Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
Applying heat or cold or soaking in a warm bath to relieve the joint pain and swelling. Physical therapy to help improve joint function and range of motion. Yoga and dance to increase range of motion and joint flexibility. Weight training can help build muscle mass to help support and protect the joints.
The initial oral medication of choice in the treatment of OA involves oral NSAIDs.
While paracetamol can be tried, guidelines recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line treatment for osteoarthritis.
Exercise. Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. Your physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen your muscles and exercises to improve your general fitness.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends strengthening exercises, low impact aerobic exercises, aquatic exercises, weight loss programs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) (5).
According to worldwide guidelines, customized, regular exercise supervised by a physical therapist is the first-line treatment of osteoarthritis.
The good news is that you can live — and live well — with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. You can get relief from its pain and its consequences. This Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School will show you how.
Ensure you exercise at least three times a week.
Healthy muscles optimise our joint mechanics and exercise is crucial for increasing strength and flexibility, reducing joint pain and helping to combat fatigue. It also helps you to maintain a good body weight that will not put too much pressure on your joints.
Aging changes in the musculoskeletal system increase the propensity to OA but the joints affected and the severity of disease are most closely related to other OA risk factors such as joint injury, obesity, genetics, and anatomical factors that affect joint mechanics.
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) scientists have created a promising injectable cell therapy to treat osteoarthritis that both reduces inflammation and also regenerates articular cartilage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Over-the-counter NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), taken at the recommended doses, typically relieve osteoarthritis pain. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription.
Oral use of glucosamine sulfate might provide some pain relief for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Some research shows that it may also help slow knee joint degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.
Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways, and the more you weigh, the greater your risk. Increased weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees. Also, fat tissue produces proteins that can cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints. Joint injuries.
Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint. Joints that do not form correctly. Family history of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatologists – Rheumatologists specialize in musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions. They treat all types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. If there's a chance you have something other than osteoarthritis, you will be sent to a rheumatologist.
The recommended dosage of B12 vitamins daily is an essential part of overall health. To those who have autoimmune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, it can help pain management and prevent future health risks.
Current treatment for OA is limited to control of symptoms. At this time, there are no pharmacological agents capable of retarding the progression of OA or preventing OA. This is a fundamental and important area of current research.
There's no cure for osteoarthritis, but there is a lot you can do to slow its progression, reduce pain, and maintain or improve function.
Osteoarthritis symptoms range from stiffness and mild pain to persistent, severe joint pain. Common signs include swelling and tenderness, stiffness after getting out of bed, and a crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone.