Osteoarthritis Treatment
Wear-and-tear joint degeneration — diagnosis and treatment at Arthritis Care of Texas.
The smooth cushion (cartilage) that covers the ends of your bones wears down over time. Without that cushion, bones rub together, which causes pain and stiffness. Treatment focuses on easing pain, keeping you moving, and protecting the joint.
Worn cartilage cannot be regrown, so the honest goal is control: less pain, better movement, and keeping the joint working for as long as possible. Success looks like walking, climbing stairs, and doing your daily activities with manageable discomfort — and, for many patients, delaying or avoiding joint replacement for years.
Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by joint damage caused by "wear and tear" occurring within joint cartilage over time. This degenerative joint disorder causes joint pain and tenderness, as well as swelling, stiffness and loss of flexibility among some patients. Osteoarthritis is progressive, beginning with minimal symptoms that gradually worsen. Some of the joints most susceptible to the disease include the knees, hips, hands, and lower back, although osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body.
Did you know… approximately 27 million people in the U.S. suffer from osteoarthritis? It is the most prevalent type of arthritis among adults all over the world. Adults over 18 — particularly those middle-aged or older — can help stave off osteoarthritis with moderate physical activity on a regular basis. Maintaining a healthy weight is also key, as excess weight places exponential pressure on the knees, which are especially prone to cartilage degeneration.
Am I at risk for osteoarthritis, or could I be suffering from it now?
The probability of developing osteoarthritis increases with age, with females and obese individuals at particularly high risk. You may be suffering from this condition if you experience chronic pain or stiffness in one or more joints. Only a rheumatologist can provide a reliable diagnosis, so schedule an appointment to find out whether osteoarthritis could be causing your joint pain.
What types of treatments are available for osteoarthritis?
There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, though treatments are available to help manage symptoms, maximize joint function, and slow progression. Depending on the extent of symptoms and discomfort, patients may benefit from pain medications, physical therapy, joint injections, or even surgery.
Is there anything I can do to help facilitate my treatment?
Yes. Most patients with osteoarthritis benefit from a healthy lifestyle, complete with a balanced diet and moderate amounts of low-impact exercise. You may also wish to speak to your doctor about being fitted for an orthopedic device when applicable.
Did you know?
- Osteoarthritis is ancient — its tell-tale signs show up in Egyptian mummies thousands of years old.
- Cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. One doctor cracked the knuckles of just one hand for 60 years to test the idea; both hands stayed equally healthy, and the experiment earned a light-hearted Ig Nobel Prize.
- Cartilage has no blood vessels, so it “eats” by being squeezed: moving a joint pumps nutrient-carrying fluid in and out — one more reason motion really is lotion.
Common worries
Will I definitely need a joint replacement?
No. Many people manage OA for life with exercise, weight management, aids, medicines, and occasional injections. Surgery is for when pain and lost function persist despite all of that — and it is a decision you make with full information, not a deadline.
Is exercise bad for a worn joint?
The opposite: muscles are the joint’s shock absorbers, and strengthening them is the single most effective long-term treatment. The right exercise does not wear cartilage faster — inactivity weakens the support the joint depends on.
Why might you order an X-ray or blood tests for ‘wear and tear’?
To make sure wear and tear is really the diagnosis. Inflammatory arthritis, gout, and other conditions can mimic OA and need different treatment — imaging and labs separate them so the plan fits the actual problem.
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What counts as a flare: joint pain clearly worse than your usual for more than 2–3 days, sometimes with swelling or a feeling of warmth, often after overuse or a minor twist.
What to do: rest the joint briefly, use ice and your agreed pain relief, then get moving again gently — joints stiffen with total rest. If it is not settling, call us at (361) 400-7700; an injection or a change of plan may help.
Do not adjust steroids on your own: do not start leftover steroid tablets for joint pain without calling — they are rarely the right tool for osteoarthritis and the dose matters.
What isn’t a flare: stiffness that eases within 30 minutes of moving, aches after a long walk that settle overnight, or weather-day soreness. Those are ordinary OA behaviour.
Ready to be seen? New patients are seen within 2–4 weeks.