Treatments for Chronic Arthritis
Arthritis is defined as inflammation of the joint. Depending on the patient, more than one joint may be affected. All forms of arthritis are chronic. They cannot be treated, but they can be managed. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms of chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common of the two, but rheumatoid arthritis is the most debilitating. Chronic-arthritis treatments focus on improving the patient's joint function and alleviating the symptoms.
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Analgesics and NSAIDs
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Analgesics and NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the most commonly used chronic arthritis treatment. Analgesics are a type of medication that is used to reduce pain. Commonly used analgesics include over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, prescription drugs such as Ultram and prescription narcotics such as Vicodin and Percocet. NSAIDs are used to reduce inflammation and pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include naproxen and ibuprofen. Prescription NSAIDs include Celebrex and Meloxicam. Analgesics and NSAIDs are often used in combination to alleviate the patient's pain and inflammation. Narcotic analgesics are only used when the patient's pain is severe.
Counterirritants
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Counterirritants are used to reduce pain. They come in the form of topical ointments and creams that are massaged onto the affected joint. They often contain capsaicin or menthol. Commonly used counterirritants include Icy Hot.
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Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and Biologics
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Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are used most often in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They are used to help stop or slow down the immune system. This helps to preserve joints because when the immune system is slowed down it does not attack the joints as aggressively. Common DMARDs include Plaquenil and Trexall. Biologics are commonly used in conjunction with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. They are used to suppress the patient's immune system and are genetically engineered. Commonly used biologics include Remicade and Enbrel.
Corticosteroids
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Corticosteroids are used to suppress the patient's immune system and to reduce the inflammation associated with chronic arthritis. These types of drugs are used more often in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids can be injected directly into the affected joint or taken orally. Commonly used corticosteroids include cortisone and prednisone.
Therapy
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Physical therapy can be beneficial to those suffering from chronic arthritis. It helps patients learn and execute muscle-strengthening and range-of-motion-improving exercises. These exercises can help patients remain mobile.
Surgical Procedures
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Patients who do not respond to medications or therapy may benefit from surgery. Those with severe cases of chronic arthritis may need surgery. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from a procedure called synovium removal, or synovectomy. During this procedure, the patient's joint, capsule lining is removed. This removal may help to slow down the deterioration of affected joints and may help to reduce the symptoms of swelling that often affect the hands, wrists and fingers. Those who have damaged joints may benefit from a joint replacement. During this procedure the damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one. Joint-replacement surgery is most often done to replace the knee and hip joints. Joint fusion is another surgical procedure used to treat chronic arthritis. It is most often performed on the ankle, wrist and finger joints. During this procedure, the ends of two bones are removed and then their ends are locked together.
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