What is Osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

• Pain – Joint pain is the most common symptom of Osteoarthritis. Activity can increase pain, while rest improves it.
• Stiffness – Joints may feel stiff, especially after periods of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while. Stretching before exerting oneself can be helpful.
• Swelling – The affected joint might swell due to inflammation.
• Loss of Flexibility – Over time, the joint may lose its full range of motion eventually making activities of daily living more difficult without treatment.
• Grating Sensation – You might feel or hear a grating, creaking, or crackling sound (crepitus) when moving the joint.
• Bone Spurs – Extra bits of bone (osteophytes) can form around the affected joint.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

• Age – The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age as cartilage naturally wears down over time.
• Injury – Sports injuries, car accidents, and other injuries, can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the injured joint(s).
• Repetitive Stress – Jobs or activities that put repetitive stress on a particular joint can lead to osteoarthritis.
• Obesity – Excess body weight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
• Genetics – A family history of osteoarthritis can make you more likely to develop the condition.
• Bone Deformities – Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Here at LaserTech, we believe the key to any pain treatment is getting to the root cause of your pain and treating the cause, not just the symptoms. 

• Lifestyle Modifications – 
  • Weight Management – Losing weight can reduce stress on weight-bearing joints.
  • Exercise – Regular physical activity strengthens the muscles around your joints, improves flexibility, and reduces pain.
• Pain Medication – Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain.
• Surgery – Joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion surgeries may be needed in severe circumstances.
• Non-Invasive Low-Level Cold Laser Therapy at LaserTech in Scottsdale