Many people complain about suffering from severe pain in the joints, especially those of the knee, hip, feet, and spine. These people suffer from a form of arthritis that is a degenerative joint disease affecting the joints, preeminently the knee joint, called osteoarthritis. Women, the elderly, the obese, and persons who have joint injuries are more likely to get this kind of joint pain or degenerative joint disease called osteoarthritis. Though there is no permanent cure for this degenerative joint disease, various treatments can reduce pain, including pain-relieving injections, painkillers, or medications used to treat joint pain. Various other effective pain management activities can help control the severe pain of this degenerative joint disease. In this article, we will discuss various ways of pain management for osteoarthritis and focus on the best pain relievers available for reducing the discomfort caused by this degenerative joint disease.

 

Pain management for the degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis is a process wherein an expert professional dealing with arthritis advises you about the effective ways, therapies, and techniques to follow to reduce discomfort and overcome the harsh symptoms. Pain management includes the assessment of your joint discomfort level, proper medication or the scheduling of prescribed medication, pain relievers or injections, etc. Pain management also includes prescribing exercises that relieve the joint stiffness caused by the degenerative joint disease. Physiotherapy for the affected joints is also listed in the procedure of pain management. One must consult an expert before undergoing pain management techniques.

 

Injections relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease can be treated using some pain relieving injections specifically meant for Osteoarthritis that contain the viscous substance Hyaluronic. These injections provide relief in osteoarthritis that is mild or moderate. The injections can be either taken once or weekly for at least 3-4 weeks, depending on the intensity of the pain. Some patients need these injections for months. The side effects of these osteoarthritis injections include swelling and pain in joints. Steroid injections can also relieve joint pain of osteoarthritis and reduce moderate to severe pain of this degenerative joint disease. Corticosteroids are the prescribed injections for treatment of osteoarthritis.
 

Prescribed medications or drugs for relieving osteoarthritis: Narcotic drugs like Tylenol with codeine, morphine, Percocet, etc. are some prescribed medications that can help bring relief for this degenerative disease of the joints. Common side effects of narcotic medications include constipation, drowsiness, and difficulty in urination. Feldene, Indocin, Mobic, Lodine, and Clinoril are some prescribed NSAIDs medications that act as painkillers for osteoarthritis joint pain. Opioid painkillers are available for severe pain of this arthritis. Tramadol and pentazocine are the most well known opioid painkillers. However, these medications have strong side effects.

OTC medications can bring relief: Medications for treating pain of this degenerative form of arthritis are also available over-the-counter. These medications include drugs like Tylenol that help mild to moderate conditions. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce pain by blocking chemicals that cause inflammation. The side effects of such medications include stomachache and irritation, but they are usually considered safe. Anacin, Motrin, and Aspirin are some NSAIDs medications available without prescription.
 

Topical pain relievers: Analgesic gels or creams can help control mild discomfort of this degenerative arthritis. Flexall, Zostrix, Bengay, and Arthricare are some of the popular topical pain relievers for osteoarthritis. Camphor, salicylates, menthol and eucalyptus oil are the primary constituents of topical use gels and creams. As part of effective pain management therapies, experts usually prescribe these ointments.

The pain relievers can be used along with the other pain management techniques like exercise, proper diet, and physiotherapy to get relief from this degenerative joint condition.