Arthritis Knee Pain Treatment - written by Amy Clark

One of the most common diseases affecting several people across all ages is arthritis knee pain specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis (a.k.a. RA) and Osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA). Despite all innovations in modern medicine, there is at this point no specific cure for arthritis knee pain.

Although there are some physical exercises and physical therapy programs intended to control pain to a certain extent, their results depend primarily on the degree of pain and the severity of arthritis afflicting the patient, among several other factors.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A popular form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which at first shows joint stiffness or soreness around the feet, hands, elbows, and knees. Often, the stiffness will appear in both sides of the body. In due course, the RA patient will feel some flu and fatigue, plus pains and ache and inflammation of the joint.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

In contrast, if pain is felt in any joint immediately after a repetitive action, this could indicate another common type of arthritis called Osteoarthritis or OA. For example, a person who has been an athlete for years may someday experience excruciating pain in his/her knee without any apparent cause. X-rays will be able to discover any knee cartilage problems, which weaken the joints and prevent them from sticking together.

Osteoarthritis often affects the hips, fingers, neck, and back. Swollen or misshapen fingers are indicative of the disease. In some cases, patients with OA may find it difficult if not impossible to carry out even simple actions such as standing up, sitting down, or walking. In such cases, hip replacement surgery may be the best course of action.

There are a number of risk factors for OA. Females have a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis than men. In addition, obesity, age, and stress are also risk factors.

Treating Arthritis Knee Pain

A typical arthritis treatment method is the use of knee braces, whether off-the-shelf or custom-made. Off-the-shelf knee braces are those that fit in your knees, whilst custom-made braces are more expensive and devised to fit both your knee and your specific condition.

Although prescription drugs can relieve pain, they are rarely able to get rid of it entirely. Nonetheless, new medications are available to manage the painful symptoms of arthritis. In addition to standard types of medications, doctors may recommend ointments and creams for oral application. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly the treatment of choice a good number of doctors. Rheumatoid arthritis patients are frequently given biologics or anti-rheumatic medications, which may be injected regularly to improve the patient's normal functioning.

An additional technique that can inhibit the progression of the disease is doing regular knee exercises, including swimming, cycling, and walking. Regular exercise programs can help improve or restore the function of the affected joints. These exercise programs don't need to be strenuous, because even basic steps may work wonders for your joints. Extreme exercises that may further damage or aggravate your joints should be firmly avoided.

In severe cases, knee surgeries and chemotherapy may be the best form of treatment. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture and magnetic pulse therapy have also gained popularity at present, because of the countless consumers who attest to their efficiency.

In conclusion, if you opt to try either alternative or standard remedies for arthritis knee pain, it's imperative that you discuss your options with your doctor before doing anything.