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There are a number of options, though a knee replacement is the only definitive treatment that provides long-term relief. Pain medications, including NSAIDs and narcotics are effective in treating pain. Physical therapy and weight loss (if overweight) can also help.

1. Steroid injections. I think these are only temp helpful. Plus I've heard they can eat up the joint cartilage.

2. SynVisc or Hyaluronic Acid injections. I've seen some things on European sites where they do this with some success. I've asked a few docs, they say insurance companies here won't cover. There is some limited research.

3. Prolotherapy. There is a research article on hand Arthritis in a very small number of patients, but no large, controlled studies showing it works.

4. STEM CELLS. Most of these are out of the country and a bit hokey. One site in the US will transplant your own stem cells into the joint. Those who are providing the service say it works. This is an injection, so very limited recovery. There are no placebo-controlled trials showing it works. Most of their research saying it works is based on individual case reports where one person had a "too good to be true" result. This is also not covered by insurance and costs over $7,000.

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Q: Is there an alternative to knee surgery for bone on bone condition due to osteoarthritis and loss of cartilage?
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What are the early signs of osteoarthritis?

What is Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most wide spread types of arthritis and is found most often to stast developing after the age of 45. I may also form as the result of a jury to a joint. Men and women are affected equally by this condition.AO causes the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints. Cartilage is the material that covers the end of the bone at the joints to ensure smooth and effortless movement. In OA, this cartilage breaks down.OA usually occurs in the fingers and weight-bearing joints; these include, knees, feet, hips and back. Osteoarthritis is the result of changes in the cells of the cartilage resulting in a loss of elasticity. Over time this causes the cartilage to thin out and in some situation breakdown all together. This leaves the ends of the bone without its smooth covering, and the joint loses its easy mobility.. OA progresses slowly. For many people the symptoms will be mild and have little impact. OA rarely causes severe disability, but when it does surgery to replace joints is often highly effective. Symptoms of OA vary. Most individuals remain essentially free of symptoms until the cartilage ceases to function properly. After that they may include, Pain, Swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint or joints. To diagnose RA Your doctor will first assess your situation by checking the affected joints for outward signs of inflammation heat etc. then if he deems it necessary may order tests such as X-ray and blood tests joint fluid tests to exclude the possibility of other types of arthritis.The management of this condition depends on the joints affected and the physique of the patient. And includes, Exercise, Education, Medication, Joint protection, and Healthy weight maintenance Answer also: "Osteoarthritis", states the Western Journal of Medicine, "is in many ways like the weather, ubiquitous, often unnoticed, sometimes dramatic in its effects. OA concentrates its erosive influence in one or just a few joints. As cartilage is slowly eroded, bone begins to grinding against bone. This is accompanied by an outgrowths caused osteophytes. Cysts may form, and the underlying bone thickens and become deformed. Other symptoms include knobby knuckles, grating and grinding sounds that emanate from arthritic joints, and muscle spasms, along with pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. The American Journal of Medicine states: There is no evidence that a normal joint, subject to common stresses, will break down over the life of a person. Efforts to understand the exact cause of OA are "plagued by controversy" according to the British magazine The Lancet. Some investigators propose that damage to a bone, such as micro-fractures may occur first. This, in turn may trigger bony outgrowths and cartilage deterioration. Others think that OA starts in the cartilage itself. As it degenerates and frays, they reason, stress increases on the underlying bone. Pathological changes occur as the body attempts to repair the damaged cartilage. While age doe not cause OA, the loss of joint cartilage experienced more frequently with increasing age. Other risks may include those who have an abnormality in the way their joint surfaces fit together or who have weak leg and thigh muscles, legs of unequal length, or a misalignment of the spine. Trauma to a joint caused by an accident or by an occupation in which repetitive motions overuse a joint can also set the stage for osteoarthritis. Once deterioration begins, being overweight can exacerbate OA.


How do you repair a heart valve without surgery?

Easy all you gotta do is put sticky tape on the hole or use staples if you are to cheap to buy sticky tape


What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) Also known as degenerative arthritis and non inflammatory arthritis is one of the more common types of arthritis. Affecting cartilage and bone in the joints. Cartilage cushions the ends of bones and serves as a surface that that provides very little friction where the bones meet to form a joint. In OA, this cartilage breaks down.AO is most likely to occur in the fingers, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, feet, hips and back.OA seems to be caused by changes within the cells of the cartilage leading to a loss of elasticity. This can lead to the thinning and breakdown of the cartilage at time leaving the ends of the bone unprotected and without the low friction required for painless smooth movement in the joints at affected.OA effects both sexes equally usually develop between the ages of 45 to 90 years. Most people develop some OA with increasing age. Men and women are affected equally. OA may also develop in joints that have been injured.OA progresses slowly and will have little or no impact on most people. OA rarely causes severe disability However when it does replacement joint surgery has proved to be very effective. Symptom includes Pain and stiffness in the joint and Swelling.is a group of diseases and mechanical abnormalities entailing degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and the subchondral bone next to it.What is osteoarthritis?It is the most common form of arthritis. It is also known as wear and tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. The disease involves perfunctory abnormalities related to joint degradation.What causes this disease?It is mainly caused as a result of breaking down of joint-cartilages. Certain metabolic, hereditary or mechanical reasons lead to the loss of cartilages. Some of the factors that lead to primary osteoarthritis are:Family historyJoint injuriesExcessive stress on the jointsRecurring use of jointsBeing obeseIt is often related to old age but not caused as a result of aging. Degenerative arthritis is also secondary in nature. Secondary OA could result as an outcome of other conditions or diseases like:DiabetesJoint injuries from accidentsObesityJoint disordersInflammatory diseasesJoint infectionsDeterioration of ligamentsWilson's diseaseHow does degenerative arthritis affect the life of the patient?OA concerns different people in different ways. In few cases, the disease is progressive and serious in nature. Generally, OA affects people in neck, fingers, knees, hips, lower back and thumbs. It results in weakness and pain. However, the disease not only affects its victims physically, it also affects people as far as their lifestyle and monetary matters are concerned.Financial effects comprise:Huge expenses on treatmentsLoss of wages owing to disabilityLifestyle effects could include:Job limitationsFeeling of helplessnessDepressionDifficulty in performing daily activitiesAnxietyThe condition frequently targets people who are aged above fifty and women.Osteoarthritis is another name for degenerative joint disease.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.


What is degenerative arthritis of the neck?

What is OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most wide spread types of arthritis and is found most often to stast developing after the age of 45. I may also form as the result of a jury to a joint. Men and women are affected equally by this condition.AO causes the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints. Cartilage is the material that covers the end of the bone at the joints to ensure smooth and effortless movement. In OA, this cartilage breaks down.OA usually occurs in the fingers and weight-bearing joints; these include, knees, feet, hips and back.Osteoarthritis is the result of changes in the cells of the cartilage resulting in a loss of elasticity. Over time this causes the cartilage to thin out and in some situation breakdown all together. This leaves the ends of the bone without its smooth covering, and the joint loses its easy mobility..OA progresses slowly. For many people the symptoms will be mild and have little impact. OA rarely causes severe disability, but when it does surgery to replace joints is often highly effective.Symptoms of OA vary. Most individuals remain essentially free of symptoms until the cartilage ceases to function properly. After that they may include, Pain, Swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint or joints.To diagnose RA Your doctor will first assess your situation by checking the affected joints for outward signs of inflammation heat etc. then if he deems it necessary may order tests such as X-ray and blood tests joint fluid tests to exclude the possibility of other types of arthritis.The management of this condition depends on the joints affected and the physique of the patient. And includes, Exercise, Education, Medication, Joint protection, and Healthy weight maintenanceOsteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) can be the reason for breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints. The lack of the cartilage in the joints cause pain, loss of motion and stiffness. The facet joints rear part, (posterior) of the backbone. These joints combine with the disc space to create a three-joint complex at each vertebral level. The facet joint is made up of two opposing bony surfaces that have to have cartilage between them and a capsule surrounding them that produces fluid. The cartilage and the fluid work together to allow allows the joints to move with little friction. However, facet joint arthritis causes the cartilage to breakdown and the joint movement causes more friction. This leads to a los of motion, back pain and an increase if stiffness as a result


Why does osteoarthritis occur?

The exact reasons for this disease are not entirely understood. HoweverOsteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most wide spread types of arthritis and is found most often to stast developing after the age of 45. I may also form as the result of a jury to a joint. Men and women are affected equally by this condition.AO causes the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints. Cartilage is the material that covers the end of the bone at the joints to ensure smooth and effortless movement. In OA, this cartilage breaks down.OA usually occurs in the fingers and weight-bearing joints; these include, knees, feet, hips and back.Osteoarthritis is the result of changes in the cells of the cartilage resulting in a loss of elasticity. Over time this causes the cartilage to thin out and in some situation breakdown all together. This leaves the ends of the bone without its smooth covering, and the joint loses its easy mobility..OA progresses slowly. For many people the symptoms will be mild and have little impact. OA rarely causes severe disability, but when it does surgery to replace joints is often highly effective.Symptoms of OA vary. Most individuals remain essentially free of symptoms until the cartilage ceases to function properly. After that they may include, Pain, Swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint or joints.To diagnose RA Your doctor will first assess your situation by checking the affected joints for outward signs of inflammation heat etc. then if he deems it necessary may order tests such as X-ray and blood tests joint fluid tests to exclude the possibility of other types of arthritis.The management of this condition depends on the joints affected and the physique of the patient. And includes, Exercise, Education, Medication, Joint protection, and Healthy weight maintenance

Related questions

What is one condition that may lead to hip replacement surgery?

Osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis is a disorder in which the cartilage in the joints of the body gradually breaks down, allowing the surfaces of the bones to rub directly and wear against each other.


Will massage help with osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis indicates damage to the cartilage in that knee. while message may feel good and give some relief it will not do anything to repair the cartilage that is at the root of the problem. Answer 2: Unfortunately osteoarthritis has to do with the knee, bone and cartilage loss. Massage can only affect the muscles and surrounding tissue. It may help to massage this area if there is swelling and inflammation but that will not change the loss of cartilage in the knee. Severe osteoarthritis and loss of cartilage, bone on bone, is where doctors usually consider knee replacement surgery.


Why Would One Need Knee Surgery?

Osteoarthritis, the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone is one of the major reasons for knee replacement surgery in Chennai. Age is a very common condition and it occurs when cartilage the protection or covering between the knee and the bone joints breaks down.


What is a surgery to repair damaged cartilage in the knee?

That would be arthritis, more specifically osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.


Swollen outer ear?

The symptom of a swollen outer ear can be perichondritis, an ear cartilage infection caused by bacteria. Another symptom is pain. A cause for this condition can be injury of ear cartilage due to factors like cartilage piercing or ear surgery.


Looking at the Reasons for Knee Replacement Surgery?

A person with a knee joint that has experienced damage or deterioration may be a suitable candidate for knee replacement surgery. Joints made of artificial material are used in this type of surgery to replace the damaged parts of the knee. There are several reasons why a person may need to have knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is one well-known reason that prompts people to have knee replacement surgery. When a knee joint is in good condition, there is adequate cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones of the knee. However, when a person develops osteoarthritis the cartilage in that area wears away over time. In short, the individual is left with the painful sensation of bones rubbing together. People with osteoarthritis should check with their doctor to see if they would benefit from knee replacement surgery. Another type of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis can also lead a person to seek knee replacement surgery. This condition also causes the cartilage on the bones of the knee to wear away gradually. Two symptoms of this condition are swelling and stiffness of the knees. Once again, a person experiencing these symptoms should check with his or her doctor. An athlete with a knee joint that has worn out due to strenuous use may need knee replacement surgery. Not surprisingly, athletes who have played sports for years may experience stiffness or swelling in their knees as they age. The cartilage protecting the bones in the knee has been worn down from intense pressure. An athlete in this situation may be able to relieve his or her symptoms with knee replacement surgery. A person who is extremely overweight for a long period of time may need to have knee replacement surgery. The continuous pressure put on the knee joint can cause the cartilage to wear away producing swelling and pain. The individual's doctor would be able to determine whether knee replacement surgery would be a wise choice. Knee replacement surgery has the capacity to relieve the swelling, stiffness, and pain in a person's knee. Finally, people who are concerned about this condition should make a list of pertinent questions for their doctor.


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Mirko Tos has written: 'Surgical solutions for conductive hearing loss' -- subject(s): Surgery, Deafness, Otosclerosis 'Cartilage tympanoplasty' -- subject(s): Tympanoplasty, Ear Cartilage, Articular cartilage, Methods, Surgery 'Surgical Solutions for Conductive Hearing Loss (DISCONTINUED (Manual of Middle Ear Surgery))' 'Acoustic Neuroma'