Relief from Joint Pain to Help You Stay Active

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that provides cushioning between your bones gradually wears away, causing joint pain and stiffness. It’s the most common type of arthritis, and it usually develops in middle-aged and older adults. 

Our orthopedic specialists offer complete care for joint pain from osteoarthritis — Los Angeles magazine and Pasadena Magazine have named our specialists among the “Top Doctors.” We offer the latest osteoarthritis treatments to relieve joint pain and help you stay active.  

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis We Treat

Cartilage covers the ends of bones in your joints and allows them to move smoothly. When it wears away, your bones rub against each other, causing joint pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it most often happens in the joints in your spine, hand, hips and knees. 

Signs of osteoarthritis develop slowly and worsen with time, including: 

• Achiness or joint pain, which may be worse in the morning but gets better with movement 
• Changes in joint appearance, including joint swelling or bone spurs (extra bone that grows around the joint) 
• Joint pain that worsens after vigorous activity 
• Popping or cracking sensations when you use the joint 
• Reduced joint movement 

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Although treatment can’t reverse joint damage from osteoarthritis, it can relieve joint pain and other symptoms. 

Osteoarthritis treatments include: 

• Assistive devices to support or take pressure off joints, such as braces, splints, bandages, crutches, or a cane or walker 
• Lifestyle changes to lessen wear and tear on the joint, including losing weight and avoiding activities that cause joint pain 
• Osteoarthritis medications to relieve pain and swelling, including over the counter and prescription medicine and gels (such as ibuprofen and duloxetine), and steroid injections 
• Physical therapy to improve flexibility and strengthen the joint 
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a device that uses low-voltage current on the skin over the joint to relieve pain 

If nonsurgical approaches don’t relieve symptoms, your doctor may recommend osteoarthritis surgery: 

• Arthroscopy removes bone spurs or repairs damaged cartilage or other parts of your joint. 
• Joint replacement replaces damaged joint surfaces with plastic or metal.  
• Osteotomy (bone realignment) adds or removes bone to shift weight away from an area of joint damage. 

Your doctor will talk to you about all your options and create a treatment plan to give you the best possible results.