Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation (swelling) of joints which typically worsens with age. Arthritis can be classified into two main types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage, which is the flexible connective tissue that aids in twisting, turning, and bone movement, breaks down. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is characterized by autoimmunity, wherein the body’s immune system attacks the joints leading to painful swelling.
The five tell-tale symptoms of arthritis include:
- Chronic joint pain – Lingering joint pain that regularly flares up
- Joint stiffness is a common symptom
- Swelling around joints
- Redness in the joint area
- Gradual increase in immobility
The following are usually considered for rheumatoid arthritis treatment and osteoarthritis treatment.
Medication
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs – Orthopaedic specialists prominently suggest these to reduce inflammation and pain. Medications like Ibuprofen, Advil, etc., are taken in the form of tablets, while NSAIDs like Diclofenac are used as creams and gels to be rubbed in the affected joints.
- Counter-irritants are ointments or creams containing menthol or capsaicin that interfere with the transmission of pain from the joint itself.
- Steroids – Corticosteroid injections are often administered to reduce joint pain, inflammation, and slow damage.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs – These specialized drugs slow disease progression and prevent permanent joint damage. DMARDs are available in conventional, biological, or targeted synthetic substances.
Therapy
Physical therapy is advised to provide temporary relief from joint pain and swelling. It also facilitates better circulation around the joints, strengthening muscles and better movement. Some cases involve splints or braces.
Surgery
In case of persistent symptoms and if any of the above measures don’t help, the best arthritis doctor advises surgery.
- Joint repair – This type of surgery involves realigning or smoothening joint surfaces to reduce inflammation and ensure pain improvement.
- Joint replacement – The damaged joint is removed and replaced with a metal or ceramic or plastic joint.
- Joint fusion – This surgical procedure is more often used for wrist, ankle, and finger joints. So, The damaged bone ends are removed, and the remaining portions are allowed to heal into a single unit.
Breakthrough in arthritis treatment
- Researchers at the University of Connecticut, USA, have discovered specialized cartilage which could encourage cell growth when exposed to electrical stimulation. Surgeons can reportedly transplant cartilage from elsewhere in the body or implant a biodegradable scaffold that could generate electrical impulses. Though it has immense potential, side effects could include the breakdown of new cartilage or immunity complications that may arise.
- A dose-ranging trial of Otilimab led by Professor Chris Buckley at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham has been sponsored by leading pharmaceutical company GSK. Its clinical effects on preventing inflammation, tissue damage, and pain in people with RA were studied. A monoclonal antibody, Otilimab targets and suppresses the inflammatory cytokine GM-CSF (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor). Also, The variable drug doses led to a rapid reduction in tender and swollen joints in RA patients and achieved significant improvements in pain scores.
- The leading journal Med featured a recent study by researchers at the University College London (UCL) who have discovered a critical new cause of RA. It has been found that the damage to the gut causes leakage of bacteria allowing it to cross the gut lining. So, This leads to inflammation in the stomach, thus causing disease progression in the joints.
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