Arthritis can be described as swelling and/or inflammation of joints. While different types of arthritis can have different causes, they all revolve around painful, stiff and swollen joints that cause mobility issues. Some of the main types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Thankfully, arthritis is treatable:

1. Biologic response modifiers
Enbrel, the brand name for Entanercept, is a biological agent that inhibits inflammation. Since arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, Enbrel works to interfere directly with the immune system, making sure that it does not go into overdrive and bring harm to the individual. Enbrel mainly works by acting as a decoy to a chemical called TNF, which normally produces inflammation. This decoy makes sure that that inflammation does not take place. Enbrel is approved for use for most types of arthritis.

2. Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are cloned white blood cells with the express purpose of engineering a specific type of antibody. Examples include Vedolizumab entyvio, infliximab,tremfya for psoriatic arthritis, and adalimumab. Similar to Enbrel (Entanercept), infliximab also works to neutralize the TNF chemical and attack inflammation although the key difference is that infliximab works by binding to the cell. These antibodies are known as chimeras, because originally the antibodies were engineered from mice. A human version was created soon afterwards, by combining the mouse antibodies and human antibodies.

3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
While steroidal compounds are often used to treat inflammation, they can sometimes have unintended side effects. NSAIDs are a safe over the counter alternative to steroids. Well known examples include aleve, tylenol, and advil. As such, they can be a great tool against arthritis.

4. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, work as an immunosuppressant. The immune system is actively reduced in order to avoid a negative autoimmune reaction. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the conditions it treats. Proper care must be taken when using prednisone, as it can easily leave the immune system vulnerable. Along with rheumatoid arthritis, it is used to treat a host of other autoimmune disorders including asthma, COPD, and certain allergies.

5. Joint repair or replacement surgery
If the affected joint cannot be salvaged with the medications listed above, surgical intervention mabe required. Artificial joints may need to replace existing ones that arthritis has damaged. During the procedure, the arthritic bony surfaces are cut away and replaced by prosthetics, similar to a dental crown on a tooth. Prosthetics are typically made of metal and/or plastic. Sometimes an entire body part must be replaced, such as all of the bones in the knee. If such an implant is present, there is a chance of the implant being rejected by the body’s immune system, but these incidents are typically unlikely. Total joint replacement as a last resort can improve one’s pain level significantly, as the affected joints are removed altogether.

Due to there being many different types of arthritis, there will be many types of treatments for patients with arthritis. Consulting a physician is the best step that a patient can take, and must be the first step taken. With the right care, a patient can manage his/her pain relatively well.