Treatments for Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease process that affects the cartilage within a joint. It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting around 21 million Americans. Cartilage exists at the surface of the ends of the bones. It provides joints with a gliding surface and shock absorber during activities of daily living. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage layer to break down and wear away, exposing raw bone. The rubbing of bone on bone in the joint causes inflammation of the joints’ inner lining. That causes symptoms of pain, swelling, and stiffness. In response, the body forms more bone (bone spurs) and increases joint stiffness.  

Who gets osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis is more common in older adults, but it can affect younger adults as well. Often, this is the result of injury to the joint. Osteoarthritis is more common in men under the age of 45 and more common in women over the age of 45. Patients who participate in activities that overstress certain joints, as well as patients with overweight or obesity, may be at an increased risk of osteoarthritis.

Treatments for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis doesn’t only affect your joints. It can also cause stiffness in the surrounding tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This may make it difficult for you to keep up your normal level of activity and may reduce your quality of life. 

Doctors can’t stop this disease process. But there is good news: There are many options available to help treat and manage osteoarthritis so you can get back to your desired activities.

Many patients with osteoarthritis are afraid they may need surgery—but that is not usually the case. There are many nonsurgical treatments that can help control your pain while allowing you to be as active as you would like to be.

Self-care options for osteoarthritis

Exercise is one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis. A routine home exercise program with regular cardiovascular activity can decrease joint pain and stiffness. It can also strengthen the heart and contribute to overall good health. Exercise, when done correctly, has practically no side effects. It can take place in a supervised (via physical therapy or fitness training with a professional) or non-supervised fashion in a gym or at home.

If you’re having problems with pain during exercise, try activities that are less stressful on the joints such as biking, swimming, water exercise, or tai chi. Your doctor can also help you find exercises that work. There are many osteoarthritis self-care options you can try at home to improve your arthritis pain. These include:

• Heat and cold are often helpful in the short term for joint pain. You can try using a heat pack or an ice pack wrapped in a kitchen towel applied to the joint for 20-30 minutes a few times a day. You might try using a hot pack first thing in the morning for stiffness, or an ice pack after exercise to reduce inflammation.
  
• Weight loss is helpful if you have pain in the weight-bearing joints of the legs, hips or back. Studies have shown that reducing your body weight by 10% can reduce arthritis pain in the large joints by 50%. However, even a smaller amount of weight loss can reduce stress on your joints and help you feel better. A dietitian may help you develop a weight loss program that suits you best.
  
• Knee bracing can be helpful with knee osteoarthritis. Some people need special braces to help unload one side of the knee, but many do well with a simple neoprene sleeve that you can buy in drugstores or online.
  
• Good ergonomics can reduce the stress you place on the joint. For arthritis in the hands, choose tools and household objects with a larger grip, or try modifying items by wrapping handles with foam or tape to give you a wider grasp.
  
• Stretching will support a normal range of motion in the joints.
  
• Strengthening the muscles around the joint can reduce stress placed on the joint during movement. It is helpful to start strengthening exercises under the direction of a physical therapist or trainer who can check your alignment and direct you toward the most helpful exercises.
  
• An anti-inflammatory diet can help you get the maximum benefit from your other pain relief strategies. Try a diet rich in whole foods, such as the Whole 30 program or Mediterranean diet.
  

Medical treatment options

Sometimes, a doctor will recommend medical intervention to manage pain and support movement. They may suggest one of several medications and/or tools to help you return to normal activity.

Below are a list of details about different treatment options.