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Osteoarthritis
Treatment Options
Treatment
at UPMC
The goals of treatment include:
- controlling pain
- improving mobility and joint use
- minimizing disability and returning normal functioning
- slowing the progression of osteoarthritis
- protecting other joints from developing osteoarthritis
Treatment involves the following:
Mechanical Aids
Shoes with shock-absorbing soles can provide relief while you are doing
daily activities or exercising. Splints or braces help to properly align
joints and distribute weight. Knee and wrist joints may benefit from
elastic supports. A neck brace or corset can relieve back pain, as can
a firm mattress. Canes, crutches, walkers, and orthopedic shoes also
can be of benefit to patients with advanced osteoarthritis.
OtherTreatments
Surgery
Surgical procedures are usually reserved for patients who have noted
no improvement with medications or procedures such as steroid injections
or viscosupplementation.
- Arthroscopy
In this procedure, several tiny incisions are made on the sides of
your knee. A lighted camera is inserted through one incision. The
view inside your knee can be broadcast onto a large monitor in the
operating room. Operating instruments are passed through a second
incision. These instruments are used to clean out shards of bone and
cartilage that might be causing your pain and interfering with movement.
The procedure usually takes less than an hour and is done as an outpatient
surgery.
It takes four to six weeks for the affected joint to recover, but
you probably will return to work or resume daily activities within
a few days. A specific activity and rehabilitation program may be
suggested to speed your recovery and protect future joint function.
- Osteotomy
In this procedure, a deformed joint (usually the knee) is surgically
reshaped and realigned. The surgeon reshapes the shinbone (tibia)
or thighbone (femur) to improve your knee's alignment. The healthy
bone and cartilage is realigned to compensate for the damaged tissue.
You will need to walk with crutches for one to three months. Next,
you will begin rehabilitative leg strengthening and walking exercises.
You will probably be able to resume your full activities after three
to six months.
- Arthroplasty
This is a joint replacement surgery. The joint is usually replaced
with a synthetic joint, made of a chromium alloy and plastic. Knee
replacements and hip replacements are particularly common.
The surgeon makes an incision along the joint, moves aside muscles,
and removes damaged bone and cartilage. The remaining bone is prepared
to receive the prosthesis and the new plastic and metal joint is placed
in position. Depending on the type of prosthesis, the surgeon may
use cement to hold one or both parts of the artificial joint. The
incision is closed with stitches or staples, which will be removed
in about two weeks. The procedure will take a few hours.
Within six weeks, you should be able to resume normal light activities.
To speed your recovery and protect future joint function, follow the
recommended activity and rehabilitation program.
- Arthrodesis
This procedure is an absolutely last resort for patients who have
not had good pain relief from other efforts. In this procedure, the
two bones making up a joint are permanently fused together. While
this can greatly improve pain, it also means that the joint is permanently
nonfunctional.
Treatment at UPMC
This condition is typically treated by experts specializing in:
For information about complementary medicine approaches to this condition,
visit UPMC's Center
for Integrative Medicine.
Call UPMC at 800-533-UPMC (8762) to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.
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