Osteoarthritis medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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=== '''II: [[Osteoarthritis diagnostic criteria|Diagnostic]]''' === | === '''II: [[Osteoarthritis diagnostic criteria|Diagnostic]]''' === | ||
In cases having an uncertain pain specially in hip and shoulder joints, the cortisone could be helpful in reaching accurate diagnoses. For example, If after the injection, the patient's hip pain decreases this means the pain originates from the hip but If the hip pain persisted after injection then other problems originating from the spine or the sacroiliac joint (the spine and pelvis) could considered as the pain | In cases having an uncertain pain specially in hip and shoulder joints, the cortisone could be helpful in reaching accurate diagnoses. For example, If after the injection, the patient's hip pain decreases this means the pain originates from the hip but If the hip pain persisted after injection then other problems originating from the spine or the sacroiliac joint (the spine and pelvis) could considered as the pain sources. | ||
* ''Should be noted:'' Like the other medications, Steroids injection have complications like: breaking down the tissues, such as articular cartilage in the joint. Due to the important roll of cartilage in joint system,most doctors refuse to use frequent cortisone injections in the same joint in a short period of time. | |||
== Physical Therapy == | == Physical Therapy == | ||
Revision as of 18:05, 3 April 2018
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Osteoarthritis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Osteoarthritis medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Osteoarthritis medical therapy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Osteoarthritis medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
As all medical diseases, the prevention and the early diagnosis and onetime treatment of OA play important roles patient final outcome. The treatment of OA can be categorized into two nonsurgical and surgical options. Meanwhile the non-surgical treatments are often effective enough as the first line in patients management. Actually, the Osteoarthritis treatment is a combination of medical and physical therapy.
Medications
Drug therapy in OA management play important rolls in relieving pain and slow downing the progression of this disease. Meanwhile, common medications are:
- NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Including: aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g. Advil), naproxen (e.g. Aleve), cox-2 inhibitors) are used to reduce the inflammation and swelling as a common findings in OA.
- Meanwhile, the Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements are used in the United States as an alternative treatment for OA. And, for patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain due to the knees osteoarthritis or spine osteoarthritis, they might be helpful by interacting with the diseased cartilage.
- Analgesics: Including: acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), or tramadol (e.g. Ultram) are used to reduce the pain, without any effects on inflammation or swelling. Analgesics are recommended for patients experiencing mild to moderate pain because they could cause limited variety of side effects fro patients.
- Topical analgesics: are are creams which can be used to reduce the pain in diseased joint. They applied directly to the skin over the affected area. And these creams are consisted of counterrritants (wintergreen and eucalyptus) having a great effects on pain reduction.
Injections
Cortisone are a group of man-made steroids simulating the cortisol effects in body. cortisone injections are used for two most important reasons:
- I: Treatment option
- II: Diagnostic option
I: Treatment
Steroids (corticosteroid) can be used through injecting into the joint and reduce the inflammation, swelling, and pain in diseased joint, for 6 weeks and 6 months period.. For cases with moderate to severe pain affecting patients daily life, this procedure (steroid injections) can provide very helpful and important opportunities include:
- Resting the diseased joint
- Eliminate/Decrees the arthritis flaring-up
- Postponing the joint replacement or another surgical interventions
- Continuing the physical therapy
II: Diagnostic
In cases having an uncertain pain specially in hip and shoulder joints, the cortisone could be helpful in reaching accurate diagnoses. For example, If after the injection, the patient's hip pain decreases this means the pain originates from the hip but If the hip pain persisted after injection then other problems originating from the spine or the sacroiliac joint (the spine and pelvis) could considered as the pain sources.
- Should be noted: Like the other medications, Steroids injection have complications like: breaking down the tissues, such as articular cartilage in the joint. Due to the important roll of cartilage in joint system,most doctors refuse to use frequent cortisone injections in the same joint in a short period of time.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy help diseased joint to preserve its the ability for daily tasks like: walking, dressing, and even bathing. Because having moderate activity strengthen the muscles around the diseased joint and this stronger muscle reduce stress and increase the stability of joint system. On the other hand, resting is an other important healing factor in OA.