Patient Education | Osteoarthritis

Water Therapy
Diagnostic Imaging
Glucosomine/Chondroitin
Glucosamine and Arthritis Information
Viscosupplementation

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, affecting an estimated 16 million Americans.   Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the end of a bone begins to breakdown.   The cartilage, which normally acts as a cushion and allows the bones to move smoothly against each other, can no longer do its job.   The end result is that the cartilage wears away which causes the bones to grind together, leading to pain and loss of mobility. While any joint can be affected, the most commonly affected joints are those of the hands and the weight bearing joints such as hips, knees, feet and spine.

Symptoms

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary greatly from person to person but often include morning joint stiffness, loss of joint function, pain that worsens with use and joint swelling.

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maintain or improve joint mobility, increase the strength of the joints and minimize the disabling affects of the disease.

Medications such as Motrin or Tylenol may be used to reduce the swelling and pain in the joint. Steroids, which are injected directly into the joint, may also be used.  

Exercises are used to strengthen the muscles around the joint to reduce the stress upon it.   The specific type of exercise seems to be immaterial as long as it is moderate and generally moves the joints through a full range of motion.   Build your exercise program slowly.

If obesity is a factor, participation in a weight reduction program may be necessary.

Surgery may be necessary in severe cases of osteoarthritis.   Surgical treatment may include removing joint spurs, realigning the joint, fusion of the joint or joint replacement.

New Treatments

Hyaluronan injections (Synvisc, Hyalgen) into the affected joint, usually the knee, work to improve shock absorption and lubrication and decrease inflammation in arthritic joints.   Many studies have shown a benefit in 70-80 percent of people injected.   Younger patients with lower grades of arthritis are more likely to respond favorably.   These injections are expensive and some insurance plans may not cover the cost.  

Glucosamine sulfate, a building block for cartilage, is now available as an oral supplement and has been shown to relieve pain and improve the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.   This supplement is often combined with chondroitin, another building block for cartilage.   There is less information about the results of the combined supplement, but it looks promising.   For information on supplements that are available without a prescription, see Nutritional Supplements and Bone Health.