Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It affects millions of individuals worldwide. Over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. alone have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually deteriorates. Although osteoarthritis can harm any joint, it most frequently affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
How Osteoarthritis Affects the Knee Joint
The synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions joints can degrade in a knee that is affected by osteoarthritis. Most commonly, cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, is affected by osteoarthritis. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another and serves as a “shock absorber,” allowing for smooth movements throughout the joint.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis typically come on slowly, over time. As the symptoms of osteoarthritis progress, they become more obvious and more serious.
Symptoms commonly found with osteoarthritis include:
- Limited range of motion
- Pain during movement
- Pain when performing weight-bearing activities
- Sensation of bone rubbing on bone
- Swelling in the area around the joint
- Stiffness; inability to move in the same way
If you recognize any of the above-mentioned symptoms of osteoarthritis, it’s imperative that you seek treatment as soon as possible. Contact Phoenix Integrated Medical for a complimentary consultation.
Risk Factors For Osteoarthritis
The risk factors for osteoarthritis have been clearly identified by the medical community. They include:
- Age – Osteoarthritis risk increases the older a person becomes.
- Gender – Women over 50 are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men.
- Being overweight – Obese persons put more weight on their joints, which increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Genetics – A family history of osteoarthritis means a higher risk.
- Trauma – previous injury to a joint increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis
- Surgery – previous surgical intervention of a joint increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis
Viscosupplementation and Osteoarthritis in Winter Park, FL
Although the damage to joints from osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, osteoarthritis symptoms are typically manageable. Being physically active, keeping a healthy weight, and obtaining specific therapies may decrease the disease’s course and help with pain relief and joint function.
One of the treatments that has shown to be very effective for osteoarthritis is viscosupplementation.
What is Viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation is a treatment for the condition known as osteoarthritis. By replacing and promoting the creation of synovial fluid, a dense, gel-like substance that cushions the joint and provides lubrication to reduce friction, a thick fluid called hyaluronate is injected into the knee joint during the technique known as viscosupplementation.
Synoviocytes, the knee’s fluid-producing cells, are stimulated by hyaluronate to produce thicker, better-lubricating fluid, which forms a cushioning, shock-absorbing barrier between the cartilage surfaces. Hyaluronate effectively performs an “oil change” for the joint by enhancing its functionality. As a result, knee discomfort is reduced, mobility is enhanced, and a higher and more pleasant level of activity is made possible.
The Connection Between Viscosupplementation and Osteoarthritis
Viscosupplementation isn’t only applicable for knee joint osteoarthritis. This treatment, offered by Phoenix Integrated Medical, is effective for osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body, such as the shoulder and hips.
Consultation for Viscosupplementation
At Phoenix Integrated Medical, we offer consultations. This involves a thorough evaluation of your osteoarthritis condition. We evaluate how long it has been progressing, how far it’s progressed, and how much pain you are experiencing, as well as the source of that pain.
A differential diagnosis is prepared, where we determine if this breakthrough medical treatment for osteoarthritis might be a good solution for your specific situation.
Try Treatment with Viscosupplementation and Osteoarthritis
There are older variations of viscosupplementation that have been shown to be less effective for some people. These include treatments commonly called “gel injections,” and “rooster shots.” Unlike some other treatment centers, Phoenix Integrated Medical is on the cutting edge of this phenomenal medical treatment.
Our viscosupplementation and osteoarthritis treatments contain only the most effective FDA-approved supplements. In addition, the procedure itself is different at Phoenix Integrated Medical. We utilize fluoroscopic guidance, which enables our team to accurately guide the injections so that the fluid supplement is directed exactly where it needs to be into the knee joint, with a 99% success rate. This makes the viscosupplementation as effective as possible. When the procedure is performed without guidance, even the most experienced provider can miss the knee joint up to 30% of the time. Accuracy is crucial for the procedure to be effective and for you to obtain the results you deserve.
For more information on viscosupplementation or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us today.
Learn more about treating osteoarthritis with viscosupplementation located at our Winter Park, Florida office.