Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most frequently diagnosed form of arthritis. It most commonly occurs in the hands, knees, or hips. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in your joints to break down, impacting the bone underneath.

This causes stiffness, pain, and swelling, which worsen as time goes on. Eventually, it may limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks.

Am I at risk for osteoarthritis?

If you have a job that requires frequent, repetitive motions, you may be more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Other risk factors include:

• Being older — the likelihood of developing the condition increases over time
• Being a woman
• Obesity
• Having a family member with osteoarthritis

This disorder hasn’t been nicknamed “wear-and-tear” arthritis for nothing. Even many hobbies, such as high-impact sports, may contribute to osteoarthritis. On the other hand, sedentary lifestyles also increase your risk, so engaging in activities like walking, swimming, and bicycling can keep your joints in good working order.

What treatments are available for osteoarthritis? 

Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine offers a wide range of specialized pain management treatments, but two of its most popular treatments are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) injections.

PRP Injections

PRP injections may help with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. This treatment has been reported to reduce stiffness and pain and improve the function of affected joints.

BMA injections

This cutting-edge treatment uses your cells, platelets, and growth factors to naturally repair tissue damage. It involves harvesting a small sample of bone marrow, concentrating the healing elements, and then injecting the solution into the arthritic joint. BMA may help reduce joint swelling, relieve pain, and even promote healing.

The team might also suggest:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Best for mild or moderate pain, NSAIDs block the enzymes that cause your joint pain and swelling.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections

This lubricating substance naturally occurs in your body, and HA injections are FDA-approved to treat osteoarthritis by cushioning the joints and decreasing wear-and-tear.

Corticosteroid injections

These injections reduce swelling and provide pain relief, but the team can only administer them three or four times a year.

You deserve the best treatment for your chronic pain. To learn more about how the team at Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine can treat your osteoarthritis, contact the office by phone or book an appointment online today.