Osteoarthritis Treatment: Medicines, Diet & Management

How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

The doctor may check the affected joints for tenderness, swelling and range of motion to evaluate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. X-rays or MRI scans might be recommended to obtain detailed images of the painful joint if there is suspicion of osteoarthritis. Blood tests and joint fluid analysis are used to rule out conditions with similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or joint infections.

How is Osteoarthritis Treated Based on Severity?

Depending on the severity of osteoarthritis, the following treatment approaches are suggested:

Clinical Severity	Treatment Approach
Mild Osteoarthritis	Painkillers like paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and regular exercise.
Moderate Osteoarthritis	Painkillers like paracetamol or opioids (for severe pain), capsaicin cream, regular exercises, and assistive devices like special footwear, if needed.
Severe Osteoarthritis	Opioids for severe pain and surgical options like joint replacement or joint fusing for improving mobility.

Types of Osteoarthritis and Their Treatment

Here is an overview of the two main types of osteoarthritis and common treatment approaches:

Type of Osteoarthritis	Treatment
Primary Osteoarthritis	Medication for pain relief, physical therapy, joint replacement or joint fusion surgery, and mobility devices like walkers and canes.
Secondary Osteoarthritis	Aerobic/resistance exercises, joint support through devices like knee braces, pain relief/anti-inflammatory medicines, and joint replacement surgery or osteotomy.

Osteoarthritis Treatment for Different Stages

Osteoarthritis can be classified into four stages based on the level of damage to the joints. Each stage requires different treatments, which are as follows:

Stage	Recommended Treatment
Stage 1 (Mild)	Lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, low-impact exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or topical NSAIDs if mild discomfort occurs.
Stage 2 (Moderate)	Pain relief medicines, NSAIDs, and physical therapy (strengthening exercises and activities like walking).
Stage 3 (Advanced)	Higher doses of pain medicine, corticosteroids or hyaluronic injections, and strengthening exercises.
Stage 4 (Severe)	Surgeries like joint replacement or joint fusion, along with physical therapy (gentle exercises) and pain medications.

Surgical Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Doctors may recommend the following surgeries for osteoarthritis if the other treatments do not show a promising effect:

Joint Replacement Surgery In this procedure, the damaged parts of the joint (or the entire joint) are taken out and replaced with artificial components made of plastic or metal. The artificial fittings may need replacement later due to wear and tear.
Joint Fusion Surgery The surgeon permanently joins two bones of a joint in this procedure. It is generally recommended only if other non-surgical treatment options have not worked. It provides long-term relief from joint pain to osteoarthritis patients.
Osteotomy This procedure aims to realign or reshape the bones or joints affected by osteoarthritis. The surgeon cuts the bone and uses various surgical techniques to correct bone angles or realign the bones so that your weight falls on a relatively healthy area rather than on the damaged area.

Other Treatments for Osteoarthritis

The following treatments can also help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis:

Injections Cortisone injections into the affected joint can relieve pain for several weeks, while hyaluronic acid injections may provide cushioning and reduce knee pain. These injections generally offer temporary relief rather than a long-term solution.
Physical Therapy Exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve flexibility and reduce pain. Doctors may also suggest low-impact activities like walking or swimming to help keep your joints moving.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) This TENS technique uses low-level electrical pulses through the skin to interrupt pain signals to the brain and stimulate the production of pain-relieving endorphins. It can provide short-term relief from osteoarthritis-related discomfort.

Oral Medications for Osteoarthritis Treatment

The following medicines may be recommended to manage osteoarthritis symptoms:

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and naproxen are recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: Medicines such as cortisone and prednisone help reduce swelling and suppress inflammation.
Analgesics: Acetaminophen, tramadol, and prescription opioids containing hydrocodone or oxycodone can help relieve pain.

Note: Follow the physician's advice when getting systemic treatment for osteoarthritis. Blood tests, scans, or other options may be necessary to check your response.

Ayurvedic and Alternative Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Along with your regular treatment for osteoarthritis, the following alternative options can help with joint pain and mobility:

Ayurvedic Therapies: Abhyanga (oil massage), Swedana (herbal steam therapy), Janu or Greeva Basti (localised oil cures), and Basti (herbal enemas) can help relieve joint pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Yoga: Gentle yoga practice can help correct posture, strengthen muscles, and improve the mobility of the spine and joints.
Acupressure: In this practice, gentle yet deep hand pressure is applied to specific areas of the body to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Note: Alternative medical treatments should be taken under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner.

Home Care for Managing Osteoarthritis

Here are some home care tips for osteoarthritis to relieve pain, maintain mobility, and make daily activities easier:

Use hot or cold packs to temporarily relieve joint pain.
Special insoles, leg braces, or walking sticks can help if osteoarthritis causes mobility problems.
Use assistive devices such as tap turners to make everyday tasks easier.
Stay active with regular exercise, as avoiding movement of painful joints altogether is not recommended.

Latest Treatment for Osteoarthritis in India

Newer treatments are expanding options for knee osteoarthritis management in India, offering modern alternatives to traditional surgeries and temporary pain relief. Knee embolisation (Genicular Artery Embolisation) is now increasingly offered across leading hospitals in India. It uses targeted imaging to block blood flow to inflamed areas of the joint, easing pain and improving mobility.

Another emerging approach in India is DCGI-approved stem cell therapy, such as Ciplostem, which helps reduce inflammation and pain, improve joint function, and preserve cartilage. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another modern regenerative treatment option that uses the patient's own plasma to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

How Long Does Osteoarthritis Treatment Take?

Osteoarthritis requires lifelong management, as it has no permanent cure. However, here are the approximate treatment durations:

Treatment	Duration
Physical Therapy and Exercises	8 to 12 weeks for noticeable pain relief.
Injections	Immediate pain relief, lasting for up to 1 month.
Anti-inflammatory Medicines	1 to 2 weeks for noticeable symptom relief.
Joint Replacement Surgery	Can resume normal activities 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Complete recovery is expected in 6 to 12 months.

Osteoarthritis Treatment Side Effects

Medicines and injections used for osteoarthritis may cause the following side effects:

Treatment Approach	Side Effects
NSAIDs	Gas Diarrhoea Bloating Heartburn Stomach pain Nausea and vomiting Constipation
Steroid Injections	Pain at the injection site Temporary increase in swelling Bruising Temporarily increased blood sugar levels Discolouration or redness around the injection site Skin lightening near the injection site Infection at the injection site Swelling

Lifestyle Changes for Managing Osteoarthritis

These simple lifestyle changes can help manage osteoarthritis symptoms:

Stay physically active through walking, swimming, yoga, or physiotherapy to keep your joints moving.
Lose extra weight via a balanced diet and staying active to reduce stress on your joints.
Get regular, adequate sleep to support your overall well-being.
Protect your mental health by managing stress, practising meditation, or pursuing hobbies you enjoy.
Add omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to reduce inflammation.

Triggers That Can Worsen Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The following are triggers that can worsen osteoarthritis symptoms:

Over-exercising the affected joint.
Injury to the joint from a fall or impact.
High levels of emotional stress.
Cold weather or sudden drops in barometric pressure.
Infections or other changes in health.
Sudden or excessive weight gain.

Osteoarthritis Treatment Cost

The treatment cost of osteoarthritis depends on the type of treatment, the hospital, the city and the patient’s condition. Surgeries for osteoarthritis can cost between ₹40,000 and ₹6 lakh, depending on the type of procedure recommended. Other treatment costs consist of physiotherapy expenses (₹3,000 to ₹15,000), medicine costs (₹100 to ₹1,000), injection costs (₹1,000 to ₹15,000), and assistive device costs (up to ₹10,000).

Diagnostic costs for osteoarthritis include the price of blood tests (₹500 to ₹2,000), MRI scans (₹2,500 to ₹6,000), X-rays (₹300 to ₹800), and OPD consultations (₹300 to ₹800).

Does Health Insurance Cover Osteoarthritis Treatment in India?

Yes. Health insurance policies cover osteoarthritis treatment, depending on the condition and the policy terms. While severe cases requiring joint replacement surgery are covered under standard in-patient hospitalisation, coverage for routine management such as consultations, medicines, and tests requires an OPD cover.

However, joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis is usually covered after a waiting period of up to 3 years. Moreover, if osteoarthritis is already present at the time of policy purchase, it is considered a pre-existing disease and a PED waiting period of 1-3 years will apply, depending on the policy.

Osteoarthritis treatment can be expensive because the condition needs ongoing management and care. Additionally, surgeries like knee replacement are significantly expensive. Therefore, a sum insured of ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh can help cover surgical and other treatment expenses.

Disclaimer: Review the policy documents carefully to understand the exact coverage, as the inclusions, exclusions, and other terms can differ between policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the best treatments for osteoarthritis?

Ans: The best treatments available for managing osteoarthritis include medicines, physical therapy, steroid or lubrication injections, and assistive devices. Surgical procedures like joint replacement, joint fusion, or osteotomy are ideal for severe cases of osteoarthritis.
Q2. Which medicine is best for osteoarthritis?

Ans: There is no single best medicine for osteoarthritis. Its treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Doctors typically start with topical pain relievers or oral NSAIDs, while corticosteroids are administered via intra-articular injections for acute flare-ups.
Q3. What foods should you avoid if you have osteoarthritis?

Ans: Foods that contribute to inflammation and weight gain, such as sweets, processed meat, fried foods, and foods high in trans fats, must be avoided by those with osteoarthritis.
Q4. What is the newest treatment for osteoarthritis?

Ans: The newest treatments for osteoarthritis include knee embolisation and stem cell therapy, including Ciplostem for Grade II and III knee osteoarthritis.
Q5. How can I manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Ans: Physical activity, physical therapy, maintaining a normal weight, hot or cold packs, and prescribed medications and injections can help in managing osteoarthritis symptoms and maintain mobility.
Q6. Is walking good for osteoarthritis pain?

Ans: Yes, walking can be helpful in reducing osteoarthritis pain. It is a low-impact activity that can help keep the joints moving and support mobility.
Q7. Is there a permanent treatment for osteoarthritis?

Ans: There is no permanent cure for osteoarthritis at present, and it involves constant management. Treatments can help with symptoms and improve mobility, and joint replacement may be advised for severe joint damage.