3 Surgery-Free Solutions to Arthritis Pain

Have you been sidelined because of arthritis? Whether it’s in the knees or elsewhere, the pain and inflammation from your arthritis can be debilitating and interfere with daily life and your general health. For example, if you have knee arthritis and it’s hard to walk, you likely aren’t getting the amount of exercise you need to stay healthy and control your weight. 

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Coastal Empire Orthopedics treat many patients with arthritis. You’re looking for answers for your swollen, painful joints. The stiffness you’re experiencing may have limited your range of motion. We ensure you receive the correct diagnosis and offer a range of treatments for arthritis. 

In addition to pain medication, which offers temporary relief, three non-surgical solutions help ease arthritis pain. 

Platelet-rich plasma 

Regenerative medicine is changing orthopedic practice. Our practice offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to calm arthritic inflammation, which reduces your pain. PRP uses your own blood to help heal your body. 

PRP is becoming a standard of care for certain types of arthritis. Once experimental, recent years of study have led to treatment protocols that yield positive outcomes. 

Your blood is mixed in a centrifuge machine that gathers plasma with a high concentration of your platelets. The platelets have healing properties, including the ability to create collagen, a key protein and modulate inflammation. Platelets also have proteins called growth factors that bring stem cells to the site of your pain. They morph into cells that help repair the damage caused by your arthritis. 

Your physician uses guided injection so that the PRP goes to work directly at the site of your pain. Studies yield positive results for patients treated with PRP for knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and jumper’s knee (patellar tendinosis). 

Hyaluronic acid injections

If conservative treatments don’t work, your physician may recommend a hyaluronic acid injection to help quell your arthritic pain. This acid is already in your body naturally; it’s a protective mechanism that lubricates your joints. With aging and wear and tear, your body produces less hyaluronic acid, and its composition is degraded. 

If you’re diabetic with high blood sugar, a hyaluronic acid injection is a better option for you than a cortisone shot, which can raise blood sugar. Just like your car needs oil changes, your joint is going to feel better once it’s well lubricated again. 

Physical therapy 

Physical therapy is a standard treatment for osteoarthritis. It helps you reduce joint stiffness and regain lost range of motion. Your therapist leads you through passive modalities such as massage, ultrasound, ice, or heat, and active modalities such as stretches and exercises that strengthen the muscles surrounding your joint. 

Call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment online today for relief from your painful arthritis. We have solutions to help you regain your quality of life.