Arthritis is one of the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide. Affecting millions of people around the world, it is characterized by inflammation of one or more joints and can seriously affect the mobility and quality of life of patients. While traditional treatments for arthritis have mainly focused on managing pain and inflammation, recent developments in biological therapies offer promising alternatives. These treatments harness the body's natural healing mechanisms to both relieve symptoms and try to regenerate damaged joints.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis as a term is used to describe inflammation in the joints, with symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and the most common are:
- Osteoarthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage in the bone ends wears away over time, causing pain, stiffness and reduced joint mobility.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease which can cause joint deformity and chronic disability.
- Psoriatic arthritis, which is also an autoimmune disease related to psoriasis and mainly affects the joints of the upper and lower limbs and the spine.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis can result from a number of factors, including:
- Family history, especially in autoimmune forms of arthritis.
- (Micro)Injury to the joints, most commonly in athletes or people with physically demanding jobs.
- Age, due to normal wear and tear on the joints.
- Autoimmune reactions of the immune system.
- Obesity due to additional pressure on the joints.
The symptoms of arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include:
- Joint pain, which worsens with activity and improves with rest. Inflammatory arthritis can cause pain that is most severe in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Stiffness, which is usually more severe after inactivity or early in the morning.
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion of the joints.
Traditional remedies for arthritis
For decades, the treatment of arthritis has focused mainly on managing symptoms and slowing down the progression of the disease. Common traditional treatments include:
- Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and pain
- Corticosteroids administered directly to the joint to reduce pain and swelling.
- Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve flexibility and range of motion.
- Joint replacement surgery, in severe cases and when conservative treatments fail.
The disadvantage of the above conservatives methods is that they relieve symptoms without addressing the underlying cause of joint degeneration.
Biological treatments for arthritis
Biological therapies have brought new advances in the treatment of arthritis as they involve the use of substances naturally present in the body to help heal and regenerate damaged joints, addressing both the symptoms and the underlying cause of degeneration.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves taking the patient's blood, isolating the platelets by centrifugation and then injecting the concentrated platelets back into the affected joint. Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate healing and tissue regeneration.
Stem cell therapy
This treatment involves collecting stem cells, usually from the patient's bone marrow, and injecting them into the affected joint. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types, which makes them ideal for regenerative therapies.
Therapy with N STRIDE APS
N STRIDE APS works by introducing by injection 2-3 ml into the inflamed knee high levels of “good” proteins concentrated from your own blood, after proper preparation. These “good” proteins can block the “bad” proteins (Interleucin-1 and TNFa) which are responsible for the inflammatory condition of your joint. Other “good” proteins can then contribute to the health of your cartilage.
PRP, stem cell and N STRIDE APS injection treatments offer regenerative potential, making them more attractive for younger patients or those in the early to mid stages of arthritis.
Prevention tips for arthritis
Although arthritis cannot always be prevented, especially in cases of genetic predisposition or autoimmune diseases, you can reduce the risk or delay its onset by maintaining a healthy weight (as excess weight puts pressure on the joints, especially the knees and hips), exercising regularly (to strengthen the muscles, improving joint flexibility and maintaining a healthy weight) with activities such as walking and swimming, avoiding repetitive strain on joints (by taking regular breaks and using ergonomic equipment), following a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables and healthy fats.
Traditional therapies play their own role in the management of arthritis, but biological therapies offer new hope for patients in reducing pain, improving mobility and potentially delaying the need for surgery.
To learn more about treatment options for arthritis, contact us at 6943903343 (secretariat) or 6949196061 (physician) and at orthopedikos-papagiannopoulos.gr and make an appointment.
