Most people presume osteoarthritis is a condition that only affects the elderly, and to an extent they would be correct. If you are over 40, you are more likely to develop it than a young person in their teens. However, it’s not just the elderly who are at risk. Those who are overweight, those who play professional sport or have had a joint injury that is taking a long time to heal, are all at risk of developing the condition as well.

There is no single test that can check for osteoarthritis but fortunately, once detected, there are plenty of osteoarthritis treatments available, and they range widely from complementary therapies to surgery, medicines to non-surgical treatments. When your doctor diagnoses you, he’ll talk you through the options in detail and help you find the best treatment to suit your needs.

Non-surgical treatments such as creams and gel can help relieve the pain. Made with an extract of chilli peppers, they work to numb the area around the knee, reducing the pain. Non-surgical osteoarthritis treatments are normally prescribed as additional treatments rather than stand alone solutions, to help combat osteoarthritis in hands or knees.

There is little evidence that complimentary therapies help relieve the actual issues of osteoarthritis. More often than not, the therapies simply relax you, and put you in a more positive frame of mind, which gives you the will power and ability to better manage your pain. The exception to this is acupuncture, for which there is evidence to suggest it is an effective osteoarthritis treatment.

Surgery isn’t for everyone, but if you suffer from severer osteoarthritis, treatment by knife is sometimes the only way to treat the condition. The type of surgery performed varies according to which part of your body is affected. Hip or knee replacements are more common in the elderly, whilst professional sportsmen may have to have foot or wrist surgery to re-position and stiffen the bones. Both these measure have high rates of success in reducing pain and increasing mobility; so even though it’s the most invasive, surgery is sometimes the best option.

Medicine can’t cure osteoarthritis – it can’t replace your hips or realign your bones – but it can reduce the symptoms. Painkillers, which can be bought over the counter, are a common medical osteoarthritis treatment; if the pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are equally effective in relieving sufferers of symptoms, and are available through your doctor as cream, gels or pills.