Is it good to use heat therapy for osteoarthritis?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on January 13, 2025
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First of all, it should be positively affirmed that electrothermal therapy has a very good effect on patients with osteoarthritis, and it is very effective. Electrothermal therapy can promote local blood circulation and thereby facilitate the absorption of local inflammatory exudates, which can effectively alleviate the pain symptoms caused by osteoarthritis. Additionally, for osteoarthritis patients, besides electrothermal therapy, they can also take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and drugs that nourish cartilage for treatment. Moreover, it is necessary to reduce the amount of exercise, minimize local irritation as much as possible, and persist in applying local heat compresses or hot washing daily. During hot washing, Sichuan peppercorn and salt could be added to the hot water for the treatment.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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What foods are eaten for osteoarthritis?

First, it should be clear that food does not play a significant role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It neither has particularly good effects nor particularly bad effects, so the goal should be to maintain a balanced diet. For some elderly men, it is important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and avoid being overweight. For elderly women, osteoarthritis patients often also suffer from osteoporosis; in such cases, it is necessary to pay attention to calcium supplementation in the diet to prevent osteoporosis. These measures are feasible, but relying on any specific food to treat osteoarthritis is not very realistic.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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How to supplement the diet for osteoarthritis?

For osteoarthritis, it is best to eat more foods rich in protein, such as milk, egg whites, and fish, which have abundant protein and can help alleviate the condition. Furthermore, consume foods high in calcium and take calcium supplements. Osteoarthritis is mostly a chronic bone and joint disease, primarily affecting joint cartilage and leading to degenerative changes. It generally occurs more often in middle-aged and elderly people, and is more common in women than in men. In the early stages, the main lesions occur in the bone cartilage, with the joint cartilage being commonly affected. The cartilage surface may undergo erosion, exposing the underlying bone, and eating foods high in protein can help relieve symptoms. Moreover, collagen fibers can be supplemented by consuming broth made from large bones or pig's feet, which, combined with the use of calcium supplements, can better aid recovery. Regularly drinking milk is also very beneficial.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis

Osteoarthritis and arthritis are different. Firstly, osteoarthritis refers to degenerative changes in the joints, mainly caused by aging and chronic strain, leading to damage to the joint cartilage. This results in symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility, which are characteristics of osteoarthritis. The scope of arthritis, however, is broader. Depending on the cause, arthritis can be divided into many types, including osteoarthritis, which is a type of arthritis. Other types include septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis. Therefore, there is a distinction between the two. Arthritis covers a wider range, while osteoarthritis is simply a type of arthritis that involves the bones.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Is soaking feet good for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can benefit from soaking the feet in warm water, slightly hotter if possible, as the feet have numerous nerves. This can promote blood circulation and facilitate metabolism, such as the elimination of bodily waste, which is beneficial, especially for middle-aged and elderly people, in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Osteoarthritis depends on the location and is a chronic joint disease. Its primary pathological change is the degenerative alteration of the joint cartilage. Typically, this condition affects middle-aged and older individuals, more so women than men. Early changes include the deterioration of the joint cartilage, leading to the exposure of the subchondral bone, which can then cause periostitis, changes in the joint capsule, and surrounding muscles. Usually, it presents as rest pain, which may decrease with light activity. Treatment often involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate for lubrication and joint protection. In severe cases, joint replacement, such as knee replacement, may be necessary. Thus, soaking the feet can be beneficial for those with osteoarthritis.

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Written by Kuang Tao
Orthopedics
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How to reduce swelling in osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis often presents with swelling, most commonly seen in knee osteoarthritis. The swelling occurs because of inflammation. For example, if knee arthritis is accompanied by synovitis, it will become swollen and the local temperature will be relatively high. To reduce swelling, the first measure is immobilization, meaning you should avoid bearing weight or moving, and lie in bed without bending the joint, which can help decrease the swelling. Second, you can apply heat, using a hot water bottle or heated salt for heat therapy. Third, if there is fluid accumulation in the joint cavity, draining this fluid can also reduce swelling. Fourth, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage can all help reduce swelling.