Arthritis
treatment generally includes occupational or physical therapy,
exercise, medications and sometimes surgery to correct joint damage.
Sometimes arthritic damage can be slowed or stopped, but in many
cases the damage continues as the disease runs its course, regardless
of whether drugs or other therapies are used to relieve the symptoms.
The duration and intensity of pain and discomfort
depend on the type of arthritis and the degree of severity. In
older people with severe rheumatoid or degenerative conditions,
for example, the effects may be lifelong.
In the case of localized pain, stiffness and
immobility, the typical three-stage therapy consists of medication
to relieve pain and inflammation, rest to let injured tissues
heal themselves, and exercise to rebuild mobility and strength.
Learning to protect your joints is also an
important part of treatment. With the help of an occupational
therapist, you can learn easier ways to do your normal activities,
such as avoiding positions that strain your joints, using your
strongest joints and muscles while sparing weaker ones, wearing
braces or supports for certain joints, and using grab bars in
the bath, modified door knobs, canes, or walkers, and devices
to help you with tasks such as opening jars or pulling up socks.
Physicians may recommend pain relievers combined
with regimens of heat, rest and exercise, physical therapy, and
controlled application of deep heat to soothe affected joints.
Surgery
Various forms of surgery may be needed to reduce the discomfort
of arthritis or to restore mobility or joint function. Synovectomy
is the removal of damaged connective tissue lining a joint cavity,
and allows the body to regenerate new, healthy tissue in its place.
This operation is most common in the knee. In cases of severe
arthritic damage to the neck or foot, bones can be surgically
removed or fused. Although movement is limited after such surgery,
the operations relieve excruciating pain and help prevent further
damage to nerves or blood vessels.
If arthritic pain and inflammation become
truly unbearable, or arthritic joints simply refuse to function,
the answer may lie in surgical joint replacement. Today, hip and
shoulder joints -- as well as smaller joints in elbows, knees
and fingers -- can be replaced with reliable artificial joints
made of stainless steel and plastic. This type of surgery can
dramatically improve function and mobility.
Pain Management
Because one of the most trying aspects of arthritis is learning
to live with pain, many physicians recommend training in pain
management, including cognitive therapy. Learning to overcome
mental stress and anxiety can be the key to coping with the physical
limitations that may accompany chronic rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis. Cognitive therapy may include various techniques
for activity scheduling, imaging, relaxation, distraction, and
creative problem-solving.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
Arthritis
treatment generally includes occupational or physical therapy,
exercise, medications and sometimes surgery to correct joint damage.
Sometimes arthritic damage can be slowed or stopped, but in many
cases the damage continues as the disease runs its course, regardless
of whether drugs or other therapies are used to relieve the symptoms.