Cartilage provides cushioning between your bones and allows your joints to move smoothly. 

Osteoarthritis (OA), is a condition that causes cartilage to break down. As cartilage wears away, it causes pain and swelling and limits your range of motion. Over time, it can lead to broken bones and joint damage.

OA, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It affects people of all ages, but it’s most common in people 65 and older. It can affect any joint, but most often it occurs in the neck, lower back, hips, knees, fingers, or toes. Symptoms usually come on slowly and get worse over time, including:

• Joint pain or stiffness first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity
• Stiffness that goes away after movement
• A clicking sound when you bend the joint
• Joint swelling
• Pain that gets worse after activity or at the end of the day

Get treatment for OA early to help maintain your range of motion, protect your joints, and prevent broken bones. Rheumatologists at University of Miami Health System are experienced in diagnosing and treating OA and using the latest approaches in arthritis care. With locations throughout South Florida, you can get expert care nearby.

Treatments for OA

Medicines
Your doctor may use one or more medicines to treat osteoarthritis, including:

• Analgesics: relieve pain, such as over-the-counter aspirin or prescription medicine such as tramadol
• Corticosteroids: slow your body's immune response to relieve swelling and pain Hyaluronic acid: a naturally occurring substance in joint fluid that lubricates joints and provides cushioning
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): reduce swelling and relieve pain, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)

Some of the medicines can be taken as a pill or applied as a cream, while others — like hyaluronic acid and some corticosteroids — are injected directly into the joint.

Physical and Occupational Therapies
A physical therapist can show you exercises and stretches to keep your joints flexible. Physical and occupational therapists can also help you with assistive devices to make everyday activities easier, including canes, scooters, or walkers, as well as jar openers or long-handled devices, and other aids. Your therapist may also fit you with specialized braces or orthotics prescribed by your doctor.

Weight Loss
Being overweight puts more stress on your hips, knees, and back, and can worsen joint pain. Your care team can help you maintain a healthy weight to prevent further damage to your joints and improve your overall health and well-being.

Surgery
Your doctor may recommend joint replacement or another joint-restoring procedure for hips or knees that are severely damaged by osteoarthritis. Our orthopedic surgeons are skilled in the latest, least-invasive approaches to treat osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.

How to Test for OA

Imaging Exams
Doctors use noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (tests that use magnetic energy and radio waves) and X-rays to look for early signs of osteoarthritis and cartilage damage.

Joint Aspiration
This procedure, also called arthrocentesis, allows your doctor to examine joint fluid (synovial fluid) to discover the cause of the swelling. Your doctor uses a needle to withdraw the fluid, which is analyzed in the lab.

Why Choose UHealth?

The latest osteoarthritis treatments. In addition to treating patients, our rheumatologists conduct research to find better approaches for managing the disease. That means you receive care from specialists on the leading edge of arthritis care.

Expert diagnosis and personalized attention. Our rheumatologists are experienced at identifying the cause of joint pain and helping you feel better fast. We develop a customized treatment plan that matches your lifestyle and is designed around what’s important to you.

Comprehensive care from a team of specialists. Our rheumatologists work with orthopedic specialists, physical and occupational therapists, pain management specialists, and other health care professionals to help you feel better — from personalized stretching, exercise, and weight-loss plans to the latest approaches in joint replacement surgery.