The goals of arthritis treatment are to:

• Decrease arthritis symptoms
• Slow progression of the disease
• Prevent or minimize joint damage and deformities
• Maintain joint function
• Preserve mobility and range-of-motion

People with early symptoms of arthritis are often inclined to self-treat with over-the-counter medications, topical creams, or conservative measures such as ice and heat. 

Arthritis Medications

Medications are considered traditional treatment for arthritis. Depending on the severity of your arthritis symptoms when you first consult with your doctor, one or more medications will likely be prescribed.

Drug classes used to treat arthritis include:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• COX-2 Inhibitors
• Pain Medication (analgesics)
• Corticosteroids
• DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs)
• Biologic Response Modifiers (i.e. biologics)
• Arthritis Drugs: What Are My Options?
• Test Your Knowledge: Arthritis Medications

Ask why your doctor prescribed specific medications, inquire about expected benefits, and when you may notice improvement. Ask if there are potential side effects associated with the medications and how you will be monitored (i.e. do you need routine blood tests?). Make sure you understand the goals. If you understand, you are more likely to be compliant with the treatment plan.

Injections Into a Joint

There are several types of injections which can be given locally into the joint. Viscosupplementation is a procedure that involves the injection of gel-like substances (hyaluronates) into a joint (currently approved for knee) to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid. The five types are:

• Synvisc
• Orthovisc
• Supartz
• Euflexxa
• Hyalgan

Local steroid injections can be used for a specific, painful joint. Three steroid injections per year into a joint is the maximum allowed by most doctors. Steroid injections were used long before viscosupplementation became a treatment option. Both are still used though, depending on patient preference.

Natural Treatments

Some people are more interested in natural treatments than traditional medications. If you prefer a natural approach to treating arthritis, it's still imperative that you tell your doctor what you are taking or what you want to try. There are many natural treatment options, also referred to as alternative treatments, which are popular but not fully endorsed for effectiveness and safety. Be aware.

• Acupuncture / Acupressure
• Biofeedback
• Chiropractic
• Magnets
• Massage
• Supplements such as fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM
• Tai Chi
• Yoga

Complementary Medicine

The terms complementary medicine and alternative medicine are sometimes used interchangeably. The difference is that complementary treatments are used together with your usual treatment regimen. Alternative treatments imply that they are used instead of your usual treatment.

• Regular exercise. Regular exercise can reduce pain and improve physical function, muscle strength, and quality of life for people with arthritis.
• Healthy eating . Eating a nutritious diet is important for maintaining ideal weight and for bone health too. There is no known diet which can cure arthritis, but eating well is important.
• Stress management may also be useful as a complementary treatment. Reducing stress helps to reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Surgical Options

Joint surgery is usually considered a last resort treatment option. Joint surgery is typically considered if other more conservative treatment measures are unsatisfactory or have stopped working. When joint damage is severe and when pain interferes with daily activities, joint surgery may be an option with the goal of decreasing pain and restoring function.

• Arthrodesis (fusion)
• Arthroplasty
• Joint replacement
• Osteotomy
• Partial knee replacement
• Revision joint replacement
• Resection
• Synovectomy