The effective administration of osteoarthritis involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical treatment. In severe cases, surgery can also offer a convenient solution.
Modification of the way of life
Lifestyle choices are important to consider when managing osteoarthritic symptoms, determined as small changes can make a noticeable difference to the severity of symptoms.
Excess weight is known to aggravate symptoms and being obese is a widely validated cause of this condition. This is mostly due to the extra pressure that is applied in the extra weight joints.
As a consequence, taking dimensions of losing weight should be included in the management plan of each fat or obese individual who suffers from osteoarthritis. It has been shown to decrease pain, reduce rigidity and perfect the joint function, which leads to less need for pharmaceutical administration.
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Moderate exercise should also be done at least three times per week for those with affected joints of the elbow and easel. This has been found to benefit individuals in terms of pain and function.
Physical therapy
Treating osteoarthritis symptoms with physical therapy and massage therapies may offer beneficial relief of symptoms, although the overall effectiveness of these treatments has not been determined.
Functional, step and balance training is recommended to help perfect sense, balance and positioning forces. This is determined useful for those individuals who have lower extremity arthritis, leading to a higher risk of falls in the elderly and the resulting fractures.
Elbow braces can offer an advantage to users in helping maintain control and reduce pain. Side wedge insoles, however, have not been shown to offer a useful advantage for osteoarthritis.
To help in relieving stiffness, heat management may prove to offer an advantage, and cold therapy can help manage spasms and muscle pain.
Oral medications
Simple analgesias are usually the first line option for the administration of pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Paracetamol is associated with fewer side effects, making it the preferred treatment for mild pain moderation for this reason. It can often offer a convenient form of pain relief and has a good insurance profile with long-term use.
NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen may also prove beneficial to help in the relief of osteoarthritis pain, particularly for more severe pain. When NSAIDS are used for extended periods of time, however, they are associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers and cardiovascular risk of stroke and heart attack. As a consequence, they must be used appropriately and, as much as possible, steps must be taken to manage this risk.
As an example, taking an antacid with an NSAID has been shown to help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration. In addition, it is important that patients are aware of the signs of possible complications, such as abdominal pain and black stools. In case complications occur, then they will be equipped to seek immediate medical attention.
Selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib are another class of NSAIDS that are associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal effects but the increased risk of myocardial infarction. As a result, they can prove a good option for individuals who are determined to be susceptible to gastrointestinal effects.
As a second line option, oral opioids can offer a solution. The convenience of this treatment is not without obstruction and is recommended only when the first line treatments are not suitable for the individual. They have been shown to offer a small advantage but are associated only with more severe comparable side effects.
Other medications
NSAIDS such as diclofenac can also be formulated in a topical gel that will be applied directly to the affected area. This offers the advantage of reduced risk of gastrointestinal effects, although it may produce a mild skin reaction in some people.
There is transdermal opioid pain and medical options of topical capsaicin available, although the effectiveness of these is controversial.
Hydrocortisone injections can offer short-term pain relief that can last from a few weeks to a few months. Rich injections of platelet plasma may have a role, as they seem to improve common function, but they have no effect on pain and are also associated with important risks.
Injections of hyaluronic acid are not recommended, as they do not offer substantial improvement but are associated with harmful effects.
Alternative remedy
The available evidence of dietary supplements and natural treatments is limited and, as a consequence, recommendations for their use are often not understood.
Glucosamine is thought to offer an advantage based on the role it plays in joint cartilage. Although it appears to be safe, effectiveness is controversial and recent masts have not found it to be more beneficial than placebo. It is possible that glucosamine sulfate is more effective than glucosamine hydrochloride, although both offer modest benefits. According to the International Society of Osteoarthritis Research, glucosamine should be stopped if no effect is observed after six months.
Some other alternative medications that may prove useful include:
- Phytodolor
- The same
- SKI 306X (chinese herbal remedy)
- The cat hook
- Avocado and soy
- Boswellia serrated
The following may also be beneficial but is supported by fewer tests:
- Herbal preparations of Ayurvedic (Articulin F and Eazmov)
- Collagen
- The hook of the devil
- Duhuo Jisheng pale (Chinese herbal remedy)
- Fish liver oil
- Ginger
- Gitadyl
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Reumalax
- Stinging nettle
- Turmeric
- Vitamins A, C and E
- Vitamin K
- Willow bark
Acupuncture has been associated with a relief of modest pain, although the significance of this is uncertain, as the long-term benefits are small.
Electro stimulation techniques such as TEN have been used historically, despite a lack of evidence to prove their effectiveness.
Surgery
For severe cases of osteoarthritis, surgery may offer an alternative solution. Joint surgery of arthroplasty or repairing a surface can help and the common replacement of elbows and trestles can be clinically effective. In the long term, it also offers a low-cost solution.
The osteotomy can help people suffering from osteoarthritis of the elbow even if the tests are limited. Arthroscopic surgery, on the other hand, is not associated with perfected results.