Treatment Options for Arthritis

Arthritis is the leading cause of joint pains and disability in the USA. Without arthritis treatment, with time, the symptoms become worse and compromise your everyday life significantly. As an arthritic patient, you will feel less comfortable in your movements, experience discomfort to discourage exercising, gain weight, and have a reduced ability to work. An Edmond arthritis specialist will help with diagnosis, treatment, and management of the condition.

If the physical exams establish that you have arthritis, below are the available treatments and management options.

1. Pain relief medications

You can purchase many pain relief medications from your nearest pharmacy at an affordable price. Some of the drugs you can buy and use are paracetamol drugs like Tylenol and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

Ensure your daily dosage of paracetamol drugs is not more than 2,500 milligrams per day. Excessive use of acetaminophen can lead to liver destruction. Avoid the medicine, especially if you drink more than three bottles of alcohol daily.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may not have significant health effects when taken at the recommended lower doses. But, misuse of NSAIDs can cause heart and kidney problems. The Food and Drug Administration prohibits using this medicine if you have had a heart attack and want to avoid a repeat.

Another possible side effect of NSAIDs is stomach issues like inflammation. The drugs leave your stomach susceptible to acidic attacks.

2. Steroids

If over-the-counter medications are not proving useful, you may need steroid injections, such as prednisone. The benefit is that steroids offer immediate pain relief. Steroid injections are made directly on the joint with pain. Nonetheless, the disadvantages include that the medication effects are short-lived and may trigger various side effects.

A steroid shot into your joint can cause a change in skin color, bleeding, and even a tendon rupture. Since damage to the joint is possible, the same area should not have more than three injections every year.

3. Hyaluronic acid injections

Hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan is a fluid that naturally occurs around the joints. The substance helps lubricate and protect the joints and ensure proper functioning.

The effect of hyaluronan injection or shot may last for months.

4. Physical therapy

Physical therapy for an arthritic patient is vital for enhancing mobility and strengthening muscles surrounding your joints.

Exercising should involve your hands, legs, and hips. For instance, hand exercises include wrist stretches and finger lifts.

5. Surgery

Your healthcare service provider may only recommend surgery if you have severe arthritis and other treatment options are not proving helpful.

Surgery may come in handy for:

• Repairing a joint-A surgery can make your joint realign or become smooth and thus relieve pain and promote function.
• Replacing a joint- When you have an arthritic joint that is damaged, a specialist can replace it artificially. Joint replacements are mainly for the ankle, shoulder, knee, and hip.
• Joint fusion- The surgery involves joining the ends of one or more joints, especially in your wrist and fingers, to heal and form a permanent unit.

Like with every other disease, there are always problems with the treatment of arthritis. Therefore, focus more on prevention. For example, avoid joint damage, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthily, and exercise routinely.

Contact the Lamkin Clinic today for a consultation, diagnosis and treatment of arthritis.