Osteoarthritis affects many people and is the most common chronic joint condition, but its prevalence makes it no less painful or inconvenient to live with. The degenerative joint disease causes a breakdown of cartilage that causes pain, swelling, and movement problems. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, including those in the hips, knees, neck, and lower back. Treatment for osteoarthritis, including osteoarthritis knee treatment, can help patients return to normal functioning, with less pain.
There are a variety of osteoarthritis treatment types provided by the Heilman Center that are tailored to and recommended for individual needs. Those who seek osteoarthritis treatments with our pain specialists receive caring, personalized treatment that relieves pain and improves quality of life.
Call 734-725-2009 today to set up a consultation with an osteoarthritis pain specialist.
Common Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis does not just cause immediate pain. Long-term damage from osteoarthritis may lead to bones breaking down and the development of painful and dangerous bone spurs. Osteoarthritis treatment for symptoms such as these helps prevent further damage.
- Joint Pain or Stiffness
Patients with osteoarthritis may experience constant pain or stiffness in joints of varying degrees, or may feel discomfort periodically or at consistent times of day. Certain activities may aggravate discomfort more than others.
- Motion Limitations
A symptom of osteoarthritis is having challenges in moving certain joints, which may also be constant or circumstantial.
- Muscle Weakness
Because of how osteoarthritis negatively affects joints, the damage may extend to muscles. Muscle weakness may be felt constantly in routine movements, or may be noticed during more strenuous activity or exercise.
- Clicking and Cracking
Joints that continuously make an abnormal sound when they are moved may be affected by the early or developed stages of osteoarthritis.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is most likely to affect those who are ages 45 years and older, especially in people 65 and older because of the long-term wear and tear of joints. While prevention through exercise and weight control is vital, other osteoarthritis causes may be unavoidable.
- Excess Weight
Excess weight puts unnecessary pressure on joints in hips and knees, which causes cartilage to break down more quickly. Excess fat tissue also produces cytokines, which are inflammatory chemicals that cause joint damage.
- Genetics
A family history of osteoarthritis increases the probability of needing osteoarthritis treatment. While osteoarthritis typically occurs in older adults, genes may be the cause of early onset osteoarthritis.
- Trauma, Injury, or Overuse
Whether it’s through playing a sport, working, or experiencing an accident, the overuse or trauma affecting a joint can cause osteoarthritis. Fractures, repetitive movements, and past surgery may all be factors in the need for treatment for osteoarthritis.
- Joint Disorders
Joints that are not properly formed or genetic defects in joint cartilage may cause osteoarthritis.
Our Spinal Arthritis Pain Treatment Options
Our Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
Effective treatment for osteoarthritis requires the detailed understanding of medical history and the best treatment options available based on unique needs. The Heilman Center explores all options available to get you on the path to eliminating pain and regaining control of your life. One or a combination of the following osteoarthritis treatments may be recommended and can help remove the discomfort osteoarthritis causes.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often an effective treatment for osteoarthritis because it helps keep joints mobile to improve their function. Physical therapy helps improve muscle strength and boosts cartilage health for better joint movement and reduced pain or stiffness.
Medication
In addition to maintaining a healthy weight through exercise, medication may be prescribed to help better manage pain caused by osteoarthritis. The team at the Heilman Center works to prescribe medication with minimal side effects and that goes to work quickly.
Joint Fluid Therapy
Joint fluid therapy is an osteoarthritis knee treatment that alleviates stiffness by improving knee joint lubrication. Injections are applied to the sore knee joint to add protection and decrease pain.
Joint Surgery
For extreme cases of severe and prolonged joint pain, surgery may be recommended as an osteoarthritis treatment to repair or replace damaged joints. Hip and knee replacement can make significant improvements to bodies that have trouble with mobility or basic functioning.
Schedule a Consultation for Osteoarthritis Treatment
There is hope to break free from the pain caused by osteoarthritis. Treatments by the Heilman Center have worked for those suffering from damaged joints, with a trusted team of pain specialists serving as patient advocates to get them on the path to healthier lives. To set up a consultation with a pain specialist to learn more, call 734-796-7555.