How is an arthrosis relapse treated? | Arthrosis relapse

How is an arthrosis relapse treated?

The therapy of an arthrosis relapse cannot be standardized and must be designed individually. However, it should be noted that there is still no cure for osteoarthritis. The aim is to reduce the pain and limitations and to prevent consequential damage.

Arthrosis patients have various treatment options available, although some measures are controversial in specialist circles. Patients should consult a physician for the exact planning of a suitable therapy. One of the possible therapeutic measures is wearing bandages.

This can help to relieve the strain on the joints and can thus alleviate load-dependent pain during an arthrosis attack. A joint puncture, in which fluid is sucked out of the joint, can improve pressure-induced pain and movement restrictions caused by swelling. Patients also use home remedies such as various types of joint wraps and heat applications to relieve an arthrosis attack. Within the framework of drug therapy, so-called anti-rheumatic drugs, i.e. painkillers, are used as well as cortisone, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. and Proff® Pain Cream

Duration of an arthrosis attack

The duration of the arthrosis relapse depends on the severity of the underlying arthrosis, i.e. wear and tear of the joint, and on the cause that triggered the arthrosis relapse. In early-stage osteoarthritis, in which the joint becomes inflamed, for example as a result of light stress, the arthrosis flare can disappear after just one or two days. However, the duration of the arthrosis flare can be considerably longer if the stage of the arthrosis is already advanced or if the flare of the arthrosis is caused by a permanent malposition or overloading of the joint.

In order to keep the duration of an arthrosis relapse as short as possible, it is very important to relieve the joint as much as possible. Only simple movements without additional weight should be performed. In addition, elevating the affected body part can be helpful. Furthermore, cooling shortens the duration of an arthrosis attack.

Forecast

The arthrosis begins gradually and irregularly at first. After an acute flare of arthrosis, months of freedom from symptoms often follow before a new flare of arthrosis occurs. However, the pain-free intervals become shorter and shorter and the pain more and more severe.

The joint is increasingly destroyed and the pain is severe. In the final stage, patients report permanent pain that is no longer interrupted by pain-free episodes. An already existing arthrosis cannot be reversed or cured so far.

Localization of the relapses

If one suffers from arthrosis in the knee area, i.e. wear and tear of the knee joint, inflammatory activation of the arthrosis can occur again and again. This is also known as an arthrosis attack. In most cases, the acute pain that occurs when the knee joint is moved is the leading cause.

In addition, the typical signs of inflammation are usually present: Redness, swelling and overheating. These are caused by an increased blood circulation in the joint, which leads to the inflammation of cells of our natural defence system. Frequently, an arthrosis attack in the knee leads to a significant restriction of movement and prevents, for example, rapid walking or climbing stairs.

. An arthrosis attack on the finger initially manifests itself in the fact that movements in the affected joint become increasingly painful. An arthrosis attack means that the corresponding joint, which was already suffering from arthosis, has become inflamed.

In the case of an inflammation, the area is supplied with more blood in order to transport more cells of the immune system there. This causes the affected finger joint to become red and warm. In addition, some fluid leaks from the blood vessels and the area swells.

Due to pain and swelling, the joint often cannot be moved anymore and thus loses its function for the duration of the arthrosis attack. The joints of the foot can also be affected by arthrosis. The metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is particularly often affected by chronic wear and tear.

Repeated episodes of arthrosis can also occur in the foot. In this case the damaged joint becomes acutely inflamed. Typical symptoms are strong painfulness during movement as well as redness, swelling and overheating of the joint.

Patients usually suffer from severe movement restrictions and may not be able to walk on their feet. Arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint is very common and is also known as rhizarthrosis. Here the thumb joint is chronically worn out.

Like any other arthrosis, the thumb can also manifest a surge of arthrosis. Typical of this is increasing pain when moving the thumb. In addition, the classic signs of inflammation occur: swelling, redness and overheating.

These are inflammatory due to increased blood flow in the affected joint. Consequently, mobility in the thumb joint is usually severely restricted by pain and swelling. You can find more information on this topic here: Thumb saddle joint arthrosis.

The wrist can also be affected by arthrosis due to chronic wear and tear. If there is now an inflammatory reactivation of the arthrosis – also known as an arthrosis relapse – the pain initially usually increases when the wrist is moved. As the inflamed wrist is supplied with more blood, it also becomes overheated, reddened and swollen. A painful restriction of movement is typical.