Osteoarthritis Can Happen at Any Age
In healthy knee joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and problems moving the joint. Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, knee OA is one of the most prevalent types. It can happen at any age, but it commonly starts in people during their 50s. There is no cure for OA. The disease starts gradually and worsens over time. >> Schedule a screening.
Osteoarthritis Gets Worse Over Time
As OA runs its course, it unforgivingly causes the bones to break down, resulting in small but significant growths known as spurs. These seemingly unharmful bits of bone or cartilage can detach and float within the joint space, making pain worse. The final phases of OA can be extremely painful as the cartilage diminishes, leading to an unavoidable reality—bone grating against bone. This pivotal point sums up OA’s progression, inflicting pronounced joint damage and creating heightened levels of discomfort and pain.
While there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, there are effective treatments that can help slow its progress and prevent further damage and pain.
>> Schedule a screening.
Osteoarthritis Affects More Than
32.5 Million U.S. Adults
If You Suffer From Osteoarthritis, You Are Not Alone.
40% of adults with arthritis are inactive. Inactivity exacerbates obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
23.8 million adults have difficulty with their usual activities due to arthritis.
Earnings
$80 Billion in lost work earnings annually are attributed to osteoarthritis.
Costs
$2,017 average per person, per year in medical costs are attributed to osteoarthritis.
Replacement
12% of TKR recipients need a 2nd surgery after 10 years.
Ostheoarthritis Affects More Than
35 Million U.S. Adults*
If You Suffer From Osteoarthritis, You Are Not Alone.
40% of adults with arthritis are inactive. Inactivity exacerbates obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
23.8 million adults have difficulty with their usual activities due to arthritis.
$80 Billion in lost work earnings annually are attributed to osteoarthritis.
$2,017 average per person, per year in medical costs are attributed to osteoarthritis.
12% of TKR recipients need a 2nd surgery after 10 years.
Here are the Options to Treat Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Knee Pain Centers Only Provide Safe Treatment Options
This FDA-approved therapy consists of a series of precision-guided knee joint injections of a viscosupplement. The “visco” cushioning gel is an all-natural replacement (Hyaluronic Acid) for the depleted synovial fluid in your knee joint and acts as a “lubricant” and “shock absorber.”
An unloader, or offloader, knee brace does exactly what its name suggests—it shifts stress from the affected side of the joint to the healthier side of the joint. Using this type of knee brace, in addition to our precision viscosupplementation therapy, stabilizes the knee joint, extends comfort, and improves mobility.
Some patients with chronic inflammation develop tiny new blood vessels around the knee that are abnormal and cause pain. GAE closes these blood vessels and also eliminates the associated painful nerve fibers. It has been shown to be very effective and is considered a treatment option for patients with residual knee pain after receiving knee injections.
Medications can help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, primarily pain, but prolonged use can cause other health issues:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Recommended doses of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can help relieve osteoarthritis pain, but prolonged use can cause stomach issues, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. NSAIDs gels, applied to the skin over the affected joint, have fewer side effects.
Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain, but taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Steroid Knee Injections - Cortisone injections — Injections of a corticosteroid into your joint might relieve pain for a few weeks. The number of cortisone injections you can receive each year is generally limited because the medication can worsen joint damage over time. Studies show corticosteroid use can actually cause long term joint harm.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
Joint replacement – In joint replacement surgery, surgeons remove damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts. There are risks associated with surgery including infection and blood clots. Healing takes time and artificial joints can wear out or come loose and might eventually need to be replaced.
Here are the Options to Treat Osteoarthritis.
An unloader, or offloader, knee brace does exactly what its name suggests—it shifts stress from the affected side of the joint to the healthier side of the joint. Using this type of knee brace, in addition to our precision viscosupplementation therapy, stabilizes the knee joint, extends comfort, and improves mobility.
Some patients with chronic inflammation develop tiny new blood vessels around the knee that are abnormal and cause pain. GAE closes these blood vessels and also eliminates the associated painful nerve fibers. It has been shown to be very effective and is considered a treatment option for patients with residual knee pain after receiving knee injections.
This FDA-approved therapy consists of a series of precision-guided knee joint injections of a viscosupplement. The “visco” cushioning gel is an all-natural replacement (Hyaluronic Acid) for the depleted synovial fluid in your knee joint and acts as a “lubricant” and “shock absorber.”
Medications can help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, primarily pain, but prolonged use can cause other health issues:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Recommended doses of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can help relieve osteoarthritis pain, but prolonged use can cause stomach issues, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. NSAIDs gels, applied to the skin over the affected joint, have fewer side effects.
Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain, but taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Steroid Knee Injections - Cortisone injections — Injections of a corticosteroid into your joint might relieve pain for a few weeks. The number of cortisone injections you can receive each year is generally limited because the medication can worsen joint damage over time. Studies show corticosteroid use can actually cause long term joint harm.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
Joint replacement – In joint replacement surgery, surgeons remove damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts. There are risks associated with surgery including infection and blood clots. Healing takes time and artificial joints can wear out or come loose and might eventually need to be replaced.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
What is Different about Osteoarthritis of the knee?
We do a deep dive into osteoarthritis of the knee and joint degeneration. We define the disease, talk about treatment options, and help you to know how to best prevent it from getting worse.
Learn More About Our Non-Surgical Treatments for Osteoarthritis.
For many, our treatment is a scientifically-proven alternative to painful, risky, expensive surgery.
If you qualify, our treatment may alleviate your knee pain as it has for others.
Call Now 833-300-5633
Call Now
833-300-5633
Recognizing Your Arthritis Symptoms
How do you know if you have arthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative disease. It causes a breakdown of cartilage, the smooth, flexible protective tissue that helps cushions your joints. Without that natural shock absorption, your joints hurt, especially when you move. Your joints might feel stiff, especially in the morning or after you’ve been active. This pain could slow you down or make it tough to do everyday activities. Over time, your joints might get swollen, warm, and tender. Sometimes, you might hear crackling or grating sounds when you walk - another sign that your bones are rubbing together. When you favor your painful joints, you put added pressure on your back or other joints, which can lead to a domino-effect of back pain and other problems.
At Arthritis Knee Pain Centers, we understand that the intensity and interplay of symptoms can differ among individuals. That’s why seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management. Your journey towards improved well-being starts with a proper assessment.
STAGES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
OA patients develop very minor “wear & tear” and bone spur growths at the end of the knee joints. Minimum disruption. There is already 10% cartilage lost.
In stage 2, diagnostic images or X-rays of knee joints will show more bone spur growth. People are experiencing joint pain. Typically, the area around the knee joint feels stiff and uncomfortable, particularly when sitting for an extended period, after rising in the morning, or after a workout. Joint-space is narrowing. The cartilage begins breaking down.
In stage 3, the cushion-like cartilage between the bones wears away, and the gap between bones gets smaller. Proteins and collagen fragments are released, causing bones to develop spurs, making the joint surface rough. This leads to inflammation, causing pain during activities like walking, running, squatting, kneeling or extending the knee. Stiffness and popping sounds in the joints may also occur, especially in the morning or after sitting for longer stretches.
In stage 4, the space between the bones becomes much smaller, making the cartilage wear away, leaving the joint stiff. This breakdown leads to ongoing inflammation, less joint fluid, and more friction. You can expect increased pain and discomfort when walking or moving the joint. As more bone spurs develop, excruciating discomfort makes everyday tasks like climbing stairs challenging.
What is Osteoarthritis and What Happens If I Ignore It?
Osteoarthritis may start out with subtle symptoms or pain, but as time goes on, it’s almost guaranteed that things will get worse and pain will become more intense. Thankfully, you have some options to slow its progression.
Schedule a No-Charge,
No-Obligation Screening.
Call Now 833-300-5633
Call Now
833-300-5633