Degenerative joint disease medication is often recommended to patients who suffer from significant pain as a result of arthritis of the spine. However, prior to taking any medication it is important that you meet with your physician. There are a great number of different potential medications to consider, each with their own benefits and disadvantages. Arthritis medication can come in both over-the-counter or prescription form, depending on the individual medication.
Types of medication
Some examples of degenerative joint disease medication include:
- Acetaminophen – acetaminophen is usually the first medication taken for arthritis because it is gentle on the body and doesn’t carry many potential side effects.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS, including ibuprofen, are effective at reducing soft tissue inflammation that can contribute to pain.
- Muscle relaxants – alleviates spasms and relaxes the muscles around the back or neck.
- Corticosteroids – epidural injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and secondarily reduce pain.
- Topical creams – certain skin creams may also be applied to reduce arthritic pain.
To determine which treatment plan is best for you, it is important that you visit your physician. Medications have different potential side effects, and they may not interact well with medications that you are currently taking. For treatment to be most effective, it must be appropriate for the patient’s specific diagnosis while avoiding harmful side effects. For this reason only your physician should prescribe and monitor your medications.
Further treatment
If you continue to experience neck or back pain as a result of degenerative joint disease, and medication doesn’t provide you with sufficient relief, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how one of our advanced, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures may be able to help. Our outpatient procedures are the safe and effective alternative to open spine surgery. Let us help you recover spinal health.
