Arthritis Cures

Arthritis is meant by ‘Inflammation of joins’. There is pain, swelling, redness and increase in the local temperature. There are various types of arthritic bone disease. Osteoarthritis is, by far, the most common form of the disease. It is caused due to degradation in the articular cartilage of the joint spaces. Thus the facing bony ends are rubbed over one another.

Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of the Uric acid crystal in the joint spaces. The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is multifactorial. It is genetically determined auto immune disease. Environment and infections are perhaps some predisposing factors.

Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is again genetically determined. There is virtually no cure to arthritis. The main approach to modern treatment is to reduce the pain and help to live the near optimum healthy life excluding the disability reduction, if any. The first and foremost measure is the thermal modality. Application of heat gives a soothing effect over the tissues. Sometimes, cold compress is better tolerated by the patient. The method of choice is to be determined according to the patient.

Arthritic joints become weak to bear the weight that it was used to. So the patient is advised to reduce some weight when there is no acute pain. The first line of medication is NSAIDs (Non –Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs). These include Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Diclofenac, Ketorolac etc.

The newer generation Selective COX-2 inhibitors like Celecoxib, Rofecoxib and Valdecoxib are doing great job by effectively reducing pain without increase in the secretion of gastric acid. There are some Disease modifying anti- rheumatic drugs (DMARD) of Rheumatic fever. But once the arthritis sets in, the only option remains is to control the pain.

Invasive modalities include injection of Steroid (Triamcenolone- Kenacort™) or Hyaluronan inside the joint. Often the patients of arthritis are so crippled by pain; they do not take medication properly. They require proper guidance to ensure they are following the prescription of the doctor. They are to be reassured and encouraged to accept and face the situation boldly. This also needs proper supervision regarding suitable pain relief.