7 methods to manage most common form of arthritis

One in five US adults have some form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though there are many, many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form of the degenerative joint disease.

More common as we age, osteoarthritis typically stems from a combination of factors including wear and tear, genetics, individual anatomic differences, joint alignment, body mass or a history of injuries, explained Endeavor Health orthopaedic surgeon Ryan Sullivan, MD.

“It’s usually not just one thing, it’s the constellation of minor insults that add up over time,” he said.

The incidence of arthritis increases with age, and is most common in men and women from age 50 to 80, added Dr. Sullivan. When it happens in much younger people in their 30s and 40s, it is more commonly related to a congenital condition like hip dysplasia or a traumatic injury.

Joint pain and stiffness tend to build gradually and, for many people, create enough discomfort to impact their daily activities.

A physician consult and X-rays are typically the first steps before treatment. And while conservative management won’t fix or correct osteoarthritis, it can help manage symptoms and try to prevent further progression, said Dr. Sullivan.

What are some options for conservative management?

1. Maintaining a healthy body weight can be an important line of defense. “Every pound you take off takes multiple pounds of pressure off the joint,” he said.
2. Meeting with a physical therapist may also be helpful, depending on the degree or severity of arthritis.
3. Exercising regularly. For people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, regular movement helps. Moving your body with low-impact activities like walking or swimming works like natural lubrication for your stiff joints. “Listen to your body when you are exercising. If the activity is causing you more discomfort, it’s probably not the one you will stick to,” said Dr. Sullivan.
4. Strength training to build the muscles around your joints can help provide dynamic stability and support and lessen pain, explained Dr. Sullivan.
5. Taking over-the-counter medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, or arthritis-strength acetaminophen or Tylenol, can also provide relief for many people, he added. Narcotics or opioids are not recommended as they are not very effective at controlling arthritis pain and are associated with a number of negative consequences, including drug dependency, increased pain sensitivity and chronic pain, as well as lower success rates when eventually undergoing joint replacement surgery, said Dr. Sullivan.
6. Getting steroid injections can help decrease inflammation in knees and hips and, as a general rule of thumb, can be repeated every three months for people who get relief from the injections. Gel injections can also help lubricate the knees and lessen pain for some people.
7. Applying heat or ice can also provide some relief and Dr. Sullivan advises patients to use whichever feels good to them.

What if conservative methods don’t work?

When conservative methods lose their effectiveness and fail to provide enough relief so that pain limits your daily activities, it can be time to consider surgery. For bone-on-bone arthritis, surgery may be the best course of treatment.

Surgical treatments include joint replacement for knees and hips and various procedures, including fusions for arthritis in the spine.

Listen to your body when pain impacts your quality of life, said Dr. Sullivan.