Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to manage symptoms and prevent exacerbation of gouty arthritis as follows:
Supplements:
- OTC supplements for Vitamin C and glucosamine can help with repair of the damaged joint tissues, thus contributing to improved pain control.
- If you are not on any of these supplements, you can check with your physician for a recommendation on the same.
Lose weight:
- Individuals, especially when overweight, can try losing a few pounds. This can help reduce stress on the affected joint, which contributes to improvement in pain control and relief from gouty symptoms.
- Obese individuals can seek a nutritionist consult for recommendation regarding their ideal weight for their height and limitations on daily calorie allowance.
- Individuals with limitations on daily calorie allowance must comply with the recommendations made, which can help achieve target weight and thereby, improved pain control.
Compliance with exercise:
- Exercise helps to reduce pain & tenderness, improve strength & stability in the joint.
- Do not over do on the exercise recommended to a point that it leads to exacerbation of pain due to overuse of the joint involved.
- Check with your physician or therapist regarding recommendations for exercise to your inflamed joint. Observe compliance with exercise schedule, as recommended.
Joint repair & replacement:
- If the above measures fail to control the pain to the individual’s comfort level, surgical interventions for joint repair and replacement could be considered.
