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Treatment of Osteoarthritis

People with mild to advanced forms of osteoarthritis can feel frustration with their condition because there are not any cures for most types of arthritis and the existing treatments may be of limited benefit or not tolerated by many patients. However, there is hope once arthritis is diagnosed by a doctor.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammation associated with the joints. The Arthritis Foundation recommends seeing a doctor if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling which persists for two or more weeks, whether or not your symptoms began suddenly or gradually. Once a diagnosis of arthritis is made, treatment can begin. Treatment is important to slow progression of the condition, help with the pain, minimize joint damage and deformities and to preserve joint function and mobility.

People with early symptoms of arthritis are often inclined to self-treat with over-the-counter medications, topical creams, or conservative measures such as ice and heat. Once there is more progression of the disease, prescription medications are more likely to be utilized. The main classes of traditional drugs used to treat osteoarthritis are NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen), analgesics (pain relievers such as Vicodin or Darvocet), COX-2 inhibitors (anti-inflammatory drugs such as Celebrex) or corticosteroids (such as a cortisone shot). Keeping inflammation at bay is very important for reducing further progression of the disease.

Alternative medicines are another option that can be utilized after a diagnosis of osteoarthritis has been made. Some examples of alternative medicine are acupuncture/acupressure, biofeedback, chiropractic, magnets, massage, meditation, tai chi, yoga and supplements such as fish oil, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM. These medicines are not always recommended, but can be useful in preventing progression of the disease.

However, the best treatment for osteoarthritis is when complementary medicine is utilized effectively with traditional medicines. Complimentary medicine includes regular exercise, weight management, eating a nutritious diet and managing stress effectively. The reasoning for regular exercise it to keep the joints mobile, to manage body weight and to maintain muscle which can support the damaged joints. Stress management and eating a nutritious diet have also been proven to improve quality-of-life and reduce negative symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Finally, the last resort treatment for treating osteoarthritis should be surgery.

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