alt Hacker NewsDoes anyone have any idea if you have arthritis what you can do to manage the symptoms? I figure there are some people here that researched it relatively well.
Replies
Arthritis is a general term; need narrow down for useful advice on managing symptoms.
Two most common types are osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear associated with aging and/or injuries) and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune).
I only know about age-related knee osteoarthritis to try to help my mom manage her symptoms, so I'll share my understanding of treating that.
High ROI, low cost: - weight management. Extra lbs are extra stress on the knees, plus I suspect chronic inflammation associated with being overweight can exacerbate arthritis independent of mechanical stress. - exercise, specifically low impact cardio and any pain-free strength/hypertrophy work targeting the musculature around the knees (mainly quads).
Variable ROI, low cost: - NSAIDs, specifically topical to focus on treatment area and reduce impact on GI system/kidneys. - curcumin, mixed evidence but some people report benefits.
Variable ROI, high cost: - PRP injections. Apparently the quality on these varies dramatically by provider. Would recommend doing research and comparing multiple providers if possible. - Knee replacement. Far from a panacea; you'll lose range of motion forever, plus plenty of other trade-offs. Most people recommend putting this off for as long as possible.
Also interesting is low dose radiation treatment for knee OA. More affordable than other procedures and has some promising research.
Not much else on the novel treatment front that I've found. Curious if anyone thinks I've missed anything worthwhile.
I've had arthrosis in both knees for several years (due to a combination of youthful sports injuries and overweight). A few years ago I saw a knee specialist who predicted I was due for knee replacement sometime soon.
On the advice of a massage therapist I instead started a habit of using a home cycling machine for half an hour each morning. So far, it has worked wonders for me, and I hope I can hold on for a decade more, by which time the injection mentioned in the article might be ready for humans.
Diclofenac (voltaren) is a topical NSAID that can be useful for managing symptoms. Over the counter in the US.
I have had hip osteoarthritis for five years and have followed my plan here - https://joelx.com/joels-hip-osteoarthritis-diet-nutrition-pl.... I feel vastly better and can even ski now.
I think it really depends on your age and underlying cause.
Everyone with it I've ever talked to said staying moving is important: "motion is lotion."
My elderly family use lots of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and one of them is on Prednisone.
Two of my friends with rheumatoid arthritis (only in their 30's) are on an injectable immunotherapies (DMARDs) that have been life changing for them.
Disclaimer: not a doctor, just have lots of sore friends/family and an interest in this stuff since I have a torn ACL and fear the future.