Treatment Options

Following the orthopaedic evaluation, the orthopaedic specialist will review and discuss the results with you. Based on his or her diagnosis, your treatment options may include:

Non Surgical Options

Diet & Exercise

• Average American is 20–40 lbs. overweight.
• Average person takes 5000–7000 steps/day.
• Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints (extra pressure on some joints may aggravate your arthritis).
• A balanced diet helps manage weight and stay healthy.

ROM Exercises

• Maintains normal joint movement.
• Increases flexibility.
• Relieves stiffness.

Strengthening Exercises

• Increasing muscle strength helps support and protect joints affected by arthritis.
• Exercise is an important part of arthritis treatment that is most effective when done properly and routinely.

Aerobic Exercise

• Improve cardiovascular fitness.
• Helps control weight.
• May help reduce inflammation in joints.

Rest & Joint Care

• Short-term bed rest helps reduce both joint inflammation and pain, and is especially useful when multiple joints are affected and fatigue is a major problem.
• Individual joint rest is most helpful when arthritis involves one or only a few joints.
• Heat Therapy (increases blood flow, tolerance for pain, flexibility).
• Cold Therapy — cold packs, ice massage, OTC sprays and ointments (reduces pain by numbing the nerves around the joint).