Arthritis: A Real Pain in the Joint
Arthritis is a painful condition affecting 1 in 5 Canadians and is one of Canada’s most common chronic diseases. At Werkman, Boven & Associates, many people attend our clinic and suffer from the symptoms of arthritis of all kinds. Although there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the difference?
What can be done to treat the symptoms?
Therapeutic exercises and heat and cold therapy can help reduce the effects of RA and OA symptoms. As with any joint pain disease, a healthy diet and weight will contribute to reduced joint stress and, therefore, a reduction in pain. When arthritis affects the joints in the feet, visiting your chiropodist is essential. We are happy to help alleviate the symptoms using custom prescription orthotics wherein we can design the padding and offloading right into your insole.
Where OA and RA differ in treatment is in the progression of the disease.
As OA worsens, pharmacological intervention may be required. It will vary based on your symptoms and the affected joint(s) and is individualized to your needs. These treatment options include topical, over-the-counter, prescription, or injections.
For RA, your doctor or specialist will help manage the symptoms depending on severity and progression. The initial medication treatment is described by arthritis.ca as follows:
Your first line of medication therapy begins with 1 to 3 disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
- Most common: methotrexate (pills or injections weekly) with folic acid supplements
- Sometimes: sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, or others
- You can expect follow-up lab tests and frequent monitoring to assess the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment.
For short-term use or flare-ups, treatment may include
- Steroid pills, or corticosteroid injections in affected joints or intra-muscularly
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Non-opioid painkillers (analgesics).
Along with the pain associated with OA and RA, other issues may arise, including bunions, corns, calluses, thickened nails, and even ulcers. Book an appointment with your chiropodist today to assess and discuss the best management for your arthritis symptoms.
Contains information from::
Arthritis facts, figures and statistics. Arthritis Facts, Figures and Statistics | Arthritis Society Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures
Types of arthritis pain: Arthritis foundation. Types of Arthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/understanding-pain/sources-of-arthritis-pain
