Arthritis Treatment

Once you have been diagnosed with Arthritis it is very important to seek treatment right away . The ultimate objective of the treatment is to reduce the amount of symptoms you have, slow down the progression of the disease, prevent more damage from being done, keep up and maintain joint function and to preserve the range of motion and mobility you have in your joints. There are arthritis sufferers who display early signs of arthritis will choose to self medicate with creams and over the counter medications. But they should have a doctor check them out anyway you make sure you are not doing more harm than good.

One type of treatment for arthritis will be medications. Not over the counter medications but prescription medications. Some different types will include NASAIDs which are Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. COX-2 Inhibitors, Pain Medications, Corticosteroids, DMARDs which are Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs and Biological response Modifiers. When you are being treated find out which medications are best for you, do some research on your own and take that information along with you. If you have any questions about the medications ask your doctor.

The doctor may prescribe injections into the joints. There are different injections that can be used the procedure is called Viscosupplementation which is when an injection of a substance into the joint. Right now it has only been approved to work in the knees. The five types of injections are Synvisc, Orthovisc, Supartz, Euflexxa and Hyalgan. But standard medical procedures, these shots are not allowed to be give more than 3 times a year.

Other forms of treatment may include surgery. Most of the time joint surgery is a used as a last option. When injections and medications fail to relieve the pain then surgery may be considered. There are many options when it comes to surgery, there is Arthropasty, Joint Replacement , Resection, partial Knee Replacement and Arthrodesis. Though you may feel that surgery is a good choice for you, your doctor may not. As we progress in your treatment when and if the time comes sit down with your doctor and go over all of your options.