Stop Joint Pain and get your life back!
If you suffer from osteoarthritis or suffer from pain in the knee or hip, and you’ve tried and exhausted other treatment options then it’s time consider whether a joint replacement procedure is right for you to restore your mobility, regain your independence, and return to an active lifestyle.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is sometimes called degenerative arthritis because it is a “wearing out” condition involving the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Joint cartilage is a gel-like protective tissue found at joint surfaces that provides support and lubrication during movement. When cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. OA usually occurs in people over age 50, and often in people with a family history of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the West. You may have heard OA referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis. When OA begins to affect one of your joints, a series of reactions take place that actually begin to degrade your once-healthy bone and the “soft tissue” around the joint – tendons and cartilage. Once the cartilage that normally cushions and protects the bones of the joint breaks down, the bones of your joint eventually rub directly against each other. Your body reacts to this by creating bone spurs and the joint capsule itself may thicken and weaken. Inflammation eventually sets in.
Doctors talk about two kinds of OA. Primary OA often refers to “everyday wear”. Secondary OA is considered the result of a maligned joint, being overweight, injury or overuse.
Who Does OA Affect?
Twenty-seven million people are affected by OA in the United States alone. Although OA can affect anyone at any age, it has been linked to the aging process. More than 50% of everyone over 65 has OA symptoms in one or both knees. By 75, virtually everyone suffers with OA in one or more joints. In fact, OA of the knee and hips continues to be the most common cause of arthritis-related disability for Americans. The Arthritis Foundation cites that men and women may develop OA at different times in life. Most people develop symptoms after 45, but, as a group, men under 55 and women over 55 develop OA more frequently.
What Are The Symptoms of OA?
Although some people who have osteoarthritis say they feel no pain, most people who have OA experience pain, feel joint stiffness (especially in the morning), show signs of swelling and tenderness in one or more joints and may even hear a crunching sound in their joints. For some people, OA can become completely debilitating. In order to diagnose you properly, your doctor will consider your symptoms and your medical history, examine your joint(s) and order one or more diagnostic tests. Your doctor may order blood work, X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI to get a clear view of the alignment of your painful joint and its condition
How is OA Treated?
Your doctor may recommend different treatment options depending on the severity of your osteoarthritis and its impact on your joint(s).
Manage the Pain
Your doctor may prescribe or recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medications (like aspirin or ibuprofen) and cold packs that may help to reduce inflammation as well as the pain associated with arthritis. Sometimes a local injection of cortisone helps to further reduce inflammation.
Get The Right Support
Orthotic devices sometimes help. Custom-made shoes and shoe inserts provide support for those with OA in the foot or ankle. Your doctor may recommend a brace or a cane to help take some of the pressure off your affected joint while you walk if OA is affecting your knee or hip.
Understanding Your Surgical Options
If you are still experiencing arthritis pain and joint damage that’s affecting your quality of life even after all other conservative measures have been taken, your doctor may suggest surgery to help relieve your pain and restore your mobility. Your doctor will determine the proper surgical treatment based on the severity of your arthritis and its location. Today, a full range of surgical solutions exist that enable your doctor to tailor surgical procedures to your particular needs and anatomy, whether you need arthroscopic debridement (removing inflamed and/or irritating debris from the joint), and arthroplasty (replacing the arthritic joint). Be sure to talk with an orthopedic surgeon about the best treatment option for you.
Doctor Montien is a specialist in both hip and knee joint replacement at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital and has more than 20 years experience in these procedures. If you like would to make an appointment to see Dr. Montien or if you should need any more information on joint replacement then please contact Gavin at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital on Tel. 089 7500293 or Email: [email protected]
