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  • Approximately 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a disease that causes the cushioning material in your joints to break down, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The breakdown of cartilage in your joints results in joint pain that worsens over time and usually requires treatment to maintain your quality of life.

    Function

    The treatments used for osteoarthritis pain are meant to reduce inflammation or block your body's ability to sense the discomfort caused by the disease.

    Types of Medications

    Medications used for osteoarthritis pain include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, tramadol, narcotic pain relievers like propoxyphene and cortisone injections.

    Time Frame

    Cortisone injections, narcotic pain relievers and tramadol are typically reserved for short-term use of flare-ups caused by osteoarthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs may be used as long-term treatment in some cases.

    Risks

    The largest risk associated with acetaminophen is liver damage, while NSAIDs have the potential to cause the onset of heart disease or the formation of ulcers in your digestive tract, warns the Mayo Clinic. Narcotic pain relievers pose a risk for addiction in some people.

    Alternatives

    Some patients with osteoarthritis find that non-medicinal treatments like physical therapy or taking a pain management class help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis. If damage to one of your joints is very severe, surgery may be needed to repair or replace your joint, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Source:

    Mayo Clinic: Osteoarthritis

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Arthritis Statistics

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