Arthritis is a common condition in the country, as about 54.4 million adults have been diagnosed with it. People older than 65 are more likely to have arthritis, but it can happen to people of all ages, as well as in children. The treatments and surgeries for arthritis are usually centered around relieving the symptoms and improving joint function.

Here are some medications that are used in the treatment of arthritis.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  NSAIDs are often recommended for people with arthritis to relieve the symptoms of inflammation and pain. Several NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may be purchased over-the-counter or through online services, while some NSAIDs are available only by prescription. NSAIDs can also be applied directly to the affected joints in the form of patches, gels, or creams.
• Corticosteroids
  Corticosteroids like prednisone and cortisone reduce the symptoms of arthritis by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation. You can take corticosteroids orally, or the doctor may recommend injections directly into the affected area.

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
  DMARDs are a common form of medication that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These medicines help in slowing down or stopping the activities of the immune system so that it does not attack the affected joints. Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine are common DMARDs used in the treatment of arthritis.

• Biologic response modifiers
  Biologic response modifiers are usually used along with DMARDs to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Biologic response modifiers are genetically engineered medications that work on the various protein molecules that are involved in your immune function. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are a commonly prescribed biologic response modifier in the treatment of arthritis, along with etanercept and infliximab.

Here are some surgeries that are used in the treatment of arthritis.

• Joint repair
  In some types of arthritis, the doctor recommends a joint repair surgery that helps in reducing the pain and improving joint function. In this surgery, joint surfaces are smoothed or realigned to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

• Joint replacement
  Joint replacement surgery aims at treating the impact of arthritis on your joints by removing your worn out joint and installing an artificial joint in its place. This is a common procedure that is performed to cure arthritis in knees and hips.

• Joint fusion
  When arthritis affects your smaller joints, the doctor may suggest a joint fusion surgery. This is a common form of treatment to cure arthritis in the wrist, finger, and ankle joints. In this surgery, the surgeon removes the ends of the two bones in the joint affected by arthritis and fixes them together till they fuse into a single unit.

The treatments and surgeries for arthritis depend mainly on the type of arthritis that you have. You should consult your doctor and try out several treatment options before deciding on the one that works best for you.