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Osteoarthritis
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Osteoarthritis pain is felt in the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Most cases have no known cause and are referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.
Primary osteoarthritis is primarily age-related. With aging, cartilage water content increases while the protein content degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate. In advanced cases, the cartilage cushion can be totally lost, causing increased friction between the bones and leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility.
Secondary osteoarthritis is caused by another disease or condition such as obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to a joint, abnormal joints at birth, gout, diabetes, and other hormonal disorders.
Treatment Options
Aside from weight reduction and avoiding activities that put excessive stress on the joint, there is no specific treatment to halt cartilage degeneration or to repair damaged cartilage. The goal of treatment is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.
Pain medications are used to complement physical measures aimed at improving joint flexibility. Medication may be used topically, taken orally, or injected into the joints to decrease joint inflammation and pain.
In many patients, mild pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient treatment.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications used to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. NSAIDs may sometimes be taken for a while and then discontinued for periods of time without recurrent symptoms, thereby decreasing side effect risks.
While oral cortisone is generally not used, when injected directly into inflamed joints, it can rapidly decrease pain and restore function.
For severe cases of the knee that does not respond to weight reduction, exercise, or medications, a series of injections of hyaluronic acid (Synvisc, Hyalgan) into the joint can sometimes be helpful, especially if surgery is not an option. These products work by temporarily restoring the thickness of the joint fluid, providing better joint lubrication and impact capability, and perhaps by directly affecting pain receptors.
We Can Help
The physicians at the Northwest Surgical Specialists Pain Management Center are experts at diagnosing the need for and delivering soothing pain medicine exactly where it will result in maximum relief.
If you or a loved one is suffering the effects of chronic pain, contact the Pain Management Center at 847.885.9525 to arrange a consultation.
3100 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 150
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
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Foot & Ankle Care
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Surgical Care Center
431 Summit Street, Suite 102
Elgin, IL 60120
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Foot & Ankle Care
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431 Lakeview Court, Suite D
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
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Foot & Ankle Care