Osteoarthritis - Treatments

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Treatment plans for osteoarthritis use a multifaceted approach and are individualized to the stage and advancement of the disease, and your age, medical history, and coexisting diseases or conditions. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but with early recognition and treatment, it is possible to minimize or delay joint damage and complications, such as chronic pain and disability.

Medications used to treat osteoarthritis include:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which relieves pain
Cortisone injection, which reduces inflammation
Glucosamine and chondroitin, which help strengthen damaged joint cartilage
Injection of a synovial fluid substitute, which helps lubricate joints and ease stiffness and movement
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin, which reduce inflammation

Other treatments used to treat osteoarthritis may include:

Heat and cold therapies to reduce inflammation and stiffness
Occupational therapy to help maximize function
Physical therapy, including range-of-motion exercises to help strengthen joints and delay the loss of joint function
Surgery to help improve joint pain, correct deformities, and increase function in seriously affected joints. Surgery may include a synovectomy, the removal of the joint lining. Total joint replacements may also be performed in severe cases. In these cases, a diseased joint is replaced with a new, synthetic joint (prosthesis).

What are the potential complications of osteoarthritis?

In some cases, osteoarthritis can lead to serious complications. It is important to understand that osteoarthritis and its symptoms are not a normal part of the aging process and can be treated. You can minimize discomfort and reduce your risk of complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care provider develop specifically for you. Complications of osteoarthritis include:

Chronic pain
Difficulties with fine motor control of the hands
Immobility and disability
Joint deterioration, deformity and destruction
Nerve compression in the spinal cord (pinched nerves)
Problems with posture, walking and balance
Weakness or abnormal sensations of the arms or legs

INTRODUCTION

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is an ongoing, progressive disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling of joints. The joints of the body are the areas where two or more bones meet. The ends of the bones are protected by a tissue called cartilage, which helps bones to move easily without damaging bone tissue. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down or becomes torn or thin, resulting ... Read more about osteoarthritis introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary between individuals. At the onset of the disease, symptoms can be vague and develop slowly. Many people have no symptoms in the early stages of osteoarthritis.... Read more about osteoarthritis symptoms

CAUSES

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage that normally cushions the ends of bones. Primary osteoarthritis is linked to age-related wear and tear on the joint with time, but the exact cause of the loss of cartilage is not completely understood. Osteoarthritis is not a normal part of aging. Certain risk factors affect the likelihood of an older person developing the condition.... Read more about osteoarthritis causes