Managing Joint Pain and Active Lifestyles
Courtesy American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, New Orleans LIVING WELL Magazine
Orthopaedic research has led to tremendous progress in managing joint pain. In fact, the treatments, therapies and surgical procedures for alleviating joint pain are more effective than ever before, so that people don’t have to let pain compromise their quality of life.
Arthritis, the most common cause of joint pain, can affect people of all ages and limit function. There are two major types of arthritis:
- Wear and tear of the smooth covering (articular cartilage) on the end of bones through constant use or through trauma;
- Inflammation of the joint lining as part of an autoimmune disease.
There is no cure for arthritis, but without proper treatment, the joint disease can become a chronic, disabling condition where everyday tasks can become epic challenges.
Today, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help patients manage joint pain:
- Take advantage of canes, crutches, walkers, or splints to help relieve the stress and strain on arthritic joints.
- Learn to perform daily activities that are less stressful to the painful joints.
- Perform exercises and have physical therapy to decrease stiffness and strengthen weakened muscles around the joint.
- Use over-the-counter medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), to control pain and inflammation.
- Be aware of state-of-the-art techniques to replace knees, hips, shoulders, ankles, elbows, and wrists that help patients of all ages resume active lifestyles.
In persons with severe cases of arthritis, joint replacement can often provide dramatic pain relief and restore lost joint function. The decision to have joint replacement surgery should be a cooperative one between the patient, the patient’s family, the primary care doctor, and orthopaedic surgeon.
To find out if joint replacement is right for you, or for more on the latest advances in orthopaedic research, visit www.orthoinfo.org.
