Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain Relief in Harrisburg

Guide to Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain Relief in Harrisburg, PA

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also referred to as “wear and tear arthritis” or degenerative joint disease. It is the most common form of arthritis, impacting over 30 million American adults. Learn more about this disease with this quick guide.

What Is Osteoarthritis and What Causes It?

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage between joints wears down. While it can occur in any joint, it is most common in the spine, hips, knees, and hands.

Osteoarthritis can affect anyone, but the following factors increase the risk of OA:

• Age (Risk tends to increase as you get older)
• Sex (Females typically experience osteoarthritis more than men)
• Injuries in the joints
• Genetics
• Bone deformities or conditions
• Repetitive stress on joints
• Obesity
• Inactivity

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis typically comes with the following symptoms:

• Pain in the affected joint, from mild to intense
• Tenderness
• Stiffness, especially after sleeping or being sedentary
• Popping and cracking of the joint
• Swelling
• Bone spurs
• Decreased flexibility

4 Stages of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is categorized into four different levels.

Stage 1: Minor

Stage 1 osteoarthritis involves minor wear and tear of the joints. Patients in this stage usually experience very little pain, but some feel no pain at all.

Stage 2: Mild

Stage 2 usually involves more noticeable symptoms. It usually comes with bone spurs that cause mild pain, and the affected area is usually stiff if it hasn’t been used for a while. Some patients in Stage 2 need a brace.

Stage 3: Moderate

Erosion of the cartilage begins in Stage 3. Most patients experience joint inflammation and discomfort when carrying out their normal daily activities.

Stage 4: Severe

Stage 4 typically contains a lot of pain. By this point, most of the cartilage in the affected area is gone and the patient experiences extreme inflammation of the joints.

Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause. Most treatment plans include a combination of the following, depending on the patient’s needs.

• Weight loss
• Exercise programs
• Braces, canes, or walking sticks
• Physical therapy
• Gentle chiropractic adjustments
• Topical medications

With osteoarthritis, joint pain relief requires more than one type of treatment. Our chiropractor can help determine the best course of action to get you living your best life.

Find Joint Pain Relief from Our Harrisburg, PA Chiropractor

Osteoarthritis can be miserable, but you don’t have to take it lying down. Give our team at Skocik Chiropractic a call today at (717) 540-8448 to get started on your customized treatment plan.