For those suffering from the pain and discomfort of joint pain stemming from arthritis or other rheumatic diseases, your physician may prescribe several treatment options before considering joint replacement. These may include medications, alternating heat/cold therapy, massage, immobilization devices (e.g. canes, splints), acupuncture, weight reduction, low-impact exercise and stretching. If these treatments do not provided the needed relief from joint pain, surgery is often recommended.
For more information on surgical and non-surgical arthritis treatment options, please visit Treatment for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases.
To find out more about how a joint works, visit Anatomy of a Joint. |
