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You're especially at risk if you are older, overweight, or have injured a joint, but arthritis affects young people too.
Osteoarthritis Risk Factors for Younger Generations
Strain and injury are common causes of knee pain in people under 50, but if you have a family history of arthritis, or you injured your knee at a young age, osteoarthritis may be the culprit, according to Doylestown Health orthopedic surgeon Charles B. Burrows, MD.
"A high school football player who tears a ligament or cartilage in the knee at the age of 18 would be much more likely to develop knee arthritis in middle age or earlier than the average person," he explains.
Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
If you wake up in the morning having stiff knees with the first step of the day, also known as "stiffness on startup," you may have osteoarthritis.
Swelling and pain after activity is another red flag. "Patients often report having difficulty with a sport or activity they used to participate in, or say they feel pain with everyday activities such as going to the mall or supermarket," says Dr. Burrows.
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis
In addition to obtaining a medical history and conducting a physical exam, your orthopedist will want to know about the symptoms and issues that prompted you to make an appointment. X-rays help determine if you have osteoarthritis, and an MRI may be ordered to take a closer look at cartilage and to check for other injuries, according to Dr. Burrows.Osteoarthritis Treatments
Your treatment for osteoarthritis may include the following:
- Over-the-counter medications including acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen to help with pain and inflammation
- Cortizone injections to relieve pain and inflammation
- Hyaluronic acid "gel shots" are lubricants injected into the arthritic knee
- Physical therapy
- Weight management
- Surgery when other treatments are no longer effective
Exercising with Osteoarthritis
"Though it sounds counterintuitive, exercise helps people who have osteoarthritis feel better in the long term," says Dr. Burrows, noting that physical therapists can work with patients to design a program to help them stay in shape without exacerbating symptoms. Options often include activities with the foot fixed in a device, such as a stationary bike or elliptical, which involve less impact on the knee.
Building the muscle around the knee joint can be very beneficial for the long-term management of arthritis, and in preparation for surgery, such as knee replacement.
Learn More
For more information visit Doylestown Health Orthopedic Care, or contact the Orthopedic Patient Navigator at 267-893-9303 or PDiPietro@dh.org.
About Doylestown Health
Doylestown Health is a comprehensive healthcare system of inpatient, outpatient, and wellness education services connected to meet the health needs of the local and regional community. The flagship of Doylestown Health is Doylestown Hospital, a not-for-profit, community teaching hospital with 242 beds and a medical staff of more than 600 providers who deliver the highest quality care in over 50 specialties. Renowned locally, regionally, and nationally, Doylestown Hospital provides superior healthcare and offers advanced surgical procedures, innovative medical treatments, and comprehensive specialty services. Now in its 100th year of service in central Bucks County, Doylestown Hospital is proud to educate and train the next generation of physicians through its family medicine residency program. Consistently ranked among the best hospitals in Pennsylvania and distinguished in both infection prevention and patient experience, Doylestown Hospital is the only hospital in Pennsylvania to achieve 17 consecutive ‘A’ grades for patient safety from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Learn more at doylestownhealth.org.
About Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
Located in the Ambulatory Center on the campus of Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown Health's spacious new Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center provides a convenient one-stop option for multidisciplinary outpatient therapy. Seamlessly connecting consultation, diagnosis, intervention and treatment services with physical therapy, occupational, hand and speech therapy, the Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center is staffed by licensed therapists only.
