Bone and joint related issues - Essos Yaoundé

Care and Treatment What is the treatment for joint pain? Although there may not be a cure for joint pain, there are ways to manage it. Sometimes, the pain may go away by taking over-the-counter (OTC) or by performing simple daily exercises. Other times, the pain may be signaling problems that can only be corrected with prescription or surgery. Joint pain treatment includes: Simple at-home remedies: Your healthcare provider may recommend applying a heating pad or ice onto the affected area for short periods, several times a day. Soaking in a warm bathtub may also offer relief. Exercise: Exercise can help get back strength and function. Walking, swimming or another low-impact aerobic exercise is best. People who participate in strenuous workouts or sports activities may need to scale it back or begin a low-impact workout routine. Gentle stretching exercises will also help. Check with your provider before beginning or continuing any exercise program. Weight loss: Your provider may suggest losing weight, if needed, to lessen the strain on your joints. : Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) may help ease your pain. Both medicines are available over the counter, but stronger doses may need a prescription. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease or liver disease, check with your provider to see if this is a good option for you. Topical treatments: Your provider may recommend topical treatments like ointments or gels that you can rub into your skin over the affected joint area to help ease pain. You may find some of these over the counter, or your provider may write a prescription. Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements like glucosamine may help relieve pain. Ask your provider before taking any over-the-counter supplements. If those or treatments don’t ease your pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe: Supportive aids — such as a brace, a cane or an orthotic device in your shoe — to help support your joint and allow ease of movement. Physical or occupational therapy, along with a balanced fitness program, to gradually help ease pain and improve flexibility. Antidepressants to help improve sleep. , often given by injection into your joint, to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling. Pain relievers to help ease pain. It’s important to remember that medicine, even those available over the counter, affects people differently. What helps one person may not work for another. Be sure to follow your provider’s directions carefully when taking any medicine and tell them if you have any side effects. What surgical options are available to relieve joint pain? Surgery may be an option if your joint pain is long-lasting and doesn’t lessen with , physical therapy or exercise. Surgical options that are available include: Arthroscopy Arthroscopy is a procedure where a surgeon makes two or three small cuts (incisions) in the flesh over your joint. They get into your joint using an arthroscope — a thin, flexible, fiberoptic instrument — and repair your cartilage or remove bone chips in or near your joint. Joint fusion Joint fusion is a procedure in which a surgeon fastens together the ends of your bones, eliminating the joint. The surgeon may use plates, screws, pins or rods to hold your bones in place while they heal. Surgeons most commonly perform joint fusions on your hands, ankles and spine. Osteotomy During an osteotomy, a surgeon realigns or reshapes the long bones of your arm or leg to take pressure off the damaged portion of your joint. This procedure can help relieve pain and restore movement in your joint. Joint replacement If other treatments don’t help, you may need joint replacement surgery to replace your joint when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones wears away. This can be done for hip, knee and shoulder joints. A surgeon removes parts of your bone and implants an artificial joint made from metal or plastic. This procedure has had excellent results and most people feel long-lasting pain relief after this type of surgery.

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