For people with chronic joint pain, it can sometimes feel like there is no end in sight and like any relief is needed. In addition to the pain, joint problems can also make it difficult to perform daily activities or even work. While not all joint pain has a cure, there are a number of treatment options that a Jonesboro orthopedics clinic can offer or recommend to bring some relief for patients with chronic joint pain. Often the best option is a combination of home remedies and in-office treatments supervised by a team of providers. Read on for some of the top ways to address this chronic pain.
Ice and Heat
Depending on the cause of your pain, both hot and cold therapy can be helpful to relieve pain and inflammation. Swelling is generally best treated by ice, which can also offer a numbing effect that helps with discomfort. Ice should be applied with a towel or other barrier between the skin and the ice in increments of 15 minutes. Heat is good for muscle spasms and relaxation and can be applied between sessions of ice.
Rest
It may be easier said than done, but relieving your joints of pressure is likely to reduce pain. Anything you can do to avoid activities that cause more pain is helpful, though full immobilization will ultimately not be helpful. You can work with your Jonesboro orthopedics specialist to determine the right balance of rest.
Medication
Pain medication is not designed to address any underlying causes of your chronic joint pain, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be helpful. Anti-inflammatory medication like NSAIDs can reduce pain and stiffness to allow you to move more easily, as well as reducing inflammation that may further contribute to pain. When over-the-counter options aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe something for the pain, though it should be tightly managed.
Some supplements are also recommended, such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
Physical Therapy
Maintaining movement and strength is important for the long-term outlook of chronic joint pain, and physical therapy is designed to facilitate this in the long term. With a combination of in-office exercises and at-home routines, physical therapy increases mobility and strengthens the muscles that support the joints.
Steroid Injections
These targeted injections can decrease inflammation and relieve pain for longer periods of time while preserving the function of the joints. These will need to be done on a regular basis and are best used as a way to facilitate other treatment options by reducing the pain associated with them.
Losing Weight
One very common cause of chronic joint pain is obesity, as the extra weight places more pressure on the joints, causing pain and degeneration over time. A customized exercise plan and nutritional counseling can be used as a way of managing joint pain by reducing stress on the joints over time.
Joint Fusion Surgery
In more serious cases, a Jonesboro orthopedics specialist may recommend invasive options like surgery. Arthrodesis, or joint fusion surgery, fuses together the bones connected by the joint in question. The joint will no longer be mobile after this surgery, so it is most commonly done on fingers, toes, spine, wrists, and ankles, as a reduction in range of motion can be better tolerated there.
Joint Replacement Surgery
When the pain is localized to one joint, it is an option to completely replace the joint with an artificial version of the joint. This is a risky procedure and often needs to be re-done once the artificial joint degenerates, so it is reserved for the most severe cases.
Finding the Right Joint Treatment for You
Depending on the cause of your chronic joint pain, different treatment methods may or may not work for you. Rather than guessing and risking more damage to the joint, you should always consult with a Jonesboro orthopedics clinic to determine what treatments will be most effective for your specific condition.
At AICA Jonesboro, our team of specialists will work together to determine the best, most personalized treatment plan for your chronic joint pain. Chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic specialists, neurologists, and others will work together to create a holistic plan for you. AICA Jonesboro will focus on the least invasive option possible while still working towards a full recovery. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and begin a path towards relief from chronic joint pain.