Treatment is directed toward improving general health and maintaining as normal a lifestyle as possible. The patient should lose weight, if necessary, and perform exercises designed to strengthen surrounding muscles and maintain movement of the joint when it is not bearing weight. Total pain relief for osteoarthritis is rarely achieved. During the initial stages, aspirin or some other painkiller may be prescribed. Heating pads may provide relief if a joint has become acutely painful.
Frequent rest can help, too.
If necessary, canes, crutches, or walking frames can be used. Several surgical procedures may be helpful for joints that are severely damaged. Arthrodesis, an operation to fuse the joint in one position, can be done to prevent further pain. Other operations include removing some of the membranes around the joint or forming a new joint, as is done in treatment for hallux valgus deformities. In recent years, total replacement of a joint has become possible by the insertion of a plastic and metal artificial joint.