Is chondroprotectors effective in osteochondrosis: we choose the best drugs

In our time, osteochondrosis has become a very common disease, it worries both young and old people. This disease provides a great danger to the spine, as during it the intervertebral discs are destroyed.

In the end, this can lead to a complete loss of motor functions. Treatment of this violation is long and often it does not guarantee full recovery.

During the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, chondroprotectors are often used. This group of drugs allows you to quickly restore the structure of bones, normalize their properties and restore all missing components.

What is osteochondrosis and its causes

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which a cartilaginous tissue located between the vertebrae is destroyed. Throughout life on the spine is a strong load and under the influence of various negative factors, wear and deformation of the cartilaginous tissue is observed.

Osteochondrosis can cause various reasons:

• performing heavy physical work;
• presence of hereditary predisposition;
• appearance of an exchange disorder;
• appearance of curvature of the spinal column as a scoliosis;
• various injuries;
• availability of harmful occupational factors;
• influence of various harmful components;
• improper power;
• obesity;
• physical inactivity;
• permanent long-term work at the computer.

Chondroprotectors for osteochondrosis: features of

Treatment of osteochondrosis is usually performed with the help of conservative therapy. In this case, chondroprotectors are often used. But they should be used in conjunction with the main therapeutic treatment.

Drugs of this type appeared quite recently and at first the opinion of doctors about their effectiveness differed. Some thought that chondroprotectors increase the properties of cartilaginous tissue, they can restrain moisture in the cartilage, while others say that they are not effective, and insisted that their reception provides only temporary improvement.

But at the moment most professionals are sure that it is necessary to apply chondroprotectors during the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine and articular diseases.

Chondroprotectors contain two main elements - glucosamine and chondroitin. These substances improve the state of the synovial fluid, which gives joints elasticity and elasticity.

With the use of these funds, all bones, cartilage, inflammation and pain are strengthened.

But it is worth remembering that the effect of using these drugs does not come immediately, sometimes the action comes only after 2 months. Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis is always long, it can last for years or more.

The most effective chondroprotectors are made on the basis of bones, ligaments, blood of animals and fish. It is due to these constituent components that the synovial fluid structure that is located inside the joint bag is affected.

In addition, this property allows the successful use of these drugs for arthrosis. The best result is obtained with simultaneous use of drugs for internal and local use.

Another quality that needs to be considered is the weight of the molecule. The mass level of the molecules is large enough, so while they reach the cartilage in the spine, it takes a long time. For this reason, preparations in the tablet form during osteochondrosis of the spine are taken in high dosages.

The difference in dosages between different forms of chondroprotectors is quite large. For example, intra-articular injections are performed in a dosage of 100 mg per day, injections are done once every two to seven days.

But the same drug, but in the form of tablets, you need to use 750 mg twice or thrice a day.

How does the medicine reach its destination?

When carrying out the relevant clinical studies it was revealed that two components - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride, showed the greatest effectiveness in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

In addition, it has been proven that glucosamine is not only immediately absorbed into the cartilage and improves the process of production of hyaluronic acid, but also enhances the process of synthesizing its own chondroitin within the body.

Chondroitin has an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it is part of a group of inhibitors of destruction of the periarticular tissues.

Chondroprotectors can be used in several ways:

1. Oral administration of .Means in the form of tablets are taken for at least three months without interruption. After that, supportive treatment is conducted during the same period.
2. Intramuscular injections of .Usually, when intramuscular introduction, drugs are used - Alflutop, Hondrolon. The treatment period is about 2 weeks. After this, drugs are taken in the form of tablets for 4-5 months.
3. Introduction of intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid .In this case, it is necessary to use Alflutope, as well as other drugs with a base of hyaluronic acid. These drugs recreate the natural lubrication in the joints, maintain the necessary level of moisture in the intervertebral discs. During the treatment of osteochondrosis, chondroprotectors for injection injections are injected with suplazin injections, Ostenil. Additionally, therapy with tablets of approximately 4-5 months is provided.
4. Use of external tools .When there is intense pain in the spine, the use of chondroprotectors for topical application is used. Medications in this form are administered using special therapy methods. To normalize the permeability of cells and the assimilation of useful components, additional drugs are often used, for example, Dimethyl sulfoxide.

Important and necessary recommendations of

When using medicines related to the group of chondroprotectors, it is important to take into account important recommendations that will significantly improve the patient's condition and provide effective treatment:

• during treatment should avoid excessive physical exertion, especially on the area of ​​the spine to be treated;
• needs to walk every day for at least half an hour, the distance should be about 2-3 kilometers;
• it is necessary to do rest during exercise, every hour you need to rest for about 10-15 minutes;
• is recommended to do therapeutic gymnastics, all exercises should be performed while lying or sitting, it is very good to use asanas of yoga;
• need to change the menu, especially if there is excess weight, - with increased body weight, you should eat as much as possible foods in raw form, fiber, vitamins, minerals and eat as little as possible ready-made meals;
• it is recommended to avoid sudden changes in the temperature regime and supercooling of the sore spot.

Restrictions for use of

Chondroprotectors are not advisable to use in the following situations:

• is contraindicated in women during the period of gestation;
• when breastfeeding;
• if there is an individual intolerance of the constituent components;
• in the presence of inflammatory lesions of the stomach and intestines.

How to choose the right drug?

All chondroprotectors are divided into 6 groups:

1. The first type is .This group includes medicines with chondroitin sulfate - Hondrolon, Structum, Mucosate, Chondroxide.
2. The second type is .This group includes medicines with elements of cartilage and bone marrow of fish and animals. Here it is possible to carry - Rumalon and Alflutop.
3. The third type is .This type can include chondroprotectors with mucopolysaccharides - Arteparon.
4. The fourth type is .It includes drugs with glucosamine and chondroitin-4-sulfate - Don and Arthra.
5. The fifth type is .This type of medicine includes medicines that contain chondroitin, glucosamine and vitamins. These include - Arthron Complex, Formula-C, Teraflex.
6. The sixth type is .This type includes medicines containing chondroitin and elements with anti-inflammatory action. This includes - Artrodar.

Among a large number of chondroprotectors that are sold on the pharmacological market, there is a group of drugs based on the substance chondroitin-4-sulfate, thanks to the properties of which, these drugs are popular for the treatment of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine.

The formula chondroitin-4-sulfate

Since glucosamine is a precursor of chondroitin and when it is introduced into the body, the production of its own glucosamine proceeds, then the drugs of the 4th group are the most popular in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine.

The list of preparations of the group of chondroprotectors of domestic and foreign manufacturers is quite wide. The following medicines are in greatest demand:

1. Dona .This agent is manufactured in Italy, is available in powder form and as a solution for injection injections.
2. Artra .Produced in a tablet form, the manufacturer - the United States.
3. Structure of .Production of France, is available in the form of capsules.
4. Chondrolone .Produced in Russia, produced in the form of injections.
5. Teraflex .This tool is manufactured in the UK.On sale found in the form of capsules.
6. Chondroitin AKOS .This medicine is produced in Russia. Available in the form of capsules.

The use of chondroprotectors is recommended to be combined with the main treatment. The greatest effect is achieved as a result of combining drugs with physiotherapy procedures.