What Are My Options for Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis?

There’s a moment before you get out of bed when you wonder what level of joint pain and stiffness you’ll be dealing with during the day, and the first steps you take are a good indicator.

If you’re tired of dealing with seemingly inevitable joint pain day in and day out, you’re not alone. About 33 million Americans are in the same boat as you. They’ve all been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).

Since May is Arthritis Awareness Month, our team of multi-speciality providers and arthritis experts at LaSante Health Center wants to review some best practices for patients struggling with osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis — a wear-and-tear condition with no cure

We want to start this discussion with a clear reality: For now, OA is considered a chronic disease that has no cure, and the damage is largely irreversible.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and OA is, by far, the most common. OA is a wear-and-tear disease, so the longer you use your joints, the more vulnerable you become to joint damage.

This damage is largely due to the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage, which is a slippery connective tissue that covers and protects the bones. Not only does the cartilage promote friction-free gliding between bones, it also provides cushioning inside your joint.

The problem arises when this tissue begins to break down over time and with prolonged use. This breakdown leads to more friction inside your joint, as well as loose bodies (pieces of cartilage and bone). 

As a result, you’re left with nagging pain and inflammation, which are the hallmarks of OA.

Making matters worse, once this cartilage breaks down, it doesn’t regenerate, which is why OA isn’t reversible. And OA is progressive, so the condition can get worse over time unless you take action.

Best practices for managing your OA-related joint pain

Now it’s time to make another important point about OA: Just because there's no cure, it doesn't mean you’re without options. Millions of people are able to manage their OA, and more importantly, prevent it from progressing by getting proactive with management practices, such as:

The right tools

If you’re dealing with OA, have the right tools to manage the pain and stiffness, such as:

• Medications
• Joint injections
• Braces
• Assistive devices
• Orthotic shoe inserts

We’re happy to sit down with you to review your lifestyle and goals to come up with the best OA toolkit for your needs.

Exercise and strengthening

While it may seem counterintuitive, joints are meant to move, and they function best when you do. So one of the best ways to manage and slow OA is to get moving, but take it slow and build gradually. 

By exercising, you can reduce inflammation, which goes a long way toward minimizing your pain. And if you strengthen the muscles surrounding your arthritic joints, you can take the pressure off of the bones and cartilage inside the joint.

Hot and cold therapies

Another way to manage joint pain and inflammation due to OA is to rotate between hot and cold therapies. Heat is great for stiff joints and icing reduces inflammation and pain after you’ve used the joint.

Keep your weight in check

Other than age, carrying excess pounds is a leading driver of OA. Being overweight places far more pressure on your joints, which can lead to a premature breakdown in your cartilage. 

So, if you want to give your joints some relief, losing excess pounds is a great goal, and we’re happy to help with your weight loss efforts.

Staying one step ahead of your OA

The bottom line is that there are many good therapies that can help you move with less pain and stiffness in your joints. To figure out the best options for your OA, come in for a comprehensive evaluation.

To get that ball rolling, please call our Brooklyn, New York, clinic at 718-487-9707, or use our online booking tool to set up an appointment.

Our team proudly serves the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.