What medicine should you take for degenerative arthritis?
Degenerative arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a common joint disease that mostly affects middle-aged and elderly people. It is mainly characterized by joint pain, stiffness and limited mobility. For the treatment of degenerative arthritis, drugs are one of the important means of relief. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to the commonly used drugs and precautions for degenerative arthritis.
1. Commonly used drugs for degenerative arthritis
Treatment drugs for degenerative arthritis mainly include analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectants, etc. The following are the currently commonly used clinical drug classifications and representative drugs:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, celecoxib | Suppresses inflammatory response, relieves pain and swelling | Long-term use may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, please follow medical advice |
| painkillers | Acetaminophen | Relieve mild to moderate pain | Overdose may damage the liver |
| chondroprotectant | Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate | Promote cartilage repair and delay joint degeneration | It needs to be taken for a long time, and the effect varies from person to person. |
| topical medication | Diclofenac sodium gel, capsaicin patch | Act directly on the painful area to reduce systemic side effects | People with sensitive skin should use with caution |
| Glucocorticoids | Intra-articular injection (such as prednisolone) | Quickly relieves severe inflammation and pain | The number of injections per year is limited, avoid frequent use |
2. Hot discussions on drug treatment of degenerative arthritis
There has been a lot of discussion recently on social media and medical forums about drug treatments for degenerative arthritis. The following are hot topics in the past 10 days:
1.Glucosamine sulfate controversy: Some studies believe that its effect on cartilage repair is limited, but there are still patients reporting improved symptoms. Experts recommend choosing based on individual circumstances.
2.Management of side effects of NSAIDs: Long-term use of NSAIDs may increase cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks and requires regular monitoring.
3.Exploration of emerging therapies: Stem cell therapy and PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections have become popular research directions, but they are still in the experimental stage.
3. Precautions for drug treatment
1.personalized medicine: The severity of degenerative arthritis is different from the patient’s constitution, so drugs need to be selected under the guidance of a doctor.
2.Avoid drug abuse: Long-term dependence on painkillers may mask the progression of the disease and delay treatment opportunities.
3.Combined non-pharmacological treatment: Medical treatment should be combined with physical therapy, weight management and moderate exercise for better results.
4. Frequently asked questions of patients
1.How long do I need to take the medicine?: Chondroprotective agents usually need to be taken continuously for 3-6 months, while analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs can be adjusted according to symptoms.
2.Are Chinese medicines effective?: Some traditional Chinese medicines (such as Tripterygium wilfordii) may relieve symptoms, but there is a lack of large-scale clinical evidence and should be used with caution.
3.When is surgery needed?: When medical treatment is ineffective and joint function is severely impaired, joint replacement surgery may be considered.
5. Summary
The drug treatment of degenerative arthritis is a comprehensive management process. It is necessary to select appropriate drugs according to the condition and pay attention to side effects. At the same time, maintaining good living habits and a positive attitude are crucial to alleviating symptoms. If you or a family member is suffering from this problem, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly and develop a personalized treatment plan.
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