Effective Treatment Modalities for Arthritis Pain Arthritis causes pain, swelling and inflammation of joints. The article discusses various treatment modalities for managing arthritis pain.
Arthritis primarily affects the musculoskeletal system, particularly the joints. The condition is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which is often accompanied by chronic pain, swelling, stiffness and restriction of movement. According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), more than 54 million adults had doctor-diagnosed arthritis in 2017, and it was predicted that this number would increase to about 78 million by the year 2040. There are different types of arthritis, the most common types being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Leading pain management centers offer effective arthritis pain treatment in Brooklyn, NYC, to reduce the immediate symptoms and improve quality of life. There are different potential causes for this joint condition, which mainly depend on the form of arthritis. Some of the top causes include - injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout) and joint infections. Many factors that increase the risk of developing this condition include - increasing age, smoking, excessive weight, predisposed genetic factors, and being in occupations with high risk of injury and overuse of joints. Diagnosis and Treatment for Arthritis Pain
As part of the diagnosis, the physician will check your joints for swelling, redness and will evaluate the movement of your joints. Imaging tests such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) and MRI may be recommended to detect problems within the joint that may be causing the symptoms. There are different treatment approaches for this condition. The treatment modalities recommended will depend on the type of arthritis, intensity of pain, and severity of symptoms. The following are the top nonsurgical options for arthritis pain management available in Brooklyn, NYC: ➢ Physical therapy (PT) - In multispecialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC, trained physical therapists implement therapeutic exercises programs based on the patient’s condition. Gentle strengthening, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises can help increase range of motion and improve joint flexibility, thereby strengthening the muscles. Combining an active lifestyle with regular and moderate physical activity will yield good results. ➢ Ice and Heat Application - This treatment modality provides short term relief for joint pain and muscle stiffness. Ice packs reduce joint inflammation, whereas heat application relaxes the muscles. Moist heating packs, dry heating packs, heating pads, ice packs or frozen gel packs are some of the commonly used ice and heat applications. ➢ Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) - Low-voltage electric stimulation directly administered to the affected part interacts with the sensory nervous system to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. ➢ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium help reduce swelling and inflammation, and prevent joint damage. ➢ Pain management injections - Joint injections deliver steroids into the joints, ligaments or surrounding nerves to reduce pain. Hyaluronic acid knee injections like Monovisc and Orthovisc can help replenish lubricating substances in the knee and provide pain relief. Orthovisc injections are administered in a series of 3 to 4 intra-articular injections spaced one week apart. Monovisc provide pain relief that lasts for up to 6 months with just one single injection. Lifestyle Remedies to Prevent Arthritis Pain There are many things that can be done to preserve joint function and improve mobility. Making time for regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight is essential. Managing body weight is very crucial as extra weight may put additional pressure on joints and causing the cartilage to breakdown faster. This will lead to joint pain and inflammation. Making small changes in your lifestyle by giving equal importance to healthy eating habits and physical fitness can help reduce the stress on your joints.
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