There are a wide variety of treatments for arthritis. What works for some people may not work best for you. That�s why your team at Good Samaritan Hospital customizes treatment plans for each individual patient.

Treatment plans often include medication, physical therapy, exercise, applying heat and/or cold to the site, and consciously alternating activity with rest. It�s important to remember that arthritis doesn�t mean an inactive lifestyle. Inactivity can weaken and stiffen the muscles surrounding the joints and impair your joints permanently. In addition, being overweight is the most common cause of excess pressure on the joints.

Surgery
When certain treatments fail, an orthopaedic surgeon will perform surgery to help reduce the pain. Surgery may used to realign joints, or to remove the joint lining which has become damaged or pulled out of place due to the wearing away of cartilage and bone.

In joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, the physician replaces the joint with metal or plastic parts. Joint replacement has been especially effective with hips and knees, and has been used for shoulders, ankles, elbows and knuckles. More specifically, the UniSpacer�� is a promising alternative for patients suffering from the early stages of osteoarthritis of the knee. Technically less demanding than traditional knee replacement, the UniSpacer requires only minimal surgical intervention and recovery time is reduced.

For a physician referral, call 410-532-4100 today.

Read about additional treatments available at Good Samaritan�

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