According to MayoClinic.com, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and the pain from this disorder can be debilitating, sometimes limiting the use of the affected joint completely. Home treatment helps ease the characteristic ache of mild to moderate osteoarthritis, but the assistance of a doctor may be needed for more severe cases. Osteoarthritis can strike at any age, but is more prevalent in people over 60.
Symptoms
The pain from osteoarthritis tends to be deep inside the joint. This aching pain often becomes worse when the joint is used or when strain is placed on the joint and may ease up during periods of rest, explains Medline Plus. Osteoarthritis pain may also flare up shortly after the person begins an activity after resting for a while. In some people, humid weather makes the pain worse. People with osteoarthritis pain may also experience stiffness and loss of flexibility of the joint in addition to pain.
Location
Osteoarthritis pain can appear in any joint, but it is most common in the hands, knees, feet, hips and spine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. The CDC reports that over 2.9 million Americans over age 60 have osteoarthritis of the hand, and 4.3 million people over 60 have knee osteoarthritis. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knee and hip than men.
Causes
Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage cushioning the joints degrades and falls apart over time, causing the bones of the joint to rub painfully against each other. The main factor contributing to osteoarthritis is old age, and most people who develop the disorder start to experience painful symptoms in middle age. People who are overweight or have had a previous joint injury are more likely to develop painful osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis in the knee, hip and hands appears to have a genetic component, and people with family members who have osteoarthritis in these locations are more likely to develop it themselves, explains the CDC.
Home Treatment
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, low-impact exercise, such as swimming, walking or water aerobics, is one of the best methods of relieving osteoarthritis pain. Exercises that help improve agility, range of motion and muscle strength may also help ease osteoarthritis. Applying heat and cold at different times may also ease osteoarthritis pain by stimulating blood flow and reducing swelling that puts pressure on the joint. Some osteoarthritis sufferers try massage or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a technique in which electrical pulses stimulate the nerves underlying the painful joint. Topical creams and ointments that help relieve osteoarthritis pain are also available.
Medical Treatment
Since home treatment for osteoarthritis is preferable to medical treatment, most doctors will advise patients to try home remedies first. If pain from osteoarthritis won't subside, acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDS, may relieve the ache. Stronger pain relievers such as codeine are also available via prescription. Some individuals with osteoarthritis use pain relievers before exercising. If pain continues, the doctor may try injecting corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid substitutes into the joint. In some cases, surgery to replace the joint or fuse the bones together may be necessary.
