Osteoarthritis Treatment: The Innovative Way to Get Rid of Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to wear away. The disease is especially common in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and lower back. and the spine, But it can also affect other joints in the body. As the cartilage wears down, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and limited movement. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest, and decreased range of motion in the affected joint. Over time, the condition may worsen and affect daily activities and overall well-being. Osteoarthritis has treatment that can relieve pain.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, especially the elderly, who suffer not only from pain but also from impaired mobility due to the gradual breakdown of cartilage. Normally, the body’s defense mechanisms will take care of joint wear and tear, but joint injuries, continuous stress on them, and a family history of arthritis, along with the fact that the world’s population is aging and global obesity problems – all of these make the need for effective treatment strategies for osteoarthritis increasingly urgent.
Sometimes bone spurs (osteophytes) will form near the joints in areas where the cartilage is damaged and the joint is degenerating. Over time, as the degenerative process progresses, the bones of the joints thicken and movement becomes more difficult and painful. Fluid buildup in the joints due to inflammation can cause them to swell.
Osteoarthritis must be distinguished from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
* Pain: mainly during activities that put strain on the joints – running, lifting heavy weights; in the knees while climbing stairs or climbing; in the hips during movement and also at rest, especially at night; in the palms of the hands.
* Joint stiffness: mainly upon waking in the morning, which passes shortly after performing body movements.
* Difficulty moving the joint
* Joint tenderness
* Swelling, lumps/bumps in the joint
* Muscle weakness
Osteoarthritis diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by an orthopedic surgeon, who examines the painful area. In most cases, the diagnosis will be made without the need for blood tests or imaging. If it is necessary to rule out rheumatoid arthritis or a fracture, the appropriate tests will be performed.
Osteoarthritis Treatment
While osteoarthritis has no cure, a combination of treatments can significantly relieve pain and improve joint function, slow the progression of joint damage, and improve a patient’s mobility and overall quality of life. A comprehensive treatment plan typically includes a combination of medications and non-drug therapies tailored to the severity of the disease and the patient’s individual needs.
Conventional treatments
* Pain treatment : Pain reduction is the primary treatment for osteoarthritis, and includes medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) for mild to moderate pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (with prolonged and regular use, they may cause side effects in the gastrointestinal system), and topical painkillers in the form of creams and gels aimed at local pain relief with fewer systemic effects.
* Intra-articular injections : These include anti-inflammatory corticosteroid injections that provide short-term relief for moderate to severe pain by reducing inflammation (long-term, regular use of these may actually accelerate joint degeneration), and injections of hyaluronic acid (a visco-additive) that aim to “lubricate” the joint and reduce pain (but it does not prevent the degenerative condition from worsening).
*Physical therapy: It plays a vital role in treating the disease by strengthening the muscles surrounding the affected joint, improving flexibility and reducing pain. Regular practice may significantly improve function.
* Assistive devices : Orthotic insoles and walking aids help distribute body weight more correctly, in order to relieve pressure on the joints and improve mobility.
Surgical treatments
When conservative treatments are not helpful enough, surgical treatment should be considered. These include:
* Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that involves removing loose cartilage or debris from within the joint. This treatment is good for a limited time.
*Osteotomy : Cutting the bone can reduce pressure on the joints, especially in younger, more active patients.
* Joint replacement: In severe cases, replacing the damaged joint with a prosthetic joint, such as a knee replacement, can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility. This surgical procedure has a high success rate, but it is not always beneficial for everyone and requires a long recovery time.
Innovative treatments
* Platelet-rich plasma therapy: Injecting the patient’s own platelets helps reduce inflammation and speed up recovery. Since this is a relatively new procedure, there is not yet enough research on its effects.
* Stem cell therapy : Experimental research in this field is designed to regenerate cartilage around joints, but there is not yet enough research information to judge its effectiveness.
* Digital apps : Wearable devices and mobile phone apps help to track symptoms, ensure an exercise routine, and manage the disease.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes play a significant role in the treatment of osteoarthritis:
* Maintaining a healthy weight: Excess weight increases stress on joints, especially the knees. Therefore, losing weight not only reduces symptoms but may also slow the progression of the disease.
* Physical activityLow-intensity activities such as swimming, cycling, and yoga help maintain proper joint function without exacerbating pain. Along with this, it is important to do strengthening exercises for the muscles around the affected joints.
* Diet and nutrition: Anti-inflammatory diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce joint inflammation. Anti-inflammatory supplements can also be used. Herbal remedies such as turmeric, ginger, and boswellia have anti-inflammatory properties.
* Alternative medicine : Acupuncture may reduce pain in some cases.
Osteoarthritis Treatment – with MEDKEY Technology in the Q -room
MEDKEY technology treatment at Q Room works in several ways that can improve range of motion and speed up recovery:
- Pain reduction: The treatment helps reduce pain signals sent to the brain, thereby reducing the sensation of pain. The treatment helps patients move the affected area more freely and without fear of pain.
- Endorphin release : MEDKEY technology treatment Encourages the body to release endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. The release of endorphins helps reduce pain and makes it easier to continue treatment with exercises to improve range of motion and strength.
- Muscle relaxation : Q-ROOM treatment helps relax stiff and contracted muscles around the affected area, which accelerates improvement in joint movement.
- Improving blood circulation: Q-room therapy helps improve blood flow to the treated area. Improved blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues, helping the body begin its natural healing process.
- Reducing inflammation and swelling: Electrical stimulation therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area. Treating inflammation helps reduce pain and improve range of motion.
The treatment protocol, developed with teams in Australia and Germany, helps regulate and balance the nervous system, thus Q-ROOM treatment can help reduce pain and relieve other symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.
