Frequently Asked Questions about Arthritis.
Last updated Tuesday, January 25, 2005
TreatmentsWhat are common arthritis treatments? There are many things that help reduce pain,
relieve stiffness, and keep you moving. Your care may involve more than
one kind of treatment. Your doctor may recommend medications, but there
are many things you can do on your own to help manage pain and fatigue
and move easier.
Finding the right treatment takes time. It can involve trial and
error until you and your healthcare team or therapist find what works
best. Be sure to let your doctor know if a treatment is not working.
Your treatment may also change as your arthritis changes.
Treatments for arthritis can be divided into several categories:
medication, exercise, heat/cold, pacing, joint protection, surgery and
self-help skills. You can do things in each of these areas to help
yourself feel better and move easier.
Medication
Many different drugs are used to treat arthritis. Some are available
without a prescription; others must be prescribed by your doctor. You
should always check with your doctor before taking any medication, even
over-the-counter drugs. Your doctor can tell you how much and when to
take them for best relief, as well as how to avoid any drug-related
problems.
These are some of the common medications used to treat arthritis.
Your doctor may prescribe other medication to treat specific forms of
arthritis or in specific situations.
Anti-inflammatories reduce both pain and swelling. These medications are called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Some NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are
available without a prescription; others are only available by
prescription. The most common side effect of these medications is
stomach upset. Call your doctor if stomach pain is more than mild and
lasts.
Aspirin is commonly used to treat many forms of arthritis.
Aspirin-free pain relievers may be recommended by your doctor if you
just need pain relief, are allergic to aspirin, or have had an ulcer.
Acetaminophen gives temporary relief of common arthritis pain, but does
not reduce swelling. It is available without a prescription.
Corticosteroids
are prescribed to reduce severe pain and swelling. They are given by
injection or in pill form. Injections can bring quick relief, but can
only be used several times in one year because they weaken bone and
cartilage. Because of potentially serious side effects, corticosteroids
must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
Disease modifiers tend to slow down the disease process in
rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers do not know how this happens. These
drugs are available only by prescription and may take several weeks or
months to work. Your doctor will carefully monitor you for side
effects.
Sleep medications may promote deeper sleep and help relax muscles.
These drugs may help people with fibromyalgia sleep better. They are
available by prescription and are used in very low doses at bedtime.
Questions you should ask about your medications:
- What is its name?
- How much do I take?
- How and when do I take it?
- How long will it be before it works?
- What benefits can I expect?
- When should I contact my doctor if I don't get relief?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- What other drugs should I not take with it?
Exercise
Regular exercise is important to keep you moving and independent. Exercise helps lessen pain, increases movement, reduces fatigue and helps you look and feel better. Three types of exercises can help people with arthritis.
- Range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness. They keep your joints
flexible by moving them to their fullest extent. Most people should do
these exercises daily.
- Strengthening exercises increase or maintain muscle strength.
Strong muscles help keep your joints stable and make it easier to move.
Most people should do these exercises daily or every other day.
- Endurance exercises build fitness. They help keep your heart
healthy and control your weight. You should exercise for a total of 20
to 30 minutes, three times a week, at a pace that raises or sustains
your heart rate. Most people can build your endurance by exercising for
shorter periods of time several times a day.
Plan your exercises at times of the day when you have less stiffness
or pain. Start slowly. Build up the amount of time you exercise and the
number of repetitions you do. Exercise at a level that allows you to
talk comfortably during the activity. If pain from exercise lasts more
than two hours, you may have done too much. Reduce your level of
activity next time. Stop exercising right away if you have chest pains,
severe dizziness or shortness of breath, or if you feel sick to your
stomach.
Heat and cold
Using heat or cold over joints or muscles may give you short-term
relief from pain and stiffness. You can also use heat or cold to help
prepare for exercise. Some people feel better using heat; others prefer
cold.
Heat helps relax aching muscles. Sources of heat include heating
pads, hot packs, hot tubs or heated pools. Cold numbs the area so you
don't feel as much pain. You can apply cold with ice, cold packs or
even bags of frozen vegetables.
It's important to use heat and cold safely. Don't use either
treatment for more than 20 minutes at a time. Let your skin return to
normal temperature between applications. Don't use heat with rubs or
creams since this can result in skin burns.
For more information on using heat and cold correctly, talk to your physical therapist.
Pacing yourself
Pacing yourself saves energy by switching periods of activity with
periods of rest. Pacing helps protect your joints from the stress of
repeated tasks and helps reduce fatigue.
Alternate heavy or repeated tasks with easy ones. Change tasks often
so you don't hold joints in one position for a long time. Plan rest
breaks during your daily activities.
Joint protection
You can protect your joints by using them in ways that avoid excess stress. Protecting your joints makes it easier to do daily tasks.
Joint position means using joints in the best way to avoid excess
stress. Use larger or stronger joints to carry things. For instance,
carry your grocery bags using your forearms or palms instead of your
fingers.
Walking or assistive devices can keep stress off certain joints.
Your doctor may suggest using a cane, crutches or a walker to reduce
stress on your hips and knees.
Many assistive devices have special features that help make tasks
easier. Special aids with larger handles, such as extra-thick pens,
make it easier to hold and write. Longer handles and reachers give you
better leverage. Lightweight items, such as plastic dishes, are easier
to carry.
Weight control involves staying close to your recommended weight, or
losing weight if you are overweight. Weight control helps reduce your
risk for developing osteoarthritis in the knees or gout.
If you already have knee osteoarthritis, losing weight may lessen pain
by reducing stress on your joints. Exercise and reducing calories will
help you lose weight. If you need to lose a lot of weight, work with
your doctor and a registered or licensed dietitian to find the best
weight-loss program for you.
Surgery
Most people with arthritis will never need surgery.
However, surgery can help in some cases when other treatments have
failed. It can reduce pain, increase movement and improve physical
appearance.
Two kinds of surgery help people with arthritis. The first kind
repairs the existing joint by removing debris, fusing or correcting
bone deformity. The second replaces the joint with an artificial joint.
If your doctor suggests surgery, you may want to ask another doctor
for a second opinion. Orthopaedic surgeons are the doctors who perform
most joint replacements. Plastic surgeons may help with hand surgery.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|