Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32 million adults in the United States. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. OA most often affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, but can also involve the hands and shoulders. Contributing factors include age, genetics, prior joint injury, overuse, and excess body weight, which increases joint stress and accelerates cartilage breakdown.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging. Physicians assess joint pain, stiffness, range of motion, and functional limitations. X-rays often show joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other changes consistent with OA. In some cases, MRI or ultrasound can provide additional detail about cartilage and soft tissue health. Diagnosis is primarily clinical—focused on symptoms and how they impact a person’s daily life.

You’re Not Alone

OA affects not only older adults but also active individuals and athletes. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, and pitching great Sandy Koufax have all spoken publicly about managing osteoarthritis. Their experiences highlight that OA can affect anyone, but with proper care, people can continue to lead active, fulfilling lives.

What Can Be Done?

Treatment for OA exists on a spectrum—from lifestyle modification to surgery. For patients seeking to avoid or delay joint replacement, non-operative treatments can be highly effective.

Conservative Treatment Options

Physical therapy (PT) and weight management are cornerstone strategies. PT strengthens surrounding muscles, improves joint stability, and enhances mobility, helping patients reduce pain and improve function. Weight loss, even as little as 5–10% of body weight, can significantly reduce stress on the knees and hips, slowing OA progression.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, provide short-term pain relief and help manage inflammation. Duloxetine, a prescription drug within a class of medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, also has evidence supporting its effect in arthritis pain reduction.

When Conservative Care Isn’t Enough

If symptoms persist despite PT, weight loss, and oral medications, joint injections may offer additional relief. Three common options include corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

• Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation and can relieve pain for 1–3 months, though repeated use may affect cartilage health.
• Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation) aim to restore lubrication and cushioning within the joint. Relief may last 4–6 months, though benefits vary.
• PRP injections use the patient’s own platelets to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Research suggests PRP may provide longer-lasting pain relief—often up to 9–12 months—and improved function compared to steroids or hyaluronic acid.

At Point Performance, our rehabilitation and pain management physicians, including sports and regenerative medicine physician Dr. Keith DellaGrotta, specialize in managing arthritis pain through non-operative means. By combining advanced physical therapy, medication management, ultrasound assessment and guided injections, and personalized treatment plans, we help patients regain function, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love—without surgery.