TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS

Most frequently referred to as “joint inflammation” or “joint pain”, arthritis affects millions of people.  Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in the United States.  Traditionally, the incidence of OA is higher in women than in men. 

OA can be classified as primary, meaning generalized such as with a genetic case, or secondary, resulting from trauma or overuse.  It is characterized by the degeneration of the joint cartilage, thereby affecting other structures of and around the joint and can result in joint pain and a limited range of motion.    

The joints that are most often affected are the weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine.  Osteoarthritis can also affect other joints that have experienced a previous physical trauma or extensive over-use.    
 
Our physicians and staff currently offer a wide variety of treatment options for the pain and stiffness commonly caused by this inflammatory condition.  The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, improve function, and delay progression of the disease. 

• Weight loss reduces the symptoms of OA in weight bearing joints.
• Physical therapy and regular exercise improve function, alleviate pain, and prevent disability caused by muscle deconditioning.
• Bracing or wedge orthotics in more conditioned or younger patients, often provides symptomatic improvement.
• Studies have suggested the use of oral nutritional supplements (such as Glucose/Chondroitin) may provide symptomatic relief and slow progressive deterioration when used in combination with other medication.
• Acetaminophen and NSAIDs can contribute to pain reduction by acting on the central nervous system and decreasing inflammation in the joint. 
• Corticosteroids can provide temporary relief in some patients. 
• Injection therapy or viscosupplementation may provide more long lasting relief and retreatment protocols can sometimes continue to provide improved function and decrease progression of the disease.

A significant number of our patients have benefited greatly from non-surgical treatments.  When severe cases warrant surgical intervention, the goals are to decrease or eliminate pain and improve function.  Multiple procedures exist to treat traumatic degenerative cartilage damage by preserving or restoring articular cartilage surfaces.