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Osteoarthritis Treatment |
Osteoarthritis TreatmentOsteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis and mainly affects the elderly.
It is caused due to the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints. This cartilage acts as a buffer between the bones and aids smooth movement. When it gets worn out, movement in the affected joint becomes stiff and painful.
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and inflammation of the affected joints.
The joints become stiff and may hurt when used, and sometimes even when rested. Osteoarthritis may also lead to hard bony enlargements in the joints of the fingers or a bunion on the large toe.
Physicians diagnose osteoarthritis based on physical examinations, x-rays, blood tests and arthrocentesis. Once the presence of the disease is confirmed, treatment for osteoarthritis can be started.
The goal of the osteo arthritis treatment is to reduce pain and stiffness, allow for greater movement of the affected joints, and slow the progression of the disease. The first treatment that is usually prescribed is mild exercise for the affected parts. Physicians usually recommend a combination of stretching exercises, mild strengthening exercises, and low-impact aerobic exercises. The idea is to strengthen the affected parts and keep them flexible and supple.
Exercise also helps in weight loss. Excessive weight is detrimental to the treatment of osteoarthritis since it places additional strain on the inflamed joints.
If weight loss and exercise are not effective in relieving the symptoms, your physician may resort to medication to reduce the pain and tenderness in the joints. Medicines range from topical ointments such as salicylates or capsaicin, analgesics that contain acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, and corticosteroids such as prednisone.
Most of these medications have serious side effects if used for a long period of time. Prior to prescribing the medication, your physician will assess the side effects associated with it. It is also important that you inform your physician if you start to feel unwell or notice any unwanted symptoms after taking the medication.
Surgery may have to be performed in severe cases where other treatments have failed.
The main aim of surgery is to prevent the joint from becoming deformed or to replace a damaged joint with a new one.
There are also certain nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid that aid in the building of cartilage that have been shown to be beneficial in relieving the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
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