Treat Osteoarthritis to Prevent Pain
By W. Thomas Gutowski, III, M.D., F.A.A.O.S.
Osteoarthritis, the most common condition of the joints, affects nearly 30 million American men and women, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
And while it can occur at any age, it is most common in people older than 65.
However, while osteoarthritis may seem like an inevitable part of aging, it can be treated so you can live with less pain or possibly no pain at all.
Wear and Tear Takes a Toll
In simplest terms, osteoarthritis is the slow erosion or wearing away of the cartilage that protects the joints.
In healthy joints, this firm, rubbery cartilage covers the end of each bone, providing a cushion between the bones and enabling them to move easily without friction.
With wear and tear over time, this cartilage can break down, and as a result, bone rubs against bone, causing the classic symptoms of osteoarthritis – pain and swelling. In addition, without the cartilage to protect the joints, bone spurs can often develop, contributing to the pain.
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in your body, all the way down to your big toe, but is most common in the knees, hips and spine. In fact, one in two adults will develop osteoarthritis of the knee and one in for adults will develop osteoarthritis in the hip during their lives, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Runs in the Family
The risk for developing osteoarthritis increases with age. Moreover, women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men. Other risk factors include:
- Family history. Chances are if your mother or father had arthritis, you will too.
- Prior damage or injury to the joint, most often through sports, also increases the risk for developing arthritis. Repetitive motion can also accelerate cartilage breakdown.
- Being overweight. Excess weight puts additional pressure on hips and knees that can cause cartilage to break down faster.
When to See a Doctor
As you age, it’s normal to wake up with joint stiffness or experience episodes of joint pain that last a few days. Joint pain becomes a concern when it:
- Doesn’t improve after you’re up and moving for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning
- Is accompanied by fever, redness or swelling (signs of diseases that impact joints, such as gout, lupus and Lyme disease)
- Persists for more than a week or for several episodes in a month
Further, if joint pain is preventing you from being able to perform ordinary tasks at home or work or keeping you from doing the things you love, it is time to see the doctor.
Treatment Can Make a Difference
Arthritis can be diagnosed through a physical exam, X-rays and the removal of fluid from the joint to test for infection.
Treatment often involves a combination of pain medication, physical therapy to strengthen joints, occupational therapy to learn how to protect joints when you move, assistive devices and therapies such as acupuncture.
One of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis is through physical activity. Exercise can help keep the joints lubricated and flexible, and can also help strengthen the surrounding muscles that support the joints.
As the Arthritis Foundation notes, studies show that simple activities like walking around the neighborhood or taking a fun, easy exercise class can reduce pain and help maintain a healthy weight.
If walking is too painful, activities such as swimming, cycling or yoga are low-impact options for managing arthritis pain and keeping joints healthy.
When joint symptoms are severe, however, and cannot be managed through conservative measures, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
The Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center offers a comprehensive approach to joint replacement surgery including special technology and patient specific guides to help size and place joint components more accurately as well as robotic arm-assisted hip and knee procedures.
In addition to these technical innovations, the Jim Craigie Center also recently began offering outpatient joint replacement procedures, allowing patients who meet certain criteria to undergo hip or knee replacement surgery and return home just hours later.
Candidates for outpatient surgery must be highly motivated to achieve a rapid recovery, have a dependable support network at home and be in relatively good health.
Princeton Health has received the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval®, earning advanced certification in total hip and total knee replacement. In addition, Princeton Medical Center was recognized as a Best Regional Hospital in central New Jersey for a fourth consecutive year and rated high performing in hip replacement and knee replacement as part of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-2019 Best Hospitals ratings.
To learn more about the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement or to find an orthopaedic surgeon affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, visit www.princetonhcs.orgor call 888-742-7496.
Thomas Gutowski, III, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., is board certified in orthopaedic sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is Medical Director of the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.