Treatments and drugs of Osteoarthritis

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments can help relieve pain and to be able to maintain their daily work.

 

Drug

Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, ...) can reduce pain, but does not reduce inflammation. It has been proven to be effective for people with osteoarthritis have mild to

moderate pain. Exceed the recommended dosage of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if   consume three or more glasses of alcohol per day. Ask your doctor for guidance on limiting or abstaining from alcohol if you take acetaminophen regularly. Acetaminophen can also affect other medications, be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking it.

Ibuprofen or naproxen. The drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, ...) and naproxen (Aleve, Mediproxen, ...) to reduce inflammation and pain. More powerful version of the prescription drugs available. This is a drug that can cause abdominal pain, especially when drinking. Other side effects include tingling, heart problems, liver and kidney. The risk of side effects if the greatest use of this drug in high doses when long-term treatment.

Tramadol. Tramadol (Ultram) pain relief that is available on prescription. Tramadol has no anti-inflammatory effects, but can provide effective pain relief. However, tramadol may cause nausea and constipation. It is often used for short-term treatment. Your doctor may recommend use of tramadol in combination with acetaminophen to increase pain.

Stronger painkillers. Taking prescription painkillers such as codeine, can help reduce osteoarthritis pain worse. These drugs are at risk of dependency, although the risk is thought to be small in people with severe pain. Side effects may include nausea, constipation and drowsiness.

Cortisone. Corticosteroid injections can relieve pain. In this procedure the doctor will numb the area around and then insert a needle into the joint space inside. It is not clear how the mechanism and why corticosteroid injections in people with osteoarthritis. Your doctor may limit the number of injections,   possible each year, because too much corticosteroid injections can cause joint damage.

Therapy

Working with a physical therapist. Ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist. The physical therapist can work to create a personal exercise regime to strengthen the surrounding muscles, increase range of motion in the joints and reduce pain.

Find ways to avoid stressing the joints. Find ways to not need to emphasize the joints. An occupational therapist can help   discover how to do everyday tasks or jobs without putting extra strain on the joints were painful. For example, a toothbrush with a large suitcase can make brushing easier if you have finger osteoarthritis. A special seat in the bathroom can help reduce the pain if knee osteoarthritis.

Try braces or shoe inserts. Consider special splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices can help reduce pain. These devices can immobilize or support joints to help keep it from pressure.

Make learning. Some medical centers have classes for people with osteoarthritis or chronic pain. Ask your doctor about classes in the area. These classes teach skills to help manage osteoarthritis pain. And will meet other people with osteoarthritis and learn their tips for reducing and coping with arthritis pain.

Surgery and other procedures

Viscosupplementation. Injection of hyaluronic acid derivatives (Hyalgan, Synvisc) can provide pain relief by providing some cushion in the knee. Viscosupplementation is only approved for knee osteoarthritis, though researchers are studying its use in other joints.

Replace. In joint replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged joint surface and replacing them with devices made ​​of plastic and metal is called a prosthesis. The hip and knee joints replaced most often. But today implants can replace your shoulder, elbow, finger or ankle joints. How often? A new joint operations depends on how well   use it. Some knee and hip joints can last 20 years. Joint replacement surgery can help restore pain, free active lifestyle. In smaller hand joints, it can also improve the appearance and comfort, and can improve the mobile joints. Joint replacement surgery carries a risk of infection and bleeding. The artificial joint can come loose and may eventually need to be replaced.

Rearrange bones. Surgery for reorganization can reduce bone pain. These types of procedures are often used when joint replacement surgery is not an option, such as in young people with osteoarthritis. In a procedure called osteotomy, the surgeon cuts through bone or above or below the knee to reorganize. Osteotomy can reduce knee pain by moving the joint forces of carrying out part of the knee.

The skeletal stiffness (Arthrodesis). The surgeon can also permanently to the bone increases the stability and reduce pain. The consolidated joints such as the ankle, can then bear weight without pain, but there is no flexibility. Arthrodesis may be an option if you have severe pain in the neck, but can not undergo joint replacement surgery.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Relax. If   are experiencing pain or arthritis, rest for 12 to 24 hours. Find activities that do not require repeated use. Try interrupted for 10 minutes every hour.

Exercise. The doctor approved exercise routine to feel. The gentle exercise, such as cycling, walking or swimming. Exercise can increase your endurance and strengthen the muscles around the joints, makes more stable joint. Avoid actually injured or swollen joints. If you feel new joint pain, new pain that lasts more than two hours after exercise can mean was set too.

Reduce weight. Overweight Obesity increases the stress on weight bearing joints, such as knees and hips. Even a small amount of weight loss can relieve some of the pressure and pain. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight. Most people incorporate the changes in your diet with increased exercise.

Serve hot and cold to manage pain. Both hot and cold can reduce pain. The heat also reduces stiffness and cold can reduce muscle spasms. Soothe painful joints with heat using a heating pad, hot water bottle or a warm bath. Heat should be warm, not hot. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day. Cold joints treated with ice packs. Can use cold treatments several times a day, but do not use cold treatments if poor circulation or numbness.

Apply counter analgesic creams. Creams and gels available at pharmacies can provide temporary relief from osteoarthritis pain. Some creams numb the pain by creating a feeling hot or cold. Creams containing medications, such as aspirin-like compounds are absorbed into the skin. Read the label to   what is used. These creams work best on joints are near the skin surface, such as the fingers and knees.

Use assistive devices. Equipment can help make it easier for mobile joints. A stick can reduce the weight on the knees, hips when walking. Doctor or occupational therapist may have ideas about the kinds of assistive devices may be helpful. Catalogs and medical supply stores can also be the place to look for ideas.

Alternative medicine

Those who are not helped by medications for osteoarthritis pain, sometimes switching to practice complementary and alternative medicine for relief. Doctors are becoming mainstream more open to discuss this option. But since few additional treatments have been studied in clinical trials, it is difficult to assess whether this treatment is useful to reduce osteoarthritis pain. In some cases, the risks of this treatment are not known.

If you're interested in trying this treatment and alternative supplements for arthritis pain, discuss treatments with your doctor first. He or she can help weigh the benefits and risks and to know if the treatment will interfere with existing arthritis drugs.

Treatments usually complementary and alternative has shown some promise for osteoarthritis include:

Acupuncture. In acupuncture, fine needles put into the skin at the point exactly. Practitioners believe that metal or redirect the energy of the body to relieve pain. The study of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis have been mixed. Most studies have not found a benefit, although some have found some brief pain reduction. Acupuncture can be safe if you choose a reputable practitioner - ask your doctor. Risks include infection, bruising and pain.

Ginger. The ginger plant is known for its use in cooking, but some research has found ginger extract may be helpful in reducing the pain of osteoarthritis. The study was conducted with ginger in people with osteoarthritis, and the results have been mixed. Side effects of ginger supplements can include heartburn and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger supplements can interact blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Glucosamine and chondroitin. These studies were mixed in nutritional supplements. Some have found benefits for people with osteoarthritis, while others do not. Tell your doctor if you are considering adding. Do not use glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish. Glucosamine and chondroitin may interact with blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and cause bleeding.

Butter - soybean unsaponifiables (ASUS). Preliminary results show that the butter and oils from soybeans, mixed together and taken orally, can slow the deterioration of cartilage and promotes cartilage repair knee and hip.

Tai chi and yoga. The treatments involve gentle exercises and stretching combined with deep breathing. Many people use these treatments to cancel the stress in their lives, although little research has found that tai chi and yoga can reduce osteoarthritis pain. Further research is needed to understand whether tai chi and yoga can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. Talk to your doctor if you want to tai chi or yoga. When led by a knowledgeable guide, the treatments are safe. But do not make any move that causes pain in the joints.

Coping and support

Medications and other treatments are key to managing pain and disability, but a key ingredient to treat the attitude of the Executive treatment. The ability to cope despite pain and disability from osteoarthritis is usually determined by the OA will have an impact on everyday life. Talk to your doctor if you are frustrated. He may have ideas about how to respond or refer to someone who can help. Meanwhile, try:

Keep a positive attitude. Make a plan with your doctor to manage arthritis. This will help to feel that are responsible for the disease, rather than vice versa. Research shows that those who control their treatment and proactive management experience less pain and better function.

Practice relaxation techniques. Hypnosis, guided images, deep breathing and muscle relaxation can be used to control the pain.

Know your limits. Rest when you are tired. Arthritis can make you more vulnerable to fatigue and muscle weakness. Rest or nap without affecting sleep at night can help.