Osteoarthritis

Some form of pain and stiffness in the joints could occur after a period of overuse or strenuous use. But, if the pain persists, this could be a sign of osteoarthritis. A chronic condition that causes pain in the joints, the best way to manage feelings of pain is to begin conservative treatment as soon as possible to reduce the frequency, duration and intensity of symptoms. The California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, and Chula Vista areas is well equipped to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis with a goal to help their family of patients enjoy a comfortable quality of life. 

What is Osteoarthritis and What are the Symptoms?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which is a condition that affects the joints. It is characterized by both a loss of cartilage and the formation of bone spurs in joint spaces, which can occur in any joint in the body. Also known as degenerative joint disease or OA, it happens when the cartilage that lines your joints, which are located at the end of each bone where it meets another bone, is worn down over time. Cartilage helps your joint glide smoothly and safely, prevents the two bones from rubbing together by acting as a lubricant, and also acts as a shock absorber. With use and years of wear and tear, that cartilage breaks down. This causes the bones to rub against each other when used, causing pain, inflammation and loss of mobility and movement in the joint itself. 

While osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, the most commonly affected joints are those in the:

• Knees
• Hands
• Hips
• Neck
• Low back 

Osteoarthritis is very common and usually affects people who are 70 or older. While it is common that there are no associated symptoms, most people who suffer from osteoarthritis have symptoms. Symptoms can include: 

• Joint pain, especially with movement
• Stiffness 
• Swelling
• Limited range of motion
• Decrease in joint strength or stability
• Physical joint deformity

Pain usually occurs for a brief period of time after joint movement, but could last for hours. The pain is most commonly alleviated by rest. However, as osteoarthritis progresses, it can be felt even during periods of rest and at night. This is why it’s important to receive treatment as soon as possible so steps can be taken to reduce the progression of the condition. 

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Unfortunately the specific cause of cartilage degeneration is not known, and, in fact,  isn’t thought to be caused by a single cause either. The most common general causes of osteoarthritis include genetics, overall joint degeneration, and other mechanical processes.

Osteoarthritis has two types: primary, which is the most common form and happens over time with wear and tear, and secondary, which is injury and trauma to the joints, or arthritis itself. Overall, anything that damages the joints can cause osteoarthritis, including: 

• Sports injuries
• Slip and falls
• Car accidents or other traumatic injuries
• Health or medical conditions that affect the joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Psoriatic arthritis

There are also the following risk factors that could lead to osteoarthritis: 

• Obesity
• Gender (women most often develop this condition, especially those in postmenopause)
• Muscle weakness
• Repetitive or improper use of joints
• Joint trauma
• Joint instability
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Some autoimmune diabetes

How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

The best way to determine if you have osteoarthritis is to seek help from a pain management specialist. They will review your medical history and perform a comprehensive exam, focusing on which joints are causing you pain and noting any aforementioned symptoms. Diagnostic tools, including X-rays, MRI and CT scan, help to show exactly how much the joint spaces have narrowed due to cartilage loss, check for spur formation, and determine the severity of the condition and its progression over time. Lab tests might also be utilized to rule out any other conditions that could be causing the same symptoms. 

How is Osteoarthritis Treated?

Due to the fact that there is no cure for osteoarthritis and cartilage doesn’t regenerate, the goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms, control frequency and intensity of pain, and minimize any flexibility or mobility issues. The most common treatment options include: 

• Exercise: moving the joints through low impact exercises can help to relieve stiffness and strengthen the muscles around them 
• Rest: in the beginning stages of the condition, rest is recommended, but don’t confuse this with living a sedentary lifestyle as that will just worsen joint stiffness
• Maintaining a health weight: being obese or overweight places greater stress on the joints, so it’s recommended to eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy BMI
• Physical therapy: specific movements designed by a physical therapist for your specific case of osteoarthritis will help to increase range of motion and decrease joint stiffness
• Mediations: painful flare-ups can be treated with the use of over-the-counter medications and prescribed medications, usually NSAIDs, that help to minimize pain and reduce inflammation
• Joint injections: injections, which most commonly include steroids and anesthetics, are a short-term relief method that help to reduce inflammation and pain. They are a great tool that allows patients to more comfortably enjoy physical therapy. 
• Surgery: when all other conservative methods have failed to provide the patient with pain relief, surgical options, including joint replacement, arthroscopy, or an osteotomy could be beneficial. The good news is that most patients don’t need surgery for treating osteoarthritis, only those who are suffering from severe symptoms that haven’t responded at all to other treatment methods. 

Most pain management specialists will recommend the use of multiple treatment methods simultaneously, which prove to help the patient manage their pain now, as well as slow down the progression of the condition. Due to the fact that patients will need to manage their symptoms for the rest of their lives, it’s important to partner with a specialist who will help to find the best combination of treatments to help you enjoy an active and pain-free life as possible.

If you believe you are beginning to suffer with the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis, or have been dealing with the symptoms for years and are tired of living in pain, we can help. The California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, and Chula Vista areas is available to help answer your questions, provide a diagnosis, and recommend a treatment plan specific to you and your lifestyle goals. Please schedule an appointment today!