The Treatment and Care of Osteoarthritis
Did you know that Arthritis is a disease that affects 50 million Americans and it IS the number one reason listed to cause disability in the United States? Arthritis is a catch-all term for more than 100 kinds of diseases that involve complex inflammatory responses that affect the musculoskeletal system of the body. Both young and old people can be affected, and arthritis can affect many different areas of the body. The most common symptoms of most types of arthritis are joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion.
OSC specialists diagnose and treat Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of the disease. OA is a degenerative and chronic disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. The areas of the body most commonly affected by OA are the knee, followed by the hip and shoulder. Scientists are not sure why OA is a problem for some people and not for others; however, it is known that heredity, being overweight, a history of injury or trauma and old-age are contributing factors.
The physicians at OSC can also treat other forms of arthritis when surgery or pain management is required; however, most other forms of arthritis require the care of a Rheumatologist, Dermatologist or other specialist who is knowledgeable in treating forms of auto-immune/inflammatory disease.
Arthritis Treatment at OSC
The good news is that there are many different treatments for Osteoarthritis, ranging from conservative, non-surgical interventions (prescription anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, hylauronic acid injections, Physical Therapy, Exercise, Nutrition/Supplements and lifestyle modifications) to the more complex surgical procedures, including partial and total joint replacement.
Our Orthopaedic Specialists carefully examine you physically and take a complete medical history, order diagnostic tests and confirm or rule out the condition of arthritis. If arthritis is indeed diagnosed, your OSC physician will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for you, based on your medical history, lifestyle and activity level and type of work that you do.
To schedule an appointment at our arthritis center, give us a call at (757) 596-1900.
Visit our Contact Us page for information on our location and office hours.
More information on arthritis, treatments and pain relief:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons »
