The management of arthritis is based on the type of arthritis. There is no single magic cure for all types of arthritis. So it needs to be individualized based on the type of arthritis. For example somebody who has got rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist are physician would have given you medication. The medications will be in 2 forms, one is for immediate control of pain, which will include pain killer. Other is for the long term control of the disease or the DMARD’s which control the disease process and thereby control the joint pain or the joint swelling, so this disease modifying agents include sulfasalazine, methotrexate or lefrinomide, can be used alone or in combination whereas in an individual with osteoarthritis, which is due to wear and tear, here the non-pharmacological measures, that is measures other than medication is important which includes reduction of weight, avoid joint stress or joint protection which may include avoiding activities where you will have to squat. Joint exercises wherein you will have to strengthen the muscles around the joints. Medications will be for symptom control, to reduce the pain. So the treatment for arthritis will depend on the type of arthritis, but there should not be any delay in starting the treatment. So the treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made.
