Term arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic disorders. It can affect the joints of many body parts as well as may involve other organs. There is pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness in the joints due to breakdown of joint cartilage by arthritis. If this disease becomes chronic and severe, it can give rise to some serious complications. Hence, it is better to start the arthritis treatments as early as possible.

Various surgical and non-surgical options are available for arthritis treatments. Actually, there is no cure for arthritis. A goal of treatment is to relieve pain and inflammation and reduce the symptoms. The treatment options depend on which type of arthritis you have. Traditional arthritis medications include analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs.

Painkillers like acetaminophen like Tylenol, Panadal, Anacin-3 and Valadol can effectively reduce the arthritis pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), aspirin, ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) is found to be effective to reduce pain as well as inflammation. These drugs act by preventing the formation of prostaglandins which is responsible for pain and inflammation.

Use of corticosteroids is another effective treatment option for arthritis. These drugs are used to reduce the extreme inflammation which is accompanied by stiffness and severe pain. In addition to this, there are other medications such as disease-modifying drugs including penicillamine, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, gold tablets and leflunomide, newer disease modifying drugs including infliximab, and etanercept used for arthritis treatments.

Application of heat or cold is another effective therapy for the treatment of arthritis. Applying heat to the affected joint can help to increase blood circulation and improves pain tolerance, while cold therapy helps to numb the nerves around affected joint. Other treatment methods are acupuncture, massage therapy, mobilization therapy, hydrotherapy and relaxing therapy. Herbal and homeopathic treatments are also found to be beneficial to manage the symptoms of arthritis.

Exercise and dietary supplements play a significant role in arthritis treatments. Exercise helps to maintain healthy body weigh and controls obesity which is one of the risk factors for arthritis. It also reduces pain and stiffness of the joints, improves flexibility and mobility of joints and maintains joint function. Besides this, balanced and healthy diet helps to control body weight and maintain overall health. Your diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

The musculoskeletal surgery is a general term used for the surgeries related to arthritis treatments. The bone conserving method is also used in this type of surgery. The musculoskeletal surgery is typically used in patients with psoriatic arthritis and reactive arthritis. These arthritis types have severe impacts on the joints and surrounding area. They can lead to restrictions in the mobility of joints. Therefore, musculoskeletal surgery is the suitable options for treating such severe conditions in arthritis.