There are a number of options available for osteoarthritis treatment. Some of them are exercises, nutrition, heat and cold therapy, medication and surgery. Some of them as the exercises, nutrition, and medication can be used for cure as well as relief from pain. Surgery is a method, which is used, for being permanently cured.

Among these options of osteoarthritis treatments, the ones that will surely cure osteoarthritis are surgery and medication.

Medication will involve the intake of drugs that reduce inflammation. There is a wide variety of drugs, used for osteoarthritis treatment. The drugs useful for reducing inflammation are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as discolofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, etc. They can bring down both pain and inflammation. COX-2 and selective inhibitors and corticosteroids too, are being used against inflammation.

These drugs may be taken orally, or through an injection on the affected joint. Some of the non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs can be applied superficially as well. For example discolofenac, ibuprofen can be applied superficially.

Apart from these, osteoarthritis treatment also includes the drugs, which are used just relive the patient from pain. Acetaminophen is one such drug. Some narcotic drugs are used in cases where the pain is severe.

In addition to this to medications, which contain supplements of nutrients which are necessary for the proper functioning of joints are also are used for treating osteoarthritis. These supplements are given in the cases where their deficiency is the cause of osteoarthritis. they can aid in bringing down the inflammation as well.

If the drugs are not able to cure osteoarthritis, surgery is done. Surgery is usually used as an osteoarthritis treatment only in the later stages when the inflammation has increased greatly and damaged the bones in the joints. In such cases, it is not possible to cure the inflammation with any otter method.

During surgery, the whole affected joint is removed, and replaced by an artificial one. Alternatively, the surgery may involve removal of just a fragment of the joint, or fusing or repositioning the bones. Such a surgery helps in increasing stability and reducing pain.

Whenever, a patient approaches a rheumatologist, the rheumatologist will first study the case and then try out the simple methods as medication along with exercises, etc. Nevertheless, these methods do not work always. If these methods fail then surgery is done. The surgical procedure for osteoarthritis treatment does not involve much risk. Therefore it is quite commonly done.