What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis that wear-and-tear to your joints causes. OA symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
Cold weather may make your symptoms worse, but regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help.
Osteoarthritis is most common in the:
- Knees
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Hands
- Feet
It can occur on both sides of the body, though your symptoms may not be the same on both sides.
What causes osteoarthritis?
Wear-and-tear, overuse, and trauma cause osteoarthritis. When you perform repetitive movements with a joint consistently for years, the cartilage in your joint wears away. This can damage the joint surfaces and even expose the bone underneath the cartilage in severe cases.
Trauma and injuries to the joint create similar damage to the cartilage and can speed up the degenerative process. Cartilage doesn't grow back, so in many cases, you have to modify your activities and get treatment to relieve your symptoms effectively.
How do I know what type of arthritis I have?
It's important to know if you have osteoarthritis or another form of arthritis because it can change your treatment plan and lifestyle.
To determine the cause of your symptoms, the Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Center team begins with a physical exam to assess the structure and function of your joints. You may need X-rays or an MRI to determine the severity of joint damage.
You have additional tests involving blood samples if your doctor suspects your symptoms are caused by an infection or inflammation rather than wear-and-tear.
Your doctor aims to provide the quickest and least invasive tests possible to determine your diagnosis so you can get appropriate treatment and limit discomfort as much as possible.
What treatments are available for osteoarthritis?
Based on the severity of your symptoms and the structure and function of your affected joints, the Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Center team recommends a personalized treatment plan for you.
Most treatment plans incorporate a variety of conservative measures, like:
- Oral medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Physical therapy
- Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid
- Nutritional counseling
- Lifestyle modifications, including weight loss
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
For severe cases of osteoarthritis with significant joint damage, Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Center offers minimally invasive surgeries, including arthroscopy and joint replacements.
The team can perform robot-assisted MAKOplasty® surgery for knee and hip OA. They use prosthetic devices from Conformis, which provide a custom fit for optimal comfort.
Find out how you can reduce your arthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life by calling Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Center now.
