How long will I need arthritis treatment?
Osteoarthritis is the result of the constant wear and tear on your body. The goal of treatment is to manage pain, treat inflammation, and increase your ability to function. But the effects of arthritis cannot be reversed. As a result, treatment is usually an ongoing process that may change from time to time to address your flare-ups. Your response to any particular part of your treatment will determine how long that part will last.
Sometimes treatment is needed only during times of a flare-up. In other cases, treatment is long-term. Lifestyle changes that must be ongoing are weight management and exercise. These help to slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
You should have periodic evaluations by your healthcare team to see if your treatment plan is still right for you and to learn how to deal with any new issues. You can also use these visits to discuss any new treatments that have come available and to check on side effects that you may be having.