4 types of drugs that restore joints
Deforming osteoarthritis develops in most elderly people. Therefore, 80% of patients over 65 years of age need to take drugs, the action of which is aimed at restoring the cartilage tissue of the joints and protecting them from further destruction.
It is impossible to completely cure osteoarthritis today, but it is quite possible to slow down degenerative processes and improve the patient's quality of life.
The sooner drug therapy is started, the higher its effectiveness. Even the most modern drugs work only at stages I-II of arthrosis. If the disease progresses to stage III or IV, treatment will be ineffective. Only a surgeon can help a person.
Content:
- Chondroprotectors
- Synovial fluid liquid prostheses
- Hydrolyzed collagen
- Cell engineering products
Chondroprotectors
Most often, patients with osteoarthritis are prescribed chondroprotectors. These drugs are aimed at restoring the cartilaginous tissue of the joints, they prevent their destruction, stop inflammation and even activate chondrocytes to divide. It is advisable to prescribe them to patients with early stages of arthrosis.
At the moment, 3 generations of chondroprotectors are available:
- The first generation - preparations based on natural ingredients, for example, Chondroxide or Alflutop.
- The second generation - monopreparations, including: Struktum, Dona, Artradol.
- The third generation - preparations based on several active ingredients: Teraflex, Kondronova, Artra, Glucosamine-Chondroitin Plus.
The most effective drugs are the latest generation.
Chondroprotectors can be purchased in 3 forms of release: solutions for intramuscular injections and intra-articular administration, tablets and ointments. Solutions are rarely prescribed, although their bioavailability is higher than that of other forms. Ointments are recommended for use in the treatment of spondylosis and arthrosis of small joints.
The most prescribed form of chondroprotectors is tablets. It is recommended to take them in courses up to 3 months, 3-4 times a year.
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Popular chondroprotectors:
| Name | The main active ingredient | Description |
| Alflutop | Bioactive concentrate of small marine fish | It prevents the degeneration of healthy cartilage, stimulates their recovery, relieves inflammation, and reduces pain. To achieve the optimal effect, the drug is simultaneously injected into the joint and into the muscle. |
| Teraflex (III generation) | Glucose and Chondroitin | The action of the drug is aimed at starting the regeneration of the articular tissue. Release form - capsules. The minimum duration of admission is 2 months with a break of 3 months. |
| Don (2nd generation) | Glucosamine sulfate | The drug is less effective than multicomponent chondroprotectors. Release form - capsules, powder for oral administration and solution for preparation of injections (injected into the muscle). |
| Artra (3rd generation) | Chondroitin and Glucosamine | It is produced in the form of tablets, which are prescribed for a long course from 4 months to six months. |
| Structum (II generation) | Chondroitin sulfate | Release form - tablets. The drug is taken in courses. |
Synovial fluid liquid prostheses
Liquid prostheses are represented by hyaluronic acid preparations, which are injected into the articular cavity. They allow to normalize the composition and function of the joint, improve the properties of the synovial fluid. Due to high-quality trophism, the destruction of cartilage tissue is suspended.
Hyaluronic acid preparations for joint administration:
- Synvisc.
- Ostenil.
- Gyastat.
- Fermatron.
- Gow he.
Most of these drugs are available immediately in syringes, they are completely ready for administration. However, you cannot perform this procedure yourself. The injection must be given by a doctor in a medical facility.
Liquid dentures are effective in the early stages of disease development. They relieve pain and improve joint mobility. They are introduced 2-3 times a year.
Hydrolyzed collagen
This drug has been developed for people who are professionally involved in sports. It was taken by bodybuilders to increase the strength of bone tissue, for the elasticity of ligaments and joints. Over time, scientists have discovered that the hydrolyzed form of collagen promotes cartilage repair and also has an analgesic effect. In addition, the drug has a positive effect on bone structures by stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
Arthrosis doctors recommend the use of FORTIGEL drinking collagen hydrolyzate, which is contained in a preparation called CH-Alpha. The daily dose is 10 g. It is taken 1 time per day with meals. The course lasts 8 weeks.
The maximum effect can be achieved with complex therapy with chondroprotectors of the third generation and collagen hydrolyzate.
Cell engineering products
Scientists are still trying to invent a drug that would completely restore articular cartilage. In parallel, work is underway to create an artificial cartilage tissue. However, to date, the desired result has not been achieved.
Nevertheless, medical practice has already begun the active use of a cell-engineered product that allows the restoration of a person's own cartilage tissue.
Cell engineering products show better results compared to all known drugs. However, they are expensive, and the process of their creation has certain risks and difficulties. For example, grown cells can undergo microbial contamination. If such a product is injected into a joint, the patient will develop serious complications.
Cell engineering preparations that allow restoring cartilage tissue:
- Chondrolon;
- DeNovo-NT;
- Cartigel;
- Chondro-Gide;
- BioSeed-C.
They are made on the basis of autologous chondrocytes, which are taken from the patient himself. The harvested cells are placed in a nutrient medium, after cultivation, the necessary component is added to them and injected into the joint. The effect of their use is high, but the result cannot be achieved with arthrosis of the IV degree, when the pathological process has spread to the bone tissue.
Cell engineering preparations are not produced in Russia, but such technologies are actively developing in Korea, America and some European countries.
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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.
