| Arthritis treatment helps to manage the disease. There | | | | benefits and risks of each. Some of the drug classes |
| are several treatment options available. Some of the | | | | used to treat this condition include Nonsteroidal |
| goals of treatment are to relieve the symptoms, slow | | | | Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs, COX-2 Inhibitors |
| the progression of the disease as well as prevent and | | | | and pain medication or analgesics. Others are |
| minimize joint damage and deformities. Other goals are | | | | corticosteroids, Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic |
| to maintain the joint function and preserve mobility. | | | | Drugs or DMARDs and biologic response modifiers. |
| Over-the-counter medications, topical creams and | | | | There are five types of injections that can be injected |
| conservative measures such as ice and heat treats | | | | directly into the joint. They are synvisc, supartz, |
| this condition in the early stages. Early detection is | | | | orthovisc, euflexxa and hyalgan. Joint surgery is |
| important and that is why it is recommended that you | | | | normally considered as a last resort. It is normally |
| see a doctor when you experience joint pains, | | | | performed when the other forms of treatment have |
| stiffness or swelling that persists for more than two | | | | proved to be ineffective in curbing the condition. When |
| weeks. You should see a doctor whether these | | | | the joint damage is severe and therefore it interferes |
| symptoms begin suddenly or gradually. | | | | with your daily activities, surgery will help decrease the |
| Arthritis treatment is done by a specialist or a | | | | pain as well as restore the function of the joint. Arthritis |
| rheumatologist. The specialist will discuss with you the | | | | treatment can also involve the use of complementary |
| various treatment options as well as the potential | | | | medicine. |