Is inflammation of one or more joints. A joint is the area where two bones meet. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

Arthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness and limited movement in the joint. Symptoms may include:

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Decreased ability to move the joint
• Redness of the skin around a joint
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Heat around a joint

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function and prevent joint damage increased. Generally you can not cure the underlying cause.

CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE

Changes in lifestyle are the preferred treatment for osteoarthritis and other types of joint inflammation. Exercise can help relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength. Your health care team can help you design an exercise program that is best for you.

Exercise programs may include:

• Low impact aerobic activity (also called endurance exercise).
• Range of motion exercises for flexibility.
• Strength exercises for muscle tone.

may recommend physical therapy, which could include:

• Heat or ice
• Splints or braces to support joints and help improve their position, it is often necessary for rheumatoid arthritis.
• Hydrotherapy
• Massage

Other Recommendations:

• Sleep well. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours per night and taking naps during the day can help you recover more quickly from a flare of the disease and may even help prevent exacerbations.
• Avoid staying in one position for a long time.
• Avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on the affected joints.
• Make home modifications to facilitate activities, such as installing handrails in the bathroom where latch, tub and near the toilet.
Rehearse
• activities to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga or tai chi.
• Eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, which contain important vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.
• Eating foods omega-3 fatty acids, such as cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel and herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola), soybeans, the soybean oil, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
• Apply capsaicin cream on painful joints. You may feel improvement after applying the cream for 3-7 days.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. Weight loss can greatly improve joint pain in the legs and feet.

MEDICATIONS:

may be prescribed along with changes in lifestyle. All medicines have risks, some more than others. It is important to carefully monitor the doctor when taking arthritis medications.

SURGERY AND OTHER METHODS:

In some cases, surgery is done if other methods have not worked. This may include:

• Knee Arthroplasty to rebuild.
Knee Replacement
• As total joint replacement of the knee.

The diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage. If you have a family history of arthritis, tell your doctor, even if you have pain in the joint.

Avoiding excessive and repetitive movements can help protect against osteoarthritis.