For years, the pain and inflammation of arthritis have been treated using medications, local steroid injections, and joint replacement--all with varying success. Seldom did the therapies make the pain go away completely or for very long, nor did they affect the underlying joint damage.
Today's researchers are working to improve diagnostic tools and develop treatments to forestall joint erosion. Even people whose joints are already damaged by arthritis can benefit from the knowledge generated by today's research. Patients should consult with their doctors to determine which treatments are the most appropriate for their conditions.
Most arthritis medications fall into three categories: those that relieve pain; those that reduce inflammation or the body process that causes swelling, warmth, and redness; and those that slow the disease process and limit further damage to the joints--so-called disease-modifying agents.
