Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting the joints, causing pain and stiffness. Our experienced team of Rheumatologists at ArthritisCARE are here to guide you through the diagnosis, management and treatment for osteoarthritis.
We provide individually tailored and holistic treatment plans for effective management and to get you back on your feet. Contact ArthritisCARE today and make an appointment with one of our friendly Rheumatologists.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the cartilage, bone, ligaments and the muscles around the joint. As the disease progresses, patients will experience cartilage loss or damage, bony spurs or ligament deterioration. This leads to joint inflammation, pain and reduced flexibility.
What joints are affected by osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis most commonly affects weight-bearing joints like your hips, knees and spine. It can also impact other smaller joints, such as your fingers, wrists and toes.
What causes osteoarthritis?
The exact cause of why people develop osteoarthritis is unknown. However, we do know that there are several factors that play a significant role in increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis. These are:
- Age
- Previous joint injuries
- Genetic predisposition
- Overweight and obesity
- Heavy lifting or manual labouring, especially if kneeling, climbing and squatting.
What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?
The signs and symptoms can vary between individuals and also depend on which joints are affected by osteoarthritis. It is also common for OA to progress slowly over months or years, where individuals may feel pain and stiffness of the joints, worsened by physical activity.
These symptoms will become more constant as the disease progresses. This leads to difficulties managing everyday tasks, such as turning on taps, tying shoelaces, opening jars, walking or climbing stairs. You may also notice clicking noises or a grating sensation when moving, or decreased range of movement in your joints.
Our friendly Rheumatologists can accurately diagnose and offer a range of treatments for osteoarthritis to help improve your quality of life.
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
At ArthritisCARE we use your medical history, symptoms, physical examination and x-rays to accurately diagnose osteoarthritis.
Imaging and scans
X-rays can show joint damage, such as a previous joint injury or wear and tear. These images will aid out diagnosis by providing clear images of your affected joints.
Tests
Sometimes we may also require blood tests to rule out other types of arthritis or illness that may be causing your joint pain.
Experience Personalised Rheumatology Care That Puts Your Needs First
What are the treatment options for osteoarthritis?
We use several different options to tailor a holistic plan that will reduce pain and symptoms so you can get back to enjoying life. Sometimes we may need to trial several different treatments before finding the right ones that work for you.
Medication management
You may be prescribed analgesics or Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) to relieve pain and inflammation of the affected joint.
Occupational or physiotherapy
An occupational therapist or physiotherapist can provide aids and exercise programs to improve joint mobility, strengthen muscles and help you function independently. They can recommend supportive aids such as:
- Braces
- Walking sticks
- Shoe inserts
- Zipper pullers
- Show horns
- Ergonomic cutlery
- Shower chairs
- Rails or ramps
Surgery and other procedures
In severe cases, an Orthopaedic Surgeon may recommend joint surgery. Artificial joint replacement surgery is mainly used for severe osteoarthritis with damaged joints and where other therapies are not working to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Lifestyle modifications
An exercise program and healthy eating can help with losing weight. By decreasing body weight to a healthy weight range you can significantly reduce the load on your joints. This helps to alleviate joint pain and inflammation and can decrease the risk of long term damage.
Alternative therapies
Some patients find natural, or alternative therapies, help to ease pain and inflammation. These can be methods, such as:
- Acupuncture
- Osteopathy or remedial massage
- Nutritional supplements or herbal remedies (please speak to your doctor before taking any supplements).
Why choose ArthritisCARE for your
osteoarthritis treatment in Brisbane?
At ArthritisCARE, we understand the significant impact osteoarthritis symptoms can have on your daily life. Our team specialises in managing and treating this condition to help improve your quality of life. With personalised treatment plans, state-of-the-art facilities and the latest in therapy, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you manage osteoarthritis.
Meet Dr Peter Landsberg
The founder of ArthritisCARE, Dr Peter Landsberg, has assembled a team of compassionate and highly skilled Rheumatologists and support staff. His expertise lies in treating all types of arthritis, from inflammatory and rheumatoid arthritis to osteoarthritis and gout. He is committed to reducing pain and enhancing quality of life through holistic, personalised treatment plans.
How to find us
- 24 Railway Terrace (Corner of Pound Street) Dutton Park QLD 4102
- (07) 3255 1066
- (07) 3255 1533
- admin@arthritiscare.com.au
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Monday to Friday: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: Closed
Trust Our Experienced Rheumatologists to
Get You Back to the Activities You Love
If you’re suffering from joint pain, stiffness, or other symptoms related to arthritis, lupus, or other rheumatic conditions, we are here to help. Our team of experienced Rheumatologists is dedicated to providing personalized care and effective treatment options that can help alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life.
FAQs
You can find answers to commonly asked questions below, or please don’t hesitate to contact us and make an appointment with a Rheumatologist to talk about your osteoarthritis.
Arthritis Australia states that 1 in 5 Australians over the age of 45 currently have osteoarthritis, making it the most common form of arthritis.
- Being overweight or obese,
- Previous hip or knee injuries,
- Jobs or sporting activities that involve kneeling, climbing, squatting or lifting heavy loads,
- Family history.
While there are some risk factors you cannot change (like age and genetics) there are other things you can change to decrease your risk of developing OA. You can:
- Lose weight
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet
- Avoid smoking
- Protect your joints during high-risk physical activities.
You can visit the ArthritisCARE resources page here for more information on OA and how to live with arthritis. You can contact us and make an appointment with one of our Rheumatologists to discuss what a diagnosis of OA means and what we can do to help with managing osteoarthritis.
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