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Managing Osteoarthritis

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Managing Osteoarthritis

March 11, 2024

Overcoming osteoarthritis pain is an enormous challenge. The toll it takes both physically and emotionally is a burden that over 30 million people deal with and along with being the most common type of arthritis, it only gets worse with age. Unlike the temporary pain and inflammation caused in a joint by an overactive immune system response, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis mostly affects cartilage. Cartilage is the tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. When healthy, cartilage allows bones to glide over one another and provides a “shock absorber” function. The normal knee joint also contains a small amount of fluid called synovial fluid, which is a thick, gel-like substance that cushions the joint and provides lubrication to reduce friction.

What causes osteoarthritis?

In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. Adding to the problem, the synovial fluid in your knees loses its ability to lubricate the joint. This combination causes pain and stiffness, limitation of joint motion, and some inflammation in your knees.

What is viscosupplementation?

At South Miami Spine and Joint, we focus on rehabilitation through injections with viscosupplementation. Viscosupplementation is a procedure in which a thick fluid called hyaluronate is injected into the knee joint. There are no cures for osteoarthritis, so viscosupplementation will not cure osteoarthritis of the knee. However, it is thought that hyaluronate will improve the lubricating properties of the synovial fluid, reducing the pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, improving mobility, and providing a higher and more comfortable level of activity.

Tips for taking care of your knees

No matter what treatment you decide on for osteoarthritis of the knee, we encourage you to also take other steps to care for your knees. Here are a few tips to get started:

Avoid high-impact activities such as running or tennis. You can replace them with swimming, cycling, or walking, which are great forms of exercise that are also easy on the knees.

Try to minimize activities that strain your knees. Use an elevator or escalator instead of stairs, for example.

Avoid high-impact activities such as running, or tennis. You can replace them with swimming, cycling, or walking, which are great forms of exercise that are also easy on the knees.

If your knees are interfering with mobility, try wearing a knee brace or using a cane.

Consider physical therapy or a personalized exercise program with someone who is knowledgeable about osteoarthritis.

Most doctors today use Cortisone, which is a steroid and has side effects. At South Miami Spine and Joint, we administer image-guided injections that ensure accuracy. When properly injected, viscosupplementation helps to restore normal function to the joint, including its natural lubrication. Patients experience less pain and are able to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Integrating a natural approach to pain relief is becoming increasingly popular as well and we encourage you to try and include some of these activities in your day to day routine:

Lose Weight

Your weight can make a big impact on the amount of pain you experience from arthritis. Extra weight puts more pressure on your joint, especially your knees, hips, and feet. Reducing the stress on your joints by losing weight will improve your mobility, decrease pain, and prevent future damage to your joints.

Get more exercise

There are more benefits to exercise than just weight loss. Always remember that regular movement helps to maintain flexibility in your joints and weight-bearing exercises such as running and walking can be damaging. Instead, try low-impact exercises such as water aerobics or swimming to flex your joints without adding further stress.

Use hot and cold therapy

Simple hot and cold treatments can make a world of difference when it comes to arthritis pain. We recommend long, warm showers or baths — especially in the morning — to help ease stiffness in your joints. Use an electric blanket or moist heating pad at night to keep your joints loose. Cold treatments are best for relieving joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap a gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to painful joints for quick relief.

Include the right fatty acids in your diet

Everyone needs omega-3 fatty acids in their diet for optimum health. These fats also help your arthritis. Fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3s, have been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain. Another fatty acid that can help is gamma-linolenic acid or GLA. It’s found in the seeds of certain plants such as evening primrose, borage, hemp, and black currants. You can also buy the oils of the seeds as a supplement. However, be sure to check with your doctor before taking them.

Add turmeric to dishes

Turmeric, the yellow spice common in Indian dishes, contains a chemical called curcumin that may help to reduce arthritis pain. The secret is its anti-inflammatory properties. The NIH reports that turmeric given to lab rats reduced inflammation in their joints. More research on the use of the supplement for humans is needed, but it can’t hurt to add this tasty spice to your dinners. Spice up your life by grabbing some online today.

Get a massage

According to the Arthritis Foundation, regular massaging of arthritic joints can help reduce pain and stiffness and improve your range of motion. Work with a physical therapist to learn self-massage, or schedule appointments with a massage therapist regularly. Your massage therapist should be experienced with working on people who have arthritis. Check with your doctor for a recommendation.

Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health

Individual patient needs vary. Remember to consult your primary doctor regarding your symptoms.

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