Pain-Free Management of Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. While surgery is sometimes necessary to treat severe arthritis, there are many effective non-surgical treatments available. If you are experiencing arthritis pain, it is important to consult a doctor to discuss your treatment options. With the right treatment, you can manage your arthritis and live a pain-free life.

At Virginia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we specialize in non-surgical arthritis treatments. Our goal is to provide alternatives to surgery and get people back out to doing what they love. We manage arthritis for people in their 30s all the way up to people in their 90s. We have successfully managed arthritis in knees, hips, shoulders, hands, neck, back and in other joints. Treatment to arthritis is not a one-size fits all but requires an individual approach and out-of-the box thinking that our doctors provide to each patient. Whether you have severe arthritis or just experiencing mild joint pain, it is never too early or late to consult our doctors to ensure proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are in order for your arthritis.

If you are considering surgery for arthritis, it is important to discuss all of your options with your doctor. Surgery is a major decision, and it is important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully. Contact us to schedule an appointment

Whether you have severe arthritis or just experiencing mild joint pain, it is never too early or late to consult our doctors to ensure proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are in order for your arthritis.

Treatment
Fortunately, there are options available to treat arthritis such as medication, physical therapy, injections, and regenerative therapies. While treatments can depend on the severity of the underlying arthritis, these will generally start with conservative therapies then work up to more invasive treatments as needed. Non-surgical treatments for arthritis include:

Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help relieve pain and inflammation. For more severe arthritis, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve joint function and reduce pain. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints and improve your range of motion.
Weight loss: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help reduce stress on your joints and improve your arthritis symptoms.
Assistive devices: Assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, and braces, can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
Injections: Corticosteroid injections can be used to reduce inflammation and pain in a specific joint. Hyaluronic acid injections can help lubricate the joint and reduce friction.

Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Regenerative medicine treatments such as the PRP are natural and minimally invasive. They involve having your blood or bone marrow sample taken. The sample gets spun down in a machine called a centrifuge. The healing factors are separated during this process and then injected into the site of injury. Like all of our injections, these are also done in an office setting with ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound imaging enables directed and precise therapy. This procedure jumpstarts your body’s healing process by supplying nutrient rich products to the injured area.

Benefits of Gel Injection
Injecting Gel into knees restores proper lubrication and cushioning to joints, which may slowly degenerated due to arthritis. The treatment may also reduce inflammation and protect joint cartilage from further wear and tear. The gel is made of Hyaluronic acid that is naturally present in joints, and functions as a lubricant and a shock absorbent to provide cushioning and reduce bone-on-bone contact.

Joint health importance and improvement should be part of our daily regiment

Here are some additional tips for managing arthritis without surgery:

Stay active: Exercise is important for maintaining joint health. However, it is important to choose low-impact activities that will not put too much stress on your joints. Swimming, walking, strength training, yoga, and cycling are all good options.
Protect your joints: Avoid activities that put stress on your joints, such as running and jumping.
Use heat and cold therapy: Heat can help relax muscles and relieve pain, while cold can help reduce inflammation.
Manage stress: Stress can worsen arthritis symptoms. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
Balanced Diet: Ways to improve bone and joint health include a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens are especially rich in calcium and other minerals that can help both your joints and bones. Lifting small weights can also improve your bone density.

Bonus Tip: Exercise also improves mood, reduces stress and boosts your immune system. The best time to fight osteoporosis is before it begins. Bone and joint health are a part of your overall wellness. You should also talk to your doctor, as certain medications (even over the counter ones), can leech calcium from your bones.