Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not a condition that
only old people get. It is a condition that can impact people of
all ages, and in severe cases, the pain associated with
arthritis can be absolutely debilitating. In its simplest
definition, arthritis is the pain that emerges in the area where
two joints come together such as the fingers, knees, elbows,
hips, and shoulders.
There are a number of tests that can be performed that will help
determine the cause of the pain, the degree and frequency of the
pain, and the areas most impacted. Once all of this information
is gathered, there is a better chance an effective course of
arthritis treatments can be offered. Here are some of the more
common arthritis treatments.
NSAIDS/Over the counter treatments
NSAIDS, which stands for Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are
effective at treating the symptoms of arthritis. Many different
drugs fall into the category of NSAIDS, many of which are
available only by prescription.
Over the counter medications that reduce pain and inflammation
are for many people, effective arthritis treatments. Aspirin,
acetaminophen, naproxen and ibuprofen are all safe if taken as
directed and easy to obtain without a prescription. These types
of arthritis treatments are relatively inexpensive and have few
negative side effects.
Taken as directed, NSAIDS can help arthritis sufferers get
relief from stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and pain in the
joints. Before taking any of these treatments however, be sure
to discuss the risks and all known side effects associated with
taking this type of medication.
COX-2 Inhibitors
These types of arthritis treatments are better known by their
brand names: Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra and the like. While these
products do an effective
job treating the symptoms of arthritis,
their effectiveness came with a heavy price in the form of
potentially life-threatening side effects. Several of these
name-brand products have been taken off the market. If you'd
like more information about COX-2 Inhibitors, you should consult
your doctor. http://www.arthritisnatural.com/safetyofarthritismedications/
Joint Replacement
This type of arthritis treatment involves a surgical procedure
and is most often prescribed for patients with severely damaged
joints. During surgery, the damaged joint is removed, and a
replacement part is put in place. The resulting pain is mainly
caused by the incision and generally will pass in several weeks.
After recovery, patients should be able to resume up to 75% of
mobility in the affected joint area. Hip replacement is the most
common type of joint replacement surgery but regardless of the
type, replacement is a very effective arthritis treatment.
Other Types of Surgery
Sometimes rather than replacing a joint, surgery is prescribed
to repair a tendon that has become damaged or to remove the
tendon's covering if that is what's causing the pain. The lining
inside the joint cavity is also something that might be removed
during a surgical procedure, as could the removal of a bone.
Sometimes the joint pain is being caused by nerves that have
become trapped and a surgical procedure can alleviate this
situation as well.
About the author:
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for ArthritisNatural.com. To
learn more about arthr
itis treatments and preve
nting arthritis, visit our site.
Written by: Gray Rollins
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