How do we protect our joints?
Author Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár | 2023.08.14.
Readers may already know the story of Brigitta Csibrák's recovery as a circus acrobat. This time she came for a check-up with Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár, an orthopaedic-traumatologist general, who also talks about the possibilities and effects of joint-protecting drugs.
How did the doctor help Brigitta's joints?
Brigitta Csibrák has been a deszkaabrobata for 17 years. She was seriously injured in the course of her work when, on arrival at one of her rehearsals, her knee bent backwards instead of forwards, as would be natural.
In the accident, he injured his knee ligament and suffered a fractured tibia. This not only caused a great deal of pain, but also jeopardised his career. He feared he would not be able to continue his career after such a serious injury.
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár an orthopaedic traumatologist performed a two-stage operation, followed by intensive rehabilitation. The successful surgery and the patient's perseverance have combined to make Brigitta an acrobat again.
How do we protect our joints?
For joint pain, there are various joint protectants, regenerators, also known as cartilage protectors, which can be obtained without a prescription and should be used as a course of treatment.
They usually contain glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate or type II collagen. In the opinion of the doctor, the best products are those that contain a combination of these active ingredients. However, it is important to seek the advice of a specialist when making your choice, as joints may be in a state where these cartilage protectors are no longer effective.
If the specialist considers that the cartilage causing the pain is too worn or too soft and joint protection would not work, he or she may recommend hyaluronic acid treatment.
How does hyaluronic acid protect our joints?
The surface of the knee joint is covered by a so-called vitreous cartilage, also known as hyaline cartilage.
It is a flexible and resistant fabric, much of which is water. When the articular cartilage loses fluid, it softens and fragments, which is when it starts to wear significantly. Hyaluronic acid treatment can be a solution when cartilage fragmentation has already occurred but fluid is still present in the cartilage.
In TV2's Lifestyle programme, Brigitta received such a special hyaluronic acid injection from Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár.
How does joint protection treatment work?
In hyaluronic acid treatment, this highly viscous substance is injected into the knee joint space.
Hyaluronic acid treatment is like putting engine oil in the engine”
- Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár gives an illustrative example.
Also because of its water-binding properties, hyaluronic acid improves the elasticity of articular cartilage, an essential component of knee joint cartilage. Hyaluronic acid treatment can be repeated every 4 to 6 months for as long as the doctor thinks it is appropriate.