How an Osteoarthritis Specialist Can Help You Manage Pain

About 32.5 million U.S. adults live with osteoarthritis, a joint disease caused by years of wear and tear on the joints. An osteoarthritis specialist evaluates symptoms and uses diagnostic tests to identify the condition. Treatment can reduce pain and improve movement; different approaches address symptoms at different stages. The available options include medications, injections, therapy, procedures, and self-care strategies.

Diagnosing With an Osteoarthritis Specialist

The evaluation starts with a physical exam. An osteoarthritis specialist checks the affected joint for tenderness, swelling, and flexibility; imaging can provide more information when needed. X-rays show cartilage loss through narrowing between the bones and can reveal bone spurs, while an MRI provides detailed images of bone and soft tissue when a case is complex. Blood tests help rule out other causes of joint pain, and joint fluid analysis can help determine whether inflammatory arthritis or an infection is causing the symptoms.

Osteoarthritis causes tenderness, deep aching, heat, and swelling in affected joints. Pain can become more intense as cartilage wears down; joints can progressively stiffen and weaken. Some joints also twist or look distorted as the condition worsens, which can make activities such as gripping, writing, or standing more difficult. These symptoms provide information about how osteoarthritis affects movement and daily activities; they help describe the condition during an evaluation.

Prescribing Medications and Injections

Medications provide several options for managing osteoarthritis pain. Acetaminophen can help with mild to moderate pain, while NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can relieve pain; prescription NSAIDs such as diclofenac are also available. Duloxetine treats chronic pain, including osteoarthritis pain. Lidocaine and ketamine are pain relief medications. Topical NSAID gels can relieve pain when applied over an affected joint; they have fewer side effects than oral NSAIDs.

Injections provide another treatment option. Steroid injections can relieve joint pain for a few weeks, while hyaluronic acid injections provide cushioning in the knee. PRP injections are another option; some patients may benefit from this treatment. Treatment choices vary, so the type of injection depends on the condition being treated and the care plan.

Physical therapy strengthens muscles around an affected joint, and regular gentle exercise can help maintain movement. Occupational therapy also helps people complete everyday tasks without placing extra stress on painful joints, while TENS uses low-voltage electrical current to provide short-term relief for some people with knee and hip osteoarthritis. If conservative treatments do not help, procedures such as osteotomy and joint replacement provide additional options. An osteotomy realigns bone, and joint replacement removes damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with artificial components.

Supporting Daily Self-Care

Daily habits can support pain management and joint function. Low-impact activities such as walking, bicycling and swimming strengthen muscles, and weight loss can reduce pressure on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. Heat and cold can relieve joint pain and swelling, while capsaicin cream applied to the skin over a painful joint can help reduce pain. Assistive devices such as canes, walkers and gripping tools can also reduce stress on joints, and these tools can make some daily activities easier.

Schedule an Osteoarthritis Evaluation

A primary healthcare professional can refer a patient to a rheumatologist or orthopedic surgeon when specialized joint care is needed. An osteoarthritis specialist can evaluate symptoms and review treatment options, and the appropriate approach depends on the condition and response to care. Early evaluation provides an opportunity to identify the condition and discuss available ways to manage pain and movement.

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