Osteoarthritis Specialist

What is osteoarthritis?

Arthritis can come in more than 100 different forms, but osteoarthritis is the most common. This type of joint disease occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your joints breaks down.

You have a joint in your body at every point where at least two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered in cartilage to provide smooth movement in the joint. Osteoarthritis develops when your cartilage breaks down, leaving little if any protection as your bones rub together.

Osteoarthritis has several names, including degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. It can affect you anywhere in your body, but it’s most common in your knees, hips, spine, and hands.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease triggered by wear and tear on your joints over time. While anyone can have osteoarthritis, it’s most common in men and women over 65. Additional things that can increase your chances of having osteoarthritis include:

• Having a family history of the condition
• Being overweight or obese
• Sustaining a joint injury
• Working at a job that puts repetitive stress on your body
• Having certain diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders

Women also have higher risks of developing osteoarthritis than men.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

When you have osteoarthritis, you can experience a wide range of symptoms that become worse over time. The most common signs of osteoarthritis include:

• Joint pain, tenderness, or stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• A grating feeling when you move the joint

You might also experience bone spurs, or excess growth of bone, around the joint.

How do you treat osteoarthritis?

At Innovative Pain Solutions Centers, Dr. Oppong offer a wide range of osteoarthritis therapies depending on its location and your unique symptoms, including:

• Medication therapy and management, including opioid treatment
• Topical treatments
• Steroid injections
• Cortisone injections
• Hyaluronic acid injections
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)
• Radiofrequency ablation

In addition to medical interventions, Dr. Oppong might also recommend physical therapy, aqua therapy, orthotics, and weight management strategies to help control your osteoarthritis symptoms.

To learn more about osteoarthritis, call Innovative Pain Solutions Centers or schedule an appointment online today.  

Please click here to watch our PRP Therapy for Chronic Knee Pain video!