Arthritis is a general term for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients experience swelling, pain, and stiffness in one or more joints, with symptoms typically worsening over time.

Master of Science, Doctor, Level I Specialist Dinh Pham Thi Thuy Van, from the Internal Medicine - Musculoskeletal Department at Tam Anh District 7 General Clinic, states that arthritis conditions are often chronic, requiring persistent treatment. However, after a long period, many patients tend to become complacent and do not follow their doctor's instructions. This can worsen the disease, causing increased pain, reduced mobility, and affecting other organs such as the liver, kidneys, skin, and cardiovascular system.

Doctor Van explains the patient's joint function. *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctor Van highlights several common mistakes patients make during arthritis treatment.

Self-stopping or changing medication: After taking medication for some time and noticing stable symptoms, many individuals arbitrarily stop using their prescribed drugs or switch to unverified traditional medicine. They often believe these alternatives are less harmful to the liver and kidneys, offer long-term efficacy, or provide a complete cure.

Initially, patients might experience rapid pain relief because these medications often contain pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory ingredients. However, such drugs only alleviate symptoms without addressing the core pathology. Over time, this can lead to drug resistance, more severe joint damage, or impaired function in other organs.

Overuse of joint injections: Commonly used joint injections include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich plasma, which aim to quickly reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness, thereby improving mobility. However, repeated injections of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, prevent joints from naturally regenerating and recovering, potentially leading to cartilage damage. Furthermore, if patients receive injections at facilities lacking adequate sterile conditions, the risk of joint infection increases.

Hot oils and medicated patches: These products work similarly to hot compresses by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the affected area, which helps relax muscles and temporarily reduce pain. However, applying this method to painful areas accompanied by swelling can exacerbate inflammation. If there are open wounds, hot oils can penetrate deep into the skin, delaying wound healing and sometimes causing irritation, blistering, or burns.

Limiting regular movement to reduce pain: This is a misconception that leads to weaker and less flexible joints. Patients should engage in regular, moderate exercise to stimulate the production of lubricating joint fluid, strengthen muscles around the joints, and effectively reduce pain.

Doctor Van advises patients to adhere to their prescribed arthritis treatment and undergo regular health check-ups, even when symptoms subside. This allows doctors to monitor the treatment process closely and adjust the regimen as needed, thereby reducing the risk of complications and enhancing treatment effectiveness. Daily, patients should engage in moderate physical activity, increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods, get adequate rest, and manage stress.

Phi Hong