Winter is fast approaching and can be a rough month for people with osteoarthritis. Slippery sidewalks and winter sports increase the risk of falls, and joints seem to throb more in the cold, damp weather.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and progresses with age. Although OA can affect any joint in the body, weight-bearing joints such as the knee are most susceptible to this degenerative process. It is a gradual deterioration for which there is no specific treatment. Severe osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability, causing limited movement, stiffness, swelling and pain. The resulting disability also has significant psychological impact on the affected individual.
When pain becomes severe, your primary care doctor may prescribe prescription drugs and physical therapy, and if the condition becomes advanced, surgery might feel like it’s the only option. But that is not necessarily the case. Interventional pain management is a safe an effective way to manage chronic pain and discomfort. It offers various non-surgical, outpatient pain management therapies for those that are wanting to avoid surgery. Patients who are unfit for a total knee replacement due to co-existing medical conditions, patients who continue to have pain after total knee replacements and finally, patients with chronic knee pain secondary to OA when a surgeon does not recommend them as a surgical candidate yet.
Demand has been rising for minimally invasive treatments over the past decade. Rapidly advancing treatment methods include image guidance with fluoroscopy or ultrasound to achieve precise localized treatment, resulting in maximum therapeutic relief with little to no complications or side effects.
How do you know if interventional pain management procedures are right for you?
Schedule a consultation and talk with your doctor if you want to avoid surgery or if you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
-A failed knee replacement
-Chronic knee pain second to osteoarthritis
-Any comorbidities or conditions that keep you from in having invasive surgeries.
While these procedures are not a substitute for a knee replacement, removing the source of the pain can significantly delay or avoid the need for surgery.
