Joint Restoration Options Before Surgery

Posted On: 12-21-2018

Joint pain can take a toll on the joy in someone's life and rob them of comfort and the ability to enjoy the activities they desire. Before submitting to the idea of surgery, there are some restoration options that many patients can try in order to get some relief or heal their issues.

The best joint treatment option will depend on a variety of variables including the severity, the location and the type of arthritis you have.

Natural Remedies

For patients who have had their joint arthritis caught early on, natural remedies may be a great place to start. There are many natural treatments that can help to sooth the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Such options include acupuncture, massage, yoga and tai chi. The effectiveness of each of these options will vary significantly from patient to patient. When choosing to implement one of these therapies for joint pain, it is essential to do so with oversight from your doctor for monitoring.

Lifestyle Modifications

Typically, a doctor will recommend patients of newly diagnosed arthritis in the joints to make certain lifestyle changes. Some of the top changes most doctors will recommend include losing weight, using a cane and avoiding certain sports or activities. Studies have shown losing weight can have a significant effect on joint pain and arthritis. Losing just 10 percent or more can slow the process of the disease and ease the painful symptoms.

Medication

Another popular first line of treatment for joint pain and arthritis is medication. There are many anti-inflammatories and non-steroidal medications that your doctor can prescribe you based on your type of arthritis and other factors. For minor joint pain, over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen can help. Additionally, there are lotions and topical gels that might be useful for some sufferers. These products can help to stimulate the nerve endings in your skin to help reduce your pain levels.

Physical Therapy

While not usually recommended for advanced cases of joint arthritis sufferers, physical therapy can be an alternate option. A regimen of physical therapy, even just a stretching routine, can often help your joints stay strong and limber.

Intra-articular Injections

For those that cannot find relief with other treatment options, steroid injections might be the next option to try. The injections are administered directly into the affected joints. This is a reliable short-term pain treatment option for patients suffering from advanced cases of arthritis. The downside to this type of treatment is the injections are only effective for a few weeks to a few months at a time. Most patients are only able to receive injections up to four times a year. Injections are meant to be a temporary treatment option for pain relief. They are not considered a long-term, safe strategy for treating joint pain or arthritis.

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