What To Do To Help Arthritis

What Are The Parts Of A Joint

Joints get cushioned and supported by soft tissues that prevent your bones from rubbing against each other. A connective tissue called articular cartilage plays a key role. It helps your joints move smoothly without friction or pain.

Some joints have a synovial membrane, a padded pocket of fluid that lubricates the joints. Many joints, such as your knees, get supported by tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to your bones, while ligaments connect bones to other bones.

Can I Still Drive If I Have Arthritis

If your arthritis affects your ability to drive, you must let the DVLA know. This doesnt mean that you will have to stop driving, but it’s a legal obligation for you to declare certain conditions to the DVLA.

Youll also have to let your insurance company know, but they arent allowed to charge you any more because of your condition. If you have an accident you haven’t declared a health condition, your insurance might not cover you.

Our information guide In the Driving Seat has more information about driving with health conditions and making adaptations to your car.

As You Can See Psoriatic Arthritis Is Not Just Joint Pain

In my experience, some doctors are much too quick to dismiss the relationships between many of these symptoms and PsA or to pass them on to other specialists. When as patients, to us, the relationship is clear.

So next time you read an article about psoriatic arthritis, dont be fooled by its most basic description of joint pain because, for so many of us, it is so much more than just joint pain. What do you think should be added to the textbook definition of psoriatic arthritis?

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Foot And Ankle Arthritis

How it happens: The foot hitting any surface puts a high degree of contact stress on arthritic jointsevery step hurts. The pain can be quite excruciating if a joint is damaged, says Irvin Oh, MD, chief of Yale Medicine Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgery. Range of motion becomes limited, and bone spurs can develop. Pain is common in the big toe, on the top of the foot, and in the ankle.

Self-care: Keep your weight under control, as being overweight or having obesity puts stress on the foot and ankle. Modify your activity if overuse seems to be exacerbating the pain, and try ice packs. Ankle-strengthening exercises and Achilles-stretching exercises can also help reduce pain. Talk to your doctor about using NSAIDs.

How a specialist can help: We always have to think of evenly distributing mechanical load, says Dr. Oh. He compares the foot and ankle to a tripod and says it must be well-balanced to be optimized for even the most basic functions, like taking a step. Some people with foot arthritis will compensate to avoid feeling pain and that can throw off the balance, he adds. Supportive shoes, an ankle brace, and orthotics may help.

Replacing or fusing arthritic joints may also be recommended. “There are innovative joint replacement options for such surgical treatments as toe implants and total ankle replacements for people whose joints are severely damaged or who have no cartilage left,” he says. We always try to preserve native joints as much as possible.

Find A Community That Understands

Theres no reason to go through a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis or long-term journey alone. With the free PsA Healthline community, you can join a group and participate in live discussions, get matched with community members for a chance to make new friends, and stay up to date on the latest Psa news and research.

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Evening Primrose Oil Supplements

Some plant oils may reduce pain and stiffness associated with RA. Evening primrose oil contains an essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid that may provide some relief.

A 2016 study found that taking evening primrose oil and fish oil may reduce inflammation and disease activity.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , however, more research is needed on the effectiveness of primrose oil.

Again, check with your doctor before taking evening primrose oil, as it may interact with some medications. Potential side effects include headache and an upset stomach.

Thunder god vine grows in China and Taiwan and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has indicated that it may be effective for treating RA symptoms.

According to a 2015 study , thunder god vine was comparable to the standard RA drug methotrexate in relieving symptoms. The study found that taking both was even more effective.

A 2018 research review also suggested that thunder god vine supplements may help reduce inflammation. Still, more research is needed on long-term effects and safety.

Talk to your doctor and assess the benefits before trying thunder god vine, as it may have some serious side effects. These can include reduced bone mineral content, infertility, rashes, and hair loss.

Thunder god vine can also be poisonous if it isnt prepared correctly.

Green Tea And Other Beverages

Many teas contain bioactive polyphenolic compounds that contribute significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit people with arthritis. A 2016 study of people with arthritis found that green tea supplementation improved disease activity. Another 2018 study found that green tea extract might control pain and improve knee joint physical function in adults with osteoarthritis.

Instead of sipping on soda, drink green or oolong teas, which are both made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Additionally, if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you do choose to have an alcoholic drink, opt for red wine, which may have anti-inflammatory effects.

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What Is A Joint And How Does It Work

A joint is where two or more bones meet, such as in the fingers, knees, and shoulders. Joints hold bones in place and allow them to move freely within limits.

Most of the joints in our body are surrounded by a strong capsule. The capsule is filled with a thick fluid that helps to lubricate the joint. These capsules hold our bones in place. They do this with the help of ligaments. These are a bit like very strong elastic bands.

The ends of the bones within a joint are lined with cartilage. This is a smooth but tough layer of tissue that allows bones to glide over one another as you move.

If we want to move a bone, our brain gives a signal to the muscle, which then pulls a tendon, and this is attached to the bone. Muscles therefore have an important role in supporting a joint.

When To See A Doctor

Aches or pains that last a day or two generally arent cause for concern. But you should let your doctor know if youre experiencing persistent joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, or if youre experiencing joint symptoms that are getting in the way of your everyday activities. Rheumatoid arthritis needs to be treated early in order to stave off permanent joint damage. And regardless of your arthritis type, getting care sooner can help you feel better.

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How To Help Arthritis In Knees

If you are experiencing severe knee arthritis that is impacting your quality of life, its important to talk to your doctor first. They can help diagnose any underlying causes and design a treatment plan to improve your daily life.

For mild to moderate pain, here are our tips for how to help arthritis in the knees. As always, talk with your doctor before starting a new treatment.

How Is Arthritis Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you a physical exam. Tests may also be done. These include blood tests such as:

• Antinuclear antibody test. This checks antibody levels in the blood.

• Complete blood count . This checks if your white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet levels are normal.

• Creatinine. This test checks for kidney disease.

• Sedimentation rate. This test can find inflammation.

• Hematocrit. This test measures the number of red blood cells.

• RF and CCP antibody tests. These can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. They can also assess how severe the disease is.

• White blood cell count. This checks the level of white blood cells in your blood.

• Uric acid. This helps diagnose gout.

Other tests may be done, such as:

• Joint aspiration . A small sample of synovial fluid is taken from a joint. It’s tested to see if crystals, bacteria, or viruses are present.

• X-rays or other imaging tests. These can tell how damaged a joint is.

• Urine test. This checks for protein and different kinds of blood cells.

• HLA tissue typing. This looks for genetic markers of ankylosing spondylitis.

• Skin biopsy. Tiny tissue samples are removed and checked under a microscope. This test helps to diagnose a type of arthritis that involves the skin, such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis.

• Muscle biopsy. Tiny tissue samples are removed and checked under a microscope. This test helps to diagnose conditions that affect muscles.

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Home Remedies For Arthritis

In addition to treatments recommended by your doctor, you can use dry heat from a heating pad or moist heat in the form of a hot bath or a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel to help relieve pain and stiffness. Heat and rest are very effective in the short run for most people with the disease. Regular exercise is also important to keep the joints mobile.

If you are overweight, losing weight is key, especially when arthritis affects the lower back, knees, and legs. Extra pounds add to the load and pressure on your joints, which can cause your arthritis to get worse faster. Being overweight also raises your chances of related health problems. Consult a registered dietitian who can help you plan a healthy weight loss program.

People with weakened, badly deformed fingers from rheumatoid arthritis benefit from specially designed utensils and door and drawer handles people with weakness in the legs and arms can use special bathroom fixtures, especially tub rails and elevated toilet seats.

Although arthritis may not be preventable, disability is — with a well-designed treatment program, including medications, exercise, and physical therapy when needed.

Here are some more things you can do to help keep the condition in check:

Educate yourself. Take a self-management course to learn specifics on day-to-day arthritis care.

Get active. Exercise can help you move better, lessen pain, and put off disability.

Effects On Your Daily Life

• See a doctor or other relevant healthcare professional if youre unable to do everyday tasks due to joint or muscle pain.
• If youve lifted something heavy and hurt your back, for example, take some painkillers, apply some heat and try to stay active. If the pain doesnt ease after a couple of weeks or so, see a doctor.

Its important to see a doctor if you get any new symptoms or if you have any trouble with drugs youre taking.

If you have an appointment with a doctor, to help make sure you get the most out of it, you could take a list of questions with you and tick them off as they are discussed.

You could also keep a symptoms diary with details of how youre feeling in between appointments. Some people find that taking a friend or relative with them to an appointment can provide support and ensure that all important points are discussed.

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Osteoarthritis Of The Hip

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, which means it causes gradual damage to the joint. It is the most common form of hip arthritis and can affect other joints. Hip osteoarthritis is typically caused by wear and tear related to aging and worsens over time. The breakdown of cartilage leads to pain and inflammation.

Hip osteoarthritis may develop faster in some people due to irregular shape of the bones forming the hip joint. For example, if the ball and the socket parts of the hip joint dont perfectly fit together , they may rub against each other, eventually leading to osteoarthritis. This may also happen in people with hip dysplasia, who have a hip socket that is too shallow to support the ball of the femur. This places abnormal stress on the cartilage, causing it to wear away prematurely.

Stages of Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Talk To Your Doctor About Knee Joint Injections

Knee joint injections should only be explored when more conservative treatments for knee pain have proven ineffective. Before the procedure, your doctor will inject a numbing agent to reduce pain, followed by a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation. They may also discuss options like PRP injections.

While injections may work to decrease pain, knee joint injections do not treat any underlying knee pain causes or halt progressive joint deterioration. Still, when combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise, physical therapy, and other lifestyle changes, they can provide profound relief. Learn more about this option in the following video.

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Osteoarthritis Treatment And Pain Management

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, therefore, doctors focus on treatments to ease your pain, help you move better, and stop the disease from getting worse. Treatment plans often include:

Exercise. A safe, well-rounded exercise program can reduce joint pain and stiffness and increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. Try stretching and balance exercises as well as low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or tai chi. Always talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Remember to start slowly and take the time to adjust to a new level of activity.

Weight control. If you are affected by overweight or obesity, managing your weight can reduce stress on the joints, which may reduce pain, prevent more injury, and increase mobility.

Medication. Over-the-counter medications, including oral pain relievers and arthritis creams, can be helpful. Your doctor may also give you a prescription for a pill or inject a medication directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain.

Surgery. If other treatments are not helping and the joint damage is extensive, your doctor may suggest surgery. Surgeries that help treat osteoarthritis include osteotomy, which removes a small piece of bone to relieve pressure on the affected joint, and joint-replacement surgery, which removes a part or all of the damaged joint and replaces it with a plastic, metal, or ceramic joint.

Take steps to help manage your pain and work toward a better quality of life:

Who Is At Risk For Osteoarthritis

Anyone can get osteoarthritis, but it is more common as people age. Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis, especially after age 50. Other factors that may make it more likely to develop osteoarthritis include:

• Overweight or obesity
• History of injury or surgery to a joint
• Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint
• Joints that do not form correctly
• Family history of osteoarthritis

Each of these risk factors can cause tissues within the joints to break down and lead to osteoarthritis. You can decrease your chances of developing osteoarthritis by changing the risk factors you can control.

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Berries Apples And Pomegranates

Berries are rich in antioxidants and the Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and boysenberries all provide arthritis-fighting power. Youll get health benefits no matter if you eat them frozen, fresh or dehydrated , so be sure to eat a variety of berries throughout the week.

Apples are also high in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Plus, they provide crunch and can help curb your appetite for unhealthy snacks, Dunn says.

Pomegranates, which are classified as berry fruits, are rich in tannins which can fight the inflammation of arthritis. Add these to a salad or stir into plain yogurt for some added benefits.

How Is Hip Arthritis Diagnosed

Your doctor may use the following diagnostic tools to determine if you have hip arthritis:

• Medical history and physical examination
• Blood tests for genetic markers and/or RA antibodies
• X-rays to determine cartilage loss

You cant see cartilage on X-ray, but you can see the space between the bones of the hip joint. If its narrowing, this could mean that cartilage has been lost. X-rays also show bone spurs and cysts, which develop due to osteoarthritis. MRI of the hip is usually not needed to diagnose arthritis.

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Fight Arthritis Pain Without Pills

These pain relief methods include creams, exercise, CAM therapies, footwear, nerve treatments and injections.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 76.2 million, or 26% of Americans, suffer from chronic pain and more than half of those have some form of arthritis or related condition. The question that plagues many of us is this: Cant something be done for arthritis pain besides pills?

While over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines can be effective if used properly, there are possible risks whenever you take a pill. So many people want to explore alternative pain relief therapies. Theres an array of options from electrical stimulation to meditation, topical creams to shoes.

Experts recommend theseoptions.

1. Topical Medications

What they are:Gels, creams and patches that are applied to the skin supply sodium channel blockers, such as lidocaine or prilocaine. Prescription NSAIDs that come in drops, gels, sprays or patches are also becoming popular. Popular OTC creams for pain relief include ingredients like capsaicin, menthol or camphor.

Pain they work well for:Sodium channel blockers work best for nerve disorders like diabetic neuropathy or neuropathic pain. Topical NSAIDs help relieve the pain and inflammation common in arthritis. Capsaicin is recommended for nerve pain as well as joint pain.

2. The Right Shoes

3. Steroid Injection

4. Exercise/Physical Therapy

5.Heat/Cold

6. Trigger Point Injection

7. Meditation

Risks:None.