Treatment and Prevention
Unfortunately, there's no cure for most forms of arthritis. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms of pain and inflammation with the help of exercise programs, physiotherapy, and medications.
There are things everyone can do today to prevent the possibility of OA later in life. For example, it may help to limit stress on the joints by keeping your weight under control. Recent studies have shown that a weight gain of only 10 to 20 extra pounds in early adulthood increases wear and tear on the shock-absorbing cartilage in joints and can lead to serious joint damage in the long run. Avoiding repetitive movements over long periods of time can help, but if repetitive motions are part of a job or leisure activities, proper training is important. If someone has a traumatic injury to a joint, they need medical care and rehabilitation to avoid further damage. Talk to a doctor about the proper use of ice, rest, heating pads, hot water bottles, and hot baths for treating any injury.
Exercise programs to maintain muscle tone are useful for managing OA. These may include special exercises prescribed by your physician or physical therapist to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion. Walking is an excellent form of therapy for arthritis in the knees. In some cases, joint pain due to OA is often relieved with rest. Medications for OA include a wide range of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. Acetaminophen* is generally a good choice for long-term use. If acetaminophen is not effective or if inflammation is present, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac may be recommended. Acetaminophen and some forms of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are available without a prescription, but always check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these medications. Local injections of corticosteroid medication into the affected joints are another treatment option, if other options have failed. For severe cases, surgery such as a hip or knee replacement may be needed.
Therapy for RA and other inflammatory types of arthritis includes specially tailored exercises and medication, such as anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin and other NSAIDs. Recent developments have encouraged the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as sulfasalazine, gold injections, and methothrexate that may be helpful for RA, but they require time (weeks to months) before they start working. Initially, this type of treatment was restricted to severe cases, but is now often prescribed early to prevent joint destruction.
Relieving stress on joints is important to avoid further damage. Canes, walkers, or crutches are helpful to reduce the amount of body-weight placed on certain joints. Splints may be used to keep joints from becoming permanently bent and stiff.
NSAIDs are also used to treat the acute symptoms of gout, but aspirin should be avoided as it affects the manner in which the kidneys handle uric acid and may lead to kidney stones. Colchicine or corticosteroids may also be used to treat acute gout. In some cases, people are prescribed medications (e.g., allopurinol, probenecid, or sulfinpyrazone) to help prevent acute gout attacks.
Living and coping with arthritis, as with any chronic disease, can be difficult. It may affect daily activities slightly, or it can be more severe and extremely debilitating. Some people may benefit from counseling or support groups to deal with the challenges of living with arthritis. There are many resources available - it's important to take advantage of them.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.