Physiotherapy is very important in the treatment for osteoarthritis and should be performed preferably every day, with rest on weekends, but when this is not possible, it is recommended to do physiotherapy at least 3 times a week.
The resources used by the physiotherapist can vary according to the complaint presented by the patient and his / her abilities and therefore each person must be personally assessed by a physical therapist who will indicate what each person needs to recover.
Some options that may be useful are:
1. Ice or heat
Ice or heat bags are some of the treatment options to reduce pain and inflammation. When there are inflammatory signs, cold compresses are the best options because they reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasms. Cryotherapy can be applied 3 to 4 times a day, for 10 to 15 minutes each time. The ice should not come into direct contact with the skin, and should be wrapped in a thin cloth or sheets of kitchen paper, for example. It is normal for the area to be slightly whitish initially and the sensation of decreased pain comes after about 7 to 12 minutes.
Find out when it's best to use ice or heat by clicking here.
2. Electrotherapy
The use of devices such as tension, ultrasound, short-wave, laser and magnetotherapy can be useful but should not be used all at the same time. Iontophoresis can be indicated to facilitate the penetration of drugs into the site of pain and the application time can vary between 10 to 45 minutes. Ultrasound should be performed especially after using ice to have more effect and the magnetron can be indicated in case of arthrosis in the spine because it helps in the regeneration of the affected tissues.
Discover the main benefits of magnetotherapy.
3. Manual therapy
Manual techniques such as massages and joint mobilizations are of great importance to keep the joints properly irrigated and aligned. They can be performed both at the beginning and at the end of each session, but never after using cold. Mobilization should be done for about 3 minutes in each joint so that the body is stimulated enough to produce more synovial fluid and to maintain the intra-articular space.
4. Kinesiotherapy
Kinesiotherapy encompasses the exercises that must be performed when there is less pain. Muscle strengthening is an integral part of the treatment to help keep the joint firm, improve balance and muscle tone, but care must be taken when choosing strength, as you cannot force the joint too much. Hydrotherapy and exercises performed with 0.5 and 1 kg weights are generally accepted by most patients but initially the exercises should be performed in the following order of progression:
- No movement, only with isometric contraction, With slight contraction; With manual resistance; With use of elastic resistance; With resistance with weights.
After discharge, the person can perform other exercises such as Clinical Pilates and Hydrotherapy to maintain muscle strength, thus preventing the return of pain caused by arthrosis.
In addition to these exercises, stretching increases flexibility and is recommended in all physiotherapy sessions.
Physiotherapeutic treatment should be carried out for 3 to 6 months, but if the treatment does not bring the expected benefits, surgery is recommended to place a prosthesis in the affected joint, requiring further physiotherapy sessions for a few weeks after the surgery..
