Acetaminophen, should be the first drug used to control pain in people with osteoarthritis. People with osteoarthritis who don t respond to acetaminophen and those with rheumatoid arthritis and gout are most commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. People taking medicine for any form of arthritis should limit the amount of alcohol they drink. Exercise, such as a daily walk or swim, helps keep joints moving, reduces pain and strengthens muscles around the joints. Rest is also important for the joints affected by arthritis.
Physical therapists can develop personal programs that balance exercise and rest.
Many people find that soaking in a warm bath, swimming in a heated pool, or applying heat or cold to the area around the joint helps reduce pain. Controlling or losing weight can reduce the stress on joints and can help avoid further damage. When damage to the joints becomes disabling or when other treatments fail to reduce pain, your doctor may suggest surgery. Surgeons can repair or replace damaged joints with artificial ones. The most common operations are hip and knee replacements.