Osteoarthritis: Advances In Treatment And Pain Management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease effecting millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness, making daily activities difficult for those suffering from the condition. As there is currently no cure for OA, the focus is on managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we understand the impact of Osteoarthritis on your everyday life. That is why our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing effective, patient-centered care. We work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. The importance of treatment and pain management in OA cannot be overstated. Effective management strategies allow patients to maintain mobility, reduce pain, and continue their usual activities. This not only improves physical health but also has positive impacts on mental well-being. At TGH Urgent Care, our goal is to help you stay active and maintain a positive mindset despite your condition. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you receive the care you need when you need it most.

Understanding Osteoarthritis

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, often manifests with several key indicative symptoms:

• Pain: Pain is usually the first symptom of OA. Patients experience pain in the effected joint during or after physical movement. Over time, you may even feel pain when you are at rest.
• Stiffness: Joint stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity or upon waking up in the morning, is common. In most cases, joint stiffness generally eases with consistent movement.
• Swelling: Fluid accumulation or inflammation around the joint can lead to swelling, which can further limit mobility and cause discomfort.
• Decreased Range of Motion: As the OA disease progresses, patients may notice a decreased ability to move the effected joint fully. Tasks that were once easy to accomplish may become challenging.
• Crepitus: Crepitus is a crackling or grating sensation in the joint during movement. This is caused by the roughening of the normally smooth surfaces of the joint.

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

After discussing your symptoms, your doctor may ask for several tests to be taken to see whether you are suffering from osteoarthritis. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis involves several steps such as:

• Medical History: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any previous injuries or activities that could be contributing to your condition.
• Physical Examination: The doctor will examine the effected joint, checking for areas of tenderness, swelling, painful movement, and muscle weakness.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays can show bone spurs or a narrowing of space between bones in your joint, suggesting OA. MRI scans provide a more detailed joint image and can help rule out other conditions.
• Lab Tests: While there’s no specific blood test for OA, your doctor may order blood tests or analyze joint fluid to rule out other types of arthritis or conditions that cause similar symptoms to osteoarthritis.

Non-Pharmacological Treatment Approaches

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can play a significant part in OA management. Physical therapy aims to relieve pain, improve joint function, and enhance the quality of daily living for OA patients. Its effectiveness as a treatment for OA has been proven, and it may help you avoid surgery and the use of prescription painkillers.

• Manual Therapy: This involves hands-on treatment to improve the range of motion and reduce pain.
• Exercise Therapy: Specific exercises are designed to improve mobility, ease stiffness, and increase range.
• Use of Assistive Devices: These include braces and splints to support joints and shoe inserts to relieve stress on the lower extremities.
• Thermotherapy: Applying hot and cold treatments can help manage pain and inflammation.

Exercise and Weight Management

Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial in managing OA. Exercise can increase strength and flexibility, reduce joint pain, and combat fatigue. Being overweight or obese increases the stress on weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and your hips, making weight management a vital part of OA treatment.

• Strength Training: This training strengthens the muscles around effected joints, providing them with more support.
• Aerobic and Endurance Exercises: Low-impact activities like walking, cycling, or swimming can improve cardiovascular health without stressing your joints.
• Flexibility Exercises: Regular stretching exercises can help maintain joint flexibility and range of motion.
• Balance and Agility Exercises: These types of exercises can help maintain daily living skills and prevent falls.

Assistive Devices

• Canes: Canes can reduce pressure on your knees while providing adequate stability if needed.
• Walkers: Walkers offer more support and balance than canes while having the added benefit of providing a seat to rest when necessary.
• Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs can be used for those with severe OA who have difficulty walking.
• Orthotic Devices: These devices include braces, splints, and shoe inserts. They can provide additional support to joints and relieve stress on the lower extremities.

Surgical Interventions

Surgery for osteoarthritis is typically considered when medicinal and therapy treatments have not provided sufficient relief. Persistent symptoms that interfere with daily activities may warrant surgical intervention. Surgical management of osteoarthritis aims to reduce or eliminate pain, minimize disability, and improve quality of life.

Types of surgeries for Osteoarthritis

• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): In this procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased parts of your bones and joints and replaces them with an artificial joint.
• Arthroscopic Surgery: This minimally invasive procedure allows the surgeon to remove loose pieces of cartilage or bone that may be causing pain in the joint.
• Osteotomy: This involves cutting and removing bone or adding a wedge of bone near a damaged joint. In the knee, an osteotomy can shift weight from an area damaged by osteoarthritis to an undamaged area.
• Trapeziectomy: Usually performed for osteoarthritis in the hand, this procedure involves the removal of a bone in the wrist to relieve pain.

Post-surgical recovery and rehabilitation

Recovery and rehabilitation after OA surgery are crucial for regaining strength and mobility. Recovery often includes physical therapy, which begins shortly after surgery and continues for months. Pain management is also an important part of post-surgical care. Most patients can expect to return to normal activities within 3 to 6 months, but full recovery may take up to a year. The success of the surgery and recovery largely depends on the patient’s commitment to follow through with the rehabilitation process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Osteoarthritis