Osteoarthritis Pain Relief - Degenerative Arthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis occurring at middle age due to the wear and tear of the joints. It is a normal physiological part of the aging process. Almost every person suffers from this type of arthritis in a milder or severe form depending upon the precipitating factors. Basically it means the loss of cartilage between the bones of the affected joints.

Common sites to be affected are knee, hip, spine and small joints of the hands. Pain and stiffness increasing with activity are the main symptoms of osteoarthritis. Swelling and joint instability may present in some cases. Obesity, overuse of the joints, age, genetics, gender (women are more likely to develop arthritis), trauma are considered to be some of the general risk factors.

The changes in the articular cartilage being irreversible, osteoarthritis can only be controlled and further thinning of cartilage can be arrested. In some cases pain-free condition can be achieved by a combination of treatments.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Arthritis Medications: Arthritis medications need to be individualized for every person. Analgesics, NSAID's, and COX-2 inhibitors are the painkillers used for joint pain relief to ensure mobility in the aching joints. Calcium and mineral supplements can be used to reduce osteoporosis. Some nutritional supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are used to minimize cartilage destruction.

Local Therapy:Topical creams and liniments can be used for pain relief. They provide temporary relief as they act superficially by relieving the pain in the muscle. Heat therapy is used for muscle relaxation and relieves the aching joints. Heat application is contra-indicated in presence of swelling. Cold application helps to reduce the pain when there is swelling in a joint.

Intra-articular treatments: Intra-articular corticosteroids can be administered in severe cases of joint pain and inflammation, but long term and repetitive use should not be encouraged.

Physiotherapy and Exercises: Physiotherapy helps in reducing pain, stiffness and improves muscle strength and mobility of the joints. Muscle strengthening exercises need to be done strictly to support the affected joint. Excessive stress on the joints should be avoided while exercising as it might increase further degeneration of the cartilage.

Weight Loss: Weight loss is the most effective way to treat this condition. Overweight individuals tend to put a lot of pressure on the knee, back and hip joints; this further accelerates the degeneration of the cartilage. Taking off the extra kilos can significantly arrest the cartilage thinning process.

Living with osteoarthritis: Patient education is a very important aspect of arthritis management. The patient needs to be educated about the do's and dont's in daily activities. Squatting, Kneeling, prolonged standing, sitting cross-legged, lifting heavy weights should be avoided. Regular Exercises, weight maintenance and medications need to be strictly followed. Different types of braces and aids for the knees and spine can be used for supporting the affected joints.

Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis: Advanced Osteoarthritis needs surgical treatment like arthroscopy, osteotomy, or a total joint replacement surgery.

Prevention
Prevention is the best cure and it should start in early adulthood. Though we cant stop aging, its important to stop premature and disabling aging. Moderate muscle strengthening exercises should be done regularly. Healthy weight should be maintained with the help of exercises and a balanced diet to reduce undue stress on the joints. Sports injury and other minor injuries should be avoided.