How We Help You Manage Osteoarthritis

If you’re struggling with the painful and debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), you’re not alone. About 33 million American adults have OA, making it the most prevalent joint disorder in the US. When not well managed, this disease can negatively impact your quality of life and make everyday tasks difficult. 

At Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists, our physicians, John Huffman, MD, and Talal Ghazal, MD, have the necessary expertise to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis at our Arlington office in Northern Virginia. Here’s a closer look at OA and how we help you manage your condition.       

Understanding osteoarthritis

Wear and tear of the cartilage in your joint causes osteoarthritis. Cartilage absorbs impact and stops bones from rubbing, but over time it may harden, crack, or wear away. This allows your bones to grind and rub against each other, causing pain, inflammation, and mobility issues. Other OA symptoms include:

• Stiffness in the affected joint
• Crepitus (clicking, creaking, cracking, or popping sounds when you move)
• Redness or swelling in the joint
• Limited range of motion in the joint
• Symptoms that worsen in the morning or after resting

People develop OA for different reasons, and certain factors can speed its development, including advancing age or joint injuries. If you’re overweight or obese, your risk of developing OA also rises since excess weight increases stress on your joints and causes your endocrine system to release chemicals that increase inflammation, hurting your joints.  

Managing osteoarthritis

If you’re worried about osteoarthritis, it’s best to schedule a consultation with one of our providers at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists. While no cure for OA exists, your doctor does everything possible to help manage your condition and improve your quality of life. 

To create the best osteoarthritis treatment plan for you, your provider evaluates your physical condition, assesses your symptoms, and reviews your medical and family histories. Possible OA treatments may include one or more of the following:

• Making lifestyle changes (e.g., losing weight, exercising)
• Over-the-counter medications (e.g., NSAIDs, topical creams)
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Relaxation techniques
• Braces, splints, or ergonomics
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) 
• Prescription medications (e.g., COX-2 inhibitors, topical and oral pain relievers, immunosuppressants, neuropathic gels and creams)
• Peripheral nerve blocks or stimulation 
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Intrathecal drug delivery system implantation (IDDS)

For patients with severe OA or who don’t respond to less invasive treatments, your provider may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for possible surgical intervention. 

Learn more about how we help you manage your osteoarthritis by scheduling an appointment over the phone or online at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists in Northern Virginia.