Medical Management
Playing an active role in the management of your condition is vital for success and wellbeing.
People who successfully manage their arthritis usually report that it takes a multidisciplinary approach – that is, a team approach from a range of health professionals.
In addition to your GP or rheumatologist, you may wish to consult: an orthopaedic surgeon, dietitian, occupational therapist, pharmacist, phyiotherapist, podiatrist and/or psychologist. Each of these allied health professionals is trained in different areas of arthritis care.
The information sheet ‘Working with your Healthcare Team‘ outlines what each member of your healthcare team does and how to find them.
Arthritis Medications
If your GP or rheumatologist has prescribed medication for you, it is important to understand:
- how you should take your medicine
- what the possible side effects are
- what tests you must have to monitor your condition and detect unwanted effects
- other precautions you should take
The information sheet ‘Medicines and Arthritis’ provides general information about the main types of medicine used for arthritis.
For more detailed information about specific medications click here. Arthritis Australia and the Australian Rheumatology Association have co-developed more detailed informations sheets about a number of specific medications that are full of useful information.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be a necessary option.
The information sheet ‘Surgery for Arthritis’ provides an introduction to the most common types of surgery for arthritis and includes tips on when to talk to your doctor about surgery.
Joint replacement operations are among the most common and effective health care measures for people with arthritis.
Available as on online PDF file, Joint Replacement describes this surgery and may answer many of your questions about joint replacement surgery.
Arthritis or some other form of musculo-skeletal disease is experienced on a long-term basis by more than 4,500,000 Australians
