Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common
degenerative joint disease
where the cartilage between joints breaks down leading to pain, swelling and stiffness. Certain conditions are known to increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis including being overweight, injury and overuse. Osteoarthritis can occur at any time however it is more likely to affect people later in life. Osteoarthritis is generally diagnosed according to symptoms however viewing the affected joints through
x-ray
or
MRI
scans can confirm the diagnosis.
Physiotherapists
can assess patients and advise on appropriate exercises to help relieve symptoms.
Occupational therapists
advise on ways to adapt the patient’s environment such as including handrails in the patients home to assist with
mobility
. When the osteoarthritis has progressed to causing severe pain and joint damage, surgery by an
orthopaedic surgeon
may be the best course of treatment. Surgeries include whole
joint replacements
of the knee and hip or partial replacements of joints such as the elbow, wrist, shoulder or ankle are sometimes possible.
For other locations use the refine search location field below
Refine Search:
Hand Surgery incl. minimally invasive Dupuytren’s Contracture & Carpal Tunnel Releases. Trapeziectomy & Suspension Arthroplasty for Thumb-base Arthritis. Skin Cancer surgery