Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a type of arthritis associated with the wear and tear of our joints over our life span. This condition results from the gradual deterioration of joint cartilage with time and use, leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It can significantly impact daily life, mobility, and overall well-being.
All of us are subject to it: if we live long enough, we WILL be impacted by osteoarthritis in some form or another. Adults can typically start experiencing signs of osteoarthritis as early as our 40s and that number affected goes up dramatically every decade of life beyond 40.
At Synergy Rheumatology, we recognize the challenges posed by osteoarthritis and offer advanced, personalized care to effectively manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
There is no means to fully avoid osteoarthritis – but we have means to slow the progression of symptoms and improve quality of life, often dramatically.
At Synergy Rheumatology, we employ a multifaceted approach to managing osteoarthritis:
1. Advanced Interventions: Dr. Fellows offers ultrasound-guided procedures for targeted relief.
2. Physical Therapy: We partner with local physical therapy outlets that customize exercise programs for you to maximize joint function and strength.
3. Lifestyle Modifications: Guidance on activity adjustments to reduce joint stress.
4. Nutritional Counseling: Dietary advice to support joint health and manage inflammation. Metabolic education and obesity management options are available when these factors are in play.
5. Prescription Medications: Various options, targeted to your health circumstances and preferences specifically, are available for pain relief at all levels.
Our goal extends beyond pain alleviation; we aim to address underlying causes and mitigate factors contributing to joint deterioration.
A key component of our osteoarthritis treatment approach is the utilization of ultrasound-guided procedures. This cutting-edge technique enables:
1. Precise targeting of injectable medications including:
— Corticosteroids (“cortisone”): Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) or Triamcinolone acetonide extended release (Zilretta)
— Prolotherapy (i.e. dextrose injections)
— Platelet rich plasma (PRP)
2. Enhanced efficacy of treatments
3. Minimized patient discomfort
By visualizing the affected joint structures in real-time, we can deliver medications directly to the source of inflammation or damage. This precision approach often results in:
– Significant pain relief
– Improved joint function
– Faster recovery and return to daily activities
Upon your initial consultation, we conduct a thorough assessment of your condition, which joints are involved, their impact on your daily life and goals. This comprehensive evaluation forms the foundation of your personalized treatment plan, which may combine innovative procedures with traditional therapies for optimal results.
What you can expect when being seen for osteoarthritis:
– Comprehensive initial evaluation with formation of a personalized treatment plan tailored to you and your goals
– Regular treatment plan reviews and adjustments
– Ongoing support and guidance
– Continuous monitoring of your progress and well-being as time goes forward
– When ultimately necessary and if desired, Synergy partners with and can guide you to expert, local orthopedic surgeons who can offer surgical solutions such as total knee and hip arthroplasties (joint replacement)
Dr. Fellows has more than 10 years experience treating osteoarthritis. He is an accomplished speaker and educator, specifically educating the local community in managing osteoarthritis at various stages.
His expertise is melded with a patient-first approach to recommend and administer the best treatment for each individual situation and preference.
Don’t let osteoarthritis dictate your lifestyle. Contact Synergy Rheumatology today to schedule a consultation and explore how our advanced treatments can help you regain comfort and mobility.
Together, we can develop a strategy to effectively control your osteoarthritis and restore your quality of life.
