Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis in which the tissues in a joint break down over time. It is particularly prevalent among older adults. People with osteoarthritis typically experience joint pain and stiffness, especially after rest or inactivity. While osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it typically impacts the hands, knees, hips, and spine. 

At Impact Sports & Spine, we offer expert care for osteoarthritis through personalized, non-surgical treatments that address the root cause of your condition. Our team is committed to restoring your quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It develops because of the gradual deterioration of the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones in your joints. 

It is not clear what triggers or starts the breakdown of the tissues in a joint.

As the damage to soft tissues in a joint progresses, you may experience difficulty in joint movement and muscle weakness. Over time, a joint may also lose its normal shape. 

Osteoarthritis can affect all the areas of a joint, including:

• Cartilage
• Tendons and ligaments
• Synovium, or the lining of the joint
• Bone
• Additional structures, such as a meniscus in the knee or a labrum in the hip or shoulder 

The effects of osteoarthritis vary from person to person. For some, the condition is relatively mild and does not interfere significantly with daily activities. For others, it can cause considerable pain and disability. 

Although the damage to the joints usually develops gradually over multiple years, it can worsen rapidly in some cases.

Osteoarthritis is more common as people age. It affects women more than men, especially developing after menopause. The younger population may also develop osteoarthritis, usually due to joint injury, abnormal joint structure, or due to genetic defects in joint cartilage.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis often develop gradually and worsen over time. It usually begins with one or a few joints. 

Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain when using the affected joint
• Localized or widespread pain
• Joint stiffness in the morning or after being inactive
• Swelling around the joint
• Limited joint movement
• Feeling that the joint is loose or unstable
• Grating sensation when using the joint

The symptoms of osteoarthritis may affect joints differently.

• Hands: Bony enlargements may develop, leading to changes in the shape of finger joints.
• Knees: When walking, you may hear a grinding or scraping noise. Over time, your knee may buckle.
• Hips: You may experience pain and stiffness in the hip joint, groin, inner thigh, or buttocks, which may also radiate to the knees. You may experience reduced hip movement over time.
• Spine: You may experience pain in the neck or lower back. You may also develop spinal stenosis, which causes a narrowing of the spinal canal.

As your symptoms worsen over time, activities that were once manageable, such as stepping up, getting on or off the toilet, sitting down or rising from a chair, gripping a pan, or walking across a parking lot, may become increasingly difficult.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis may also lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and feelings of depression.

Osteoarthritis develops when the tissues within the joint break down or undergo structural changes. This process is not merely a result of wear and tear on the joints. 

The condition arises when the cartilage, which cushions the ends of bones to allow for nearly frictionless joint motion, gradually deteriorates and causes the bones to rub against each other in the joint.

Factors that may increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis include:

• Aging
• Being overweight or obese
• History of joint injury or joint surgery
• Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint
• Bone deformities
• Family history of osteoarthritis

We check the affected joints for tenderness, swelling, redness, and flexibility before performing an advanced diagnostic ultrasound. This procedure provides detailed images of joint structures, including cartilage, synovium, tendons, and ligaments, which can help assess the extent of joint damage.

We may order additional imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, to further identify the extent of osteoarthritic change to a joint.  

The symptoms of osteoarthritis can typically be managed with lifestyle changes, therapeutic exercise, assistive devices, medications, and minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be warranted.  

• Lifestyle changes: Weight loss can reduce the strain across an arthritic joint, while a healthy, clean diet can reduce wide-spread inflammation throughout the body
• Therapeutic Exercise: Strength training, cardiovascular endurance, and improved movement patterns can positively reduce the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis by strengthening muscles around a joint. Skilled physical and occupational therapists can provide guidance on such therapeutic exercises. 
• Assistive Devices: Braces, shoe inserts, or canes can help relieve stress on joints.
• Medications: There are currently no great medications to treat osteoarthritis. Short-term use of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce symptoms temporarily. 
• Minimally-Invasive Procedures:  At Impact Sports & Spine, we offer advanced, image-guided injections that can successfully reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and improve function.  

Joint replacement surgery may be required in severe cases to improve function and relieve pain.

Osteoarthritis may worsen over time, causing severe joint pain and stiffness, making daily tasks difficult. Timely medical intervention can help manage your condition, reduce pain, and improve mobility.

At Impact Sports & Spine, we focus on providing high-quality non-surgical care for acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and spinal conditions. Our team focuses on uncovering the root cause of your condition rather than merely treating the symptoms. 

To schedule a consultation with our skilled practitioners, call us at 301-363-9693 or request an appointment online.