Arthritis & Osteoarthritis Treatment in Orange County

Offering Award-Winning Orthopedic Care

When it comes to effective arthritis and orthopedic care, you deserve treatment from renowned experts. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, you will meet with a board certified orthopedist who can diagnose and treat your affected joints.

During a physical exam, your doctor will check your affected painful joints for swelling, flexibility, tenderness, and redness. Imaging tests may be ordered to get detailed images of the inner structures of the affected joint(s), including X-rays. Although X-rays only show the hard tissue (bones) underneath the skin, it can reveal there is a narrowing of the space between the joint’s bone, suggesting possible osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may also be useful to provide more information in complex cases, as they produce detailed images of the soft tissues, including the patient’s cartilage.

Lab tests may also be ordered for arthritis, such as blood tests to rule out other potential conditions that mimic arthritis. A lab test can also pinpoint the specific type of arthritis you have, as each type has specific treatment protocols that are unique to your needs.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Known as the “wear and tear” form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form of the condition, and results from cartilage cushions between the ends of bones gradually disintegrating, leading to pain and stiffness worsening over time. Most people affected with osteoarthritis are middle-aged, and although there is no cure for the condition, many pain management treatments are effective. The most commonly affected joints in the body include the knees, hips, and spine.

These joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis - instead of having ample smooth cartilage allowing the bones to glide easily against each other - gradually have little or no cartilage, and are bone-against bone with now a frayed, rough surface and no cushion between the bones.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis worsen over time, and often include:

• Pain, especially during or after movement
• Stiffness, particularly upon awakening or after periods of inactivity
• Tenderness in the affected joint(s)
• Limited range of motion or flexibility
• Grating sensation without the cartilage cushioning the bones

Treatment for Arthritis

While osteoarthritis can be managed, most damage to the joint is irreversible. Orthopedic doctors often recommend staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, taking certain medications, cortisone injections, physical/occupational therapy, and surgery are all potential treatments for arthritis. These treatments can help slow the disease’s progression while helping improve comfort and joint function.

Surgical Treatment for Arthritis

The main surgical procedure to repair arthritis joint replacement (arthroplasty). In this procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal implants to restore the integrity of the joint.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has been ranked as “High Performing” by U.S. News & World Report for Hip and Knee Replacements in 2020-2021. And, HOI has performed the highest number of joint replacement procedures in the state of California for eight consecutive years.¹ You will be in expert hands if you choose to have your joint replacement surgery at HOI.

Apart from these treatments, your doctor may advise you to maintain a healthy weight if you are carrying extra weight, which increases the pressure on weight-bearing joints, including the hips and knees.

Get the very best arthritis treatment in Orange County at Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Simply call (949) 705-6493 for more information, or to book your appointment.

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