Arthritis Types and General Facts

There are more than 100 different types of arthrthis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease. It is a common chronic, progressive musculoskeletal disorder characterized by gradual loss of articular cartilage. The disease most commonly affects the middle-aged and elderly, although it may begin earlier as a result of injury or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that not only affects joints, but also significantly impacts bone health. Persistent inflammation drives the release of cytokines that stimulate osteoclast activity—the cells responsible for breaking down bone—while suppressing bone formation. Over time, this imbalance leads to reduced bone mineral density and progressive bone loss.

This results in both localized bone erosions at joints and a broader loss of bone mass. As bone architecture weakens, the skeleton becomes less stable contributing to ongoing pain and reduced function. This also makes you more prone to fractures

Osteoarthritis Pain Management and Non-Surgical Treatment Options

At present, there is no cure for OA. The goal of common non-surgical remedies, therapies and treatments are to collectively improve function and quality of life while limiting potential drug toxicity damage and complications. Non-surgical options include:

• Education (patient and spouse or family)
• Social support
• Physiotherapy (physical therapy)
• Occupational therapy
• Weight loss
• Exercise – The most important intervention in the management of OA. Exercise builds muscle strength and endurance, improves joint flexibility and motion.
• Arthritis Orthotics
• Laser Therapy
• Pulsed EMF (Electromagnetic field therapy)
• Ultrasound
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Acupuncture
• Diet and Nutrients
• Herbal remedies
• Vitamins/minerals
• Pharmacological therapy – Drugs that can be bought at pharmacies and drugstores without a prescription, like aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Lidocaine patch – A topical adhesive patch containing the local anesthetic lidocaine.

Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis is usually considered after a failure of non-surgical therapy options.

Total joint arthroplasty, the most surgically advanced in OA treatment, is the mainstay of surgical treatments. Other surgical procedures are: osteotomy, arthroscopy, arthrodesis and arthroplasty, and each has different indications and variable benefits.