Osteoarthritis Treatment

While injuries can up osteoarthritis risk, daily wear and tear also promotes joint degeneration, especially if you’re carrying extra pounds.   View slideshow

Exercise and losing weight are the most important things an arthritis patient can do, says Bernard Rubin, DO, director of the rheumatology fellowship at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. But he finds most of his patients don't see getting in shape as part of their treatment plan.  Read More

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs are the most important and available painkillers in the arthritis patient's arsenal. They make life bearable, and many patients use them for years without trouble. But it's important to know the potentially serious side effects that can come with overuse.  Read More

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are natural substances found in and around the cells of cartilage that may help alleviate arthritis symptoms. A popular combination supplement taken for joint pain in Europe, the glucosamine-chondroitin combo had been viewed skeptically by U.S. physicians until research began to show that it may be effective.   Read More

Knee and hip replacement operations can result in a lot of pain, but surgical techniques have improved significantly in the past 20 years. Risks such as infection, blood clots, and extreme postsurgical pain have been reduced, refinements in technique and anesthesia have cut recovery time, and implants work better. Still, recovery can be a long, difficult road for which patients should be mentally and physically prepared.  Read More

Glenn was a longtime fitness buff who developed unbearable pain in both of his hips. Knowing that he'd have to replace them, he made the bold decision to have double hip replacement surgery, a choice that made his recovery significantly more challenging.  Read More

Faced with the choice of living with intense pain or experiencing the disruption of major surgery, many patients become paralyzed, researching and considering their options for months or even years. Many reach a tipping point when their quality of life has suffered enough that surgery seems the easier option.  Read More