Arthritis

Sections

Care & Treatment

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is an important part of arthritis treatment. It can help reduce pain and improve movement. Physical activity may also help with weight loss, which can reduce pain from osteoarthritis.

Helpful treatments include:

  • Physical therapy, which can reduce pain and improve movement
  • Occupational therapy, which helps people do daily activities with less pain

Helpful activities include:

  • Tai Chi, a slow and gentle exercise that focuses on balance and movement
  • Yoga, which uses stretching, poses, and breathing exercises
  • Balance exercises
  • Walking

Some people may also benefit from braces for the knees or hands.

Medications Treatment

Uric Acid Lowering Medications

People who have frequent gout attacks may take medicines that lower uric acid levels in the body. Lower uric acid levels can help prevent gout and reduce pain.

Surgery

If exercise and medications do not control arthritis symptoms, surgery may be an option. Surgery can:

  • Remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage from the joint (arthroscopy)
  • Reposition bones to improve joint movement
  • Smooth damaged joint surfaces
  • Replace a severely damaged joint

Types of Surgery to Treat Arthritis

  • Joint fusion, which joins bones together to stabilize the joint and reduce pain
  • Tendon repair, if tendons around the joint are severely damaged
  • Removal of the joint lining, to reduce swelling and pain

Rehabilitation is often needed after surgery. Some people may stay in a short-term care facility, such as a skilled nursing facility. There, they learn how to care for themselves before returning home.

Monitoring

A health care provider will work with the person who has arthritis to decide how often check-ups are needed.

Regular monitoring is especially important for people with rheumatoid arthritis and for older adults who take arthritis medications. These medicines can cause serious side effects, so careful follow-up is important.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers 

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