Pain Relief : Try Supportive Devices for Arthritic Pain

Pain Relief : Try Supportive Devices for Arthritic Pain
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of knee arthritis. OA is usually a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of knee arthritis. OA is usually a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It most often affects middle-aged and those above 50 years. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis that can destroy the joint cartilage. RA can occur at any age. RA generally affects both knees and often affects women.

Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the knee. This type of arthritis is similar to osteoarthritis and may develop years after a fracture, ligament injury, or meniscus tear.

dr jalapath reddySymptoms The joint may become stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend or straighten the knee. Pain and swelling are worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity. Pain may also increase after activities such as walking, stair climbing, or kneeling. The pain may often cause a feeling of weakness in the knee, resulting in a "locking" or "buckling." Many people report that changes in the weather also affect the degree of pain from arthritis - it increases in winter.

Non-surgical Treatment Lifestyle modifications can include losing weight, switching from running or jumping exercises to swimming or cycling, and avoid squatting and use western toilet, minimising activities that aggravate the condition, such as climbing stairs. Simple weight loss can reduce stress on weight bearing joints, such as knee.

Supportive Devices Using supportive devices, such as a cane, wearing energy-absorbing shoes or inserts, or wearing a brace or knee sleeve can be helpful.

Other methods Other measures may include applications of heat or ice, water exercises, liniments or elastic bandages.

Drug Treatment Several types of drugs can be used in treating arthritis of the knee. Because every patient is different, and because not all people respond the same to medications. Anti-inflammatory medications can include aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling in the joint.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin These drugs may relieve the pain. Glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate may be particularly helpful in the early stages of osteoarthritis of the knee. At least two months of continuous use is necessary before the full effect is realised.

Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can be injected into the joint. They are given for moderate to severe pain in rhematoid and Seronegative arthritis. They can be very useful if there is significant swelling, but are not very helpful if the arthritis affects the joint mechanics.

Viscosupplementation with Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplementation involves injecting substances into the joint to improve the quality of the joint fluid. Special medical treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include disease-modifying agents like Azathroprine, Hydroxy chloroquin, Methotrexate, Sulphasalazine

Surgical Treatment If your arthritis does not respond to these nonsurgical treatments, you may need to have surgery. There A are a number of surgical A options, including the following: - Arthroscopic lavage. - Supracondylar osteotomy and high tribal osteotomy to improve the alignment of the knee joint. - A total or partial knee arthroplasty replaces the severely damaged knee joint cartilage with metal and plastic.

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