Osteoarthritis treatment

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone condition that most commonly affects the knees, hips and small joints in the hands.

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I have a question about osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone condition that can affect any joint in the body, but the most common areas affected are the knees, hips, ankles and small joints in the hands. Often osteoarthritis symptoms appear in one joint or a few joints at any one time.

What causes osteoarthritis?

You’re more likely to experience osteoarthritis as you get older; the cartilage that cushions your joints wears down and becomes thinner. The joint surfaces then become damaged and inflamed, and pain occurs when the joint moves and bone grates on bone.

People working in heavy manual occupations are also more likely to suffer from knee osteoarthritis.

What are common osteoarthritis symptoms?

Often referred to as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis the most common osteoarthritis symptoms are pain during and after movement and stiffness in your joints, especially if you’ve not moved for a while. Other symptoms include:

Joint tenderness, particularly when light pressure is applied
Limited range of movement in your joints and loss of flexibility
A grating sensation in your joints when movement occurs
Joints may appear larger or more bone spurs (lumps) appear, on or around the joints

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Whilst osteoarthritis symptoms may come and go in episodes in the early stages, in severe cases the level of pain can greatly restrict normal life and everyday activities and has a significant impact on quality of life.

You should see your GP as soon as possible if you have continuous and persistent symptoms, such as knee pain. They can refer you to our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons for a physical examination and an X-ray. They might recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan which will show the soft tissues and identify changes in the bone that aren’t visible on a standard X-ray.

There’s no blood test for osteoarthritis but these tests can be used to rule out other conditions.

What options are available for osteoarthritis treatment?

Whilst there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, it can be managed to reduce and alleviate the pain associated with the condition. You should:

Monitor your symptoms and their impact on your day to day activities
Exercise regularly, including muscle strengthening, general aerobic fitness and stretching and manipulation of joints and muscles
Keep your weight under control by committing to a healthy diet and exercise plan to relieve pressure on joints

Medication

Paracetamol and/or topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroid injections can help reduce or manage inflammation and joint pain – but you should seek professional medical advice before taking any medications for osteoarthritis treatment.

Injections

Cortisone injection

The treatment involves injecting a cortisone steroid directly into the joint in order to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in a joint caused by injury or arthritis and allow you to move the affected joint much more comfortably and easily. The treatment can relieve pain symptoms for several months.

Durolane® injection

Durolane® is a single injection hyaluronic acid therapy for mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Arthrosamid® injection

Arthrosamid® is an innovative, injectable gel used as a treatment for knee pain and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis - without the need for surgery.

A single Arthrosamid® injection, performed in our Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) under local anaesthetic, cushions and lubricates your knee joint, reducing stiffness and pain for longer than other types of injection.

Joint surgery

When your osteoarthritis reaches a severe stage, you may need arthroscopy or joint replacement surgery. Our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons can remove the damaged joint and put in a new one.

Find out more about our best in class joint replacement procedures and Rapid Recovery programme for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip and osteoarthritis of the knee.

Work-related injury care and prevention

If you work in the trades or have a manual job, injuries such as sprains and strains can be debilitating. Discover more about injury prevention and your treatment options at our private hospital in Kent.

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Our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons

Nik Bakti

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Bakti specialises in shoulder procedures.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Nik Bakti

Alex Chipperfield

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Chipperfield's specialties include hip and knee replacement, including ROSA knee, revision hip and knee replacement, Arthrosamid® injections and more.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent | London

Mr Alex Chipperfield Book online

Baljinder Singh Dhinsa

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Singh Dhinsa's specialties include hallux valgus surgery and management of foot and ankle conditions

Language(s): English, Punjabi

Location(s): Kent

Mr Singh Dhinsa

Michael Dunning

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Dunning's specialities include hallux valgus surgery, sports injuries of the foot and ankle and arthrodesis surgery.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Michael Dunning

Satish Ganesan

Consultant Spinal Specialist

Mr Ganesan is a specialist in the diagnosis and management of most aspects of lower spinal conditions.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Satish Ganesan

Richard Goddard

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Goddard's specialties include total knee replacement and Signature total knee replacement.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Richard Goddard Book online

Christopher James

Orthopaedic and trauma consultant

Mr James' specialties include hand and wrist surgery, both open and arthroscopic procedures.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Christopher James

Mark Jones

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Mark Jones specialises in knee replacement and knee surgeries, including ROSA knee, as well as Arthrosamid® injections.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Mark Jones Book online

Omar Mohamed

Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Specialist

Mr Mohamed's specialties include treatments for back pain and spinal conditions.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Omar Mohamed

Daniel Neen

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Neen's specialities include clavicle surgery, shoulder surgery, elbow surgery and wrist and hand surgery.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Daniel Neen

Matthew Oliver

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Oliver's specialties include total hip and knee replacement, including ROSA knee, enhanced recovery protocols and Dupuytrens disease.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Matthew Oliver Book online

Kumar Reddy

Associate Specialist Surgeon

Mr Reddy specialises in total hip and knee replacements, revision joint replacements, ACL reconstruction, and more.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Kumar Reddy Book online

Guy Selmon

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Selmon is Regional Coordinator for the NJR and has expanded his adult spinal practice.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Guy Selmon

Andrew Smith

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Andrew Smith is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, hand and wrist arthritis

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Andrew Smith

Crispin Southgate

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Southgate's specialities include foot and ankle conditions - covering sports injuries and more.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Crispin Southgate

Hemant Thakral

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Thakral's specialties include shoulder arthroscopic surgery, complex joint replacements for arthritis and trauma.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Hemant Thakral

Raman Thakur

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Thakur's specialties include hip and knee replacement, ACL reconstruction and general orthopaedics.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Raman Thakur Book online

Dimitri Yanni

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Yanni's specialties include elbow, hand and wrist surgery.

Language(s): English, French

Location(s): Kent

Mr Dimitri Yanni

Omar Yanni

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Yanni's specialties include treatment for spinal conditions.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr Omar Yanni

William Dunnet

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Dunnet's specialities include hip surgery, patella realignment and lower limb procedures.

Language(s): English

Location(s): Kent

Mr William Dunnet Book online

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