OMHC Public Service Announcement

What is Osteoarthritis? More commonly known as "wear and tear," it is

a condition where the natural cushioning between joints (the cartilage)

wears away, causing the bones of joints to rub, and with less cartilage,

the rubbing results in pain, swelling, stiffness, decreased mobility,

and even sometimes bone spurs. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of

arthritis according to Webmd and the Arthritis Foundation; more than 27

million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis, with the knee being one

of the most commonly affected areas. Women are more likely to have

osteoarthritis than men.

The most common cause of osteoarthritis of the knee is age; however,

there are several factors that increase the risk of developing

significant arthritis at an early age. Those factors are:

* Age (the ability of cartilage to heal decreases as a person ages)

* Weight (every pound of weight you gain adds 3-4 pounds of extra weight

on your knees)

* Gender (women ages 55 and older are more likely than men to develop

osteoarthritis of the knee)

* Repetitive stress injuries (kneeling, squatting, or lifting weights of

55 pounds or more are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the joint

due to the constant pressure on the joint)

* Athletics (weak muscles around the knee can lead to osteoarthritis)

* Illness (people with rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders run a

higher risk of osteoarthritis)

Besides the above risk factors, the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are:

pain that increases while active but subsides with rest, swelling,

warmth, stiffness, decreased mobility, creaking or crackling sounds that

are heard when the knee moves. Diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis begins

with a physical exam that includes your medical history and any

symptoms. In addition, your doctor may request x-rays or an MRI scan.

The primary goals of treating osteoarthritis of the knee are in

relieving the pain and returning mobility. The treatment plans generally

include a combination of the following:

* Weight loss (even a small amount of weight lost can significantly

decrease knee pain from osteoarthritis

* Exercise (strengthening the muscles around the knee makes the joint

more stable and decreases pain while stretching helps to keep the knee

mobile and flexible

* Pain Relievers and Anti-Inflammatory drugs (includes over the counter

drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium)

* Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid into the knee

* Alternative Therapies (topical creams, acupuncture or supplements)

* Using devices such as braces

* Physical and Occupational Therapy

* Surgery

Do you or someone you know suffer from stiff joints or sore knees? The

Odessa Clinic is seeing osteoarthritis patients and currently is

providing care to relieve pain. Call 509-982-2614 to set up your

appointment today with Danny Jones PA-C who is providing specialized

services such as joint injections to help relieve your pain.