TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OA Main goals of treatment include: relieve pain, manage stiffness, and help maintain function.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OA
Main goals of treatment include: relieve pain, manage stiffness, and help maintain function.
- Non-Invasive Treatments
- Medications
- Patient education and support
- Injections
- Surgery
Non-Invasive Treatments
1. Exercise
Exercise can have many benefits such as:
- improving the condition and co-ordination of muscles around the hip joint
- reducing pain
- improving ‘function’ – ability to perform normal daily and recreational activities
- increasing confidence in being able to maintain normal activities
- improving quality of life
2. Weight Loss
Carrying extra weight puts more strain on the spine, hips, knees, and ankles. Therefore, patients who are overweight should be counseled on weight loss as a way to decrease their pain.
3. Knee Braces
A cane, walker, or other device may be needed to improve mobility of patients with OA of the hip, knee, or ankle
4.Ambulatory Aids
Canes and Crutches – May reduce pain and increase function.
Medications
Medications may be prescribed by your doctor to help control pain, maintain activity levels and assist with sleep.
Injections
a. cortisone (corticosteroid) injection – to reduce inflammation and pain within the joint. The effect is short-term however, so injections are likely to be most effective when paired with an education and exercise program.
b. viscosupplementation – a joint lubricant injection (hyaluronan and/or hyaluronic acid). Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that assists in maintaining the elasticity of joint cartilage. These injections aim to reduce pain and improve mobility in those with hip OA.
Surgery
For more advanced cases of OA where symptoms are not adequately controlled by the other measures mentioned above, surgery is the final option for treatment for hip OA.
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