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Opening jars. Climbing stairs. Even just getting out of bed in the morning. When everyday movements become a real pain, it may be time to pay attention.

Osteoarthritis could be the culprit. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is a joint disease that gets worse over time and affects more than 80% of adults age 55 and older. Stiff shoulders, sore hips, achy backs, crunchy knees and fingers that just don’t work the way they used to are all telltale signs.

At Cleveland Clinic, we can help you gain a better understanding of this lifelong condition, as well as help you manage it. Protecting your joints, reducing your pain, and helping you enjoy a full and active life is our No. 1 goal.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Osteoarthritis Care?

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Demonstrated expertise:

Cleveland Clinic is a national leader in bone, muscle and joint care. Our specialists are experts at treating all types of bone, joint and connective tissue disorders — from the routine to the complex. They’re highly skilled in treating painful joints caused by all types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis. Meet our team.

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Trusted experts:

Our surgeons perform more than 7,000 hip, shoulder, knee, and elbow, wrist and finger joint replacements each year— more than most hospitals in the U.S.

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Patient-centered care:

We take the time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have about your condition. It’s important to us that you fully understand what you’re facing with osteoarthritis and the treatment options that are available.

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic

If joint pain is taking a toll on your daily life, we can help you figure out the cause and set you on the path to treatment. At your appointment, your provider will start by asking some questions. They’ll want to know about your medical history and if your family members have a history of joint pain. They’ll also ask you to describe the symptoms you’re having, how bad they are and how they’re affecting your day-to-day life. Your provider will then examine your joints. They may also:

  • Order an X-ray to make sure there’s no other reason for the pain
  • Order an MRI if they think you might have a cartilage or ligament issue
  • Drain the fluid from your joint with a small needle (aspiration) and then test the fluid to look for other types of arthritis, such as gout

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Osteoarthritis Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that never fully goes away, but mild symptoms can be managed very well. The type of treatment depends on many factors, including your age, overall health, your job and hobbies and how severe your condition is. Your provider may suggest:

  • Medications: Options can include topical pain medicines and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®).
  • Exercise: Swimming, water aerobics, yoga, short walks and low-impact strength training can help improve your flexibility, joint stability and muscle strength.
  • Hot and cold therapy: Switching between a heating pad and cold packs on your joints can help relieve stiffness.
  • Physical and occupational therapy: Stretching and range-of-motion exercises, as well as tips on how to avoid joint pain in your daily activities, can help keep you flexible and build strength.
  • Weight control: Obesity is a known risk factor for osteoarthritis. Managing your weight can reduce the stress on your joints and lessen pain and inflammation.
  • Healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet, managing diabetes (if you have it) and keeping your cholesterol in check will help with joint pain.
  • Alternative medicine: Nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals and other natural or holistic therapies may be options. This may include acupuncture, acupressure and meditation.
  • Supportive devices: Shoe inserts, braces, a cane or a walker can help take pressure off sore joints.
  • Intra-articular injection therapy: A shot (steroid) directly into your joint can target the pain. If steroids don’t work as expected, hyaluronic acid gel or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are also options.
  • Surgery: When the pain is so great and other treatments haven’t offered relief, surgery may be necessary. Our orthopaedic surgeons use minimally invasive joint replacement techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures, wherever possible. Our orthopaedic surgeons have had excellent results in reducing pain and getting affected joints to move better.
  • Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT): This treatment uses small amounts of radiation to help reduce joint inflammation. It may be an alternative if you have early-stage osteoarthritis and want to avoid surgery or medications.

What's Next?

Pain from osteoarthritis usually builds slowly over months or years. Many people live with the pain for a long time before they ask for help. But there’s no reason to wait. The sooner you call a healthcare provider and start managing your joint pain, the sooner you’ll be back on your way to living the life you enjoy.

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