If you experience joint pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, limited motion, or deformity, it's crucial to seek medical evaluation from a healthcare professional. Even minor joint symptoms persisting unexplained for over a week should be assessed. For many forms of arthritis, early evaluation is vital as it can prevent damage, disability, and simplify treatment.
Treatment may not be necessary for arthritis with minimal or no symptoms. But when troublesome symptoms persist, treatment may include pain and anti-inflammatory medications as follows. Additionally, heat/cold applications and topical pain creams can be beneficial.
As a first step, rest, heat/cold applications, and topical pain creams can provide relief. For osteoarthritis, over-the-counter supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin have helped some patients, though their benefits are debated in national research studies. If no improvement is seen after a two-month trial, discontinuation is an option. Claims by manufacturers that these supplements "rebuild" cartilage lack adequate scientific verification.
Regarding dietary supplementation, fish oils have shown anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce arthritis inflammation. Obesity is a known risk factor for osteoarthritis in the knee. Weight loss is recommended for overweight individuals showing early signs of osteoarthritis in their hands, which puts them at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Even modest weight reduction can be beneficial.
Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are often the initial recommended treatment for mild osteoarthritis as they have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially in elderly patients.
Some patients find relief by dipping their hands in hot wax (paraffin) in the morning. Hot wax is available at pharmacies or medical supply stores and can be reused by melting it. Warm water soaks and wearing cotton gloves at night can help ease hand symptoms. Regular gentle range of motion exercises can preserve joint function and are easiest to do after morning hand warming.
Pain-relieving creams applied to the skin over the joints can alleviate daytime minor arthritis pain. Ice application at the end of the day can provide additional relief. Occupational therapists can assess daily activities and suggest techniques to help at work or home.
For a few forms of arthritis, like gout, dietary changes can have an impact. When arthritis symptoms persist, it's best to seek advice from a doctor for proper guidance on individualized management.