Chondroprotectors For Arthrosis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Chondroprotectors for arthrosis

Chondroprotectors are a group of drugs that have a stimulating effect on the cartilage tissue, promoting its regeneration, and also inhibits subsequent destruction. If a person is diagnosed with arthrosis, this indicates that degenerative changes of a dystrophic nature have occurred in the articular tissues, there is pain and without treatment this will lead to their deformation. Naturally, with such changes, the main effect should be directed to the restoration of damaged tissues.

Content:

• Chondroprotectors for arthrosis - to drink or not to drink?
• Types of chondroprotectors
• Treatment with chondroprotectors for arthrosis
• What chondroprotectors to take for arthrosis?
• Recommendations for the use of chondroprotectors
• What to look for when choosing chondroprotectors?

Chondroprotectors for arthrosis - to drink or not to drink?

Although chondroprotectors are drugs aimed at restoring cartilage tissue, nevertheless, it is in the case of arthrosis that many patients have doubts about whether to use them. Such mistrust in this group of drugs is based on the fact that many patients indicate their low effectiveness. Although there are defenders of chondroprotectors, who say that it was they who helped them in the fight against the disease.

There are several reasons for this disagreement:

• First, you shouldn't hope for instant results. The effect of taking the drugs will be noticeable only after at least 3 months, and maybe even after six months (however, the positive effect will also be long lasting). Deviations from the scheme prescribed by the doctor are unacceptable. This is a feature of chondroprotectors, which is why they are classified as long-term agents.
• Secondly, drugs will be able to help only at those stages of the development of the disease when the cartilage has not yet been destroyed and has the ability to recover. When the joint space completely disappears, and the cartilage disappears, the chondroprotectors will be completely useless.

That is why the answer to the question about the advisability of taking this group of drugs during arthrosis is positive. But the effect will be noticeable only in case of prolonged use of funds at the initial stages of the development of the disease.

Types of chondroprotectors

The basis of any drug of this series is a substance contained in natural cartilage tissue. It is obtained from the bone or cartilaginous basis of living beings. These are chondroitin sulfate and its precursor glucosamine glycan.

The drugs are available in three dosage forms:

• Available as tablets, capsules or powder. it is taken orally for a long time, at least 4 months. Moreover, after this period, it will be possible to feel only the first result, and the most optimal effect is achieved after 7 months of treatment. It should be understood that you need to use the drug continuously and in large quantities, following the exact recommendations of the doctor. This is due to the fact that chondroitin is absorbed in the body in part due to its high molecular weight.
• By injection. Injections are made directly into the joint capsule. Due to the almost direct effect on the cartilage tissue, the effect of the treatment is felt quite quickly. The first improvements can be seen after the first course, which includes up to 20 injections. Nevertheless, the patient still cannot do without the subsequent long-term intake of pills, but the dosage after the course of injections will be less.
• In the form of ointments. The use of ointments alone for the treatment of the disease is not advisable, since the therapeutic effect cannot be achieved. They can be used during remission, as an adjuvant, or in combination with oral medication.

Treatment with chondroprotectors for arthrosis

The mechanism of therapeutic action is based on two basic components.

Chondroitin sulfate has the following effects:

• Promotes the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan, due to which new chondrocytes are formed.
• Improves anabolism in cartilage tissue.
• Stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, inhibits its premature decay.
• Improves the quality and volume of intra-articular fluid.
• Relieves inflammation, slows down the process of cartilage destruction.

Glucosamine has the following effects:

• Participates in the synthesis of heparin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin and other substances necessary for the normal functioning of cartilage.
• Relieves inflammation, puffiness, acts as an antioxidant.
• Helps reduce the activity of catabolic enzymes that have a destructive effect on the joint.

A similar mechanism of action of chondroprotectors on the joint determines their therapeutic effect in relation to arthrosis. The combination of two active ingredients in different drugs may vary, so only a doctor can select them and prescribe a dosage.

What chondroprotectors to take for arthrosis?

For the treatment of arthrosis, there are several generations of drugs that differ in composition.

The following medicines were found to be the most effective:

• Tablets manufactured in the USA - "Artra".
• Capsules manufactured in France - "Structum".
• Capsules and injection solution produced in Italy - "Dona".
• Capsules, country of issue Great Britain - "Teraflex".
• Russian-made capsules - "Chondroitin AKOS".
• Ampoules for injections made in Russia - "Hondrolon".

All drugs in tablets should be taken for six months on average, the terms are adjusted by an orthopedist.

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Recommendations for the use of chondroprotectors

Taking medications will not have the desired effect if the following conditions are not met:

• Weight loss is one of the basic conditions for the treatment and prevention of arthrosis. None, even the best drug, will help a person whose joints are subject to an unbearable load.
• Rest and less stress on sore joints. In this case, one should not forget about physical activity, but it should be reduced to long walks, and possibly to exercise therapy, but after consulting a doctor.
• Avoid hypothermia, and it is also necessary to interrupt the course of taking chondroprotectors while treating another infection.
• Refusal of treatment with this group of drugs during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in the event of an allergic reaction.

With the help of chondroprotectors, with the right approach, you can achieve the following results:

• Restoration of the cartilage tissue damaged by the disease, by providing it with all the necessary components.
• Increased production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.
• Refusal of the need for a cartilage replacement surgery, in case of successful treatment.

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What to look for when choosing chondroprotectors?

When buying a drug, there are several important points to consider:

• Country of manufacture and direct manufacturer. If this is a large pharmaceutical company, then there is less chance of getting a low-quality chondroprotector, since such organizations try to protect their products as much as possible from the possibility of counterfeiting.
• When buying chondroprotectors, you need to pay attention to whether the purchased product is a dietary supplement or a drug. Both, if taken correctly, will have an effect, but the treatment regimen, as well as its duration, will vary. In addition, quality dietary supplements must be GMP certified.
• You need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the selected product. It is based on one or more components. The doctor will help determine which one is best for each specific case.

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.