Osteoarthritis is a degenerative medical condition in which joints at multiple sites in the body become chronically inflamed. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knees, elbows and hands. The degenerative nature of the condition causes individuals chronic pain, tenderness and stiffness in affected joints. Causes for multi-site osteoarthritis include obesity, diabetes and injuries to joints from accidents or collisions. Fortunately, several treatments options are available for multi-site osteoarthritis.
Medicine
Several medicinal-based treatments are available for individuals who suffer from osteoarthritis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends both acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of multi-site osteoarthritis, as both are effective in relieving mild pain and discomfort associated with multi-site osteoarthritis. However, these drugs do not decrease total inflammation or swelling, which are associated with multi-site osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is preferable to NSAIDs, as there are fewer side effects on the body.
Exercise
While exercise may seem to be a treatment option that may cause more harm for those with osteoarthritis, research has indicated that this is not the case. In a 2005 issue of "Current Opinion on Rheumatology," researchers Kim Bennell and Ronna Hinman, from the University of Melbourne, Australia, reviewed research related to exercise as a treatment for osteoarthritis. The results of the review indicated that supervised exercise programs were more effective than unsupervised programs in terms of providing pain relief for individuals who suffer from osteoarthritis.
Patient Education
A treatment option for multiple-site osteoarthritis that is gaining popularity is patient education. Self-management and knowledge of osteoarthritis has been shown to be a highly effective for individuals with osteoarthritis. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, patients who attend self-help courses conducted by health care professionals are able to decrease pain associated with osteoarthritis. Additionally, patients' quality of life appears to improve with patient education courses, notes the AAFP.
