Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a general term describing joint inflammation. Although you can develop osteoarthritis at any age, this condition generally starts as you grow older. This is due to the stress you put on joints over years of use.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of inflammation that can affect your joints and occurs due to wear and tear on the cartilage that protects them. The condition tends to develop in joints that bear the brunt of your weight, including your:

• Knees
• Hips
• Spine

It may also show up in your finger joints, the neck, and large toe. Dr. Narula and the team work tirelessly to pinpoint problem areas and provide the most effective treatments.

What causes osteoarthritis?

While the exact cause of osteoarthritis is still unknown, there are many factors involved that the team at Rheumatology Medical Center can help identify. It can run in families, for instance, or it may be related to your job or a previous injury. Osteoarthritis is also more common among women and is influenced by your weight and physical condition.

The condition is caused by stiffness of the cartilage that protects the joint. For example, your hip joint has cartilage between the ball and socket to prevent your bones from rubbing together. As the cartilage loses its elasticity over time, it breaks down and exposes the ends of your bones. It’s the resulting rubbing of these bones against each other that leads to inflammation.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis develops gradually, but specific symptoms may include:

• Aching or soreness in joints that increases with activity
• Visible swelling of joints like those in your fingers or knee
• Stiffness after long periods of rest

If you think you’re experiencing the signs of osteoarthritis, schedule a consultation at Rheumatology Medical Center to discuss your diagnosis and treatment plans.

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the location of the inflammation and factors such as your occupation, age, and fitness level. Dr. Narula discusses all this with you and considers it when developing a treatment plan. 

At Rheumatology Medical Center, care plans take a holistic approach and generally involve a combination of medical therapies and lifestyle changes.

Your weight and activity levels have a dramatic impact on osteoarthritis, especially when it affects weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips. Dr. Narula may, therefore, suggest low-impact exercises and a weight-loss plan as part of your self-management, as well as nutriceuticals, to improve your diet and physical therapy to help regain strength.

Rheumatology Medical Center also offers the latest medications and modalities, including antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as injection therapy to deliver corticosteroids and viscosupplementation. 

Osteoarthritis is a treatable condition with the expert help of Dr. Narula and the team at Rheumatology Medical Center. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.