Osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis, often impacts the joints in the body that get the most use, such as the fingers, elbows, and knees. The root word of “arthritis” means joint, and the suffix “-itis” means inflammation, so the most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain due to the inflammation.
Arthritis tends to cause one or more of the following symptoms in a joint:
- Pain
- Swelling or puffiness
- Redness
- Decreased flexibility and stiffness
- Popping sound upon movement
- Grinding sensation
People who have arthritis usually notice obvious symptoms in the morning, right after getting out of bed. With movement, the symptoms lessen a bit.
If you have arthritis pain in one or both knees, you have many treatment options that do not involve surgery. Let’s talk about how an orthopedic specialist can treat your arthritis, and where you can go in Boynton Beach for knee arthritis treatment that works for you.
How Can My Knee Arthritis Be Treated Without Surgery?
Your orthopedic doctor will first conduct an evaluation of your symptoms and the hurting joint. If your orthopedist determines that your knee arthritis is still in a fairly early or middle stage, then the doctor will likely recommend that you consider one or more of the following solutions:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the supporting muscles, improve endurance, and increase range of motion in the knee
- Assistive devices, such as a knee brace
- PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma therapy), which uses your own blood cells to speed healing and reduce inflammation, administered by your orthopedist as an injection into the knee
- Stem cell therapy, which uses your body’s own regenerative cells to heal damaged tissue in the knee joint, also administered by your orthopedist via injection
- Corticosteroid injections into the knee
- Hyaluronic acid injections into the knee
In addition, the knee joint can improve with a healthy lifestyle. This includes reaching and maintaining a proper body weight, getting exercise every day (e.g., walking, swimming, or biking), eating a nutritious diet, and staying well-hydrated.
What Causes Arthritis?
In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage which cushions your joints and makes them operate smoothly wears down. This is why this type of arthritis becomes more common with age and after past joint injuries.
Contributing factors are:
- Age (over 60)
- Frequent participation in sports or exercise
- Gender (osteoarthritis occurs more often in women than in men)
- Obesity
- Damage from heavy lifting and repeated bending at the knees
- Genetics
Orthopedic Doctor for Knee Arthritis Treatment in Boynton Beach, FL
Here at Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, our experienced medical team can help you take control of your knee arthritis. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons will work with you to develop an individualized treatment approach.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedists, call our office today, or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online. We look forward to helping you maintain the active lifestyle you love!
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. For advice about your condition, talk with your physician. Request an appointment with our team.
