The prime objective of treatment is prevention of joint destruction. Since rheumatoid arthritis is usually chronic and may last a lifetime, physicians try to avoid the use of toxic drugs as far as possible. The patient is usually started on large doses of aspirin, which is the most reliable and least toxic of all antiarthritic drugs. It is most likely to provide sustained control of symptoms at the lowest risk of undesirable side effects. At the edges of the joint, bony spurs may form.
Older people are the most frequent victims of osteoarthritis.
Excessive or unusual wear of the joints is an important contributing factor and results from overweight, poor posture, injury, strain from one's occupation or recreation, or a combination of these factors. The most common symptoms are pain and stiffness. Pain is usually experienced when joints are used, especially finger joints and those that bear the body's weight. Enlargement of the fingers at the last joint often occurs. Such enlargements are common and are called Heberden's nodes.