Osteoarthritis
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis and develops slowly over time.
Common in middle-aged and older people, osteoarthritis occurs when the cushioning cartilage in a joint gradually wears away, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain, and making daily activities more difficult.
Without cartilage to cushion the joint, the bones may rub together causing pain and inflammation. Loose fragments of cartilage may also interfere with smooth joint movement. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, may also develop as a result of osteoarthritis, further restricting joint mobility and range of motion.
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, obesity, previous injury of the affected joint, and a family history of osteoarthritis.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options that help manage pain and keep people active.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Many joint and musculoskeletal conditions can be effectively managed without surgery. Our doctors offer a range of nonsurgical treatments to help relieve pain, improve mobility, and protect long-term joint health.
Lifestyle Modifications
There are a variety of steps that can be taken to maintain strength and mobility and relieve or manage pain. You may need to:
- Alter the way you perform a work task
- Switch from high-impact or competitive sports to low-impact activities
- Lose weight, as obesity affects weight-bearing joints (spine, hip, knee, ankle)
Medications & Injections
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation.
Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection (a strong anti-inflammatory injected directly into the affected joint) to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling.
Physical & Occupational Therapy
You may benefit from a balanced fitness program to improve flexibility and strengthen the joint, increase range of motion, and reduce pain.
Supportive & Assistive Devices
Supportive aids include braces, splints, and bandaging. Assistive devices include cane, crutches, or walker.
You may apply ice or heat to the affected joint for short periods, several times a day.
Surgical Treatments
When nonsurgical options are no longer effective, surgery may offer lasting pain relief and improved function. The right surgical approach depends on your age, activity level, joint condition, and how far the condition has progressed.
Arthroscopy
A surgeon uses a pencil-sized, flexible fiberoptic instrument (arthroscope) to make two or three tiny incisions to remove bone spurs, cysts, damaged lining, or loose fragments in the joint.
Osteotomy
The long bones of the arm or leg are realigned to take pressure off the affected portion of the joint.
Joint Fusion
A surgeon eliminates the joint by fastening together the ends of bones using pins, plates, screws, or rods to hold bones in place while they heal. Joint fusion eliminates the joint's flexibility. Fusion is most commonly performed in the spine, hand, and foot.
Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty)
A surgeon removes the damaged ends of the bones comprising the affected joint, replacing them with artificial metal or plastic components.