What is osteoarthritis?
- Most common form of arthritis
- Occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears over time
- Most commonly affects the joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine
Signs and symptoms:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Loss of flexibility
- Grating sensation
- Bone spurs
- Swelling
Risk factors:
- Age (increases with age)
- Sex (women are more susceptible)
- Obesity
- Joint injuries
- Repeated stress on joints
- Genetics
- Bone deformities
- Certain metabolic diseases (ex; diabetes and hemochromatosis)
Treatments available for osteoarthritis w/o having to do ORTHOVISC gel injections:
Non-drug
- Avoiding the activities that cause the pain
- Exercise
- PT
- Removal of the excess fluid in the knee
Drug therapies
- Pain medication (i.e. acetaminophen and narcotics)
- Drugs that reduce inflammation (ex; aspirin) or other NSAIDs (ex; ibuprofen and naproxen)
- Corticosteroids that are injected into the knee joint