What is osteoarthritis ?
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that primarily targets the cartilage, leading to gradual erosion until it completely disappears.
It is a chronic condition, difficult to eradicate, that evolves in flare-ups.
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the knees (gonarthrosis), hips (coxarthrosis), lower back (lumbarthrosis), cervical spine (cervicarthrosis), and hands.
Your Social Security-Reimbursed Thermal Cure
The Saubusse Thermal Baths are approved by Social Security, allowing our spa clients to benefit from full coverage for their thermal cure. This approval reflects our commitment to providing high-quality care, recognized for its health benefits.
To be reimbursed by Social Security, your thermal cure must be prescribed by your primary care physician and last for 3 consecutive weeks, totaling 18 days of treatments.
At the Saubusse Thermal Baths, we are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you receive appropriate care in a professional and compassionate environment. Our qualified medical team is available to answer your questions and provide guidance throughout your stay.
Anatomical reminders
A joint is made up of two bones facing each other, covered by cartilage, all enclosed in an articular capsule lined on the inside by the synovial membrane (see Figure 1).
Under normal conditions, cartilage requires a certain amount of pressure to remain healthy. Both underpressure and, more importantly, overpressure, lead to damage to the cartilage.
Osteoarthritis results from the mechanical and biological processes that destabilize the balance between the synthesis and degradation of cartilage and the bone beneath it (definition from the WHO).
Early-stage osteoarthritis is characterized by cracks and then erosions in the cartilage, which, over the years, ultimately disappears.
End-stage osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage of the bone has disappeared, leading to bone condensation (osteocondensation), abnormal growths (osteophytes), and cavities (geodes), along with flare-ups of congestion in the synovial membrane with the accumulation of synovial fluid (see Figure 1).
All joints can be affected by osteoarthritis, but at varying frequencies. The most commonly affected joints are the spine, hands, knees, and hips.
Risk factors
Starting in the fifties, the risk of osteoarthritis increases with age, and it is more common in women than in men.
The main risk factor for osteoarthritis is overpressure. The causes of this overpressure are numerous: excessive weight and obesity, overuse due to professional or sports activities (high-level sports), joint trauma (such as joint fractures, dislocations, sprains, contusions, knee meniscus injuries, etc.). A family history is often present, especially for osteoarthritis in the fingers.
Signs of osteoarthritis
When osteoarthritis manifests, it causes pain and stiffness in the joint. Many cases of osteoarthritis are referred to as "asymptomatic"—they are discovered through X-rays but do not cause pain (especially in the spine). The pain associated with osteoarthritis primarily occurs when the joint is used. It tends to subside with rest.
Joint stiffness develops very slowly and only becomes noticeable after several years of progression. It can lead to limping when it affects joints in the lower limbs, such as the hip or knee.
Management of Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Lumbar Osteoarthritis (Lombarthrosis) or Cervical Osteoarthritis (Cervicarthrosis)
Lumbarthrosis is the term used to define osteoarthritis of the lower back. It refers to the chronic wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints located between the lumbar vertebrae. This wear causes significant pain in the lower back (lumbago) and is accompanied by joint stiffness that can greatly reduce the individual's mobility.
Lumbarthrosis is relatively common in this part of the back because it is highly stressed and bears a large portion of the body’s weight. There are several causes of lumbarthrosis, including scoliosis, inflammation of the intervertebral discs, previous fractures, diseases, or even as a result of excessive physical effort.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, in addition to available treatments, certain lifestyle changes can be made to relieve symptoms on a daily basis. For example:
- Avoid putting too much strain on arthritic joints (for knee or hip osteoarthritis, avoid standing for long periods of time);
- Outside of flare-ups, it is recommended to engage in gentle physical activity that is suitable for the joints, adjusting the intensity as needed;
- If overweight, losing weight can help alleviate pressure on affected joints;
- With the help of a physiotherapist, specific rehabilitation exercises can be beneficial;
- Walking aids (such as a cane or walker), orthotic insoles, or braces can also help relieve osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, feet, or hands.
With a medical prescription, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or anti-arthritic medications may be considered based on individual cases. Unlike paracetamol, which is generally well-tolerated and helps manage pain during flare-ups, anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ketoprofen or ibuprofen) should be prescribed by a doctor, as they should be used with caution due to potential side effects.
When the condition reaches an advanced stage and pain becomes too intense, other treatments may be offered to relieve the patient's pain. These may include corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, or even hip or knee joint replacement through surgery.
It should be noted that surgery should be considered a last resort (total hip or knee replacement) because prosthetics have a limited lifespan (approximately 15 years on average).
Various medications labeled as anti-arthritic are available in France, but they have not been proven to be effective in alleviating symptoms or slowing the progression of osteoarthritis. Additionally, they may expose patients to potential side effects.
The Role of Thermal Springs in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: Proven Effectiveness
The thermal cure is a natural and gentle alternative for the body. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of the water, it helps relieve pain and reduce the impact of the disease on the daily lives of those who suffer from it.
The thermal water of Saubusse has beneficial properties for alleviating pain and improving the flexibility of joint tissues. It reduces pressure and relieves effort, while the heat provides sedative and soothing effects. Thus, the thermal bath acts as a true treatment for rheumatism.
The rheumatology thermal cure lasts 18 days and includes both general treatments that affect the entire body (baths, massages under thermal water, pool mobilization, physiotherapy sessions, etc.) and local treatments (foot and hand baths, local mud applications, and thermal steam treatments targeting specific areas).
The beneficial effects of the thermal treatments at Saubusse are primarily linked to the heat, which provides a muscle-relaxing and myorelaxant effect, and reduces the excitability threshold of pain receptors. Manual or hydromassage treatments also have an analgesic action.
Taking part in a rheumatology thermal cure at Saubusse helps improve tissue flexibility and reduce osteoarthritis pain on a daily basis. This cure also contributes to improving the functional capacity of the joints and offers a real alternative to the regular use of anti-inflammatory medications.
Other Pathologies Treated at Saubusse Thermal Springs
The main pathologies treated under the "Rheumatology" specialization at the Saubusse thermal station include:
- Osteoarthritis in all its locations (knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, spinal osteoarthritis, etc.)
- Inflammatory rheumatism (arthritis, polyarthritis, etc.)
- Tendonitis and periarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Aftereffects of trauma and post-surgical sequelae
