“What is the best way to manage osteoarthritis?”
I was just recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis and also have a lot of pain due to my condition. What is the best way to manage my pain?
11 Answers
Many options exist for pain control. These can be as simple as ice, massage, topical creams, Tylenol/Aleve type medications, temporary rest or activity modification. TENS units help some people. Injections are frequently beneficial. The type or source of arthritis also plays a factor. Seeing your PCP or orthopedic surgeon would be worthwhile.
Nabil A Ebraheim
Orthopedist
Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and possible injections
OA is prevalent with age and the best way to manage it is to target the specific joint with conservative measures initially mainly antiflammatories, physical therapy and keeping active
Exercise, a little and often, to build up the strength and keep everything moving, supplemented with cod liver oil capsules and the occasional mild painkiller if required.
Osteoarthritis must be differentiated from inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis, the latter of which is when your immune system essentially attacks the cartilage within your joints throughout the body. Osteoarthritis (OA) is generally an age-related "wear and tear" degeneration of the joints. OA usually affects 1 or 2 joints (example "my knee or knees"). OA is treated with rest, ice or heat, NSAIDs (ex. Advil or Aleve) and exercise. If symptoms persist, cortisone injection are often helpful. When symptoms become refractory to conservative care then joint replacement can be considered.
It depends on the location of the arthritis. If it is a weight bearing joint, the treatment may be different than if it is in the fingers, elbow or shoulder. Warm moist heat sometimes helps, there is physical therapy and there is medications. This question needs some more information.
Try to stay away from narcotics, it will only make things worse in the long run. Keep active. It seems best to become sedentary to avoid pain, but that will only make your joints more stiff and painful. Try to walk, and remain active and keep your joints active. Take anti-inflammatory medications. You will have to take them every day, because if you don't, the blood levels of the drug will fall and become ineffective. Occasional injections into joints can be helpful to reduce pain when they are severely inflamed.
Hope it helps,
Dr. Bose
Hope it helps,
Dr. Bose
James W. Cahill
Orthopedist
Hello. Happy to help,
Your question is quite broad. Generally, osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage of joints degrades and becomes thinner and rough. The lining becomes thicker and produces fluid with inflammatory substances. Osteoarthritis generally occurs as people age. Keeping one’s weight under control is helpful. Maintaining flexibility and muscle strength is also very important. Over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications are beneficial in managing symptoms. When symptoms increase and become severe, injections and joint replacement surgery are quite successful. Biologic therapies consisting of growth factors and stem cell injections are being investigated. These are not proven and are not as successful as the internet would lead patients to believe. I hope this information has been helpful.
Best of luck to you.
Your question is quite broad. Generally, osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage of joints degrades and becomes thinner and rough. The lining becomes thicker and produces fluid with inflammatory substances. Osteoarthritis generally occurs as people age. Keeping one’s weight under control is helpful. Maintaining flexibility and muscle strength is also very important. Over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications are beneficial in managing symptoms. When symptoms increase and become severe, injections and joint replacement surgery are quite successful. Biologic therapies consisting of growth factors and stem cell injections are being investigated. These are not proven and are not as successful as the internet would lead patients to believe. I hope this information has been helpful.
Best of luck to you.
High tibial osteotomies are very complex and require a very skilled and seasoned surgeon.
Maintain joint motion with a regimented, non-painful exercise program.
Regular exercise, extra spring up to four tablets a day manages most early arthritis symptoms.
