Osteoarthritis affects 27 million adult Americans over the age of 25, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the number one form of arthritis. When arthritis develops, inflammation and pain strikes in one or more joints, depending where the condition is. When joints become disabled, walking, sitting, and even standing become impossible, making osteoarthritis one of the leading causes of disability and missed workdays in America.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, our physicians are committed to determine a correct diagnosis and design an effective treatment plan- every time. We don’t use one template treatment design for every patient. Instead, we take the time to learn about a patient’s history and find out where they want their treatment to lead them. Considered the best pain clinic in the southwest, Southwest Spine and Pain Center continues to deliver unprecedented care.
Joint structure is comprised of cartilage that cushions and helps joints move easily. After 50 some years of walking, exercising, and moving around, the joints degenerate, breakdown, and wear away, causing chronic inflammation in the joint. When worn out cartilage is left untreated, the cartilage may wear away completely. Another structure in the joint is the membrane. Contained of synovium fluid, the membrane swells and thickens as osteoarthritis progresses. Extra fluid is created within the joint, causing debilitating pain.
Practically every aging person will experience some degree of pain while standing, climbing, or exercising; that’s just the way our bodies work. Most individuals with osteoarthritis are over the age of 55. Old age naturally increases anybody’s risk of developing osteoarthritis. Other risk factors include:
- Excess weight: Extra body weight puts more stress and pressure on joints, cartilage, and bones. People who are overweight are more likely to have osteoarthritis in the knees because of the extra weight the knees carry throughout each day.
- Family history: If you have a family history of this disease, you may be more likely to develop it.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than women before the age of 45. After 50, women are more likely to develop the condition.
- Occupation: If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, constant standing, or excessive moving around, you may be more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis.
There are ways to prevent and manage osteoarthritis. Southwest Spine and Pain Center has the best tools and therapies for managing a range of pain conditions. Before opting for surgery, we recommend patients come into any of our offices and get a formal evaluation. Your condition may be able to be treated through conservative methods. Don’t wait any longer to get help. Let Southwest Spine and Pain take the reigns on your health!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2014
©Medical Marketing Solutions, 2014