Multi-faceted treatment in Encinitas CA for relief from the pain, stiffness of knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that limits patients’ mobility. OA affects the knees more commonly than the hips, hands, spine, and toes; in fact, a long-term CDC-sponsored University of North Carolina study found the lifetime risk of developing knee OA is about 46 percent.

A board-certified rheumatologist, Dr. Peter Lloyd is best equipped to diagnose and manage OA, as he specializes in arthritis and other diseases of the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Trust Dr. Lloyd and Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center for osteoarthritis knee treatment in Encinitas CA uniquely tailored to your needs, and that achieves pain relief and healthy function.

Treatment at Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center is not any one technique, medication, or approach; it’s multi-faceted.

Physical measures

Exercise is strongly recommended for all OA patients, especially those suffering from knee and hip osteoarthritis. Walking, resistance training, low-impact aquatic exercise, and tai chi may be appropriate options for you. It depends on what you prefer to do, and if you have easy access to a gym or pool.

Exercise goes together with weight loss, which is strongly encouraged for overweight or obese individuals with knee OA. A loss of just 5 percent of body weight has been associated with measurable clinical and mechanical improvements.

Drug Therapy

Medications with the least systemic exposure are generally recommended. For example, topical NSAIDs applied to the skin versus aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen taken by mouth. Since some of these drugs have more favorable side effect profiles than others, Dr. Lloyd discusses the pros and cons and considerations with you. Some patients are at increased risk of developing adverse GI, heart, and kidney complications, and there are potential drug interactions. Dosing should be as low as possible, with treatment continued for as short of time as possible.

Injectable treatments are also available at Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center to relieve the symptoms of knee OA. Dr. Lloyd may inject a natural lubricant, hyaluronic acid, as a gel into the knee joint. Steroid or cortisone shots are also available. Treatments to the knee joints lubricates bones and facilitates enhanced movement and reduced pain.

Dr. Lloyd uses ultrasound technology to guide injections. So, you can ensure therapeutic agents are delivered precisely and comfortably.

Supplements

Many nutrition supplements have been used widely for osteoporosis treatment, including:

• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Dr. Lloyd discusses safety considerations with you, which is especially important when combining supplements with prescription medications (to avoid drug interactions).

Surgery

Every effort is made to relieve your symptoms non-invasively; however, if you have severe knee pain and problems with function persist despite other therapies, surgery might involve arthroscopy to repair the joint through small incisions and to delay more complex procedures.

Call Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center at 760-509-2429 without delay. So you can enjoy the activities you love, effortlessly.

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