Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatment for Knee and Back Pain

At this time, there are two types of osteoarthritis, although the distinctions between them are becoming so blurred that many doctors think the first type will slowly stop being diagnosed.

Primary, or idiopathic, Arthritis is diagnosed when there is no known cause – in other words, when pain and swelling occur in a joint that was is otherwise healthy. This type of OA is generally considered to be related to old age.

Secondary osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint that results from another medical condition, usually an abrasion that damaged the cartilage or slightly shifted the bones to increase wear and tear on the region. This type may be caused by an acute trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, or it may be caused by repetitive stress to the knees. A baseball catcher, for instance, who is required to squat and stand up multiple times during each game may suffer a repetitive stress injury that throws the knee out of alignment and results in damaged structures.

As scientists and physicians are learning more about OA, however, they are discovering that many cases have their genesis in an underlying pathology. This type of pain of the hip, for instance, once believed to have no identifiable cause, is now recognized as possibly being the result of a congenital malformation of the hip.

Most researchers suspect that as they learn more about the diseases, conditions, and injuries that affect the areas where the bones meet, they will learn that no degenerative condition is truly primary or idiopathic. Inflammation, they believe, is always due to some underlying illness or physical problem; their goal is to discover the nature of these causes and how to treat them before the cartilage, ligaments, and other tissues sustain damage. If there is already decay then Osteo Relief Institute center uses non-surgical methods to help restore motion and decrease discomfort levels.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of our bone begins to wear away and lose its elasticity and plasticity. The more the ends of the bone rub against a harsh surface, like the ends of other bone, the more discomfort a person is likely to feel. OA is usually most problematic when it is developed in the hips and knees, making walking difficult and painful.

There are many risk factors that can lead a person to develop degenerative joint disease. Some of these factors are not under your control and they include:

• Getting older – joints that have taken a lifetime of abuse are simply more vulnerable to damage.
• Being female – scientists are unsure why, but women tend to develop osteoarthritis more frequently than men.
• Congenital bone malformations – this occurs when a child is born with a bone deformity that erodes the cartilage quickly.
• Illnesses – illnesses such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and gout have all been associated with Arthritis.

There are also some risks that can be avoided or alleviated through lifestyle changes, including:

• Obesity – being overweight puts more pressure on the articulations found throughout the body and causes decay to happen at a rapid pace.
• Being a couch potato – cartilage is actually nourished by movement and exercise. The saying that if you don’t use it you’ll lose it is true in this case.
• Repetitive stress injuries – those who suffer repetitive injuries to the lower extremities, such as people who move heavy objects for a living or professional athletes, have a higher likelihood for developing chronic articulation problems than those who are not.

Look at your own lifestyle. Are you in one or more categories that increase your odds of developing this type of disease? If so, review with your doctor at Osteo Relief Institute about ways to keep your knees and hips strong and healthy.

The knee is a joint, or a place in the body where two or more bones meet. Human knees, which face a lot of daily wear and tear and are vital for basic functions such as walking, running, jumping, or even sitting, are some of the more complex joints in the human body.

Three bones meet to form the joint complex. The femur connects with the tibia in the lower leg. The patella is small and is located in the front. It works to protect the anterior region from damage. A layer of cartilage lies between them for cushioning and to keep them from rubbing against each other. There is a capsule that is filled with synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant. If this cartilage erodes and the fluid loses it’s normal normal protecting characteristics, a condition known as osteoarthritis may cause damage and walking becomes very painful. At Osteo Relief Institute we review in detail the signs and symptoms and treat this problem using non-surgical techniques that decrease discomfort and improve mobility.

Ligaments are a part of the anatomy that are strong and stabilize the area. They include the collateral ligament, located on the sides, the anterior cruciate with prevents hyperextension, and the posterior cruciate which prevents the tibia from sliding too far back and pulling the entire area out of alignment.

Tendons are another safeguard and help provide stabilization. Their role, however, is to connect muscle to bone. The quadriceps tendons, for instance, connect the muscles of the thigh to the kneecap. In order for the region to work properly, all of these parts of the body must work in unison. If one breaks down, pain and mobility issues arise.

The link between chronic pain and depressive symptoms is clear, but it is also complex. Exploring it often leads researchers into a chicken-or-egg debate. Do people become depressed because they are hurting, or is it the other way around?

The answer seems to be that both scenarios occur. It’s understandable that someone experiencing ongoing bodily discomfort might become discouraged and run down; however, it’s also true that disconsolation magnifies perception of the agony and misery from a disorder or disease process. Research into the matter has shown that people who chronically experience body discomfort are three times more likely than the general population to develop depressive manifestations. The reverse is also true. People who are depressed are three times more likely than the general population to develop ongoing negative symptoms.

In 2004, the Harvard Mental Health newsletter suggested that perhaps the two conditions shouldn’t be considered as separate disorders and that ongoing discomfort is both a corporal and an emotional problem. Certainly, doctors have had their hands full treating chronic-pain-syndrome, or CPS, as a purely physical disorder. In fact, there is some information noting that tricyclic antidepressants are more likely to alleviate evidence of CPS than are traditional analgesics, and research into brain chemistry has revealed that the part of the brain that decides how to handle achy, irritated, and sore signals uses some of the same neurotransmitters that govern mood.

It’s clear that physicians who treat CPS patients need to be on notice that they are likely dealing with individuals who experience hopelessness, dreariness, and sadness as well. Interventions work best when they are designed to take both mood and the actual faulty body organs, joints, or system into account. We will review your entire history at your Osteo Relief Institute location and make sure that a complete treatment plan works towards achieving full mobility and as little discomfort as possible.

There are quick fixes that we can go after and think that they will provide us with the best long-term result. Sometimes this is the case, other times it is not. When dealing with a chronic condition we need to evaluate all of the options available and choose the one that will provide us the best possible outcome.

Cortisone is a specific kind of steroid and is produced in our body’s adrenal gland; which is located right above each of our kidneys. Whenever the body undergoes stress it is released into the blood stream. It works to store up sugar in the liver and breaks down proteins so it can be used. It also causes the kidneys to increase salt into the body system. Finally, it decreases inflammation. The last thing that was just mentioned is what is hoped for and why it is used in body joints. If the inflammation is decreased inside the joint capsule then pain levels should go down and the range of motion can increase.

The injections that are used are a synthetic medicine. It is not placed into the bloodstream but directly into the problem area and it is longer lived than the kind that our body makes. Very high concentrations of it are used and relief is typically noticed with a few days. It can work for a few weeks. At Osteo Relief Institute we recommend cortisone injections for knee osteoarthritis only as a last resort, only to be used when all other options have been exhausted in a last effort to avoid knee surgery. It is believed to weaken the soft tissues and cartilage in the joint and could lead to further degeneration. Because of this most physicians, doctors, and specialists limit the number of shots to three per year.

We can gather the most accurate information by taking the time to do so. Time spent finding solutions to things that are holding us back is time well spent. The information below might be helpful to those in need of it.

It can be beneficial to use a cane when you have a knee problem. Injuries do happen and recovery time is essential. Bed rest might be recommended for a while and activity usually happens sooner or later. A walking aid can allow for exercise while offering some protection from further damage to the joint. It can help with balance and assist in keeping weight off the injured joint.

A cane should be sturdy and strong and not too heavy. A comfortable handle should be at the top and a rubber piece should be at the bottom to prevent slippage during use. The correct height is critical because it could make the problem flare up during use if it is not the right size. With the arm out it should be comfortable with the arm at a forty-five degree angle.

Which side is best to use a cane with a bad knee? Use it on the same side where the injury is. The aid will bear the majority of the weight and should be used by placing the end a small amount in front of you. Then take a step forward with the opposite leg. Using stairs can be difficult and elevators should be used if possible. If you are required to use the stairs then make sure to grab the handrail with a solid grip and switch the aid to the opposite hand. Step up or down with the opposite leg to the injured joint. At Osteo Relief Institute we will review all the correct activities of daily living (ADL) for osteoarthritis. Contact the location nearest you if you would like to help increase your mobility levels and decrease your pain.

There are conditions that we have no control over and there is nothing that can be done. There are others where we are able to make certain changes before things get worse and prevent further damage. We will discuss something that can be done to help prevent one condition from getting worse.

There are quite a few things that contribute to the degeneration of the joints in the body. Many are lifestyle related and can include previous injuries, body weight, physical activity levels, and diet. Choosing the right foods to eat is one way to help the problem and can possibly improve it. A well-balanced approach for eating meals throughout the day is effective. Fruits and vegetables that have high vitamin and mineral levels are recommended. There are osteoarthritis diet foods to avoid. It is recommended by Osteo Relief Institute to have a list of these foods in your kitchen so they are clearly visible. Partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and sugar are the two things that should be passed on as much as possible.

The Avoid List:

1. Sugar. ex: candy bars, canned fruits, and soda.
2. White flower. ex: muffins, doughnuts, cookies, and white bread.
3. White pasta. ex: noodles.
4. Fried foods. ex: French fries, fried chicken, and mozzarella sticks.

Not eating the foods mentioned in the list above is a great place to start. The list can get bigger if you really want to make the right choices to help decrease the pain and improve the physical condition of the joints. What you choose to eat is just one of the many factors contributing to the condition getting better or not. Positive results happen when there is an effective treatment plan, which can include diet, natural joint lubrication treatments, and specific exercises.

The information that you will find below could answer exactly what you were looking for. Please read it all the way through and if you have questions make sure to contact us.

Osteoarthritis is one type of Arthritis that causes the cartilage of the joint to breakdown and degenerate. Cartilage is a specific type of connective tissue. The cells that make it up are named chondrocytes. They are ingrained in a matrix, which is made up of collagen and possibly elastin. The different types are elastic, hyaline, and fibrocartilage. For the purpose of this discussion we will discuss the kind that cushions the joints and prevents the bones from rubbing together (hyaline) and the kind that connects ligaments and tendons to bones and is the make up of spinal discs (fibrocartilage).

The joint cartilage can experience “wear and tear” because of excess stress being placed onto it. This is a cause of past traumas that damaged the tissues or bones, wearing high-heeled shoes, and numerous other things where repetitive motion is not executed in a healthy way. Ultimately it will degenerate and form crevices. The cushion that it did provide will become less and less over time and can result in bone rubbing against bone. This causes inflammation, pain, and decreased range of motion. At Osteo Relief Institute we specialize in the treatment of joint pain using natural techniques. For more information please contact one of the locations nearest you.

Words mean different things and sometimes long and complicated words can seem to be quite difficult to pronounce and understand.  They really are not all that difficult once you understand the meaning.  Pathophysiology is the study of pathology (study of disease) and function.  It is the changing of disease, how it progresses.  We will review a few things on how Osteoarthritis progresses.

The joints of the body have a layer of cartilage that protects the bones from grinding together and works to help absorb shock.  Arthritis is a condition that breaks down the cartilage.  It is very complicated process, however we will try and make it as easy to understand as possible.

With a healthy joint the cartilage is viscoelastic and has a balance of enzymes that re-generate and degenerate.  There is ample amounts of synovial fluid and lubrication.  When there is OA the degenerative enzymes take over at a greater rate and the cartilage breaks down.  The enzymes basically break the tissue down faster, the joint becomes inflamed, and there can be less synovial fluid and less lubrication.  OsteoRelief Institute uses non-surgical treatments that work to cushion joints and increase the lubricating aspects.  Our treatments work to replenish the cartilage and bring health back into the joints.

We all live each and every day to our fullest.  Sometimes things work out just perfectly, while other times they don’t.  Living with certain things can make our days filled with joy, or they can take it away.  We will review one thing that some people have to live with each and every day, and that is chronic pain.

To start this off we are going to discuss the difference between Acute pain vs. chronic pain.  They have a variety of definitions.  Some state that any pain that lasts under thirty day period is acute, while others believe it is chronic if it lasts more than one year.  It is agreed by most that pain that goes beyond the expected period of time of normal healing is chronic.

Chronic pain is not something that is good for the health.  It can move into a chronic stress situation which can raise blood pressure and increase the heart rate.  This problem can lead into heart disease and other serious conditions.

Treatment involves both physical and cognitive aspects and should be planned out over the long term.  Living with chronic pain should involve a plan that can calm the body down and manage stress.  The goal is to not overload the body with unnecessary stresses that will worsen the entire body system.   Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not recommended as they can cause more stress on the body.  Support groups have been shown to be beneficial.  Taking medication is often a daily action to manage the pain.  Discuss all medications with your Doctor and know which meds work best to give you the most benefit.

Try to stay positive even though it is difficult.  If at all possible look into non-surgical techniques that can lessen the pain.  If you are dealing with chronic osteoarthritis then you could contact your local Osteo Relief Institute for a consultation.  Arthritis is a cause of chronic pain and with new advances in technology pain can be managed without the use of drugs or surgery.