Arthritis Knee Brace

One third of our population will have Arthritis Knee Brace at some time in their lives and the number is steadily increasing as the population ages. Fortunately, we now have a better understanding than ever before of how arthritis causes damage and how damage can be prevented. Indeed over the past 20 years there has been a revolution that is likely to continue, revealing newer, safer and more effective methods of prevention and treatment. Other Types of Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis) is the most common form. It occurs when the cartilage of the joint gradually wears away, exposing bare bones that rub against one another. This makes the joints stiff ‘creaky’ and painful. As this disease is a ‘wear and tear’ disease, it tends to occur in older people and in those whose joints have been damaged by injury. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an ‘inflammatory arthritis’. The synovium becomes much thicker and changes in character so that the inflammatory cells within it start to eat away at everything they touch. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis often become unstable and slip out of place, causing deformities of the hand, for example. It commonly affects younger women aged 20 - 50 years. What treatment is there? Arthritis is usually painful, and sometimes very painful. Therefore, analgesics or ‘pain killers’ are an essential part of treatment. They can be taken regularly for long-term pain control. Paracetamol-based drugs are usually recommended but other medications can be used. Other medicinal treatments include: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for Osteoarthritis and particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Make sure you take this medication at regular intervals (as advised by your doctor). Potential side-effects of these medications include the development of stomach and duodenal ulcers, although there are some medications designed to reduce this risk. Drugs such as sulphasalazine, gold and methotrexate for Arthritis Knee Brace