Arthritis Treatment

Minimizing pain and improving joint function are the usual goals of treatment for arthritis. NSAIDs are among the drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation. Surgery may involve realigning the joint or replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one. It is also important that people with arthritis get rest and exercise, eat a well-balanced diet, and learn the right way to use and protect the joints.

An Overview of Arthritis Treatment

"
 Arthritis" is not a single disease. It is a term used to refer to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases may affect not only the joints, but also other parts of the body, including important supporting structures like muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. They can also affect some internal organs.
 
Some types of arthritis include:
 
There is no single treatment for arthritis that applies to everyone or every type of arthritis, but there are some common treatment choices. Among the things that are vital to living with any kind of arthritis are:
 
  • Rest
  • Exercise
  • Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
  • Learning the right way to use and protect your joints.
 
Your healthcare provider will develop a management plan designed to minimize your specific pain and improve the function of your joints. Some of the treatment options he or she might consider include:
 
  • Arthritis medications
  • Other pain-relief options
  • Exercise and weight control
  • Surgery
  • Alternative therapies.
     
You can visit any of the links at the end of this article for specific treatment options for each type of arthritis. These articles include information on treatment for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and septic arthritis, among others.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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