OSTEOARTHRITIS

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The following is a summary taken from Pain Health and the Mayo Clinic: 

Some patients have noted benefit from these gloves.

Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscle around the joint may help offload the joint. The key is to do this regularly and with low impact. Swimming or daily walking may be effective.

Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist may help you find tools that will make life easier for example, a toothbrush with a large grip or a bench in your shower.

Tai Chi and Yoga has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis and improve movement. It also reduces stress.

Moist heat can help muscles relax and ease the pain.

Cold can relieve muscle aches after exercise and decrease muscle spasms.

Over the counter Capsaicin cream applied 3 to 4 times per day for several weeks can reduce pain.

TENS has been shown to offer short term relief for some people with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

The following complementary treatments have shown some promise but are not at all proven:

Acupuncture: If it helps, continue. If it doesn’t then it’s not for you.

Glucosamine and chondroitin: Many studies show that these pills are no better than placebo. Some people find that it helps but it is hard to tell since it may be a placebo effect. Please note that they can interact with blood thinners such as Warfarin.

You may occasionally use anti-inflammatories: See Risks vs Benefits

Tylenol is safer but may be less effective.

Cymbalta, which is an antidepressant, may help some people with chronic pain including osteoarthritis pain.

Certain injections such as steroids may help however repeated injections can worsen the damage over time.

Lubrication injections with medications containing Hyaluronic Acid may help but is more useful in early osteoarthritis.