One of the most widespread diseases afflicting a lot of individuals of all ages is arthritis knee pain - particularly Osteoarthritis (a.k.a. OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (a.k.a. RA). In spite of all discoveries in modern medicine, there is currently no lasting cure for all types of arthritis knee pain.

Although there are certain physical therapy programs and various exercises intended to control pain to a certain extent, the outcome depends mostly on the extent of pain and the severity of arthritis afflicting the patient, among several other factors.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A popular type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis or RA, which initially occurs with stiff or sore joints in the hands, feet, knees, and elbows. Frequently, the stiffness will occur in both sides of the body. In due course, the RA patient will suffer from fatigue and flu, along with aches and pains as well as joint inflammation.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Conversely, if pain appears in any joint after a repetitive action, this is most likely a different form of arthritis called Osteoarthritis (OA). To demonstrate, a long-term athlete may one day experience excruciating pain in the knee without any apparent reason. X-rays can discover any knee cartilage problems, which can weaken the joints and prevent them from sticking together.

Osteoarthritis usually involves the back, hips, fingers, and neck. Swollen or misshapen fingers are tell-tale signs of OA. In extreme cases, OA sufferers may find it nearly impossible to carry out even basic activities such as sitting down, standing up, or walking. In these cases, hip replacement surgery is the most recommended course of action.

There are certain risk factors involved in OA. Females have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis than males. Moreover, stress, obesity, and age are risk factors, among others.

Arthritis Knee Pain Treatment Methods

A popular method for treating arthritis is knee braces, either custom-made or off-the-shelf. Off-the-shelf are braces that generally fit in your knees, whereas custom-made braces are those that are more expensive and designed to fit not only your knee but your specific condition as well.

Though prescribed meds may help manage pain, they are rarely able to get rid of it entirely. However, new medications are being touted to curb chronic pain due to arthritis. Along with the usual medications, doctors may recommend salves and creams for oral application. NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first choice for most physicians. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are often given biologics or anti-rheumatic medications, which may be injected regularly to restore the patient's normal bodily functions.

One more technique that may effectively manage rheumatoid arthritis is performing regular knee exercises, such as cycling, swimming, and walking. Knee exercises may help improve or restore the function of the joints. Such knee exercises don't need to be rigorous, because even basic exercises can work wonders for the joints. Strenuous exercises that can can cause damage to your joints must be completely avoided.

In severe cases, chemotherapy and knee surgery may be the best form of treatment. Alternative treatments such as magnetic pulse therapy and acupuncture, to name a few, have also become popular these days, owing to the numerous patients who swear to their efficiency.

In conclusion, if you want to try either alternative or standard treatment systems for arthritis knee pain, you're strongly advised to discuss your options with your physician before everything else.