Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It becomes more common with advancing age. Over the age of 60, 10% of men and 18% of women have osteoarthritis. The most common joints affected are the hips, knees, shoulders, hands and the facet joints in the spine. It is a degenerative condition that results from the breakdown of cartilage and bone. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased range of motion. It is caused by genetic factors, injuries to the joint, stress on the joint and low-grade inflammation.

Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination and diagnostic imaging studies. X-ray will show joint space narrowing, increased bone formation, cyst and osteophytes (bone spur) formation.

Management includes lifestyle modification such as weight loss and exercise. Treatment includes pain medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDS), cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections, Platelet rich plasma injections, bracing and ultimately joint replacement surgery.

The Welcome Back Centre offers expedited Orthopedic Surgery consultations for Hip, Knee, Shoulder, Wrist and Ankle pain and Neurosurgery consultation for Spinal pain. Treatment options include Hydrocortisone injections, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, Hyaluronic Acid Injections, Cingal (combination of steroid and hyaluronic acid) and N-stride (concentrated platelet and anti-inflammatory products from autologous blood). Facet joint rhizotomies are performed for spine pain due to osteoarthritis.

Our orthopedic surgeon is Dr. David Cruikshank and he sees patients with pain involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knees and hips including joint replacement surgery.