Patients visit their family doctor or specialists for arthritis treatment mainly because of pain level and restriction to their lives. Most osteoarthritic patients control their pain by using simple analgesics such as paracetamol or whatever is available over the counter.

Stronger analgesics are obtained from their GPs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) has been used quite extensively in the past when analgesics did not control pain adequately and was prescribed on its own or in conjunction with analgesics.

They have gastric side effects and care must be taken if these drugs cause indigestion or if there is a past history of ulcers. Some of these drugs are available over the counter. They are sold at a lower dose. Make sure you do not exceed the recommended dosage. The newer COX2 inhibitors are NSAIDs that are not as harsh on the gastric lining and therefore less likely to cause gastric problems.

Recently, however, they have been linked to heart disease. Recent research also suggests that higher than recommended doses of ordinary NSAIDs ie ibuprofen, increase the risk of heart attacks. There is no evidence that this group of drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis have any affect on progression. Use this group of drugs carefully if you have to.

Topical NSAIDs are effective in smaller joints and at times are as effective as the oral alternative, and much less likely to produce side effects. Topical capsaicin is also effective in controlling pain and is an effective arthritis treatment.

Intra-articular steroid injections are used very effectively in osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid drugs are also effective as intra-articular injection and their effect are longer lasting that cortisone and other fluorinated corticosteroids.These intra-articular injections are used in uncomplicated osteoarthritis and is an alternative arthritis treatment when surgery is contraindicated or not recommended.

Dr.Phil Hariram,

Arthritis Guide