tissues adjacent to the diseased organ are swollen, red and hot when palpated.
• Movement is difficult, especially after getting up in the morning.
• The mobility of the foot is limited, the toes move with difficulty, and the joints may make a crunching noise.

In addition, there may be symptoms characteristic of many diseases accompanied by inflammation:

• temperature increase;
• weakness, chills;
• loss of appetite.

The first manifestations of a disease such as arthritis include:

Symptoms of foot arthritis include:

• Swelling
• Skin redness
• Temperature increase
• General malaise
• Changing the shape of the foot
• Limitation of joint mobility
• Difficulty walking.

The first three signs are caused by the accumulation of fluid (exudate) in the joint cavity and secondary changes in soft tissues. The nature of the accumulated fluid can be different - serous in rheumatism, purulent in infectious and septic processes, hemorrhagic (bloody) as a result of injuries.

Diagnostics

Arthritis of the small joints of the foot at any stage requires identifying the cause of the inflammatory process, establishing the stage, and the nature of the pathology. If the underlying disease has become chronic, it is more difficult to treat joint problems and requires potent medications.

If there is swelling that increases in the evening, redness, or increased temperature over one or more fingers, consult a therapist. The doctor will prescribe a CT and MRI, rheumatic tests, a biochemical blood test, and an x-ray of painful areas.

Therapy will produce results with the assistance of several doctors.

Contact a specialist:

• therapist;
• surgeon;
• arthrologist;
• traumatologist;
• orthopedist

To treat joint inflammation, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. If you have symptoms of arthritis, you should consult a rheumatologist, therapist, or orthopedist. If there have been previous injuries, then you need to consult a traumatologist.

If treated incorrectly or not consult a doctor in a timely manner, arthritis can cause the development of arthrosis, a dystrophic disease in which the cartilage of the joint is destroyed.

The consequences of this disease are extremely serious. Often, restoring normal mobility in the affected limb is only possible through surgery.

In this case, the destroyed cartilage is replaced with artificial one.

Treatment

If you notice symptoms of arthritis, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is worth saying that how to cure foot arthritis is known only to a small circle of specialists. That is why, before the doctor makes a diagnosis, appropriate tests are taken.

• In order to relieve autoimmune inflammation, specialists often prescribe hormonal drugs in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are in most cases injected directly into the affected joint area. After the injection, the patient experienced a significant improvement in well-being.
• Exacerbation of gout is alleviated by neutralizing and removing excess uric acid from the human body.
• Antibiotics for foot arthritis are prescribed if the disease has an infectious form.

It doesn’t matter what form the arthritis has. In any case, you must follow all the instructions prescribed by your doctor. A diet for arthritis is an excellent solution, because treatment must be comprehensive.

Naturally, before starting treatment folk remedies You must first consult a doctor in order to benefit and not harm your health.

It’s worth saying right away that each case of the disease requires its own individual treatment and approach. Currently, the therapeutic program is built based on the exact stage of the disease. In most cases, arthritis is treated using old methods. This means that the treatment proceeds without any surgical intervention. Old and proven methods of treating arthrosis-arthritis of the foot include:

When wondering how to treat arthritis of the foot, you need to understand that this disease, of course, should encourage a person to make changes in his lifestyle as a whole.

It is necessary to give up bad habits and monitor your health as carefully as possible. You need to want to be cured and you need to put a lot of effort and patience into this.

How to treat foot arthritis? The treatment process is quite difficult and lengthy. The speed of recovery will depend on the following factors:

• Which joint is affected? Large joints are easier to treat.
• Number of joints affected. The more there are, the more difficult it is to treat.
• Are there any signs chronic diseases and how pronounced they are.
• Timeliness of seeking help.
• Are there any signs of bone deformation (rickets, scoliosis and other diseases).
• What is the patient's age?

Treatment in hospital

How to treat arthritis of the foot joints? Therapy is aimed at eliminating the causes of pathological changes in the joints and stopping the inflammatory process. The doctor’s task is to alleviate the suffering of a patient experiencing pain due to joint pain.

After removal acute manifestations the doctor will offer supportive therapy, recommend physiotherapy and traditional recipes for arthritis. On early stage diseases, the use of arch supports and orthopedic shoes has a good effect.

Drug therapy

As part of complex therapy for the treatment of arthritis of the feet, certain groups of drugs are used:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (or NSAIDs). The drugs block the production of hormones and prostaglandins - the causes of inflammation and severe pain. Effective drugs: Ketanov, Ortofen, Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Indomethacin, Voltaren, Ibuprofen. Naproxen, Naklofen, Meloxicam give a good effect. It is important to reduce inflammation, relieve swelling, and restore the joy of movement. NSAIDs have many side effects, worsen the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and have a negative effect on the body;
• chondroprotectors. The drugs are needed in the acute phase, following the elimination of the main inflammatory process. After the course, the regeneration of cartilage tissue improves and the destruction of fibers stops. Regular use (in preventive courses) maintains the normal condition and elasticity of cartilage. The choice of drug is a matter for the doctor. Effective medicines and dietary supplements: Rumalon, Toad Stone, Artra, Chondroitin, Structrum, Dona, Hyaluron, Alflutop, Chondroxide. Stop Arthritis Super has received a lot of positive reviews. Capsules contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age;
• antibiotics. Drugs are required to eliminate inflammation in joint damage caused by infectious diseases. Name antibacterial agent the doctor will tell you. First, a test is carried out to identify drugs that have a detrimental effect on the pathogenic microorganism, then the dosage and course of treatment are selected;
• cytostatics. Potent drugs are used only in acute form. Immunosuppressants are in demand for rheumatoid arthritis. If it is possible to do without them, the doctor will limit himself to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds. Effective cytostatics: gold salts, Sulfasalazine, Cyclophosphamide, Kurenil, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Leukeran.

Important! To strengthen the body's defenses and improve joint mobility, vitamin and mineral complexes are required. A suitable dietary supplement with active properties, but low concentration active ingredients, the doctor will choose. Dietary supplements restore the health of cartilage: Arthro Stop Plus, Honda Capsules.

Physiotherapy

Procedures with noticeable therapeutic effect The doctor will prescribe it only after the pain has been relieved and the active inflammatory process has been eliminated. In the acute stage, the main emphasis is on NSAIDs and analgesics.

Popular physiotherapy methods:

• massage of affected joints;
• special gymnastics;
• baths;
• healing mud;
• electrophoresis;
• warming up (paraffin therapy);
• diadynamic.

Folk remedies and recipes

Hundreds of thousands of patients suffer from arthritis. Many people tried a dozen methods until they found effective remedy for pain relief. Consult with your doctor, find out which homemade formulations are effective for a certain form of damage to cartilage tissue, choose the appropriate recipe for treating foot arthritis at home.

Remember: do foot baths, warm them up, apply warm compresses, etc. dry heat in case of exacerbation, it is prohibited.

Popular recipes for treating arthritis with folk remedies:

• decoctions of medicinal herbs. Excellent product during the period of exacerbation. Herbs relieve inflammation: calendula, mint, nettle, chamomile;
• foot massage with healing fir oil;
• propolis tincture. Moisten a thin cloth, apply to the foot, wrap in cellophane overnight;
• Drinking green tea daily instead of black. Also ask your doctor what kind of mineral water you can drink, replace sweet soda and coffee with it;
• baths with iodized salt. For 5 liters of warm water – 2 tbsp. l. salt, keep your feet for 20 minutes, wipe dry, apply ointment or arthritis cream;
• cabbage compress. Cut a washed cabbage leaf to release the juice, wrap the painful, inflamed area, and bandage it. Change the cabbage after an hour (or earlier), when the juice is absorbed and the leaf becomes dry and warm. Harmless, proven product;
• sea ​​buckthorn for joint diseases. Use only fresh berries: some are lost in the freezer beneficial properties. Prepare a paste and apply to the affected joints. After 30 minutes, wash your feet without soap, dry with a towel, and lubricate with ointment.

How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint? Check out a selection of effective methods. The probable causes and treatment of ankle pain are discussed on this page.

html and read about treating elbow bursitis at home.
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What to do during an exacerbation

Severe pain from arthritis of the foot will decrease if you perform simple procedures:

• drink a decoction of chamomile, calendula flowers, and nettle. Herbs cleanse the body, reduce inflammation of cartilage tissue;
• keep your feet in the mixture sea ​​salt and fir oil. For a glass of salt – 5 drops of fir oil. Combine the ingredients, grind, pour into a bag of several layers of gauze. Apply a bundle of aromatic salt to the sore spot, wrap it in a scarf for an hour during the day. Repeat the same procedure in the evening, leave until the morning;
• melt a teaspoon of good butter, add a little bodyagi (until you get a thin paste). In the evening, rub the mixture into the affected areas and wrap in flannel. The legs “bake”, but the effect is good. Repeat the procedure after 7 days; earlier is not possible: skin irritation is possible.

If you have severe pain, be sure to visit your doctor. The doctor will prescribe painkillers, dietary supplements, analgesic injections, ointments and creams.

Medicines that remove excess uric acid help relieve severe gout pain. The drug Allopurinol is effective.

While taking the pills, monthly monitoring of uric acid levels in the blood is mandatory.
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Healthy dishes and products:

• vegetable juices;
• porridge with water;
• fruits;
• greenery;
• products with calcium;
• vegetables (except rhubarb and sorrel);
• cereals;
• green tea.

They provoke attacks and worsen the condition of joints:

• smoked meats;
• salted herring;
• salo;
• sharp cheeses;
• offal;
• fatty, salty dishes;
• alcohol.

To prevent inflammation of the joints, take care of your feet from a young age, eat right, do not lift excessive weights, and treat infectious diseases promptly (and completely). Limit walking in high heels and protect your feet from injury.

Joint diseases require immediate action. This is the only way to prevent bone deformation, which can cause a person to lose motor functions. The treatment complex includes:

1. Taking non-steroidal drugs for pain relief and swelling.
2. Glucocorticosteroids into the joint to eliminate pain symptoms.
3. A course of antibiotics if the arthritis is caused by an infection (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).
4. Formation of chondroprotectors to stop the destructive process in cartilage and the restoration process in tissues.
5. Plaster splint. In acute illness, to immobilize the foot.
6. Diet.

In addition, physiotherapy is carried out: mud wraps, therapeutic exercises, massage, magnetic therapy sessions, etc.

In particularly advanced conditions, prosthetics of the metatarsophalangeal joints or resection may be required. Only a doctor can decide how to treat foot arthritis.

Do not try to get rid of signs of illness at home. Folk remedies can only be auxiliary and used for treatment only with the approval of a doctor.

A disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Everyone knows this, but, nevertheless, the number of patients with arthritis not only does not decrease, but is steadily growing.

Injurious sports, the fashion for high heels and ridiculous shoes, unhealthy fast food, a sedentary lifestyle, unpleasant diseases - all this provokes the development of arthritis in the joints of the feet.

The favorable prognosis for treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and whether the correct course of treatment is chosen. With severe inflammation and deformation of the bones, treatment will be long, painful and does not have a 100% guarantee of success - the risk of remaining lame, with gait disturbances and even disabled is not just empty words, but a real threat.

All traditional methods of treatment must be agreed with a doctor. Treatment of ankle arthritis traditional methods includes the following recipes:

Arthritis should be treated by a rheumatologist. First, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the patient’s body to identify the causes of the disease, and only then, based on the data obtained, develop a treatment strategy.

Please note that there are several types of arthritis. It may be infectious, allergic or rheumatoid in nature.

Moreover, each case requires a separate type treatment. In addition, arthritis can be primary or secondary, i.e. caused by other diseases and human health problems.

In this case, treatment should first be aimed at eliminating the causes of the underlying disease. Only then will the symptoms of the disease subside and you can begin to treat the arthritis of the foot joints itself.

If the patient has an infectious type of arthritis, the doctor must prescribe antibacterial therapy. In addition, it is necessary to take medications, use medications that help fight inflammatory processes.

Only a qualified doctor can prescribe drugs from the antibiotic group, but you can choose anti-inflammatory drugs yourself.

It is best to use drugs that belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, Indomethacin, Diclofenac and Ibuprofen are suitable. But you can't use them for too long. They can be purchased in the form of tablets, injections and ointments.

The doctor must determine the dosage and course of treatment. The ointment should be used 2 times a day: morning and evening.

Then a special protective bandage is applied to the damaged area. It must be borne in mind that all drugs that fight inflammatory processes negatively affect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract if taken in tablet form.

So it is best to choose ointments and injections. If drugs with local influence are not suitable for the patient, then you need to consult a doctor regarding the choice of selective non-steroidal drugs.

They have a more gentle effect on the human body. For example, you can use Movalis.

Since tissue damage begins to occur due to foot arthritis, the doctor should prescribe chondroprotectors. These drugs not only help prevent destructive processes, but also restore damaged tissue.

Most often, joints begin to deteriorate after 50 years, so you should consult your doctor in advance. For example, good drugs from the group of chondroprotectors are Structum, Artron Hondrex or Teraflex.

Treatment of foot arthritis involves more than just the use of drug therapy. A special diet is prescribed for the patient.

It is necessary to perform special physical exercises to develop joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is much more difficult to treat.

As for physiotherapeutic procedures, you can use medicinal baths with mineral waters and herbal decoctions, mud therapy, shock wave and ultrasound therapy, massage and other procedures.

Thanks to them, the symptoms of the disease will be less pronounced.

How to treat foot arthritis should only be decided by a doctor. Do not self-medicate, as this can worsen your condition and the course of the disease.

The essence of treatment is to relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and restore affected tissues.

Treatment of foot arthritis is divided into several stages:

1. The use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
2. Puncture of the affected joint. This method is used both for diagnostic purposes (to determine the nature of the liquid, the presence of microorganisms) and for therapeutic purposes - the pressure inside the cavity is reduced. Medicines can be administered directly into the joint capsule.
3. Physiotherapy.
4. Reducing mechanical impact through the use of orthopedic structures.
5. Surgical intervention.

As drug treatment They use a complex of drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, antibiotics and agents that restore the affected areas of the joint.

Treatment with folk remedies

Methods to treat foot arthritis with folk remedies exist in a huge number. Treatment with folk remedies consists of preparing the following drugs:

• ointments;
• tinctures;
• decoctions;
• baths.

Below are the most effective methods of treating arthritis with folk remedies. At the same time, everyone must understand for themselves that self-medication is not worth it.

Before starting treatment with folk remedies, consultation with your doctor is required due to contraindications caused by the characteristics of the disease in each specific case.

Simultaneously with treatment, it is necessary to follow a diet in which fatty, meat, smoked and salty foods, cheeses and alcohol are excluded from the patient’s diet.

A tincture prepared from plants has a positive effect in curing rheumatoid arthritis of the foot joints:

To alleviate the course of the disease, you can use folk remedies. You should warm up sore joints using salt baths.

Sand can also be used for these purposes. The use of warming procedures is strictly prohibited if you have purulent arthritis.

A decoction of chamomile and linden will help with chronic inflammation.

Treatment with folk remedies

At home, in addition to drug treatment, you can use folk recipes to relieve pain symptoms and reduce swelling. Only with the doctor's permission! Many specialists themselves give some advice from lay medicine in addition to basic therapy.

A decoction of black currant fruits is used to reduce joint swelling and pain.

• Compress with lemon juice to warm and relieve pain.
• A decoction of black currant fruits to reduce joint swelling and pain.
• An ointment based on turpentine ointment, apple cider vinegar and yolk to eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent the progression of the disease.
• Magnesium salt stones to reduce pain.
• Sea salt compress to warm up and reduce pain.

Prevention and therapeutic exercise for foot arthritis

To improve the condition of the foot joints, as well as to prevent diseases such as arthritis, perform the following therapeutic physical exercises:

• alternate bending and straightening of fingers and toes;
• walking on toes;
• grasping and lifting lying objects with your toes;
• alternate rotation of the feet in a circle;
• stroking movements with the feet of objects such as a ball or a thick stick;
• rolling with the help of your feet from place to place on a ball or a thick stick.

Performing therapeutic physical exercises for arthritis of the foot helps to increase joint mobility, develops the muscles of the foot, thereby gradually reducing inflammation and making the curvature of the joints of the leg less noticeable.

Diet therapy

In fact, most people who suffer from this disease tend to be overweight. A fairly large part of their daily diet is sugar and starch.

Consequently, a person consumes a sufficient amount of sweets, sugar, potatoes, etc. every day. These products cause the body to permanent basis increased acidity.

With arthrosis-arthritis of the foot, you need to ensure that this very acidity is reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the daily diet of a person suffering from this disease should contain as many vegetables and fruits as possible.

And in fact, it doesn’t matter at all whether he eats them fresh or cooks them. Separately, it is worth saying that you can eat apples, sorrel, plums, rowan, and sea buckthorn in unlimited quantities.

The diet for acute arthritis of the foot involves three meals a day. You can only eat raw vegetables and fruits. This system must be followed for at least 7 days. The diet can be repeated only after two months.

In most cases, people who suffer from foot arthritis have an obesity problem.

Their daily diet includes large amounts of starch, fats, carbohydrates, and sugar. This happens if they eat mainly potatoes, bread, candy and consume a lot of sweets. Because of this, the acidity of the whole body increases.

If a person has arthritis, then it is necessary to reduce the acidity level as much as possible.

A person’s diet must include greens, berries, fruits and vegetables in large quantities. They can be eaten individually or prepared in salads, desserts, etc. You can steam, boil or bake them.

It is useful to eat jelly, because... it contains active substances that are necessary to maintain not only the water balance of the body, but also for blood vessels and joints; they will be more flexible, cartilage tissue will begin to recover.

You need to eat apples, plums, sea buckthorn, rowan, sorrel, etc. in large quantities.

Meals should be fractional. This means that portions should be small, but you need to eat 3-5 times. Some doctors believe that such a diet should be followed only for a week from the moment of exacerbation of the disease, and then it should be repeated after 2 months.

But it’s best to simply accustom yourself to eating according to this pattern, since this will be a good prevention of exacerbation.

It is useful to include rice in your diet. It will help cleanse the body of harmful substances, t/c is a natural sorbent. Buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat, and barley porridge are suitable for nutrition.

By the way, lemons are very useful for arthritis. They not only improve the body's immunity to fight infection, but also help cleanse the body.

Thanks to ascorbic acid blood vessels I will work better, which will ensure sufficient nutrition of the joint tissues. You will also need garlic, onions and honey.

The basis of the diet for arthritis is to reduce the acidity of the body. It is recommended to eat a large amount of vegetables daily. In advanced cases or exacerbation of foot arthritis, it is recommended to completely switch to raw vegetables.

First of all, you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine. For a diet for gout, you should avoid foods that contain substances that synthesize uric acid. These are offal, fried, beans and cauliflower.

For all types of arthritis, you should increase the amount of calcium in your diet. This is done by taking dairy products. To restore cartilage, you should add fatty fish and seafood to your diet. The menu should be varied, including essential vitamins and minerals.

Fasting days on boiled rice help remove excess fluid. Effectively removes synovial fluid and salt.

Diet for arthritis is a good addition to the main treatment.