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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What should I do about osteoarthritis?

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, the main approach is still based on the severity of the patient's osteoarthritis to determine the corresponding treatment plan. If the osteoarthritis is very severe, severely affecting the patient's normal function, causing joint deformity, and affecting the patient's normal work or life, it is necessary to actively pursue joint replacement surgery. For cases where the symptoms of osteoarthritis are not very severe, choosing active conservative treatment is completely adequate. The most important thing is still to reduce the amount of exercise, pay attention to protecting the local joints, never let them get cold, often apply heat, and combine some medical treatments, such as using pain relief and cartilage-nourishing drugs. Common drugs like Nimodipine capsules and Glucosamine Hydrochloride have very good effects.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the joints. Symptoms primarily include swelling, pain, fluid accumulation, and restricted movement in the joint areas. In severe cases, it can even lead to joint deformity and dysfunction. Treatment for arthritis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. Conservative treatment can be attempted first. Patients with arthritis should rest and avoid vigorous activities. Symptomatic treatment may include anti-inflammatory pain relievers, cartilage nutrition drugs, or intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. Additionally, hot compress physiotherapy and other methods can be used to alleviate symptoms. When conservative treatment is ineffective, or if there is deformity and dysfunction of the limbs, joint replacement surgery may also be considered.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Osteoarthritis contraindications

Patients with osteoarthritis should reduce joint load and excessive movements, and obese patients should pay attention to weight loss to avoid aggravating cartilage damage. When symptoms are severe, a cane can be used to alleviate the burden on the joints. In terms of diet, one can eat more foods rich in vitamins, mainly various vegetables and fruits, and also consume foods high in calcium appropriately. Patients with arthritis should also pay attention to protecting the joint areas, and guard against cold and dampness to avoid exacerbating symptoms. When symptoms are severe, medication can also be used for treatment, such as anti-inflammatory analgesics and drugs that nourish cartilage, which can play a role in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of the disease. When mobility is impaired, surgical treatment might be necessary.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Osteoarthritis exercise time

We say that all exercise must have a limit, and it should be within the patient’s tolerance. Walking exercises for osteoarthritis are permissible, but we do not advocate excessive exercise. Instead, it is best to focus primarily on rest. We say that life depends on movement, but joints rely on stillness. What does this mean? We do not advocate excessive activity in the joints. What is considered excessive activity? For example, if an osteoarthritis patient finishes a day of walking exercise and feels no pain, swelling, or discomfort in the joints, then the degree and amount of exercise they undertook are acceptable. However, if the patient finishes exercising and experiences significant pain, swelling, or discomfort in the joints by the evening, this indicates that the exercise was too much, and it was not suitable for them. They must rest and avoid such intense activities, indicating that walking exercises are not suitable. Thus, whether walking exercises are appropriate for patients with arthritis needs a balanced view, especially for patients in the acute phase of osteoarthritis. The mindset of exercising through the pain, regardless of discomfort, is absolutely incorrect. During the acute phase of osteoarthritis, we recommend resting as much as possible. During the remission phase of osteoarthritis, whether and how much walking exercise one should engage in also needs to be determined based on the severity of the patient’s condition and their subjective feelings. It cannot be generalized.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is hot compress good for osteoarthritis?

For patients with osteoarthritis, hot compresses are very effective. Hot compresses can promote local blood circulation, which can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis. Usually, hot compresses are applied using hot water bottles, or by heating bran or salt, which are very effective. Typically, apply the hot compress twice a day, each time for more than half an hour. Additionally, aside from hot compresses, it is important to protect the affected area in patients with osteoarthritis, avoid exposure to cold, and reduce irritation to the area. When necessary, treatment may also need to be supplemented with medications, such as pain relievers and drugs that nourish the cartilage.