By 2030, 67 million Americans will suffer from arthritis.1 National Arthritis Awareness Month occurs in May, as a reminder to raise awareness about this painful condition.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, or wear and tear arthritis ,affecting the hips and knees. The degeneration of cartilage, change in bone shape, and inflammation can often cause joint pain, stiffness, and limit the ability to move.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, many treatment options are available to manage pain and keep people active. Arthritis of the knee and hip is typically treated conservatively at early onset. Depending on the severity of your condition, these recommended treatment options can help.
NonSurgical Treatments
Lifestyle modifications. Keep moving and change your diet. Adapt a low-impact exercise routine, change your diet to consume less processed foods, sugars to improve overall health and reduce inflammatory reactions in the body by unhealthy foods. In some cases, weight loss is required, as the extra pounds on your bones and joints can worsen arthritis pain.
Physical Therapy. The muscles in the hips, leg and knees may need to be strengthened with specific experiences to improve your range of motion.
Medications. Knee and hip arthritis respond well to over-the-counter, non-narcotic pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. Your physician can prescribe drugs and dosages that are safe and effective for you based on your particular pain levels and condition.
Injections. Steroid injections are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can improve joint pain. Regenerative medicine like PRP, and stem cells show promising results for patients with painful symptoms.2
Alternative Therapies. Acupuncture, massage, and yoga are proven to reduce joint pain and improve joint flexibility in people with arthritis.3
Surgical Treatments
Joint Replacement Surgery. The decision to have joint replacement surgery should be taken seriously only after exhausting all other efforts. The good news is that today’s hip and knee replacement surgery is one of the most common and successful orthopedic surgeries. Joint replacement can extend mobility for many years, so people can live an active life in their golden years.
Joint replacement is often necessary if your cartilage and bone are damaged, to restore the function of your hip or knee by removing them and replacing them with innovative materials, made from metal or plastic. Minimally invasive surgical techniques and same-day joint replacement options are great options for healthy patients for a quicker recovery at home.
In most cases, joint pain can be managed conservatively with medications, physical therapy, or injections that promote healing. The severity of the damage will determine whether surgery is necessary to repair, preserve, or replace the joint if these therapies fail to relieve symptoms.
If you are experiencing mild or severe arthritis pain of the hip or knee, Dr. Nathan Hammel offers nonsurgical treatment programs, specific to your joint condition, with a focus on getting you active again.
AUTHOR: Natham Hammel, MD is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement in Southern California, serving the Greater San Diego area.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htm
