CPPD Deposition Disease.
Last updated Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Management and treatmentHow is cppd deposition disease treated? If you have CPPD deposition disease, your treatment program will
depend on how severe your disease is, which type of symptoms you have,
and whether you also have another disease or form of arthritis along
with CPPD crystal deposition disease.
The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maintain full joint
movement and muscle strength, and keep inflammation under control.
A treatment program may include a combination of joint aspiration,
occasional corticosteroid injections into affected joints, medication,
rest, exercise, and joint protection. A few people with CPPD deposition
disease may need surgery. Can exercise, therapy, rest, posture, or stretching help treat cppd deposition disease? Exercise
can help strengthen the muscles around your joints, help maintain full
movement and use of your joints, and keep your body physically fit.
Range of motion exercises are particularly helpful during times when
CPPD crystal deposition disease is active. These are gentle exercises,
done without any weights and designed to preserve the mobility of the
joint. The sore joint should be gently moved through its full available
range of motion each day, paying special attention to the end of the
motion where mobility often is first lost. Using heat or cold
applications before or after exercising can increase your comfort and
the effectiveness of these exercises. Do range of motion exercises on a
daily basis to maintain or restore motion after checking with your
doctor.
During times when CPPD crystal deposition disease is not active,
strengthening exercises can be done to ensure maximum function and
stability of your joints. These exercises should be taught by a
physical or occupational therapist or physician, preferably one who is
familiar with CPPD crystal deposition disease.
Walking, bicycling, and aquatic exercises are often recommended for people with CPPD crystal deposition disease.
During aquatic exercise the buoyancy of the water usually protects
the joints from rapid or stressful movement. Your doctor or physical
therapist can help you plan an exercise program and can explain
specific kinds of exercise to do during flares and remissions of the
illness.
During a sudden attack of inflammation due to CPPD crystal
deposition disease, you may need to rest your sore joint(s). Sometimes
splints are recommended for resting and protecting the joint(s).
Splints, canes, and other devices for protecting joints can be fitted
by physical or occupational therapists. What medications are used to treat or manage cppd deposition disease? Some medicines are used for short term relief from pain. Others are used to keep the disease under long-term control. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
are the medicines used most often. NSAIDs reduce joint pain and
swelling and usually relieve symptoms within three to 10 days. NSAIDs
may cause mild stomach up set in many people. For this reason, doctors
often recommend taking these drugs with fluids (such as water or milk)
and with meals. If you are taking an NSAID, check with your doctor
about the best way to take the medication and how he or she wants to
supervise its use.
Corticosteroids
are a synthetic form of a natural body hormone, cortisone. They may be
injected directly into the sore joint or taken in pill form for a few
days to relieve pain and swelling of an attack. These drugs can be very
helpful but can cause serious side effects. Colchicine has been shown
to be mildly effective in preventing joint pain and swelling as well as
in treating sudden attacks of pain. Keep colchicine and other
medications away from children.
As your symptoms improve, your doctor may lower the dose of
medicine. Some people will be able to stop taking all medications,
while others will have to continue taking some medicine to keep the
disease under control. Never stop taking your medicine (even when you
are feeling better) without checking with your doctor.
At the present time, there are no medications available to eliminate
the crystals. Those medications that currently are available only
relieve symptoms.
A note about unproven remedies:
Beware of anything called a "quick cure," such as drugs, vitamins and
minerals, or devices. These products do not cure CPPD crystal
deposition disease; they only cost you money. Some may actually be
harmful or keep you from getting proper care. Follow your doctor's
advice closely and discuss any other forms of treatment you are
considering. Can surgery help treat cppd deposition disease? In a few patients, surgery
may be used to reduce pain and improve movement in a joint that is
badly damaged or unstable. Some joints can be partially repaired by
removing CPPD crystals or cartilage fragments through an arthroscope (a
small scope that looks into a joint). Some joints, especially the hip
or knee, can be replaced with an artificial joint made of plastic and
metal.Can joint aspiration or injection treat or manage cppd deposition disease? Joint aspiration is the process of removing some fluid from the sore
joint(s). This not only helps your doctor determine if you have the
disease, but it also removes many of the CPPD crystals that cause the
pain and swelling. Removing the crystals also can help medications work
better.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|