Osteoarthritis Specialist in South Carolina
Osteoarthritis Specialist in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis affects the joints, causing decreased mobility, pain, and stiffness.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage that protects and cushions the joint wears down over time, causing grinding and friction between the bones, resulting in pain and restricted movement.
Several factors can contribute to developing osteoarthritis, including:
- Age
- Genetics or a family history of osteoarthritis
- A history of joint injury
- Obesity
- Repetitive motion injuries
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it’s commonly found in the spine, knees, hands, and hips. Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain that is described as a deep ache that may worsen with joint movement or activities
- Limited range of motion in the joint
- Affected joints become hot and swollen, often described as warm to the touch
- Stiffness, often accompanied by a clicking or grinding sensation in the joint
Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
Diagnosing osteoarthritis includes talking to your doctor so they can get a sense of your symptoms, lifestyle, and family history of osteoarthritis. Your doctor will thoroughly examine the joint for signs of inflammation, mobility issues, and range of motion. Your doctor will likely order imaging such as an MRI or X-ray to get a sense of the extent of your joint damage and order blood tests to rule out autoimmune forms of arthritis like psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis. With this information in mind, your doctor will be able to determine a comprehensive treatment plan for you.
Osteoarthritis Treatment in South Carolina
Treatment for osteoarthritis can range from conservative lifestyle changes to surgical interventions. The main focus of treating osteoarthritis is to help manage the pain and symptoms while preventing more damage to the joint. Treatment for osteoarthritis includes:
- Lifestyle modifications include maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress on your joints, and exercising regularly to prevent muscle weakness.
- Your provider may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications to help lessen pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy can help improve joint function while helping build strength around the joint.
- Use assistance tools such as a cane or brace to provide joint support.
- Joint injections can provide pain relief and bring down swelling
- Your orthopedist may recommend surgery for patients with severe joint damage or those for whom conservative treatments such as rest and physical therapy didn’t work.
Communicate with your doctor so you can have a successful treatment plan in place for your osteoarthritis diagnosis.
Orthopedic Specialist in South Carolina
Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment can help people suffering from osteoarthritis. If untreated, osteoarthritis can progress and become painful, causing lasting joint damage that can impact your daily life. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to Carolina Orthopedic and Neurologic Consultants if you’re struggling with osteoarthritis. All appointments are available by referral only. We serve patients from Spartanburg, SC, Duncan, SC, and Greenville, SC.