Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affects about 21 million Americans. The chance of developing the disease increases with age. Most people over the age of 60 have some degree of osteoarthritis - women are more at risk than men in that age group. But even people in their 20s and 30s can get osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the erosion of the cartilage that covers the surface of the joint. It usually occurs in the weight-bearing joints - hips, knees, and spine. But it can also affect the fingers, thumbs, neck, and large toes.
What are the causes of osteoarthritis?
Causes include heredity, obesity, injury, and joint overuse. For example, athletes who have knee-related injuries may be at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. People who have had a broken bone near a joint are prone to developing osteoarthritis in that joint. Also, people in jobs requiring repetitive movements, such as bending the knee, are at increased risk for developing osteoarthritis.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Symptoms of osteoarthritis usually develop gradually and include:
- Aching and sore joints - especially with movement
- Pain after either overuse or long periods of inactivity
- Bony enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers
- Joint swelling and fluid accumulation in joints.
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis
During the initial exam, one of our doctors will ask you about joint symptoms, previous or current illnesses, traumatic injuries, past surgeries, allergies and other medical conditions. The doctor will inspect the affected joint(s), checking for swelling, redness, heat, tenderness, and skin rashes. The doctor will look for specific structural abnormalities in the joint(s) that are typical of osteoarthritis and may conduct scans such as MRIs or X-rays, run tests on the joint fluid, or take a blood sample to rule out certain diseases such as gout.
Treating Osteoarthritis
Avoiding excessive stress on joints can reduce the severity of osteoarthritis. Even modest weight reduction can decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis in large joints, such as the knees and hips. The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function. Physical therapy and medications are also helpful. We can provide and even custom design support devices such as splints, canes, walkers, and braces.
When conservative measures fail to control pain and improve joint function, we will discuss surgery. In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive procedures, which reduces pain, risk, recovery time, and expense.