Early evaluation for osteoarthritis (OA) is essential because it opens up effective, non-surgical treatment options that can alleviate pain, maintain joint health, and delay or even avoid surgery. Many people delay seeing a doctor, fearing surgery, yet there are various non-operative treatments that work well, especially when started early. By assessing OA early, doctors can personalize treatment based on the condition’s progression. Initial evaluations at the Bone and Joint Center use x-rays to check joint cartilage levels and allow for tailored conservative treatments.
Osteoarthritis (OA), or “wear and tear arthritis,” is a common progressive degenerative disease that causes pain for millions of people, yet many people don’t see a doctor until their pain is unbearable. This delay is often due to a fear of surgery, a total joint replacement, when in actuality, there are a variety of non-operative treatments that can be highly effective, especially when utilized early.
Arthritis is not an all-or-nothing disease; it does not progress the same way for everyone, and there are a variety of options available for treatment depending on how your arthritis has progressed. Early evaluation for osteoarthritis is crucial. Early evaluation allows medical professionals, such as your orthopaedic surgeon at the Bone and Joint Center, to identify the cause of your pain and tailor a treatment plan specific to your condition. At the Bone and Joint Center, we use simple x-rays to determine the amount of cartilage you have left in your joint. Even if you have only a small amount of cartilage left in the joint, conservative, non-surgical treatments can still offer a significant amount of relief and improve your quality of life.
One of the biggest misconceptions about osteoarthritis is that surgery is inevitable and the only option. While surgery is an option for severe cases, many people experience success with non-operative treatments. Early evaluation gives you time to create a proactive treatment plan. The earlier you begin managing your arthritis, the more options you have to maintain your joint health, reduce pain, and stay active. Non-operative treatments are designed to help you manage pain, maintain your lifestyle, and delay or even avoid surgery altogether.
If you eventually need surgery, early non-operative treatments prepare you by strengthening the muscles around your joint and maintaining your mobility. This preparation can lead to better outcomes and recovery if surgery is needed down the line.
Osteoarthritis does not have to be a disease that defines your life. Early evaluation is your opportunity to take control of the situation, explore non-surgical treatment options, and slow down the progression of your arthritis. At the Bone and Joint Center, we are here to help you develop a plan that fits your needs and keeps you moving forward without jumping straight to surgery. With the right approach, you can manage symptoms, stay active, and enjoy a higher quality of life without pain from osteoarthritis.
