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Osteoarthritis and Treatment Options |
by: Pritee Dalvi Coulianidis, MSPT
Staff Therapist, New Brunswick |
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Millions of adults suffer
from arthritis pain, but many of those are not aware of the treatment
options available. Read on to find out more about arthritis and
alternatives to the traditional oral medication to help relieve pain and
increase joint mobility. |
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What is Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is the most common
type of arthritis and it occurs when a joint's articular cartilage
begins to break down. This cartilage functions as a cushion for movement
and joint force and as it deteriorates, it causes the bones to rub
against each other, which results in pain, stiffness, and loss of
movement. |
Signs
and
Symptoms
of
Osteoarthritis
- joint soreness after periods of
overuse or inactivity
- stiffness after periods of rest that
goes away quickly when activity resumes
- morning stiffness, which usually lasts
no more than 30 minutes
- pain caused by the weakening of
muscles surrounding the joint due to inactivity
- joint pain is usually less in the
morning and worse in the evening after a day’s activity
- deterioration of coordination, posture
and walking due to pain and stiffness
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Traditional Treatment
May No Longer be Safe
Osteoarthritis has long been treated by pain medication to address the
inflammation and increase daily mobility. However, new studies revealing
very negative side effects of popular medication have left
osteoarthritis sufferers scratching their heads for treatment options.
Though medication can address the pain and functional immobility caused
by osteoarthritis it does not often address the underlying disease
process.
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Physical Therapy Often
Overlooked
Physical Therapy (PT) is an
intervention often overlooked due to basic lack of knowledge. Physical
therapists are fully trained
and qualified to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal disorders and
pathologies. PT cannot cure osteoarthritis; but can be an extremely
effective treatment. PT will address the causes of osteoarthritis
such as muscle weakness, musculoskeletal imbalances, obesity, and
injury. Through a customized therapy program designed by your Physical
Therapist, you can increase muscle strength, joint mobility, improve
daily function, and most importantly decrease arthritic pain. |
New Treatment Approved
by FDA
A new treatment called viscoelastic supplementation was recently
approved by the FDA for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, hylan) is given as a series of weekly
injections into the affected joint (viscosupplementation) over
three to five weeks. It has multiple effects in the joint. First, the
large molecules of hyaluronan overlap with each other to form a
continuous mesh that helps increase joint stability. Second, hyaluronan
reduces the response of pain fibers in the joint membrane by coating the
pain receptors. Third, it combines with other joint cells to form a
strong base for cartilage to give it more elasticity and
compressibility. This results in pain relief and improved joint mobility
and ambulation. Effects can last for several months up to one year,
although it is not clear how hyaluronan relieves the symptoms of
osteoarthritis for such a long period of time. Within a few days after
injection, hyaluronan can no longer be found in the joint, but it is
thought that the it promotes long-lasting changes by stimulating the
lining cells of the joint to actually create more hyaluronan to continue
the positive effects. |
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Know Your Options
It is important for osteoarthritis sufferers to remember that
effective treatment is available to them. Patients should seek out
diagnosis and treatment from qualified medical professionals such as
orthopedic physicians and physical therapists. Osteoarthritis can be a
debilitating and disfiguring disease, but it does not mean the end of
functional mobility and patients should not settle for this option.
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