Osteoarthritis

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Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Exercise helps maintain joint and overall mobility. Ask your health care provider to recommend an appropriate home exercise routine. Water exercises, such as swimming, are especially helpful.

Heat and cold treatments, protection of the joints, the use of self-help devices and rest are all recommended.

Good nutrition and careful weight control are also important. Weight loss for overweight individuals will reduce the strain placed on the knee and ankle joints.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapy can be useful to improve muscle strength and the motion at stiff joints. Therapists have many techniques for treating osteoarthritis. If therapy does not make you feel better after 3-6 weeks, then it will likely will not work at all.

BRACES

Splints and braces can sometimes support weakened joints. Some prevent the joint from moving; while others allow some movement. You should use a brace only when your doctor or therapist recommends one. The incorrect use of a brace can cause joint damage, stiffness, and pain.

SURGERY

Surgery to replace or repair damaged joints may be needed in severe, debilitating cases. Surgical options include:

• Arthroplasty (total or partial replacement of the deteriorated joint with an artificial joint -- see knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty)
• Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage and wash out the joint
• For some younger patents with arthritis, cartilage restoration is a surgical option to replace the damaged or missing cartilage
• Osteotomy (change in the alignment of a bone to relieve stress on the bone or joint)
• Arthrodesis (surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine)

For additional information and support, see arthritis resources.

Movement may become very limited. Treatment generally improves function. OA is the leading cause of disability in industrialized nations.

• Decreased ability to walk
• Decreased ability to perform activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene, house chores, or cooking
• Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment
• Surgical complications

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Review Date: 10/20/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, MD, MSCE, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, Bryn Mawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.