Osteoarthritis in San Antonio & Windcrest, TX
What is osteoarthritis?
Sometimes called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis results from wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage that cushions your joints. Healthy cartilage is smooth and slippery, providing your joints with nearly frictionless movement. But when you have osteoarthritis, the ends of your bones begin to grind together and cause pain.
You can get osteoarthritis in any joint, but it’s most common in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Although you can’t reverse the damage from osteoarthritis, the physicians at Rheumatology Solutions can help you manage the symptoms and improve joint function.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time. Common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Swelling and tenderness
- Bone spurs
Without treatment, osteoarthritis can cause chronic pain that makes it difficult to perform daily tasks, such as getting up from a chair or climbing stairs. You should call Rheumatology Solutions as soon as you experience joint pain that doesn’t go away.
Who gets osteoarthritis?
More than 30 million American adults have osteoarthritis. The risk of osteoarthritis increases as you grow older, but symptoms may develop earlier if you have a previous joint injury. Repeated stress on your joints from physical activities or carrying excess weight can also increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed and treated?
First, your provider examines your joints and reviews your symptoms and medical history. They may take lab tests or imaging tests to rule out other conditions that cause joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. An X-ray may reveal signs of osteoarthritis, such as bone spurs or narrowed space within your joint.
Then, your physician recommends the best course of treatment for you. Depending on the severity of your osteoarthritis, treatment may include:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Therapeutic injections
If your joint pain and symptoms persist despite treatment, your physician may recommend surgery. Joint replacement is a last resort, but it’s a highly successful treatment for advanced osteoarthritis.