Arthritis Pain

The Facts About Arthritis Pain

By Jarrett Kruse

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and joint pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms. Arthritis pain can occur in any joint, and arthritis treatment can consist of acupuncture or physical therapy. More commonly, medication for arthritis or joint replacement is prescribed. Arthritis can cause hip pain when it occurs in the hip joint, or right or left back pain when it occurs in the spine.

In addition to pain and stiffness, common symptoms of arthritis include swelling or redness around the joint and decreased ability to move. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis sufferers are frequently good candidates for joint replacement surgery, but a doctor will usually try medication first. Options include:

  • Analgesics. These medications, such as Tylenol, Ultram, or Vicodin help reduce pain, but have no effect on inflammation.
  • Counterirritants. Externally applied creams and ointments that contain a substance such as menthol or capsaicin, the ingredient that makes hot peppers spicy. These treat the pain but not the cause.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs. These include over-the counter drugs such as  aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, as well s a number of prescription drugs. These can reduce both pain and inflammation, but some have side effects such as upsetting the stomach. You can also use ant-inflammatory creams
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Particularly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs slow or stop your immune system from attacking your joints. Examples include methotrexate (Trexall) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).
  • Biologics. Typically used in conjunction with DMARDs, biologic response modifiers are genetically engineered drugs that suppress the immune system. Examples include TNF blockers such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade).
  • Corticosteroids. This class of drug, which includes prednisone and cortisone, reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system. Corticosteroids can be taken orally or be injected directly into the painful joint.

Some patients have experienced pain relief in their joints by taking glucosamine or glucosamine combined with chondroitin. Shark cartilage is also reputed to be helpful.