![]() The most promising alternative remedies for arthritis include: Many people use alternative remedies for arthritis, but there is little reliable evidence to support the use of many of these products. It removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and then locks those ends together until they heal into one rigid unit. This procedure is more often used for smaller joints, such as those in the wrist, ankle and fingers. Joints most commonly replaced are hips and knees. This procedure removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one. These types of procedures can often be performed arthroscopically - through small incisions over the joint. In some instances, joint surfaces can be smoothed or realigned to reduce pain and improve function. If conservative measures don't help, doctors may suggest surgery, such as: In some cases, splints or braces may be warranted. Exercises can improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding joints. Physical therapy can be helpful for some types of arthritis. Side effects vary but most DMARDs increase your risk of infections. In addition to conventional DMARDs, there are also biologic agents and targeted synthetic DMARDs. These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).Side effects may include thinning of bones, weight gain and diabetes. Corticosteroids may be given as a pill or as an injection into the painful joint. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage. Rubbing these preparations on the skin over your aching joint may interfere with the transmission of pain signals from the joint itself. Some varieties of creams and ointments contain menthol or capsaicin, the ingredient that makes hot peppers spicy. NSAIDs are also available as creams or gels, which can be rubbed on joints. Stronger NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation and may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Commonly used arthritis medications include: The medications used to treat arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis. You may need to try several different treatments, or combinations of treatments, before you determine what works best for you. Ultrasound is also used to guide needle placement for removing joint fluid or injecting medications into the joint.Īrthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. This technology uses high-frequency sound waves to image soft tissues, cartilage and fluid-containing structures near the joints (bursae). Combining radio waves with a strong magnetic field, MRIs can produce more-detailed cross-sectional images of soft tissues such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments. CTs can visualize both bone and the surrounding soft tissues. CT scanners take X-rays from many different angles and combine the information to create cross-sectional views of internal structures. X-rays may not reveal early arthritic damage, but they are often used to track progression of the disease. Using low levels of radiation to visualize bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. These types of tests can detect problems within the joint that may be causing your symptoms.
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