How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

• Control pain through drugs and other measures.
• Improve joint care through rest and exercise.
• Maintain an acceptable body weight.
• Achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Osteoarthritis treatment plans often include ways to manage pain and improve function. Such plans can involve exercise, rest and joint care, pain relief, weight control, medications, surgery, and nontraditional treatment approaches.

Exercise: Research shows that one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis is exercise. This activity can improve mood and outlook, decrease pain, increase flexibility, improve the heart and blood flow, maintain weight, and promote general physical fitness. It is also inexpensive and, if done correctly, has few negative side effects. The amount and form of exercise will depend on which joints are involved, how stable the joints are, and whether a joint replacement has already been done. (See Be a Winner! Practice Self-Care and Keep a Good-Health Attitude.)

On the Move: Fighting Osteoarthritis With Exercise You can use exercises to keep strong and limber, extend your range of movement, and reduce weight. Ask your doctor or physical therapist what exercises are best for you. Strength: Exercise bands are inexpensive devices that add resistance. Aerobics: Activities that keep your lungs and circulation systems in shape. Range of Motion: These activities keep the joints limber. Agility: Many of these exercises help you to maintain daily living skills. Neck and Back Strength: Don't forget to keep your spine strong and limber. Ask your doctor or physical therapist what exercises are best for you. Ask for guidelines on exercising when a joint is sore or if swelling is present. Also, check if you should 1) use drugs such as analgesics or anti-inflammatories (NSAID's) to make exercising easier, or 2) use ice afterwards.

Rest and Joint Care: Treatment plans include regularly scheduled rest. Patients must learn to recognize the body's signals, and know when to stop or slow down. This prevents pain caused by overexercising. Some patients find that relaxation techniques, stress reduction, and biofeedback help. Some use canes and splints to protect joints and take pressure off them. Splints or braces provide extra support for weakened joints. They also keep the joint in proper position during sleep or activity. Splints must be used for limited periods because joints and muscles need to be exercised to prevent stiffness and weakness. An occupational therapist or a doctor can help the patient get a properly fitting splint.

More Treatment Options

back to Osteoarthritis: The Fundamentals

Excerpted from Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

The NIAMS, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal medical research effort in arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The NIAMS supports research and research training throughout the United States as well as on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and disseminates health and research information. The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC) is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and information sources. Additional information and research updates can be found on the NIAMS Web site at http://www.nih.gov/niams/.