Treating arthritis: A joint decision
If getting out of the recliner isn't as easy as it used to be or a day in the garden means a week with sore joints, you may be experiencing arthritis. The most common type, osteoarthritis, affects more than 20 million Americans. It can occur in any joint as a normal part of aging or be linked to sports injuries, gender, obesity and occupation. But how do you know when your stiffness is a part of the normal aging process or a signal that it's time to see a physician?
"It's important to talk to your physician when the symptoms first appear," explains
Adrienne Hollander, MD, Virtua Health rheumatologist. "Early treatment may slow the harmful effects of arthritis. Treatment options may include exercise, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling. If initial treatments don't work and the disease progresses, patients may need to consider having joint replacement surgery."
Dr. Hollander adds that weight loss can be a big factor in successfully treating arthritis. "For every pound lost, four pounds of pressure are relieved from the knees," she says. "This can greatly reduce the side effects of arthritis and slow its progression."
The meaning of arthritis
As people age, they naturally lose muscle mass and cartilage — the spongy substance on the ends of bones. Without the protection of cartilage, bones begin to rub against each other. This causes friction that leads to the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis.
"The meaning of the word arthritis is joint inflammation," says Dr. Hollander. "This inflammation or swelling is usually the first thing people notice. They start to feel fullness in their joints. This is often accompanied by pain, stiffness, warmth and redness."
Is a joint replacement right for you?
"Patients need a joint replacement when arthritis pain disrupts sleep or when they begin to avoid certain activities because of the discomfort," says
Benjamin Smolenski, MD, Virtua Health orthopaedic surgeon.
Dr. Smolenski, who has been in practice for more than 30 years, explains that people remain active into their 80s and 90s, which is why it's important for patients to fully understand joint replacements prior to surgery. For example, there are several different types of replacement joints as well as different surgical techniques. At Virtua, we offer all options for joint replacement — from ceramic-on-ceramic joints to minimally invasive surgical procedures.
"It's also important to consider the life of a replacement joint as well," says Dr. Smolenski. "The life of a joint is directly related to the way it's used. The average replacement will continue to work for approximately 15 years. But this may be shortened with added strain from a patient being overweight or from extreme use such as jogging more than five miles a day."
If you are looking for a physician to help you manage arthritis pain or if you need help deciding if a joint replacement is right for you, there's no better place to start than the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center at Virtua Health. Virtua offers a total program of arthritis prevention, education and self-management.
For those requiring surgery, Virtua Health is the area's leader
Virtua surgeons train physicians from around the world in the latest techniques for minimally invasive joint replacements. To make an appointment with a Virtua Health physician or for a free information guide to total joint replacement, call
1-888-Virtua-3.