Osteoarthritis


Navigating Osteoarthritis: Comprehensive Solutions for Improved Joint Health

Living with osteoarthritis often feels like a constant battle against your own body. Whether it is a sharp pain when you climb the stairs at the Mesquite Golf Club or a lingering ache after a day spent at Town East Mall, joint stiffness can quickly sideline you from the activities you love. While many believe that “wear and tear” is simply an unavoidable part of aging, the reality is that more than half of adults living with this progressive joint disease are under the age of 65.

At Signature Orthopedics, Dr. Obi Osuji, MD, FAAOS, and his dedicated team understand that every step matters. We are committed to helping our Mesquite neighbors regain their independence through advanced, compassionate orthopedic care.

osteoarthritis

Understanding the Progression of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. This can lead to bone on bone friction, causing inflammation, swelling, and significant pain. While age is a primary factor, genetics, previous injuries, and repetitive stress also play major roles. Our team specializes in identifying these factors early to implement interventions that can delay or even prevent the need for total joint replacement.

Our Approach to Managing Joint Pain and Mobility

At Signature Orthopedics, we offer professional guidance designed to address osteoarthritis at various stages of its development. We focus on providing the clinical support necessary to address your physical symptoms while helping you navigate the complexities of joint health. Our interventions are designed to manage discomfort and support the functional movement of your joints.

Physical Therapy and Strengthening

A cornerstone of our conservative care involves specialized movement protocols. By focusing on the musculature surrounding the affected joint, we can help improve stability and reduce the load on the damaged cartilage. We work to coordinate a physical therapy plan that aligns with your physical limitations and your ultimate recovery goals. This proactive approach helps many patients maintain their independence without immediate escalation of care.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Options

When conservative measures are no longer sufficient to maintain your quality of life, we offer surgical solutions that prioritize smaller incisions and precision. Minimally invasive surgery is designed to address the internal damage of the joint while reducing the impact on surrounding healthy tissue. Dr. Osuji utilizes these modern techniques to help patients achieve their goals with the aim of a more streamlined recovery process compared to traditional open surgeries.

Why Choose Signature Orthopedics for Osteoarthritis Relief?

When it comes to managing a chronic condition like osteoarthritis, the quality of your specialist matters. Dr. Obi Osuji is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who brings years of expertise to the Mesquite community. At Signature Orthopedics, we do not believe in a one size fits all approach to medicine. We recognize that a retiree looking to enjoy walks has different functional goals than a younger professional dealing with early onset joint degeneration.

Our facility combines clinical excellence with a patient centered philosophy. We take the time to listen to your specific symptoms, evaluate your range of motion, and understand your personal goals. This collaborative approach ensures that you are an active participant in your recovery. By utilizing the latest diagnostic imaging and evidence based protocols, we provide our patients with a clear roadmap toward pain reduction and improved joint health.

Call Signature Orthopedics today or connect with us online to request your appointment and start your journey toward better joint health!

Osteoarthritis Q&A

Osteoarthritis develops over years of joint movement that breaks down the articular cartilage. Articular cartilage supports smooth movement by covering and protecting the ends of bones inside the joint.

As more cartilage wears away, the bones become exposed and rub against each other. Bone damage occurs, bone spurs grow, and inflammation develops.

You can have osteoarthritis in any joint, including your spine, toes, and fingers. But it most often affects large, weight-bearing joints, like your knees and hips.

Post-traumatic arthritis accounts for 12% of all cases of osteoarthritis. This type of osteoarthritis appears in people who suffer a joint injury during their teenage or young adult years. The injury triggers rapid joint deterioration, leading to osteoarthritis that occurs about 10 years earlier than traditional osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis becomes progressively worse over the years, but the speed of tissue degeneration varies with each person. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Limited movement
  • Pain when you’re active
  • Tenderness around the joint
  • Grinding sensation in the joint
  • Small bump over the joint
  • Swelling

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis could cause symptoms in the first year after your injury. But you might not experience pain and stiffness until 10-20 years later.

Dr. Osuji creates a customized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and the extent of your joint damage. Your plan can include:

  • Taking anti-inflammatory medication
  • Limiting activities that stress your knee
  • Losing weight (if needed)
  • Wearing a brace or splint
  • Getting joint injections
  • Engaging in physical therapy

Physical therapy, or following an exercise routine, is vital to slowing down joint damage, relieving pain, and maintaining optimal movement.

Joint injections to treat osteoarthritis can contain steroids (to reduce inflammation), hyaluronic acid (to improve joint lubrication and movement), or platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

The Signature Orthopedics team produces PRP from your own blood. After Dr. Osuji injects PRP, the platelets naturally activate healing and reduce inflammation.

When medical treatments no longer provide relief from your symptoms, Dr. Osuji might recommend minimally invasive surgery. He can clean the joint, removing bone spurs, damaged lining, and loose tissue fragments inside the joint. If the joint is extensively damaged, he can do joint replacement surgery.

Request an appointment online today or call Signature Orthopedics to get relief from osteoarthritis symptoms.