When it comes to arthritis, then is known to be a common joint problem in the elderly. Out of all, osteoarthritis is the most noticed form of arthritis. It occurs due to age-related wear & tear of joints. Arthritis is characterized by damage to protective articular cartilage that allows smooth joint movement. When the cartilage gets damaged, the flexibility and range of motion of the joints get affected.
Arthritis is a painful condition and is also accompanied by swelling and joint tenderness. The severity of the condition depends on the age of the person along with the stage when it is diagnosed.
There is no cure for arthritis and the treatment provided aims to relieve the symptoms. We must tell you that surgery is not the only treatment option for arthritis, they are many others as well. In this post, we will talk about those alternatives.
Arthritis Treatment other than Surgery
Medicine for Swelling and Pain
There are many OTC and prescription medicines that can effectively relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Some have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects whereas some medicines incur only a single effect. When it comes to OTC drugs, it is advised not to take them for a long-time as they can cause side effects. Besides this, OTC may be harmful in some cases as they can badly interact with any ongoing health problems or medications you are taking.
Thus, it is always advised to take prescription medicines to relieve pain and swelling.
Physical Therapy
When it comes to various orthopedic problems, physical therapy is found to be highly effective. The similar is the case with arthritis. Physical therapy can improve the range of motion and the flexibility of the joint while relieving pain. Seek an expert’s help to get the best out of this alternative to surgery for the treatment of arthritis.
Healthy Weight Management
Obese who are suffering from arthritis tend to experience severe pain in the affected joints, and swelling may also be high. The reason for this is undue pressure being applied to the joints because of heavyweight. Medicines in such people may also take a longer time to act.
So, if you are suffering from arthritis and have excessive weight, then you must lose a few kilos to relieve symptoms early and increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
Assistive Devices
In some patients, hip or knee braces and other assistive devices may help improve symptoms by reducing the load on the joints and improving stability. But it is always advised to use these devices after consulting with the doctor. As only he/she can tell whether they will be useful or not.
Injections
Steroid injections are known to be the best alternative to surgery in arthritis treatment. Not only they can delay the surgical procedure for months or even years but in some people, they can also replace surgery. Again, they should only be used if prescribed.
For a high-quality range of orthopedic devices, contact Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd., a renowned orthopedic device manufacturer in India. The company serves around 130 national and international distributors and orthopedic surgeons and also keeps looking to expand its market reach.