Stem cell treatment for arthritis6/16/2023 ![]() ![]() Often times these medications will help arthritis in other parts of your body such as hand arthritis so be aware other joints may benefit. Another approach is to stop taking the medication after 4 weeks and see if there is a change in your symptoms. One suggestion is to take the supplement for 4 weeks and determine if pain symptoms and joint stiffness improves. One brand name that is recommended is COSAMIN DS (NUTRAMAX LABORATORIES) that is produced in the USA.The rule is to select a brand name that is recognized as studies show that these medications are not controlled by the FDA and may vary greatly in concentrations and what is actually present. These supplements are very safe, and their use is advantageous to avoid the side effects of stronger medications. The use of glucosamine – chondroitin sulfate combination supplements is controversial although studies have shown they may provide some relief of knee pain in one-third of patients. ![]() Sometimes your doctor will recommend a knee steroid injection which lasts for up to three months an avoids using stronger oral medications that go thru your stomach and liver and have side effects. With established arthritis and low-grade chronic symptoms these medications can still be used every other day or so along with ice and a knee brace to avoid stronger medications.It is better to allow your doctor to determine if these is knee swelling which may require stronger medication. If symptoms do not resolve in 7 days it is best to see a doctor, waiting weeks to get better allows too much muscle atrophy and disuse.With a flare-up of knee arthritis pain, examine carefully your activity and what you may have done to trigger the flare-up to avoid in the future.Remember knee arthritis comes and goes based on your activity and commonly doing too much at one time. Combine the above low dose medicines with icing, activity modification, and some element of rest to allow the knee “headache” to resolve.Make sure these medications to not upset your stomach and if you have any GI issues your family doctor should advise you on your medications. Advil and Aleve are a class of nonsteroidal medications referred to as NSAIDS and are used in smaller doses to decrease pain and swelling. Patients usually know which one works best for pain. Use only when the knee has pain and use for a day or a couple of days. Use the common medicines you would use for a headache. These can be highly effective in the initial stages of knee arthritis.Secondly to understand that the treatment of knee arthritis involves an entire program of rehabilitation, keeping active, weight control, possible knee braces and other treatments and it is not correct or beneficial to rely only on medicines.įor example, exercises are a major part of the treatment of arthritis and you should be under the care of an experienced physical therapist for a home program that is performed at least three times a week! Weight control is so important and for every pound you weight you place 3 to 6 times that amount on your knee joint in just walking or climbing stairs! With knee arthritis your activity decreases and your ability to burn calories taken in by your food also decreases so you need to adjust your diet and avoid high carbohydrate foods that put on weight. The overall goal is to select the safest approach with the least amount of medicine and side effects. Remember, every medicine has beneficial effects, but every medicine has “a little bit of poison” meaning side effects that need to be avoided if possible. However, the guide is not meant to be the only approach and patients are advised to be well informed and ask guidance from their primary care physician, pharmacy and other specialists. This guide has many useful suggestions and guidelines for the safe and effective treatment of knee arthritis. This guide is prepared by Frank R Noyes MD based on over three decades of treating knee arthritis in thousands of patients.
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