How Is Oa Treated
There is no cure for OA, so doctors usually treat OA symptoms with a combination of therapies, which may include the following:
- Increasing physical activity
- Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
- Supportive devices such as crutches or canes
- Surgery
In addition to these treatments, people can gain confidence in managing their OA with self-management strategies. These strategies help reduce pain and disability so people with osteoarthritis can pursue the activities that are important to them. These five simple and effective arthritis management strategies can help.
Physical Activity for Arthritis
Some people are concerned that physical activity will make their arthritis worse, but joint-friendly physical activity can actually improve arthritis pain, function, and quality of life.
What Tests Are There For Osteoarthritis
Theres no blood test for osteoarthritis, although your doctor may suggest you have them to help rule out other types of arthritis.
X-rays arent usually helpful in diagnosing osteoarthritis, although they may be useful to show whether there are any calcium deposits in the joint.
In rare cases, an MRI scan of the knee can be helpful to identify other possible joint or bone problems that could be causing your symptoms.
How Does Shoulder Arthritis Develop
Shoulder arthritis usually results from gradual wear and tear of the cartilage. Cartilage is present in every joint in the body it covers the surface of the bones inside the joints similar to Teflon on a ball bearing. Cartilage is a living tissue 2 millimeters to 3 millimeters thick about the thickness of one or two layers of cardboard. This makes the contact between bones softer. If the cartilage is intact, it can take multiple rotations with no wear of the surface because its smooth.
Shoulder arthritis typically develops in stages. First the cartilage gets soft , then it develops cracks in the surface , then it begins to fibrillate , and finally it wears away to expose the surface of the bone . As a result, it loses its ability to act as a smooth, gliding surface.
The cartilage doesnt wear away all at once over the entire surface of the bone in a joint. Instead, it wears at different rates in different parts. So if you consider the surface of a ball bearing that was covered with Teflon, this type of wear would be as if the Teflon had pits and the surface would now be irregular .
Once the surface becomes irregular, the cartilage may undergo further damage. It may begin to thin out, eventually leading to the bones of the shoulder rubbing against each other . Many people think that arthritis is bone-on-bone traction in the joint, but in reality arthritis is the process that can lead to the bone-on-bone traction.
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What Is Bone On Bone Knee Pain
So your doctor has delivered you the news that your knee pain is due to bone on bone pressure within the joint. What exactly does this mean? Before we look at the causes of bone on bone knee pain we first need to understand the anatomy of a healthy knee.
Inside a healthy knee, between the bones, there is soft spongy tissue called cartilage. Cartilage comes in two types hyaline and articular. The former is what your meniscus is made out of. This tissue is your knees natural shock absorber you have one on the right side of the knee and one on the left. Articular cartilage covers the surface of the bones. It is smooth and viscous allowing the surfaces of the joint to slide over one another with minimal friction.
A loss of cartilage in the knee decreases the shock-absorbing capability of the joint, and creates more internal friction whenever you move it. This is the primary driver of degenerative joint disease . As your joint tissue degrades, inflammatory processes increase and more pressure is placed directly onto the bones. Pain becomes more common during simple activities like walking or rising from a chair. Eventually, the bone on bone pressure causes the growth of bone spurs. These lumps of bony excess cause further discomfort and stiffness within your joint.
Fuel Your Body With The Right Foods
What you are putting into your body can dramatically impact the way your joints feel. If you are fueling your body with can help or further irritate your joints.
What are some foods that have been shown to increase irritation in your joints?
- Processed sugars
- Gluten and refined carbohydrates
- Processed foods
- Excessive alcohol
The number one thing I always recommend is if you are eating any of these foods above on a frequent basis, try to make 2-3 substitutes with anti-inflammatory foods. Here is the best list of anti-inflammatory foods.
Protein is also extremely important, especially if you have arthritis. The shocking part is most people arent eating enough protein. IF you arent, it can actually lead to more pain and a harder time losing weight too. Find out more on that here.
Another option for finding arthritis pain relief is to focus on controlling your insulin resistance. This is a new buzzword in the world of functional medicine but it is likely the root of a lot of weight gain and weight loss problems.
I recently talked with Dr. Morgan Nolte who is a physical therapist and weight loss specialist. You can watch the video interview here or listen to the podcast on Itunes or Spotify!
Instead of focusing on starting a strict diet, focus simply on making a couple of substitutions. This will make you much more successful.
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Bone On Bone Arthritis Cortisone Shots And Meniscus Tears
Bone on Bone Arthritis, Cortisone Shots, and Meniscus Tears are all common challenges tolerated by chronic knee pain sufferers.
The only way to stop the cycle of pain is to begin looking at the knee pain as it relates to the rest of the body.
Then and only then can you start to experience and evolution in the relief of your knee pain.
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> > > Best Joint Pain Treatment Available
Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint and causes inflammation and changes in the bone and connective tissues. Symptoms vary according to the severity of the condition. If you have this disorder, you might be experiencing pain in any joint. Its common to experience symptoms in the knee and hips. You may also develop bone spurs around the affected joint. Its important to consult with your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include swelling and bone spurs around the affected joint. You may also experience soft tissue inflammation around the joint. Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and suggest a program of physical activity. For those with severe osteoarthritis, surgery may be the best option. The best course of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the symptoms youre experiencing. Ultimately, the best way to manage your osteoarthritis symptoms is to find a solution that works for you. Bone On Bone Osteoarthritis Hip
Although osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, it tends to be more common in older people. It also affects women, who are more prone to developing this condition. Being overweight increases the risk of getting osteoarthritis, as fat tissue produces proteins that trigger inflammation. Therefore, obesity can increase the chances of developing this condition. This is because the underlying cause of this condition is genetics. It can result in certain bone deformities, including osteoarthritis.
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What Is Hip Arthritis
Hip is where cartilage in the hip joint wears down or is damaged, leaving the bone surfaces of the joint to grind together and become rough. This causes pain and stiffness, making it difficult to move the leg.
There are different forms of hip arthritis, but all involve a loss of cartilage in the hip joint that eventually leads to bone rubbing on bone and destruction of the joint.
X-Ray of an arthritic hip
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed
If you think you may have arthritis, see your healthcare provider. The provider will ask about your symptoms and learn how joint pain affects your life. Your provider will perform a physical exam, which may include:
- Assessing mobility and range of motion in your joints.
- Checking for areas of tenderness or swelling around your joints.
- Evaluating your overall health to determine if a different condition could be causing your symptoms.
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Whats The Outlook For Someone Living With Arthritis
Since theres no cure for arthritis, most people need to manage arthritis for the rest of their lives. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right combination of treatments to reduce symptoms. One of the biggest health risks associated with arthritis is inactivity. If you become sedentary from joint pain, you may face a greater risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other serious conditions.
Other Pain Relief Treatments
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
A TENS machine sends electrical pulses to your nerve endings through pads placed on your skin. It produces a tingling sensation and is thought to relieve pain by altering pain signals sent to the brain. The research evidence on the effectiveness of TENS is mixed, but some people do find it helpful. A physiotherapist will be able to advise on the types of TENS machine available and how to use them. Or they may be able to loan you one to try before you buy.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Hyaluronic acid, or hyaluronan, is a lubricant and shock absorber thats found naturally in the fluid in your joints. Injections of hyaluronic acid have sometimes been used as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. The treatment isnt currently available on the NHS because research evidence on its long-term effectiveness is mixed. The treatment is, however, available privately.
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The Arthritis Adventure Blueprint
Dr. Alyssa Kuhns signature program to help you go from hopeless to hopeful with osteoarthritis. You will learn the secrets to arthritis pain relief that actually work- including exercise, diet, and other ways to control inflammation! Say goodbye to short term pain relief, its time to make it last.
How Is Arthritis Treated
Theres no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help you manage the condition. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of the arthritis, its symptoms and your overall health.
Conservative treatments include:
- Medication: Anti-inflammatory and pain medications may help relieve your arthritis symptoms. Some medications, called biologics, target your immune systems inflammatory response. A healthcare provider may recommend biologics for your rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
- Physical therapy: Rehabilitation can help improve strength, range of motion and overall mobility. Therapists can teach you how to adjust your daily activities to lessen arthritic pain.
- Therapeutic injections: Cortisone shots may help temporarily relieve pain and inflammation in your joints. Arthritis in certain joints, such as your knee, may improve with a treatment called viscosupplementation. It injects lubricant to help joints move smoothly.
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What You Need To Know
- Knee arthritis occurs when the cushioning cartilage in the joint wears down, making the knee stiff and painful with certain movements.
- Osteoarthritis gradual, age-related degeneration of cartilage is the most common form of arthritis in the knee, but trauma and autoimmune conditions can also lead to cartilage damage.
- The cartilage damage associated with arthritis is irreversible, but there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments that can help reduce pain, increase joint flexibility and improve overall quality of life for people with knee arthritis.
Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
OA and rheumatoid arthritis share the same symptoms but are very different conditions. OA is a degenerative condition, which means that it increases in severity over time. RA, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder.
People with RA have immune systems that mistake the soft lining around joints for a threat to the body, causing the body to attack that area. This soft lining, which includes the synovial fluid, is called the synovium. As the immune system launches its assault, fluid buildup within the joint occurs. This causes stiffness, pain, swelling, and inflammation.
If youre not sure which form of arthritis you have, your best bet is to talk with your doctor. You can also do your own preliminary research. Take a closer look at the differences between RA and OA.
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What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Bone Knee Arthritis
Educating yourself about the risk factors that contribute to a higher risk of developing arthritis in your knee is important. This will help you determine whether you are at a higher risk thus precaution can be taken to reduce your risk. Arthritis Health reports that the following contributes to a higher risk of arthritis in the knee and in other areas of the body:
Osteoarthritis Of The Hips
OA can occur in one or both hips. In this way, it differs from RA, which usually occurs in both hips at the same time.
Hip OA is a slowly degenerative condition. Many people find that theyre able to manage their symptoms for many years by using medications, exercise, and physical therapy. Supports, such as canes, can also help.
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Weight Loss & Exercise
DID YOU KNOW?10lbs of weight lost equates to 48000 lbs less compressive load on your knee per mile walked!5
Weight loss and exercise are considered to be the gold standard treatment approaches for osteoarthritis. Consider your muscles as the shock absorbing system of your body Strengthen them and your knees may become more resilient during physical activity. Weight loss decreases the total load placed on your knees at all times. Losing a large amount of body weight will help preserve what knee cartilage you have left. Even if you are at an advanced stage of osteoarthritis Less body weight means less bone on bone pain.
Knee Brace For Osteoarthritis
Wearing a brace around your knee can be an excellent nonsurgical treatment for knee OA. Braces can lower swelling and pressure. They can also increase stability in your knee by shifting your weight away from the damaged part of your knee. This allows for greater mobility.
There are several types of knee braces. Some may be custom fitted for you, and others are available OTC. Your doctor may recommend that you try different kinds of braces for different activities. Find out whats the best type of brace for your OA.
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What Would Your Life Look Like In A Few Months If You Could Enjoy All The Activities You Used To Love Without Being Limited By Pain From Knee Arthritis
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Wishing you the best,
Dr. Dave Candy, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, FAAOMPTOwner, More 4 Life
Can I Regrow My Knee Cartilage
Is it possible to reverse knee osteoarthritis? This is a common question for those with significant bone on bone knee pain. Unfortunately, efforts to regrow knee cartilage have had limited success. Out of the available regenerative options, stem cell therapy remains the most promising. However, these treatments are not currently FDA approved so you should be wary whilst considering these treatments.1 When the pain gets unbearable most opt for full knee replacement surgery. During surgery, the entire surface of the joint is resurfaced with artificial materials. Last year just shy of 1 million Americans underwent knee replacement surgery and that number is expected to grow.2
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How Is Arthritis Diagnosed And Evaluated
When diagnosing arthritis, your doctor will likely do a complete physical examination of your entire body, including your spine, joints, skin and eyes. You may undergo blood tests to detect markers of inflammation. In cases where an infection or gout is suspected, it may be useful to draw some fluid from a joint with a needle in order to analyze the contents of the material. In addition, your physician may order one or more of the following imaging tests: