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Alternatives to Joint SurgeryAccording to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the following strategies may help ease joint pain, depending on the extent of your condition.Lifestyle Changes: Maintain a healthy weight, avoid high impact activities and work to build strength and flexibility. Apparatus: Wear supportive footwear or flexible braces. Hot and Cold: Apply heat, ice or hot/cold salves to reduce discomfort. Over the Counter: Try anti-inflammatory drugs suc as aspirin or ibuprofen. The nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin may also relieve pain, through their long term benefits have not yet been proven. Prescribed Treatments: Explore the use of corticosteroid shots or other arthritis medications. Surgical Treatment: Consider arthroscopic surgery, which cleans out joint debris or repairs tears; an osteotomy, which cuts away part of the bone to improve joint alignment, or cartilage grafting. Courtesy of FitnessandFreebies.com Back to Previous Page
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