Medications for joint recovery

Nowadays, pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, namely, joint damage, are among the most diagnosed ailments. According to WHO, in terms of prevalence, they lag behind only diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems. This forces pharmacists to create more and more new drugs to restore joints. Among themselves, they differ in composition, direction of action and other characteristics.

The structure of the joints and the causes of their destruction

Any joint consists of two types of tissues: bone and cartilage. The first is a solid base of the articulation, and the second provides a soft sliding of its components relative to each other. Cartilage is divided into three types: hyaline, fibrous and elastic.

Cartilage gets the nutrients it needs from bones because it lacks blood vessels. This means that if there is a problem in one part of the structure, then the whole joint begins to suffer. And due to the lack of nerve endings in the cartilage, the development of the disease can be overlooked in time. Various failures in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system usually appear over the years, so they are usually referred to as age-related ailments.

The main reasons leading to the destruction of the joint:

• Metabolic disorder within the cartilage itself . The main components of any cartilage are collagen and proteins, and the main substances that make up proteins are chondroitin and glucosamines. The violation of the exchange of these components can lead to: unbalanced nutrition, serious diseases of the pancreas and other factors.
• Joint inflammation . It can be caused by trauma, excessive load, hypothermia of the joint and a number of other reasons. If you do not start taking an anti-inflammatory drug and a medicine to restore the joint in a timely manner, this will lead to the destruction of cartilage. As a result, problems will begin with the production of synovial fluid necessary for lubrication. The substance released instead of it can provoke inflammation in the healthy parts of the joint and the growth of bone tissue with the formation of spikes. Often recurring inflammation can eventually cause such a serious disease as osteoarthritis.
• Excessive loads . Here, not only the increased time of exposure to the joint is important, but also the degree of stress, as well as their number. Unceasing increased loads, as well as injuries, lead to the destruction of the joint and cartilage, lead to bone deformation.
• Extra weight . In this case, the load on the joints is directly proportional to the number of extra pounds and the degree of human activity.

Which joints are affected first?

Since intervertebral discs, hip, knee and wrist joints are subjected to the greatest load, the first problems arise in them. For example, the cartilaginous tissue of the hands (especially the right one) is affected every day by heavy monotonous work associated with both lifting heavy objects and other actions. The cartilage is gradually destroyed, and it becomes more and more difficult to return it to a healthy state. Similar processes are observed in other joints.

The first signs of joint damage

The development of joint ailments can be seen by a number of symptoms. The most harmless of them is a crunch when moving. Further - worse: pain in the knees, feet and hands, in the lumbar and cervical spine, the inability to quickly straighten up after prolonged work in an inclined position. All these signs are evidence of osteoarthritis.

Over time, the pain does not subside even at rest; in the morning, a person needs some time to “disperse”; in the most advanced cases, you can not do without a cane or walker.

Joint restoration is possible

To regenerate the bone structure, it is enough to take calcium-containing drugs and vitamin D3. And to return a healthy state to cartilage is to restore not only their main tissue, but also the perichondrium. First of all, you should take care of cartilage cells - chondrocytes, remove inflammation from them and block the action of destructive substances. The next step will be to start the repair process in the intercellular substance of the cartilage.

The solution of all these problems is within the power of special medical preparations, which are called chondroprotectors. But high efficiency should be expected from them only in the early stages of the disease, with partial destruction of cartilage tissue. In advanced cases, there will be no positive result from the use of these drugs.

About the types of chondroprotectors

Medicines for restoring joints are divided into several subspecies depending on the active substance, method of exposure, effect, as well as the proportion of certain components in the total volume. Chondroprotectors have shown the greatest effectiveness when used in the early stages of joint diseases.

In advanced cases and with severe pain, combined agents are used, including chondroprotectors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Full recovery is possible only with long courses of taking these drugs.

Chondroprotectors are mandatory for the following ailments:

• osteochondrosis of the spine;
• arthrosis and arthritis of various areas;
• cartilage destruction.

During an exacerbation of these diseases, chondroprotectors are taken along with antibiotics, vitamins, hormones, sedatives, muscle relaxers and vasodilators prescribed by a doctor.

Means based on chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin, being one of the most important glucosamines, is involved in the synthesis of cartilage proteins, recreating its structure and functions. It activates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

By stimulating chondrocyte cells, these drugs promote the most effective regeneration of cartilage and perichondrium compared to other drugs. They quickly return mobility to the joint, reduce pain and other manifestations of osteoarthritis.

This category includes the following funds: "Chondrolon", "Mukosat", "Chondrogard", "Struktum", "Artrin", "Artadol", "Chondroitin-akos". They are available in tablets, capsules and solutions. Designed for long term treatment.

Glucosamine based products

Glucosamine is a constituent of many organic compounds. So, it is the main component of chitin, obtained mainly from the shell of arthropods. Taking medications based on this substance prevents the occurrence of cartilage damage and improves metabolism in it.

This includes such drugs: "Chondroxide maximum", "Don", "Elbona", "Glucosamine sulfate", "Sustilak". These are not only tablets for restoring joints, but also powders, suspensions, solutions for injections, and "Chondroxide maximum" is even available in the form of a cream.

Medicines of animal origin

To create a number of medicines, cartilage and bones of animals are used - for example, calves or inhabitants of the underwater world.

This category includes Rutamol and Biartrin products, which include an extract of bone marrow and cartilage tissue of calves. The presence in the preparations of various components of cartilage not only significantly accelerates the regeneration of the same type of tissue in a patient, but also slows down the process of its aging.

Rutamol and Biartrin are sold exclusively in ampoules, since they are intended only for intramuscular injection. Their analogue, produced on the basis of marine fauna, is Alflutop. Before taking these drugs, you should pay attention to numerous contraindications, the main of which are intolerance to a foreign protein, autoimmune diseases and pregnancy.

Mucopolysaccharides

The action of these drugs is aimed at slowing down the aging process of cartilage and activating the synthesis of synovial fluid, which ultimately relieves stiffness from the joints. This group includes "Arteparon", intended for intramuscular injection and long-term use. In certain cases, mucopolysaccharides are indispensable, but they have many contraindications. Among them are some diseases of the digestive and urinary systems.

Preparations based on several active substances

For a complex effect on the joint, you should seek help from drugs that include both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These are Teraflex, Chondroflex, Artra, Artron Complex, Chondrogluxide, Glucosamine + Chondroitin.

Multicomponent agents are characterized by high efficiency and are also intended for long-term treatment. Most of them are available in the form of tablets and capsules, but certain preparations are intended for topical use - these are ointments and creams (for example, Teraflex M). There are practically no contraindications and side effects.

Combined funds

The course of osteoarthritis in most cases is accompanied by pain. To restore cartilage and simultaneously suppress discomfort, pharmacists have developed complex medicines. They include both cartilage components and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The most popular combination drugs include Artrodar and Teraflex Advance.

Elderly people and people suffering from diseases of the digestive system should take medicines containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components with great caution. Although the effectiveness of these funds is indisputable, getting rid of joint disease with their help can lead to serious complications in the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

Nonsteroidal drugs

As follows from the previous description, these drugs are aimed solely at relieving inflammation. Non-steroidal drugs should be taken: in complex therapy if they are not included in the composition of the main drug; in case of acute pain, if necessary, quickly remove inflammation and enhance the effect of analgesics. Available in the form of tablets, solutions, ointments, are part of creams and gels.

At the head of non-steroids is Diclofenac, which is widely used in the treatment of diseases of the intervertebral discs, knee and hip joints. The category of highly effective means includes "Voltaren" and "Diklak".

This category also includes funds intended not only for the treatment of joint pathologies, but also for other problems of the musculoskeletal system. These are Indomethacin, Nimeluside, Ketoprofen. Separately, Ibuprofen should be singled out, the main advantage of which is that it has no contraindications, that is, it is prescribed for children, pregnant women, etc. Its relatively harmless counterparts are Nurofen and Reumatin.

Medicines based on hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most important components of the synovial fluid, since it is it that is the lubricant. Any drug for restoring joints, produced on its basis, is injected into the joint. Thanks to this, it works as quickly as possible. Treatment is carried out in courses, the duration of which depends on the severity of the disease. After 6 - 12 months, therapy is repeated.

Contraindications include: the presence of severe inflammation in the joints, dermatological ailments and childhood. Since hyaluronic acid must be injected into the joint, treatment is impossible without the participation of an orthopedic traumatologist.

Homeopathic preparations

The main advantage of using homeopathic remedies is their absolute harmlessness and the complete absence of side effects and contraindications. They can be used by pregnant women, children and nursing mothers. An exception is only the individual intolerance of the body of certain components of the drug. Treatment with homeopathic remedies takes a long time, but leads to a lasting effect. The best drugs in this category are "Traumeel S" and "Tsel T". They have a complex effect on the joint: relieve inflammation and pain, restore its mobility. Available in the form of tablets, solution and gel.

Products containing collagen

A significant part of the preparations produced on the basis of collagen are dietary supplements. One of the most popular of them is Collagen Ultra. A great effect from taking this dietary supplement has not yet been noticed, as well as negative side effects.

Which of the above drugs to choose - everyone must decide for himself. Here, you need to take into account the recommendations of the doctor, the individual characteristics of the body, as well as your material capabilities. In parallel, it is worth taking care of proper nutrition. But the most important thing in the event of joint diseases is to start treatment in a timely manner, since even a slight delay can lead to irreversible changes.