Osteoarthritis Treatments

In 2012, the American College of Rheumatology issued treatment recommendations for hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis.

When oral medications or other conservative treatment options fail to yield satisfactory pain relief, an intra-articular injection may be considered. What is an intra-articular injection?

It's difficult to hear that you need a joint replacement. Deciding the right time for the surgery is also difficult. What went into your decision to have a joint replacement? What made it the right time?See submissions

The effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement of the knee has become somewhat controversial. While researchers have concluded arthroscopic debridement is no better than placebo, some patients claim they feel better after the procedure.

Electrical stimulation has been used to decrease both acute and chronic pain. How electrical stimulation is not precisely understood, but electrical stimulation is thought to block the transmission of pain signals along nerves.

An arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that partially or completely resurfaces, remodels, or replaces a joint severely damaged by arthritis. Usually, arthroplasty is only considered when conservative treatment options have failed.

Many options exist for knee pain treatment. It may take several attempts to find what knee pain treatment works best for you. Know your options for knee pain treatment.

Learn more about arthroscopy, arthodesis, joint replacement, and osteotomy.

It may seem sometimes like not much is happening in osteoarthritis news and research. Here is a review of the top 10 osteoarthritis news stories for 2010.

Have you ever disagreed with your doctor? Have you ever questioned the advice your doctor was offering to you? How did your doctor respond when you disagreed? Or, have you disagreed but only kept it to yourself?

Pennsaid Topical Solution is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Pennsaid Topical Solution has beem FDA-approved and is expected to be marketed in the first half of 2010.

For osteoarthritis, is physical activity or rest more beneficial?

There is a high success rate with joint replacement surgery. But that's not to say there are no failed joint replacement surgeries. Share your experience with joint replacement surgery. Were you well-prepared for all aspects of joint replacement surgery and recovery -- pre-op, surgery itself, and rehab? Were you happy with the outcome?

Hyaluronic acid is an injectable treatment option for knee osteoarthritis. A second course of injectable hyaluronic acid is safe if the first course does not produce a satisfactory response.

Intraarticular hyaluronic acid injections are one of the treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. What about the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections for the hip?

Synvisc-One is a single injection version of Synvisc. Instead of 3 intra-articular injections required of Synvisc -- only one is needed with Synvisc-One.

Total knee replacement is a highly successful surgery, but it is not the only surgical treatment option for knee osteoarthritis -- some patients are candidates for partial knee replacement. Are you a candidate for total knee replacement or partial knee replacement?

Hip revision is more common than you think. Beyond mechanical failure of the hip prosthesis, there are other reasons that can lead to hip revision. Learn more about hip revision.

You may be inclined to self-treat arthritis when you first start to experience symptoms of the disease. Many people self-treat with over-the-counter arthritis pain relievers. How long is it safe to self-treat before you should be diagnosed by a doctor?

Non-drug treatments for osteoarthritis have gained popularity. Some patients shy away from using prescription drugs to manage their osteoarthritis -- often because they fear side effects. Check into non-drug treatments for osteoarthritis to see if any are appropriate for you.

Knee replacement surgery is often delayed by patients who can't wrap their mind around the procedure itself and the rehab that follows. A study from Kent State University looked at initial reasons why knee replacement surgery is put off.

Various osteoarthritis treatments are recommended to patients searching for relief from osteoarthritis symptoms. Patients are often confused by so many treatment options though. Researchers have ranked the most effective osteoarthritis treatments.

Total hip replacement is a surgical option to treat hip pain caused by arthritis. If pain cannot be controlled by conservative measures and it is very difficult to walk and perform usual daily activities, you may be a candidate for total hip replacement.

Knee taping is among the recommended treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. Therapeutic knee taping has been shown to reduce pain and disability associated with knee osteoarthritis.

Total knee replacement is a surgical option to treat knee pain caused by arthritis. If pain cannot be controlled by conservative measures and it is very difficult to perform usual daily activities, you may be a candidate for total knee replacement.

Thermotherapy involves applying heat, and cryotherapy involves applying cold, to affected joints for relief of osteoarthritis symptoms. Researchers have compared thermotherapy and cryotherapy to a placebo to find which is more effective, heat or cold.

By delaying osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment, joint damage can become severe and disabling. Osteoarthritis patients must face whatever causes them to procrastinate about getting quality medical care.

Arthrodesis is a type of joint surgery. Arthrodesis, commonly called joint fusion, surgically eliminates the affected joint by fusing the ends of the bones in the joint. Learn more about arthrodesis.

Arthroscopy is one of several joint surgeries that can reduce pain and restore function in the affected joint. Arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure. Learn more about arthroscopy.

Joint replacement surgery is recommended to relieve arthritis pain and restore joint function when other treatment options fail. Joint replacement surgery is considered a successful, safe, and reliable treatment option.

There are several osteoarthritis treatments. The benefits and risks of medication versus non-medication osteoarthritis treatments must be weighed. Osteoarthritis treatments must be individualized.

Steroid injections help reduce localized joint swelling associated with osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis. Steroid injections treat the precise location of the inflammation. Steroid injections, as opposed to oral steroids, can deliver a higher dose of medication.

Injections of hyaluronan are used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. Hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid is a thick fluid injected to cushion the knee joint after cartilage breaks down.

Osteotomy is one of the lesser-known joint surgical options. Some patients may need an osteotomy rather than a total joint replacement.

Risedronate, brand name Actonel, a medication typically utilized to combat the effects of osteoporosis, may slow joint destruction and delay the need for joint replacement surgery in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Study results suggest that treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline may slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis.

EULAR has issued recommendations and guidelines for the treatment of hand osteoarthritis. Symptomatic hand osteoarthritis affects 20 percent of people over 55 years old.

Knee replacement surgery is the most common joint replacement procedure.

Total hip replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures.

Shoulder replacement surgery is an option for treatment of severe arthritis of the shoulder joint.

Osteoarthritis treatment involves a combination of therapies tailored to the patient's needs, lifestyle, and health.

Do you consider treatment goals when looking at your osteoarthritis treatment options? Knowing your treatment goals will help you to be compliant with treatment.