People tend to use the word arthritis liberally and apply it to all kinds of bodily pain.  So just to clarify, here we are talking about osteoarthritis which is the typical arthritis that people get as they get older.  This is very different from rheumatoid arthritis or lupus arthritis etc.  These other types of arthritis are completely another type of beast and should be treated differently.

Basically, people can develop osteoarthritis in various joints in the body (i.e. knees, hands, neck or back, hips, etc.).  The pain can be mild to severe and can cause significant limitations in functioning when severe.  Pain can wax and wane; people get “flare ups” periodically if they engage in certain activities and aggravate the particular joints or body parts involved.  Usually, once the pain increases in intensity, frequency, or duration, people do consult with their doctor for help.

  1. The doctor will determine what type of arthritis you have and let you know what course of treatment is appropriate.
  2. With osteoarthritis, the first line of treatment is usually with an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or naproxen.  These medications help to decrease the inflammation in the joints and decrease pain.  Some patients cannot take these medications and can be prescribed something like Celebrex or even just Tylenol.  Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
  3. It would also be reasonable to have a course of physical therapy.  This would be beneficial for most patients and your doctor will order it as deemed necessary.
  4. You might be asked to get an xray of the joints involved or your doctor might order some blood tests to further evaluate your pain though this is not always necessary.
  5. If your pain is moderate to severe, you might be offered a cortisone injection into the affected joints.  This usually helps decrease the pain significantly and allow most patients to go back to their usual activity.  The effect can last for months though not always and varies by patient.
  6. Ask your doctor about other over the counter supplements that you can take for your joints, i.e. glucosamine chondroitin.
  7. You can also be referred to an orthopedist for severe osteoarthritis if your doctor thinks you might benefit from surgery or other types of injections that are done in the specialist office.

Whatever the course of treatment you and your doctor decide to try, always have a follow up appointment with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

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