Chondoprotective medicines for osteoarthritis: injections, ointments, tablets

To restore the damaged cartilage in osteochondrosis of the spine are assigned chondroprotective drugs. Wear and tear of the joints contributes to the loss of water due to lack of in the body chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. These substances are made to maintain the synovial fluid that fills the hollow joints and to cope with the task of lubrication of the vertebrae, eliminating a possible friction. In the case of reducing the quality of the synovial fluid is a "drying" of the cartilage. In the result, the thinner the layer between the intervertebral disks, causing contact between them, resulting in severe pain.

Chondroprotectors, artificially introduced into the human body in the form of tablets, injection or ointment, allow us to stop pain, slow the progression of osteoarthritis, to rebuild damaged tissue, strengthen the tendons and ligaments, as well as to maintain mobility of the joints. It is noteworthy that cartilage consists of collagen fibers resembling a sponge. Fiber contain 10% chondrocytic cells located in a matrix of glycosaminoglycans.

The whole design provides the flexibility and mobility of the vertebrae. Cells are chondrocytes, doing the dead tissue, restore it, providing nourishment for the bones or synovial fluid. Nutrients are delivered to the fiber through the joints, because the cartilage has no blood vessels and nerve roots. Chondroitin sulfate is an analgesic and has anti-inflammatory effects on damaged tissue, allowing the use of this product group makes the patient's condition in diseases of the spine.

Classification of drugs

The chondroprotective drugs in degenerative disc disease are prescribed in the form of capsules, tablets, injections, gels and ointments. Today, there are several types of chondroprotectors:

• Alflutop and Rumalon. Made from extracts of cartilage, sea creatures and bone of animals;
• Arton Flex and don. The main active ingredient is the glucosamine, it is best regenerating damaged cartilage tissue. Are the most popular drugs on the market;
• Symptoms, Chonsurid, hondrolon, Mucosal, Structum and Artron, chondrex. Created based on chondroitin sulfuric acid;
• Arteparon. Contains mucopolysaccharides that have a beneficial effect on damaged osteochondrosis vertebra. Unfortunately, Arteparon has the greatest number of contraindications, including ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes and other diseases of internal organs;
• Artrodar. Chondroprotectors in this group are composed of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Artrodar prescribed to reduce pain, edema degenerative processes and stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid which are key components of cartilage.
• Artron complex, teraflex, the Formula-S. a Combination of drugs. Contain all the components necessary to supply adequate nutrition of the cartilaginous tissue and sinodale liquid.

Method of application

Osteochondrosis of the spine specialist will examine the diagnostic results and prescribe a course of therapy. This takes into account the complexity of the disease, the stage of destruction of the cartilage and the overall condition of the patient.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine accumulate in the body gradually. A positive effect of treatment is observed not earlier than after three months of use. In some cases the course may be scheduled for six months. If you need longer-term treatment, after six months, we need to take a short break. It can reach from one to three months.

To strengthen the effect of simultaneous reception of tablets, injections and ointments. Doses are strictly individual, so you must adhere to doctor's appointments. The instructions indicated are recommendations.

Injections are appointed as an intramuscular (Alflutop, Chondrolon) and intraarticular (Alflutop, Splain, Ostenil). Such treatment is performed solely at the clinic. Course shots rarely exceed 21 days, after which the treatment goes to the tableting.

Ointments and gels should be rubbed directly on the affected area the back to treat pain with the disappearance of edema. In a hospital setting creams and ointments are introduced through phonophoresis, magnetophoresis and industriemotoren. This is done to enhance the absorption of nutrients. Therapy is prescribed by 7-10 times.

Chondroitin sulfate in the productspower

As adjuvant therapy to maintain the amortization functions of the cartilage and increase the strength of connective tissue can be added to the diet of foods rich in chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Among the main are the following:

• Skin, cartilage, and tendons of animals. The maximum amount of glycosaminoglycans found in fish. Among the most saturated chondroitin foods are red meat, fish, cartilage (salmon), beef and white chicken meat.
• All hard cheese.

There is a problem with cooking, is rich in the required elements. The fact that during heating (boiling, frying) volatile compounds glucosamine and chondroitin are easily destroyed. Besides, most of it accumulated in cartilage. So to replace a full medical therapy solely adding it to the food groups above products is not possible.

Sometimes patients want to additionally use supplements containing the substances in question. From a medical point of view it's harmless, but not effective enough and expensive.

Contraindications

Drugs chondroprotective groups have virtually no side effects. In rare cases may experience allergic reactions and individual intolerance. Therefore, to apply the drugs must only after consultation with your doctor.

Funds is absolutely contraindicated in the rare genetic disease phenylketonuria associated with a metabolic disorder. It is also desirable to use preparations of this drug group to women in the wait state of the child and during breast-feeding.

To negative side effects can result in the use of chondroprotection in the acute phase of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to bloating and irregular bowel movement.

Recommendations for use

In order to achieve the desired effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis should follow some rules:

• To pay more attention to the diet, increasing the amount of vegetables, fruit, fish products, and to reduce the consumption of salt;
• If you can not change a sedentary lifestyle due to working conditions, you should periodically do light exercises, do breathing exercises and, if possible, to devote more time to walks on fresh air;
• You need to see a specialist at the first symptoms. In poor condition the duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine increases significantly;
• Adhere strictly to doctor's appointments, reducing the dose required for sufficient accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in cartilage.

The use of chondroprotectors is a new milestone in the treatment of osteoarthritis and in recent years has shown its worth.