Treatment
Once arthritis sets in there is no way to reverse the damage that is done. Treatment can range from things as simple as exercise to as involved as injections and medications. Most patients are given an overall program that includes a variety of treatment options. The goals of treatment are therefore to decrease the patient's discomfort, increase the patient's function, and to hopefully protect the joints from further damage. Dr. Kassab believes that a crucial part of the treatment plan is to educate the patient regarding their condition so that they may be an integral part of the treatment plan.
Treatment Options
- Weight loss
Most patients don't understand that we can apply 6-8 times our body weight across our hips and knees with most every day activities. Therefore weight reduction is a crucial part of treating the pain and disability associated with arthritis.
- Activity modifications
Avoiding high impact activities such as running, jumping and excessive climbing can significantly decrease the symptoms of arthritis.
- Assistive devices such as cane or walker
Using a cane in the opposite hand can help decrease the load across the opposite hip by as much as 50 %.
- Medications
There are many medications available for the treatment of arthritis. Some of these are effective and others are nothing more than a gimmick. Unfortunately there are no medications which have been proven to reverse the disease
- Health Foods
These are "foods" that are available over the counter and without prescription.
BEWARE:
Because these substances are classified as foods they are not regulated by the FDA and usually make unfounded claims of curing arthritis. To date there are no medications which have been proven to regenerate a substantial amount of cartilage or reverse the damage caused by arthritis.
Compounds that have been shown to decrease pain and possibly protect our joints include Glucosamine Glycan and Chondroitin Sulfate.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications
These include Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celebrex, Bextra and others.
These medications work by decreasing the inflammation associated with arthritis. If effective, these medications can significantly decrease the pain associated with this disease. Unfortunately these medications have some serious side effects and patients should consult with their doctor before taking them.
- Injections
There are two types of injections which are routinely used.
- Cortisone
Cortisone helps to decrease the inflammation associated with arthritis. This is usually injected directly into the joint and can provide many weeks of pain relief. This is not a permanent fix for the disease. Cortisone is used to temporarily relief one's symptoms. There are some side effects to these injections so make sure you discuss this with your doctor.
- Hyaluronic Acid
These are injections which are given into the knee once a week over three to five weeks. Hyaluronic acid is normally found in our joints and serves as a lubricant. This substance has recently become available for injection and is showing promising results. Again this is a temporary treatment that may provide up to 6 months of pain relief.
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