Making a diagnosis of arthritis often includes evaluating symptoms, a physical examination, and X-rays, which are important to show the extent of damage to the joint. Blood tests and other laboratory tests may help to determine the type of arthritis that you are suffering from and will help in developing a plan to mange your situation.
			The goals of treatment are to provide pain relief, increase motion, and improve strength. There are several kinds of treatment to deal with your arthritis: Lifestyle Adjustments: Patients can often make simple changes to their life to alleviate the discomforts of arthritis. These often include basic changes to lead a healthier lifestyle overall and may include weight loss, simple exercises, and improved dietary habits. To learn more about basic lifestyle adjustments that may alleviate your arthritis pain, explore what you can do. Medications: Many over-the-counter medications, including common anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen may be used to effectively control the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be used to effectively control pain. Prescription medications also are available if over-the-counter medications are not effective. Dr. Caillouette will choose a medication by taking into account the type of arthritis, its severity, and your general physical health. Patients with ulcers, asthma, kidney, or liver disease may not be able to safely take anti-inflammatory medications. Injections of liquid cortisone directly into the joint may temporarily help to relieve pain and swelling. It is important to know, however, that repeated frequent injections into the same joint can damage the joint and have undesirable side effects. Joint protection: Some simple changes may provide significant relief from the pain and discomfort of arthritis, including using a cane, crutches, splints, or a walker. Changing the way you perform simple daily activities to relieve the stress on your joints also may help. Strengthening the muscles around your joint and decresing stiffness through exercise and physical therapy may help to alleviate your pain. Surgery: Dr. Caillouette may perform surgery for arthritis when other methods of nonsurgical treatment have failed to give relief. You will work together with Dr. Caillouette to choose the type of procedure by taking into account the type of arthritis, its severity, and your physical condition. Surgical procedures include: removal of the diseased or damaged joint lining realignment of the joints total joint replacement fusion of the bone ends of a joint to prevent joint motion and relieve joint pain.
			There are many simple changes that patients can make to alleviate the discomfort of arthritis. Many of these changes may lead you to a healthier lifestyle overall and work to improve not only your arthritis pain, but also your overall health. Learn what you can do here.
			An arthritis diagnosis does not necessarily mean that you will have to endure invasive treatments to manage your pain. Joint injections, arthroscopic surgery, or cartilage transplants may be right for you. Learn more about less-invasive treatments here.

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