What to do about your osteoarthritis

April 2, 2019

Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is an extremely painful degenerative disease that affects the joints and incapacitates those who suffer from it.

In the face of this disease, major advances are being promoted by governments and institutions of different countries through research of diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms. However, the approach to the disease has changed considerably.

According to some experts, the concept of osteoarthritis as a disease has seen a transformation from being a disease that affected only the cartilage tissue to a chronic disease of the whole joint (ankle, wrist, etc.).

How prevalent is osteoarthritis, really?

Pretty prevalent. Around 27 million Americans could be suffering from osteoarthritis. Considering the increase in life expectancy for the coming years, it is only to be expected that the importance of this disease will continue to grow in the future.

In 17 years’ time, it is estimated that there will be a total of 67 million American adults who suffer from some form of arthritis, of which over 36% will be limited in their ability to lead a normal life.

The patients interviewed in several studies claim that the pain and difficulty in carrying out basic movements are the factors that most affect them in their quality of life.

Three ways to deal with the pain and immobility

There are different treatments available for tackling osteoarthritis, which can be divided into the following three groups:

  1. Non-drug treatments:
    The different physiotherapy solutions are vital because they help to maintain muscle strength and joint mobility, which can prevent the onset of more-advanced stages of the disease. The earlier we start strengthening the right muscles, learning how our bodies work and move, and what the correct form for basic movements should be, the better we can set our bodies up for success.
  2. Drug treatments:
    Although there is no drug currently capable of reversing the progression of the disease, there are anti-inflammatory drugs that can alleviate the pain suffered by the patient.

    There are also natural anti-inflammatory remedies, such as fish oil, ginger, spirulina, and much more.

  3. Surgical treatment:
    When the disease is in advanced stages, you can opt for surgery to alleviate the pain or possible limitations in the functionality of the joint.

In terms of treatments, scientific advances in the case of chondroitin sulfate and its effects against the widely known osteoarthritis are worthy of a special mention. It is a high-safety substance that protects the cartilage, the bone, and synovial membrane, which are the three structures of the joint “attacked” by the disease.

If you have any doubts about a diagnosis, get an Expert Medical Opinion

At Best Doctors, we encourage you, before starting any treatment, to make sure you have an accurate and documented diagnosis, which is the foundation for a future with peace of mind.

Make sure you have the right diagnosis and treatment plan to move forward with confidence. If you have any doubts, use the Best Doctors Expert Medical Opinion service to get a specialist’s detailed report with recommendations on your diagnosis and treatment plan. It could change your life.

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This blog is not meant to provide medical advice or service, and should not be construed as the professional advice of Best Doctors. As such, Best Doctors does not guarantee or assume responsibility for the correctness of the information or its applicability regarding any specific factual situation. Personal health problems should be brought to the attention of physicians and appropriate healthcare professionals. Best Doctors and the star-in-cross logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Best Doctors, Inc.

Posted In: Health Matters