Osteoarthritis Specialist
San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc.
Orthopedic Surgeons & Sports Medicine Specialist located in San Diego, CA
If you’re one of the millions of Americans with osteoarthritis, you may be searching for relief from a painful or stiff hip or knee. The team of doctors at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. offers effective diagnosis and treatment at their office in San Diego, including injections and knee replacement surgery. To learn more, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.
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Osteoarthritis Q & A
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis can be painful and cause swelling.
The condition occurs when the layer of cartilage covering your joint gradually wears away. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of your movements, but when you lose cartilage, your bones rub against one another. This friction can permanently damage your joints over time.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
The most common signs of osteoarthritis are:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Reduced motion in your joints
Osteoarthritis may occur in any joint, but the condition usually affects your back, knees, or hips. If you have osteoarthritis in your knee, you may have one of these less common symptoms:
- Redness
- Clicking sounds
- Grinding
With hip arthritis, you may experience pain in your groin or have trouble walking.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
Your doctor at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. will create a treatment plan for you based on the location of your osteoarthritis, among other considerations. Generally, treatments include medications, exercise, and sometimes surgery.
How is knee osteoarthritis treated?
Your initial treatment includes over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories. Your doctor at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. may also recommend you try:
- Physical therapy
- Exercises
- Cortisone injections
- Medically supervised weight loss
Injections of a substance called hyaluronic acid may also minimize your symptoms. If these treatments don’t help, your doctor discusses surgical options with you, such as a total knee replacement.
Total knee replacement is a 60-90 minute surgical procedure. During surgery, your doctor replaces the damaged surfaces of the bones in your knee with a man-made prosthetic.
Although total knee replacement requires substantial recovery time, multiple studies have shown the procedure offers success rates above 80% even after 20-30 years have passed.
How is hip osteoarthritis treated?
Your doctor at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. begins with conservative treatments, such as over-the-counter analgesics like TylenolⓇ. You may also benefit from anti-inflammatory medications.
Your doctor may recommend you exercise or use a cane to take pressure off your affected hip. If you use a cane, you’ll hold it in the hand opposite your affected hip. If these measures fail to give you relief, your doctor discusses surgical options with you.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans with osteoarthritis, you can rely on the team at San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc. for high-caliber care. Schedule an appointment online or by phone today. TEXT us for fast response!
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San Diego Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Inc., San Diego, CA
Phone (appointments): 619-229-3932
Phone (general inquiries): 619-229-3932
Address: 6719 Alvarado Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120
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