Arthritis: Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. Starting a treatment plan early can help reduce long-term damage to your joints and bones. Your treatment plan will be developed to reduce pain and stiffness and to provide a wider range of movement.

Weight loss and exercise are usually recommended first as treatment. If they are not effective, your doctor may recommend a medication. If a person with osteoarthritis cannot perform their daily activities such as dressing, bathing, or walking up stairs, surgery may be recommended. Intermediate treatments may consist of cortisone shots or shots of artificial cartilage.

Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Treatment plans are individualized. What works for one person may not work for another. For your treatment plan to be effective, your doctor will need to know what your pain level is, when it happens, which part of your body is affected, and how long the pain lasts. This information will help your doctor to make adjustments in your treatment plan, if needed. Keeping a journal with this information along with questions for your doctor and your physical therapist will be beneficial.

Osteoarthritis and Weight Loss

The most common cause of excess pressure on the joints is extra body weight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Weight loss reduces the pressure and strain on your joints. It can also reduce the pain and stiffness in the affected joints.

Eat a healthy diet that includes foods low in fat and high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You should work your doctor to develop a weight loss plan tailored for you.

Osteoarthritis and Exercise

Regular exercise can be effective in relieving the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. It may help to slow the disease. It should be combined with a healthy diet. Your exercise program depends on your lifestyle and how disabled you are. Your doctor may recommend stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, or low-impact aerobic exercises.

Before you begin any exercise program, you should discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor can help you develop an exercise program that fits you. You should exercise when your joints are most flexible and you are not in severe pain.

Make exercise and a healthy diet part of your life. It won't cure the arthritis but it may reduce its progression and provide you with some relief from pain.