When you are dealing with the pain of osteoarthritis in your knee, you need to find help from a trusted degenerative osteoarthritis doctor Pottstown, PA residents rely on. Because osteoarthritis is common as people age, many people do not always take the time to see if there is something they can do about it. They may consider it a part of life or a part of the aging process. However, you should not feel like you need to live with this kind of pain regularly. Osteoarthritis in your knee joints can be debilitating and we would like to help you find a solution to get rid of that pain. Want to learn more about the non-surgical options for your osteoarthritis? Give Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania a call today.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Are these basically the same things?
To some people, they may think any form of arthritis is going to be practically the same thing. However, this is not true. Someone who is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis has pain because their immune system is not functioning properly. The immune system performs the wrong task and attacks a person’s joints. Osteoarthritis, however, occurs as people age. Cartilage begins wearing away as a person gets older.
Are there factors that can make someone more at risk for osteoarthritis?
Absolutely. Your knee doctor Pottstown, PA recommends knows that certain factors can absolutely contribute to knee osteoarthritis or make it a higher likelihood that you will get it. Some of these factors are:
- You have previous injuries to your knee
- You are overweight or obese
- You are older
- You have a problem with your hormone levels
- You do not have the correct calcium, magnesium, or vitamin D levels
When you are suffering from knee osteoarthritis, you may experience symptoms such as stiffness, a limited range of motion, and swelling at the joint. This can make it increasingly more difficult to go about your daily tasks and continue performing activities you enjoy.
Should you go in for surgery?
Surgery may be an option that could help you. However, it should never be the first option you go for. Surgery is expensive and can come with serious side effects. There are other more affordable options that will not only target your knee but can help improve your whole life as well. Your knee doctor may want to discuss lifestyle and nutrition changes, physical therapy and exercises, and specific injections to begin healing your knee.
Who can help me with my knee osteoarthritis?
If you want to learn more about getting help when you are suffering from knee pain that is the result of osteoarthritis, call our Pottstown, Pennsylvania degenerative osteoarthritis doctor now.
Can diet and exercise help with my osteoarthritis?
You should always speak to a medical professional before deciding to change anything with your diet. This is important because he or she can look at the entire picture of your health, which is unique, rather than just trying to fix one isolated issue. People need to be mindful of all of their medical conditions so that they can treat everything as a whole, rather than just looking after one individual symptom.
Diet and exercise can definitely make a great impact on osteoarthritis. There are supplements that may be important for your bones and health, as well as certain foods that can help with pain and inflammation. Some people believe different anti-inflammatory diets are beneficial in aiding issues with osteoarthritis. Regular exercise can also help, as moving around will keep joints moving properly and can strengthen muscles, which will put less pressure on joints and bones.
What are good exercises for osteoarthritis?
One of the best things you can do for any kind of injury or disease is go swimming. Water is healing and helps facilitate movements without putting too much pressure on your muscles and joints. If you have access to a pool and know how to swim, this could be a great way to stay strong and healthy while keeping your osteoarthritis in mind. Gentle stretching and light weight lifting can be good as well, but this should be monitored by a physical therapist to make sure you are doing things properly. Your PT can help you in their office so that you can eventually do your exercises at home with confidence. This will be a great long term solution to figuring out how to manage your pain and hopefully become stronger over time. You deserve to feel well and be able to do normal things throughout the day without being in pain, and your doctor will do his or her best to make this a reality for you.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you care about is experiencing pain from degenerative osteoarthritis, you need to reach out to our office today to set up an appointment. One of our experienced medical professionals can help figure out a treatment plan that will make your quality of life much better. The sooner you reach out, the faster we will be able to address your issues and help you with your health. Contact a knee doctor in Pottstown, Pennsylvania from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania today to set up a consultation and learn more about what we do to help our patients.