Arthritis has become a common problem, especially in the elderly. The common cause of the condition is age-related wear & tear of the joints. Arthritis can affect any of the joints in our body, where the hip and knee joints are more prone.
Arthritis can simply be defined as the inflammation of joints. In this condition, the protective cartilage present in the joints becomes inflamed. Over time, damage to the cartilage is experienced, and the bones forming the joint start to rub. Arthritis is a painful condition in which swelling and tenderness in the affected joint are also noticed.
Now, if we talk about the treatment of arthritis, several options are available; most of us believe that surgery is best. This is not the case; joint replacement surgery is only recommended as the last option when the condition is severe and other methods have failed.
To get high-quality Knee Arthroscopy Implants and Bipolar Hip Implants, find an experienced orthopedic device manufacturer.
In this post, we will discuss non-surgical treatment methods for hip or knee arthritis.
Alternative Arthritis Treatment
Surgery should always be kept as the last treatment option for arthritis, as before that, you have several alternatives, and they could be effective. Here are the common options depending on different severity levels.
Pain and Swelling Medication
This should always be the first line of treatment, and that is what doctors do. OTC and/or prescription NSAIDs and analgesics can help relieve pain and swelling in the joints. It is always advised to take prescription medication as they are suggested after properly analyzing your condition and taking other health problems into consideration. Besides this, taking OTC drugs for a long is also associated with side effects.
Physical Therapy
Besides NSAIDs and analgesics, physical therapy is also an effective treatment for arthritis. Therapy aims to restore the function of the affected joint and this is achieved by improving the strength & flexibility of the joint. Physical therapy is also known to improve pain.
For physical therapy sessions, you must consult a specialist as only he/she can guide you on which movements you should make and up to which extent.
Weight Management
One of the factors that can aggravate arthritis symptoms is obesity. Being overweight puts extra pressure on joints and in arthritis, this could make the condition worse. So, managing a healthy weight should be your priority if you are suffering from arthritis.
Losing weight will ease the pressure on your joints and less pain will be felt which can be managed with the medication.
Assistive Devices
Sometimes, the healthcare specialist also suggests the use of hip or knee braces or assistive devices to manage pain and keep the joint in a good position. These devices reduce the load that is applied to the joints while improving their stability.
Remember, do not use these devices without consulting a specialist, and you never know whether they will be helpful or not.
Injections
Injections are another alternative to surgery to manage arthritis. Steroid injections are most commonly used, and they help reduce inflammation. These injections can delay surgery for months or even years, and in some patients, they can be used in place of surgery.
To get an international standard range of orthopedic implants or become an orthopedic implant distributor, contact Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd., a renowned orthopedic device manufacturer in India. Siora is also an exhibitor at various national and international medical expos, and this year, it will be a part of the FIME Trade Show from 11 to 13th July 2025.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. 