Can osteoarthritis be cured? (Disease Query)

There is no cure for osteoarthritis however it can be managed with medications and surgery (if needed).

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Published: May 18, 2017 1:07 pm

Opt for anti-inflammatory foods to tackle osteoarthritis. © Shutterstock

I am a 40-year-old male. I have been suffering from joint pain for a long time. When I went to a doctor last month, the doctor did few tests and told me that I have osteoarthritis. I am on medications currently. My question is, can osteoarthritis be treated with just medications? Do I need to undergo surgery? Is there a cure for osteoarthritis?

The query is answered by Dr Vibhore Singhal, Senior Orthopaedics Surgeon, Columbia Asia Hospital, Palamvihar.

Contrary to common belief that joint problem is part of ageing, it is exceedingly becoming common among younger people and has seen a paradoxical shift from the age group of 60-80 years to the much younger lot of 35-45 years over the last few decades. This could be due to traumas or rheumatoid arthritis. Read about could you be at a risk of osteoarthritis?

As there is no cure for OA, management of symptoms is the goal of the treatment for people with the condition. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroid shots like cortisone are usually recommended to reduce inflammation. In some cases, even antidepressants are found to provide relief from chronic pain. Although lifestyle changes don’t completely cure the joint problem, it can relieve your pain and improve the functioning of the knees, wrists, hips, and shoulders, helping you to move better.

Medications for osteoarthritis are usually given in the early stages. However, in late stage or extreme cases, knee implants play and important role in resurfacing a knee damaged. Surgical procedure involving implantation of an artificial knee, known as arthroplasty, is recommended. Depending upon the severity and need, these knee implants are developed in different forms namely metal alloys, strong plastic parts and ceramic material. Also read about 5 physiotherapy techniques that help osteoarthritic patients live better.

The rising proportion of ageing population across the world has increased the number of people suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis. Moreover, the sedentary lifestyle among people has led to increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes, which has also increased the demand for knee implant surgeries. Also leveraging technological advancement in procedures such as minimally invasive surgery, better implant materials has increased the success rates. Hence, talk to your doctor if your symptoms persist or if medications fail to show any result, to known what can be done to treat osteoarthritis.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Published: May 18, 2017 1:07 pm

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