Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes pain in your joints and can make it hard to move. Although OA can be painful, you can get relief with a number of treatments.

Over the counter and prescription medications can reduce pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen, or Tylenol, relieves pain. Drugs called NSAIDs fight inflammation and pain too.

Another treatment option is getting an injection of hyaluronic acid in the joint. Hyaluronic acid is similar to a fluid that's found naturally in your joints. It helps lubricate the joint and makes it easier for the bones to slide over each other.

For severe osteoarthritis, you may need surgery. Joint resurfacing removes the worn parts of the joint and leaves more bone than a total joint replacement. An osteotomy cuts and removes some bone so the joint lines up better and doesn't hurt as much. In some cases, the whole joint may need to be replaced with an artificial one.

For more information, talk to your doctor.