If you’ve ever suffered from cartilage damage, you’ll know that it can be excruciating. Cartilage is incredibly flexible but also relatively easy to break.
And for many, a quick healing process is vital as it can be induced by injury in taking part in most forms of sport. Therefore, sportspeople and laborers alike require swift and effective cartilage repair. If surgery is avoidable, then why not try it.
Here are three popular treatments for cartilage damage that may help your body heal and avoid a surgery room trip.
1. Self-Care, Rest, and Recovery
The first method to try is self-explanatory. It involves firstly constricting the cartilage to reduce movement. For example, suppose the cartilage is on a joint. In that case, a brace such as a knee brace will restrict movement, allowing for natural healing.
Once wrapped up, it’s a case of rest and recovery, making sure to elevate the cartilage and keep it cool. You can control it by applying an ice pack in intervals to reduce blood flow, allowing the area to heal.
For minor injuries, this should allow the break to heal after a few days. Still, if not, then it’s advised to seek further medical attention.
2. Medicinal Treatments Including Peptides
Self-medicating using anti-inflammatories and cartilage repair supplements can help in the short term. Ibuprofen, for example, is just one of many that can help alleviate pain and swelling. This method is useful if you don’t have immediate access to something tailored towards cartilage injuries.
From there, you can look at alternative medicinal treatments. Depending on where you live, these treatments can be a legal minefield. It’s essential to do your due diligence and always look for approved medicines. One example of such approval is by FDA approval in the USA.
Peptides are known to heal cartilage and contain anti-inflammatory properties. These chemicals are proven to stimulate recovery at a quicker rate without the risk of further damage. You can view more details about the benefits of peptides at Umbrella Labs.
3. Physiotherapy Exercises for Cartilage Damage
Suppose you rely on the injured area for work purposes, for example, as a sportsperson. In that case, physiotherapy is an excellent way to help cartilage regeneration and reduce further injury.
A qualified physiotherapist can analyze the injury and create a tailored exercise plan to encourage healing. This healing process will not only speed up recovery but, more importantly, avoid any regrowth or changes to the limb structure. These changes, if not avoided, could create further injury down the line.
Some of these exercises exist online. Make sure you know exactly what damage you have, for example, knee cartilage damage or articular cartilage damage. Still, again, unless you are sure about the nature of the injury, it’s worth investing in a relationship with a quality physiotherapist.
Don’t Forget to Seek Medical Advice
Of course, always seek medical advice for cartilage damage. As much as you can be healed and back to work in no time, it’s not worth the long-term risk if there are any other underlying injuries caused as a result of an impact.
Although you’ll be back out there and doing what you love best, consider the future risks involved before jumping straight into any treatment.
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